For the longest time (going on four years now, at least), Olivia’s been a fixture on my list. I love its strong femininity, its Shakespearean connection (Twelfth Night is probably one of my top 5 literary works ever)–it’s feminine, but not frilly, and I absolutely adore the nn Liv. I like the undertones of peace, as well, with the olive branch, and, of course, I could use the nn Olive–I don’t have to just stick to Olivia/Liv.

Lately, though, just Olive has been growing on me a lot. I love the same peaceful associations via the olive branch, and I love how natural, spunky, and unexpected Olive is, and it seems so much more fresh and lively than Olivia (much as I still love it). I recently had a dream that I had a little Olive, and she was everything I had ever imagined a future daughter of mine would be like, and I can really see myself with an Olive, so I think that’s half of its appeal to me at the moment. Although if I switched to Olive, I would sorely miss the Shakespearean connection.

If you had to pick, which would you fancy? I’ve heard the “Olivia’s horrid popularity” and “Olive’s just an ugly green/an unattractive piece of food” arguments dozens of times, I understand that a lot of people feel that way about one or both, but both are very close to my heart and neither concern bothers me in the slightest. I would just love to hear which one you prefer, and maybe even why, and which goes best with my other favorites in my signature.

Also, any combo suggestions? I have tossed around a few ideas, but most don’t seem to have the same general feel as my other combos. I love names like Georgiana, Felicity, Phoebe, etc., but I don’t really feel something like Olive Georgiana _____ would fit in that well with Isabelle Aurora Grace, Arianne Eleanor Kate, Violet Ophelia Claire, Liliana Odette Pearl, Eleni Giovanna Kate, Hannah Caroline Eve, etc. My Olivia combo is Olivia Wren Camille, but I don’t find Olive Wren Camille quite as appealing–maybe it’s the juxtaposition of a food and a type of bird.

Thanks, ladies!

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