Olivia or Julian??

[charliebug]

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

Hi charliebug - I do still like Julian. To me it is strong but also gentle. Plus it works in a lot of European languages (my DD has a continental name, so am looking for other names which translate).

I am really quite surprised by how much people dislike it, but as I said I guess there has to be a reason that I don't know any little Julians. I think I will keep it on my list as there are so few names that haven't been taken by friends and which sound OK with our ugly surname aaaaand which DH and I can both tolerate (which is the particularly tricky bit).

Kids tend to make names their own. E.g. I always found the name Frank rather harsh but I met a toddler called Frank the other day and he was such a bundle of gorgeous, giggling little rascal that I have completely revised my opinion of the name.

We just named our son Julian. I think its a great name, its not too popular but still familiar. Danny Devito, Pheobe From friends, Jerry Seinfeld and John Lennon all have sons named Julian. Its actually in the 60s for popularity in the US ahead of Lucas which was another choice for us. I think it has a timeless and well rounded sound to it. The first thing that comes to mind is that it sounds royal. And I think that it will be well recepted as a boys name with the young ones because of King Julian in the Disney's Madagascar movie.

You know which camp I'm in but mine is becoming an Ollie or a Livvy, interestingly there aren't too many Olivia's around us, Julian is quite different now, the more I'm saying it, the more I like it.

Love both - had an ex who was a Julian and he was gorgeous (a bit of bastard but ho hum, and I did dump him in the end)

Can you live with Liv/Livy or Jules as abbreviations though?

Olivia is nice - although very popular.
Julian is a bed wetters name.

@ nancy

Isn't also the name of one of Postman Pat's offspring? Now, that could put me off.......

Dont like Julian at all.
Olivia is nice but too popular.