Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

Which is more common - Oliver or Sam?

40 replies

pulapula · 17/04/2009 21:00

We are having DS no.2 in about a month's time, and have narrowed our name choices down to Oliver (Ollie) or Samuel (Sam).

I know both are quite common/popular but the same could be said of our other DCs names (Katie and Ben).

I am just a bit worried that Sam is too popular at the moment.

Any views?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
LadyOfWaffle · 17/04/2009 21:02

Oliver

Bubbaloo · 17/04/2009 21:04

Oliver is alot more popular here,than Sam.Both are lovely names IMO and I would personally go with which name you prefer.

MissTFied · 17/04/2009 21:05

Oliver. I prefer Sam.

purepurple · 17/04/2009 21:05

I have a Sam, he is 19. I work with children and in the past 15 years have only come across one other and he was a Samuel.

tummytickler · 17/04/2009 21:06

Oliver definately. I also think Sam (Samuel) is a bit more timeless and classic.

Original poster
pulapula · 17/04/2009 21:07

Thanks, the tricky thing at the moment is i can't decide which i prefer the most so am looking for reasons to go for one more than the other.

Here (Sheffield) there just seem to be loads of Sams...

OP posts:
loler · 17/04/2009 21:12

I know more Olivers than sams. But like you said both are pretty popular. Nursery has 3 olivers and 2 sams, School has 2 Olivers but I can't think of any Sams.

thisisyesterday · 17/04/2009 21:15

Oliver

thisisyesterday · 17/04/2009 21:15

I mean, Oliver is more popular. here at least

randomname · 17/04/2009 21:45

Oliver def more popular

hester · 17/04/2009 21:46

I think they're both popular. But Sam is more classic, and much nicer!

Marthasmama · 17/04/2009 21:47

Oliver is more popular (I have one of my own). Be warned, everyone I know who has an Oliver/is an Oliver says that Ollies are pickles. They are wayward and naughty. Mine is and every other Ollie I know is the same.

herbietea · 17/04/2009 21:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

strawberrycornetto · 17/04/2009 21:52

3 of my closest friends have Sam or Samuel, all three under 5.I know of 4 Olivers, 1 nct baby, 2 4 yr olde and a 8 year old. I am south east. I would say they are all good, classic names and I don't think there is much in it popularity wise.

Marthasmama · 17/04/2009 21:53

Oh herbie you've spolied the theory now! Damn, must just be my little bugger then! Hee hee! I do love the name Oliver.

chequersmate · 17/04/2009 21:55

Oliver more popular, prefer Sam.

Original poster
pulapula · 17/04/2009 22:29

Thanks for all your posts. Interesting to get different viewpoints. Got another month til we meet this LO. We usually have the name ready in advance, but we might have to wait til we see him to choose, although I already have a good idea what he looks like as i had a 4d scan a few weeks back (pic on my profile if anyone interested). I think he would suit either name really but thought maybe more an Oliver

OP posts:
kittywise · 17/04/2009 22:40

sam is timeless

Plonker · 17/04/2009 22:41

Oliver. Definitely.

Both nice names though

pointydog · 17/04/2009 22:43

Sma's a good name. Stick with Sam

Desiderata · 17/04/2009 22:44

Sam.

Desiderata · 17/04/2009 22:45

Oliver's a bloody mouthful.

And it's shortened to Ollie, which is shite.

Honestly, Ollie is shite.

jellybeans · 17/04/2009 22:46

I prefer Sam.

CountessDracula · 17/04/2009 22:49

i so agree
ollie is shite

Marthasmama · 17/04/2009 22:49

I love Ollie and Oliver. Ollie is a good little boy's name and Oliver is a sensible grown up name.