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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Phoebe or Octavia?

99 replies

Ldougal92 · 09/03/2023 09:14

I think these are our final 2 girls names, we are both leaning to separate names (of course!). Phoebe usually gets a better reaction than Octavia, but would be good to hear your opinions x

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RuthW · 09/03/2023 12:18

Love both. Probably I would go with Octavia as not so popular.

EmilyGilmoresSass · 09/03/2023 12:19

Undermyumberellaellaella · 09/03/2023 09:16

Phoebe is better. Octavia sounds like it could be some kind of phone/internet company.

Or a car

SpinningFloppa · 09/03/2023 12:22

Phoebe. Octavia is really ugly sorry 😳

notthisagainforest · 09/03/2023 12:24

Octavia is a car

FayCarew · 09/03/2023 12:33

If anyone is interested in what real live supreme court justices are called:
www.supremecourt.uk/about/biographies-of-the-justices.html
High court judges: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_High_Court_judges_of_England_and_Wales
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Jilly Cooper novels

ZoyaTheDestroyer · 09/03/2023 12:46

My love for Jilly Cooper is boundless but her 70s name novels knocked out several of my favourite names. Based on that, Phoebe.

Spidey66 · 09/03/2023 12:47

Phoebe. I don't like Octavia.

Eranzer · 09/03/2023 12:51

Octavia is beautiful. I also think of Octavia the Younger

Undermyumberellaellaella · 09/03/2023 12:52

Undermyumberellaellaella · 09/03/2023 09:16

Phoebe is better. Octavia sounds like it could be some kind of phone/internet company.

Didn't even think of the car😅

HuggingtheHRT · 09/03/2023 12:53

Phoebe.

Octavia just sounds frilly and affected IMO.

toastofthetown · 09/03/2023 13:12

Phoebe is an insipid name, made all the more dull by its huge popularity. Of the two I prefer Octavia.

Cotswoldmama · 09/03/2023 13:17

I would vote Octavia just because I find Phoebe a bit boring but I'm not sure what Octavia would be shortened to, as it definitely would if not by you then school friends . Maybe Vivi?

AllOfThemWitches · 09/03/2023 13:18

Octavia is so pretentious.

FayCarew · 09/03/2023 13:24

@Cotswoldmama ,it won't shorten naturally to Vivi. Tavy maybe.

Original poster
Ldougal92 · 09/03/2023 13:25

Super interesting. Thank you everyone

OP posts:
sandstormboots · 09/03/2023 13:33

Another vote for Phoebe

Sugarfree23 · 09/03/2023 13:46

I wouldn't think Octavia would shortened to Vivi either it's more likely to have a really bazaar Octa, Octonauts, or end up as something stupid like Octopussy🙀

Vivi is more likely as Victora, or Vivian.

Cinnamon23 · 09/03/2023 13:47

FayCarew · 09/03/2023 13:24

@Cotswoldmama ,it won't shorten naturally to Vivi. Tavy maybe.

I once read a YA novel with a main character called Octavia. It was shortened to Tavy, which then became ‘Dave’ when used by schoolmates wanting to take the piss.

Obviously a work of fiction but fairly true to life in terms of kids making a joke out of anything.

ShakeYourFeathers · 09/03/2023 13:48

I really like both . But Phoebe just about pips Octavia to the post

SpinningFloppa · 09/03/2023 13:50

Tay Could be a nickname? But tbh mn is obsessed with nicknames and my sons name has never been shortened by anyone in his school they always use his full name so it’s not a given that some seem to think it is.

lordloveadog · 09/03/2023 13:56

Phoebe.

Or Vita?

shoopshoopdedoo · 09/03/2023 14:40

Phoebe

Phos · 09/03/2023 14:44

Sugarfree23 · 09/03/2023 13:46

I wouldn't think Octavia would shortened to Vivi either it's more likely to have a really bazaar Octa, Octonauts, or end up as something stupid like Octopussy🙀

Vivi is more likely as Victora, or Vivian.

I guess it could shorten to Ava, but it would need to be forced, its not a nickname that would occur naturally ( for example like Penny from Penelope)

WhyOhWine · 09/03/2023 14:50

I much prefer Phoebe. I do know an Octavia who gets Tavi (to rhyme with navy)

FayCarew · 09/03/2023 14:57

@SpinningFloppa , at school, a few years ago, some were called a diminutive, like Nicky , Vicky, Debbie Andy or Chris, but others had nn not necessarily related to their names