Same name sisters?

Y I Oughta · July 2012

Starting at the beginning. My grandfather was Oliver Wendell, my grandmother is Dorothy. When my daughter was born 15 year ago I wanted to name her Olivia Dorothy but her dad hated it. Fast forward ten years, we divorce, he has a daughter that he names Alyviah (they pronounce it with the A Vista of the O sound). I would love to honor my grandparents and name my daughter, if we have a girl, Olivia or Olive, mn Dorothy. We would call her Liv. I'm also kicking around Dorothy but I don't want something so outdated. Do you think it's too close to her other sisters name? H thinks it's OK but I'm hesitant. We are seriously considering Oliver for a boy.

magpie1127 · July 2012

Hmm...even though they are half-sisters, I think it's too close. Oliver for a boy would be okay, I think, but I'd consider Dorothy Olivia instead of Olivia Dorothy for a girl. It's less awkward bc of your family situation, it's less popular (Olivia is the #4 most popular girls' name), and I actually think it 'flows' better.

Y I Oughta · July 2012

I should mention that our last name starts with a Y and ends in the E sound, so Dorothy kind of sounds strained. Ugh, this is so hard and we are only in the beginning. Anyone have a variation of Olive or Dorothy they can think of?

KearaD · July 2012

I think you should avoid Oliver and Olivia since the children will be half siblings. They are both good names, but it would be weird for the kids to have (almost) the same name.

KayaXavier · July 2012

Am I reading this wrong or is everyone else reading it wrong? Her ex-husbands child would not be her child's half sibling or even step-sibling. They are not related in any way. Her daughter with her ex is related to both of them but they are not related to each other. If you don't live in the same city and the children will never interact with each other, I wouldn't hesitate to use it, especially as its a family name.

KayaXavier · July 2012

KearaD:
I think you should avoid Oliver and Olivia since the children will be half siblings. They are both good names, but it would be weird for the kids to have (almost) the same name.

Pretty sure they won't be half siblings unless she is having another child with her ex-husband.

PrincessFiona9 · July 2012

I'm super confused also. Her ex husband's kid would not be related to this baby in any way.

Y I Oughta · July 2012

My daughter would have two sisters with almost the same names. Sorry I forgot to put that in there.

Y I Oughta · July 2012

and my daughter is at her dad and step moms house every other weekend.

strawberrytree · July 2012

If I am understanding correctly, then her child that she already has with her ex, who has a daughter named Alyviah, would have two sisters whose names are pronounced Olivia (regardless of how they are spelled). How old is your first daughter, OP? I would find it very confusing for a child to have two sisters whose names are pronounced basically the same. I wouldn't do it. The name is already super popular as it is, and how much would it suck to have your sister have to call you Olivia Y in your own home?

KatieLG04 · July 2012

Since your daughter is 15 I don't think it's a big deal. If she was 4 it would be much more confusing.

bearkatjen · July 2012

Y I Oughta:
and my daughter is at her dad and step moms house every other weekend.

It'll be really easy to remember her sisters' names. Seriously though, I don't think it's an issue.

jburdet1 · July 2012

Since your older daughter is 15 I don't think it's a huge deal. I wouldn't do it but I don't have a family significance or love the name as you do. I prefer Olive to the super popular Olivia.

ObLaDi · July 2012

Honestly, I think it would be weird for your first daughter.

I'd be PISSED at your ex, though.

af1274 · July 2012

I see no problem using Olivia or Olive for your daughter. I love that you want to honor your grandparents, and I say go for it! I would probably lean more towards Olive so that it's just a little different, especially since Olivia is super popular right now. But if you really love the name Olivia, I say name your daughter what you want to.

g8trkim · July 2012

Yeah, I wouldn't do it. Too bad too.

ah625 · July 2012

No matter how they spell it ex-husband's daughter is named Olivia. To many people the A and the O make the exact same sound when followed by /liv ee uh/.

I would pick something different.

BrookusCookus · July 2012

i wouldnt do it. think of it this way, in the future. if shes introducing her family, shed have to say 'these are my sisters olivia and alyviah.' how awkward would that be? id go with dorothy olivia, nn rory. i dont think it would conflict the last name too much. ive met people with way worse names (dillin mc.mill.in) (i put perioids in o he wouldnt find it if he searched his name)

EastCoastBride · July 2012

Luhdashuh:

Have you asked your daughter how she feels about having her sisters share the same name? It really only affects her and she might not care.

I think this is a good idea!

Also, what's the reality that she'll be in the same place as both her sisters at the same time? Sure, a big event like her wedding, perhaps. But by and large, I can't imagine she'd be around them both at the same time to make it overly confusing.

But - HUGE side-eye to your ex for using that name, and the horrible, HORRIBLE butchering of the spelling.

plunderb · July 2012

I agree about asking your daughter. She's 15, not a toddler, so she could probably handle it, but she might appreciate your asking her opinion regarding the whole situation.

melody921 · July 2012

bunnyfungo:
ObLaDi:

Honestly, I think it would be weird for your first daughter.

I'd be PISSED at your ex, though.

So much this!

same here! Weird to like the "A" but not the "O" since most people pronounce it the same.

queenbone · July 2012

Alyviah, huh? He definitely remarried down, didn't he?

I adore Dorothy! I think Dot, Dottie, or even Thea would be good nn if you feel it needs one.

I'm not a big fan of Olive as a name as I don't enjoy eating olives, but I love the idea of using it to honor your g-pa. I think having half sisters named Alyviah and Olive are different enough to be okay.

And Oliver for a son is perfect.

sweetpea2003 · July 2012

Okay, I have read your post a few times and am having a hard time understanding the relationships here.

You say that your ex-husband has a daughter that has ZERO relation to you (had her after you were divorced) and named her Alyviah. Right?

How would this child be "sisters" with your new baby that you are having with a totally different man?

Tasheystar · July 2012

(I promise, I'm not making this up)

I know a guy who's legal name is Freddy. His dad's name is Fred, and his older brother's name is Fred. No word of a lie.

It wouldn't be as bad as that ^^.

Todd&Laura · July 2012

magpie1127:
Hmm...even though they are half-sisters, I think it's too close. Oliver for a boy would be okay, I think, but I'd consider Dorothy Olivia instead of Olivia Dorothy for a girl. It's less awkward bc of your family situation, it's less popular (Olivia is the #4 most popular girls' name), and I actually think it 'flows' better.

This. Dorothy Olivia does flow better.

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