Oliver

[Janch13]

Do you like this name? Do you think it’s too popular? I like it but the fact that it’s consistently no1 or no2 puts me off until it occurred to me, I don’t actually know any Olivers!

Not sure I love the inevitable nn Ollie.

I really like Oliver, it's one of the names on our list. I don't think it matters it's popular, if it's a name you like that's the important thing. We also have George, Arthur, Peter, Luke and Edward on our list, which are all quite popular too but I think you'll always find that with traditional names. I will say though, I've only ever met one Oliver.

It's sooo overused and dull. We know so many Olivers that even with their surnames, we can't sometimes identify them!

I don't think it matters it's popular, if it's a name you like that's the important thing.
I think the important thing is whether your son cares if he has to always add his surname to identify himself.. hopefully you have a more unusual surname

@Purpletopaz42 so many of your names are also on our list!! Thanks for your reply.

@Pinkdafodils thanks for your reply. What do you think makes it dull? Just that it’s popular? I like my own name but there were 4 others in my school year group. Saying that with my 1st child I ruled out any top 20 names

I like it, I only know two - one in his early thirties and the other 19.

It really is very very popular although it is now on its way back down, so your Oliver might not encounter many of his namesakes until he enters the workplace and is ten years too young for his name.

Regardless, I wouldn’t use it if you dislike Ollie. I have taught dozens of Olivers and literally every single one was known as Ollie / Olly / Oli to his friends. I sometimes wonder if any of their mothers are the MNers who confidently declare that their Oliver is only ever known by his first name.

I have loved it since my first DS was born almost 13 years ago. Was put off by popularity. Finally used it for my DS3 2 years ago, no regrets and funnily enough I haven't met another Oliver yet.

I really love it. Not keen on Ollie either, but don’t think it’s necessarily inevitable. I only know of two Olivers, one a child & one a 50-something.

It’s very very very popular, and that’s before you account for the equally popular Olivia.

I would let that stop you if you like it - but don’t use it if you don’t like Ollie, because that’s quite likely.

Alistair is a nice alternative I think.

WOULDN’T let it stop you

I think it is a lovely name and I don't mind Ollie.