Is it Chavy or too popular, or too.......

[bevlin]

Oh im driving myself nuts here. I wish I hadn't looked on this site!
My names were

Olivia - now seems too popular
Orla - too weird? Do you imagine ugly?
Serena - is it chavy?

my boys names were

Alexander (Alex) - now seems too popular
Brennan - Is it silly with Evan?
Colm - Is it silly or chavy?

Any suggestions would be sooooo appreciated along with honesty on the above.
Obviously im trying to avoid over used or chavy names!

[oliviasmama]

My Olivia is a Liv too, very popular I know, some say common but I do love it....obviously

Orla and Alexander are lovely too.

[kitsmummy]

I have an Orla, so obviously love it

[alardi]

I don't like Orla (sorry to owners of said). It just sounds (imho) like it ought to be another word, not an actual name. It's the sort of name where I'd presume I must have misheard the first time.
I don't find the others objectionable.

[messalina]

I'd give the thumbs up to Olivia, Serena and Alexander. All classic names that will stand the test of time. Brennan sounds like a surname. Colm and Orla are fine if you are Irish.

[Joycey29]

I love Orla and Colm but then I have several irish friends and know several Orlas and a Colm all who are lovely!

[Kaylo]

IMHO

I think Brennan is a very cool name - to me Brendan is a name that sounds like the owner of said name would be mid 30's. Sorry to anyone who have lo's with that name - there aren't any around here - they're all married with 4kids of their own!

Alexander I love too but I'm one that wouldn't like to see it shortened and inevitably it would be - if not by me then by family/friends...etc

Colm - First time I've ever heard of it and I have to be honest....it made me think of Gollum from The Lord Of The Rings - if you're pronouncing it 'Collum' that is.

Olivia is such a wonderful pretty name but a lot of people think that and where I live there are many Olivia's that are about 5 or 6 however not many infants

Orla - LOVE IT!! Although I fear it may be a popular name for new baby girls.

Serena, I like it but it reminds of Selina - I personally like Alina. Not for everyone tho

I hope this helps - I hope I haven't offended anyone, it definitely wasn't intended!

xxx

[lilacpink]

I like all, never seen the name Colm before so not sure how it's pronounced though.

[CurlyCasper]

Olivia - popular, but very pretty
Orla - beautiful - but I agree on spelling it orlaith, to keep with the Irish tradition
Serena - not so good IMO. Seren, which means 'star' in welsh, is nicer

Alexander - good, strong name with plenty of variations (Alex, Ali, Lex, Xander, Sandy...)
Brennan - not keen
Colm - great. Strong and proud!!!

Calum is still a strong Scottish name, but I fear it is being stolen by too many of the shellsuit Bob clan these days, which is a real shame.

x

[bevlin]

It's so funny to hear everyone's opinion!
I've since wittled it down to Olivia, Orla....and Zara (what do you think)?
I have to say though, probably like everyone on this site or you wouldn't be here - I just can't get excited about any names. Note the lack of boys names, yes they have all been dropped like hot potatoes. Nothing anyone has said, just my terrible decision making skills.
I agree that is is better to stick to original spellings like Orlaith BUT my best friend begged me not to put 'her' through the agony of spending her life spelling her weird long irish surname along with spelling and pronouncing her first name - she had a point!
kaylo What age are you? Not only am I struggling here with names but now im having an age related breakdown!! (EARLY 30's)

[Kaylo]

Hi Bevlin Hope the stress ain't too bad and the breakdown's all gone away

I'm 24 btw

I really like Zara too - very pretty

Have to say I agree with your friend about the "spare 'her' the frustration of spelling names" I married into a surname that no-one seems to be able to spell even tho when you write it down it's dead simple. Get called allsorts on the phone

[simplesusan]

Definately Olivia and Alexander by far the nicest.
x