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Baby names

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

Original poster

Olivia or Julian??

58 replies

charliebug · 19/02/2009 03:10

what do you think? Not sure what we are having yet but would like to have a few names picked out. Thanks

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paolosgirl · 19/02/2009 13:11

Love Olivia - so what if it's popular?

Don't like Julian at all, but that's probably because I know one and he's a bit pompous. It does remind me of the Famous Five - a bit twee.

randomname · 19/02/2009 14:00

DS2 was going to be Livia notat all common + can shorten etc if you like

JemL · 19/02/2009 14:03

Agree, Julian reminds me of Famous Five - always annoyingly reasonable, trustworthy, sensible, even to the point of being allowed to cart pre-teen relatives across the countryside sleeping in barns, solving crimes, and being jolly fair minded.

I actually prefer Olive to Olivia! But probably because I watched Little Miss Sunshine the other night

angrypixie · 19/02/2009 15:30

I know a Jolyon also Forsythe Saga I think. A bit cooler than prissy old Julian.

LuLuBai · 19/02/2009 16:00

Ah see I quite like Jolyon too but I think it is slighly higher up the ponceometor than Julian (not that that would really bother me)

toomuchmonthatendofthemoney · 19/02/2009 16:11

Julian too poncey and silly. Camp cravat wearing antique dealers name imo.

Olivia is ok but getting very popular. I like the shortening Livvy for a little girl tho.

Sidge · 19/02/2009 16:14

Olivia is lovely but must be popular/common depending on where you live - there are none in DD3s nursery or in DD2s reception class!

Not keen on Julian, but I do love Benedict, Gregory and Jonathan.

Thunderduck · 19/02/2009 16:36

Both are great names.

traceybath · 19/02/2009 16:41

Olivia lovely but very popular as others have said.

Julian too feminine for my liking for a boy.

Love Juliette for a girl though.

suwoo · 19/02/2009 16:46

Hi again Lulubai. I like Olive better as JemL suggested. I can't bear Julian- no particular reason why, I just don't like it. Its hard this isn't it .

BabyBaby123 · 19/02/2009 17:34

Olivia is okay but there are quite a lot of them about. Julian is horrible, sorry.

madlentileater · 19/02/2009 19:03

'hallo, I'm Sandy and this is my friend Julian..'
(kenneth williams, v camp voice)

Original poster
charliebug · 19/02/2009 21:27

Thanks for all your replies and yes Julian is for a boy. I have to say that I am a little surprised that some don't like Julian I was actually hoping for a boy because I like it better than Olivia. Is it really that bad? I thought it was lovely

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2pt4kids · 19/02/2009 21:39

I think I've worked out why Julian is so creepy as a name.
It's because its a 50 year olds mans name and not one that I can imagine getting popular again, so would sit wrong on a child iyswim.

In the same league as Keith or Roger

paolosgirl · 19/02/2009 21:39

Yes, it is that bad - sorry! Pregancy can cloud your judgement..

Alanol · 19/02/2009 22:58

I have a gorgeous, thoughtful and considerate friend called Julian - I like it, but it is a slightly effeminate name.

My DD is Olivia, so obviously I'm biased.. it's what drew me to this thread in the first place. I totally agree with the other mum who said that you can't go out without bumping into other Olivia's. Nevertheless it's a classy name, and one that is an adult name. That's the trouble with Daisy's and Molly's etc...pretty though they are they aren't the name of a 47 year old professional woman, but Olivia is classic (Shakespearean no less) and elegant.

What about Julienne...or is that some kind of french way of cooking veg?

Original poster
charliebug · 19/02/2009 23:05

paolosgirl
Maybe that's why I like it Alanol, I went to school with a guy called Julian - good looking, smart, funny and very nice.
What do you think Lulubai, is it still on your list?

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Original poster
charliebug · 19/02/2009 23:09

belgo I do like Oliver but dh doesn't and there is already a Julia in my family so unfortunately that is out thanks

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lunamoon2 · 19/02/2009 23:44

Like Olivia, don't like Julian-too effeminate in my opinion!!

CocoaCloset · 19/02/2009 23:54

Neither for me. Julian reminds me of a centre-parted limp haired ninny and Olivia too popular with food associations

Timeisablindguide · 19/02/2009 23:59

Julian isn't one I'd choose at all.
Olivia, as all posts say is far, far too common these days - every small girl under a certain age seems to be called Olivia.
Oliver is over used these days too - everyone seems to be naming babies Oliver!

Why not go for something a little less "of the moment" IYSWIM? Something NOT on lists of 100 popular names...there are some lovely names for both genders that won't date as much or sound as twee.

steviesgirl · 20/02/2009 16:02

I love the name Julian and can't see why so many people dislike it. I would consider the name if I had a son. Oliver is just too popular now in my opinion.

Names that aren't "in" at the moment are more interesting and individual. I bet in most classrooms there are about 10 Olivers at the moment.

If you like Julian then I'd say go for it. Nothing wrong with it at all. No more poncey than Henry and a much nicer name imo.

kt09 · 20/02/2009 19:36

I like Julian! And I think it's a good thing it's not super popular right now

BumblBeee · 20/02/2009 21:57

I like both of them. I have a 2 yr old Olivia and everytime we go on holiday we meet tons more of them.

The Times said it was the most popular name in Britain just after we named her this

We had no idea!

How about Olive?

Original poster
charliebug · 21/02/2009 23:14

Thankyou. After much discussion Julian is still on the top of the list here and I agree with the Henry comparison steviesgirl. Although it's good to hear what everyone thinks
BumblBeee Dh doesn't like Olive and that is one thing that we are worried about with Olivia, I think it's a classy name that sounds great at any age but not so nice when a lot of other people are called it too.
kt09 my thoughts exactly

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