I loveeeee the name Octavia, however where I live the Word “sucker” translates to portuguese being Otaria which is really close to Octavia
I would probably call her Otto/Ava/Tavi for short but do you think she would be a lot teased at school? Does that make the name unusable?
(It is the name that has been the longest on my list for sure because ive always loved it)
If you’re having doubts then the best advice would be to not use it! What about Ottelie/Ottilie instead? 
Personally if that kind of connection is there for you then it would likely be there for others so I’d avoid it. Personally it makes me think of Optavia and Activia where one is the name of a diet and the other the name of a yogurt
If I’m being honest I think kids can find teasing potential in any name ! That shouldn’t stop you from using a name you absolutely love unless it’s something glaringly obvious - which in this case I don’t think it is !
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I definitely think for young children that’s a large jump to make. And as your child grows up, it’s likely that their peers and classmates simply won’t care about each others’ names especially to that detail (of it being similar to a word that could possibly have teasing potential). At least that’s what I’ve noticed as a recent high school graduate.
I think [name_f]Octavia[/name_f] is very usable! Especially considering the similar Olivia’s popularity. Definitely doable if you plan on using a nickname! I say go for it!
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To be honest, in my experience name teasing isn’t too common anymore - my name definitely has teasing potential but nobody’s ever really commented. Plus, it seems like kind of a far jump for a young child, so I think if you love it use it. [name_f]Octavia[/name_f] is a beautiful name.
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Seconding this. There’s a little similarity between Otaria and Octavia but I don’t think it’s one five year olds would leap to. And I’ve known people with names that have teasing potential but no one really said anything
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I don’t think kids will see that teasing potential very easily… also third-ing the message above!!!
As a kid, I didn’t seek or find nickname potential in any other kids’ names… I didn’t know many people (of course, because like many, I was 4 in kinder when I started making friends), and so everyone’s name was the most normal name ever to me. Milagros, Mercedes, Kian, Gus, Lane, Anya, even Acuzena … these were just my classmates/friends! Seemed just dandy to little me (and still are to big me)!
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I know a bunch of people named [name_f]Octavia[/name_f] (or have it as a middle name). It’s kinda a thing where I am in the 90s, that many girls born in [name_u]October[/name_u] (doesn’t have to be, of course!) have [name_f]Octavia[/name_f] somewhere in their name. None -absolutely non- get teased for their name, ever. Use [name_f]Octavia[/name_f] if that’s the name you really love. It’s a beautiful name and totally not a sucker. 
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I don’t speak Portuguese so I can’t really comment about this particular name. I don’t know how obvious the similarity would be to a Portuguese speaker. Would it be something like “Dorcas” in [name_f]English[/name_f], where the unfortunate connotation is obvious?
I would suggest asking your friends and family if “Octavia” immediately makes them think of “otaria”.
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I dont know the dorcas reference ahaha
Thank you, that is a good suggestion
Personally, I don’t think the two sound that similar. I think you could absolutely still use [name_f]Octavia[/name_f] if you feel comfortable with it.
[name_f]Octavia[/name_f] is a beautiful name and I also doubt that small children would make that connection.
But if you misgivings perhaps
[name_f]Ophelia[/name_f]
[name_f]Cordelia[/name_f]
[name_f]Victoria[/name_f]
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Because of the word “dork”, which has the unfortunate meaning of fool, social misfit etc.
(This illustrates why it’s hard for me to comment on the teasing potential of [name_f]Octavia[/name_f] when I’m not familiar with the language. 
)
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You are probably best placed to say, but I feel like the name would be well established before any peers made that link, if they even ever did. However [name_f]Ophelia[/name_f] or [name_f]Ottilia[/name_f] are nice alternatives if worrying about it will blight the name for you.
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Yess ahha I myself wouldnt have made that connection
I also like Cordelia… maybe as a sister to octavia even
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I was initially teased because of.my.name
At that tome Adriamna waa definitely a very Feminine choice
Not to mention I waa so Feminine starting school. What was amazing is the bullyimg stopped immediately because the girls stuck up for me
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