Is Oliver "special"?

magpie1127 · January 2013

I love the name Oliver (and have for a long time), but thanks to my BNB participaton, it has started to seem common to me. Is it really that common, or do I just think so because I post on here? What do you think of it?

MrsKatieW · January 2013

It's in consideration for this LO. I know that it was #78 on the national SSA list in 2011. But it didn't crack the top 100 in my state that year. And I've never met anyone under the age if 20 with the name. I would recommend checking out the SSA website to see how popular it is in your state if that's a concern for you.

BrittRN+ · January 2013

I know a couple Oliver's under the age of one, so I consider it common.

1covejack · January 2013

I love the name. I have a fairly medium sized medical practice and I know about 5 Olivers. One that's about 10 and the rest are toddlers/infants. Maybe check the popularity in your area online.

BWC4747 · January 2013

I went to High School with a couple but haven't know any since. That's here in the Midwest anyway.

queenbone · January 2013

I know a few young Olivers.

anvloveskme · January 2013

I like it too but think it has become pretty popular in the last 5 years

Zimger · January 2013

I don't know any Olivers in this area. I only know of one from back home. One of my collegues used the name for his youngest son.

I do think it will jump a bit in the charts this year.

That being said, I love it! It's currently our number one if we have a boy.

LadyXaverian · January 2013

I don't think I've ever met an Oliver IRL of any age. I agree with the others that you should look up the SSA stats for your state.

I personally think it's a great name.

wcvsb3b5 · January 2013

I think it depends on your location. I've never met an Oliver, of any age.

plunderb · January 2013

It's really popular (and trending up) in Wisconsin:

2011: #34

2010: #47

2009: #51

2008: #70

2007: #106

I still like it and it would be on my list if it didn't sound awful with our ln.

DMG122183 · January 2013

Even if its gaining popularity, it's not jayden. I say go for it anyway if you like it!

austenreader85 · January 2013

I don't know of any IRL and haven't heard it at the playground or in a store yet. But the SSA shows it has definitely gotten a big boost from the old fashioned name resurgence. It was 78 last year nationally but was 34 in Wisconsin but 84 in VA. And I'm guessing most of the old fashioned names are from more metropolitan areas of VA and not my area at that, so that's probably why I never hear it.

If you want something uncommon or out of the top 100 or 500 than Oliver doesn't fit. But it's still a nice name and I like it a lot. As it stands he will probably have another one or two in his grade, but I doubt in his class.

PunkyBooster · January 2013

I know of 2 babies born last year with that name. It's nowhere near the Bella/Belle/Elle/Ella trend I am seeing but I don't think the name itself is anything special. It's just "meh" to me.

AllisonKate1311 · January 2013

I know 2 olivers. One is 6 months old and lives in Connecticut and the other is 3 and lives in North Carolina.

kleigh926 · January 2013

I don't know any Olivers. I don't think it's very popular where I live.

sweetpea2003 · January 2013

I have two girlfriends with little boys named Oliver. One is in Florida, one is in Australia.

That being said, I don't think popularity alone is what makes a name "special" or not. Oliver is a classic name and while it is on the rise, it isn't a top 5 name that you hear all over the place.

I would go for it if you love it.

guilletskichuk · January 2013

I don't know any Olivers where I currently live (the prairies) but I know 2 under the age of 4 in my hometown on the west coast of Canada.

starshineamator · January 2013

My cousin's son is named Oliver but that's the only one I've ever met. I'd agree with the suggestion of the PPs- see how popular it is in your area and go from there?

I Love my Dave · January 2013

It's not common I say go for it

pennysuedog · January 2013

When I named my Oliver is was very uncommon. He ranked 305? I think. It kind of makes me sad. I don't know any other Olivers IRL.

lovetohike · January 2013

I have loved the name for over 25 years.. Finally got to use it 6 1/2 years ago. It is a lovely name. It also makes me sad how popular it has become. Oh well.