Thoughts on Olivia?

[starcrossed.livejournal.com]

I always said I didn't like the name because it was too close to a brand of spread in the UK called 'Olivio.' But now (damn hormones!) I'm beginning to see the merits. I like how it could have several nicknames (possibly Ollie, Liv, Livvy, Via, maybe even Lily which I love but it doesn't go with my surname.)

What do you think? (brutal opinions welcome!)
• Is it too trendy/popular? (I'm a teacher and we have two Olivia's in a school of 450.)
• Do you think Ollie is a sensible nickname for a girl?
• What middle names would you pair with Olivia that are more unusual? (I like Gwendoline because it's my Nan's name, possibly something a bit more unusual if Olivia is the #3 name in the US- where I will likely be living when baby is born and it's the #2 name in the UK.)

I don't mind brutal honesty if you think it doesn't work or you hate it!

Comments

[redfield79.livejournal.com]

"It's raining sideways!"

I'm reminded of little miss sunshine too. And pop eye. And well... it's popular too

[brittmarie.livejournal.com]

I like it - popular doesn't bother me. I prefer Ollie for a boy, but it has potential to be cute on the right girl. I love Olivia Gwendoline! It's a nice mix. (:

[sarahmarie.livejournal.com]

I'd say the exact same! So, "iawtc". Haha

[halliwell66.livejournal.com]

Its #2 in Australia too. Out of top 10 names I like Olivia best & I love it a 100 times more than Olive. Ollie is cute and little different as a nn for a girl I like it.

I love Gwendoline. I think using a top 10 name you want to have a more distinguishing middle name not use Grace, Rose, etc though they sound cute.

The school I teach at has I think 3 out of 350 kids, one goes just by Liv. The general popularity is off putting to me (I prefer something like Alicia), but I dont think its trendy it will always be a classic name, Olivia Gwendoline is lovely.

[dreamweaver523.livejournal.com]

my niece is named Olivia and they call her Livvy sometimes.

I like Lily as a nn.

[breezy-boo.livejournal.com]

I think it's a lovely name. It is very popular, but it depends how much that matters to you. And if you have her go by Ollie a lot (which is think is cute!) the maybe it won't seem as much like her name is super popular.
I know someone who was thinking Olivia Mae if they have a girl.

[katsuno-hitomi.livejournal.com]

I love this name. I don't think popularity should stop you from using it. It's really lovely. I particularly like Liv as a nickname, thanks to Liv Tyler.

[muses-mistress.livejournal.com]

Hi, I have a daughter called Olivia, she's not old enough to go to school yet, but I do sometimes shorten her name to Livvy, I don't like Ollie for a girl, there's a guy where I work called Oliver and he goes by the name Ollie, there's also Ollie Murr so I tend to think boy for Ollie :) but it is a pretty name, but I could be biast on that one.

[schexyschteve.livejournal.com]

I'm a teacher, and I've met many Olivias. Most of the girls have been pretty sweet, maybe a little sassy, so that hasn't turned me off. But it's just one of those names that I feel like I should like, since I tend to like classic names, but I don't for whatever reason.

I think Ollie is a cute nickname! We have an Olivia in my room at work, and we call her Liv and Livvie.

Olivia Gwendoline is nice!

[laminy.livejournal.com]

I honestly hate it. It isn't particularly ugly, true, but it's just so plain and boring, and it's not pretty enough to overlook it being so trendy. It would annoy me to use a name so popular unless it was the best name ever. Ollie isn't really a sensible nickname for anybody, unless it's a dog. Liv would be the prettiest nickname choice there.

[roseofjuly.livejournal.com]

I love the name Olivia and it was my first choice for a girl's name until recently (my tastes change often; it has nothing to do with the name). Popular doesn't bother me, either. Trendy does, but Olivia's not trendy - it's a classic name that has seen a resurgence, but it will age well. Olivia fits a baby just as well as it fits a 10-year-old, and will be appropriate when that 10-year-old is 45 with children and a mortgage, too.

I like Ollie but also Liv and Livvy.