It’s a tough job picking the perfect name for a baby and one mum is considering a twist on a very popular, classical choice – but it’s got everyone saying the same thing
A mum has highlighted an incredibly popular boy’s name as an option for a baby girl but it’s left everyone saying the same thing. Choosing what to name a child is a massive decision that can affect a person for the rest of their lives.
Though it isn’t fair, names can often lead to judgment and misconceptions, especially if they’re on the more unusual side. Many parents are keen to give their baby a name that’ll suit them from birth to adulthood; being perfectly acceptable for when they’re adorably crawling around and wearing nappies right through to being a grown up, when they’ll have to make their way in the world.
For others, a name’s perceived “uniqueness” is more important than anything else.
This can lead to dramatically edited spellings of conventional names that defy the rules of phonics without actually changing the name’s pronunciation, or names that are made up entirely.
A growing trend in the naming world sees many baby girls being given names that would typically be given to boys. For example, the name James which has increased in popularity as an option for girls.
Jennifer Aniston’s Rachel Green discussed James as a potential name for her unborn child “but only if it’s a girl” on the hit sitcom Friends back in 2002, while stars Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds gave the name to one of their daughters.
One name that consistently frequents lists of the most popular baby names is Oliver. This name, believed to be of Latin, Old French and Medieval British origin, is a firm favourite for little boys but one mum thinks it should be used for girls, too.
In a post on Reddit titled “Oliver for a girl”, she penned: “I think this is going to be an unpopular opinion, but Oliver… for a girl. It would be such a quiet statement name for a cool little girl.
“I think it’s still way too masculine for me to ever be brave enough to use it, but I hope someone out there steals it and gives it the moment it deserves.”
But fellow Reddit users were quick to point out this name already has feminine versions – Olivia and Olive.
One person simply observed: “Some girls are named Olive. Comes quite close.” Another expressed their confusion: “Haha how did this come up? I personally don’t see it at all.”
A third stated: “No. Olivia exists for a reason,” while a fourth commented: “Or just Olive.”
Someone else offered a different perspective: “Would you consider using Olivia for a boy? Boy names on girls is not a trend I agree with (surnames are fine). It generally suggests that masculine traits are universally valued, but feminine traits aren’t.”
To which, another Reddit user replied: “This is such a good point.”
And another said: “No. Like others said, Olive and Olivia are your options.”
One Reddit user penned: “Olive or Olivia for a girl, Oliver for a boy. A girl named Oliver will always be expected to be male when she is not and it will be annoying. She will hate it.
“A boy named Olive or Olivia would also hate it. Cannot blame them.”
In response to the many comments disagreeing with her, the original poster added: “I still think someone should use it.”