I really love the name [name_f]Aviva[/name_f]. It’s unusual but familiar, and it’s a palindrome. My sister’s name is a palindrome as well, and I’d love to use a palindrome name as a very oblique family reference if we have a girl. I know, however, that [name_f]Aviva[/name_f] is the name of a big insurance company in the UK and a type of blood glucometer in the US. These associations don’t particularly put me off of the name, but I do worry that other people would think it was odd, and I don’t want to name my children something that would be uncomfortable for them…
Eta: I live in the US, so it’s not like there’s ads for the insurance company on TV all the time, but we do have close friends/family in the UK, so any child we have will likely be exposed to more British culture than your average bear.
With the insurance company being so well known, I’m not sure I would recommend [name_f]Aviva[/name_f] in the UK. Pity, since it does have an attractive sound and meaning.
I can’t help but think of the insurance company, so I wouldn’t use it myself. But I understand that it is a name, has a nice sound, and meaning, so I wouldn’t find it too weird or odd if it was someone’s name. If anything I’d quite like to meet an [name_f]Aviva[/name_f] to give it some personality to overshadow the commercial connections. My favourite name has a few similar associations (radio in the US and the jewellery chain) so I know the feeling, and not to let them get in the way of otherwise wondeful names.
I’m in the US and had no idea about the insurance company. I would ask those you know in the UK if you are comfortable sharing if they think the name has been ruined there…But I think [name_f]Aviva[/name_f] is absolutely gorgeous!
its pretty but being from the UK the insurance company does spring to mind first! However I think if I met an [name_f]Aviva[/name_f] then I would just see it as their name!
I’m in [name_f]Canada[/name_f] and don’t know of either of the associations you’ve mentioned. I’ve actually met an [name_f]Aviva[/name_f] before, so though I’m personally not fond of it, it’s a perfectly usable name to me.
Being from the UK my first thought is the insurance company, however I think it would be lovely to be able to associate a lovely name with a child rather than a company, so I say go for it if it’s a name you truly love.
It’s all insurance company to me, but I am British so it’s the only tie to [name_f]Aviva[/name_f] I have. Beforehand, I wasn’t even aware it was a name, I thought it was made up for the company.
I’m aware of the insurance company, as I have family and friends in the UK.
One of my British cousin’s actually has a friend (who is Jewish) named [name_f]Aviva[/name_f], born 15 years before the company named changed to [name_f]Aviva[/name_f] (it was previously called Norwich Union). She does get a few raised eyebrows to her name, but it doesn’t bother her, because it’s not like it’s a bad association.
I’ve said this before, but in medical terminology, [name_f]Amelia[/name_f] is the term given to a baby born without one or more of his/her limbs, yet that hasn’t stopped the name [name_f]Amelia[/name_f] being used. It’s the #1 name in [name_f]England[/name_f] & [name_m]Wales[/name_m] (as of 2015 data). If such an association doesn’t put people off, then I don’t see why something as harmless as an insurance company should!
NB: It’s a beautiful name, and I love the meaning.
