Boy names

[Mommy0boys2]

Myself and my husband are struggling with boys names. We both like oliver but are worried about it’s popularity and him not having his own identity at school, the other names we like are Bradley or Jacob. Would value opinions x x

I think Oliver is a fine name - you are unlikely for him to have no identity even if there are a few other Olivers at the school.

I also like Jacob.

I don't like Bradley as much but I can't put my finger on why.

Where I am, Jacob is only a whisker less popular than Oliver. I don’t know any little Bradleys, but it’s my least favourite out of your three.

I have very young children and know of 2 Jacobs but only 1 Oliver. If you prefer Oliver then I'd pick that as you might find there's more Jacobs anyway.
Numbers wise if you look at the official statistics, the name Oliver has been declining every year since 2010 - there's about 40% less Olivers a year now than there used to be 10 years ago and that trend is likely to continue if you look at the trajectory
I don't like Bradley.

Every Bradley at my school in the 90s was a moronic bully. The name seems incredibly dated now, a bit like Darren. Bradley sounds a bit used car salesmen.

I don’t think having a popular name would have any impact on your son’s identity. Oliver is okay, but I find it pretty dull. But compared to the terminally boring Jacob, it sounds positively thrilling!

How about Barnaby instead of Bradley?
Otis instead of Oliver?
Jasper instead of Jacob?

I love Oliver and Jacob though
Don't like Bradley

Oliver is fine, perhaps a bit dated. The ones I know are in their late20s. Jacob is OK. Not Bradley.

Love Bradley.
Also:
Arthur
Monty
Elijah
George
Reuben
Harvey

Graham
Hudson
Joseph
Rodney

My 11yo ds is Jacob and I still love it as much as the day we named him. Its such a classic, solid name. It might not be the most original but we've never come across many others - he is the only Jacob in his school and I only know of a couple of others of different ages. As he's getting a bit older he's being called Jake a bit more by his friends but I really like that too. I know of a few Olivers - mostly younger than ds - it's a lovely name though. I'm not a fan of Bradley.

I really like the name Jacob. I'm a teacher and don't feel it's over-used. I considered it myself for ds1 but went with Isaac.

I have an Oliver - he’s 18.
I would say that regardless of name your child will develop their own identity. Put that thought aside and go with the name you really love.
I’ve never regretted my choice and he’s never been in a class at school with any other Oliver’s!! It’s a great name with cool nn potential - Olly to his mates, His grandma calls him big O! We called him ollypops as a small child.

I love Oliver. Great name.
Jacob is ok
Dislike Bradley. Bit wet.

Just call him Oliver. It's a name, not a brand.

Thanks for all your comments and advice so far, it’s really helpful to get peoples honest opinions

I like all three names. Oliver is v common and the nickname Jake would put me off Jacob slightly.

Other names I would consider to be similar to these:
Sebastian
Adam
Alistair

I prefer Jacob to Oliver.