which do you prefer, [name_f]Octavia[/name_f] or [name_f]Linnea[/name_f]?
[name_f]Octavia[/name_f] - seems like people either really like or really hate the name. I don’t want to give a name that a child will feel cursed by, so want input from all of you. Is this too polarizing? The meaning is “8th child” which is somewhat disappointing. I don’t really like any of the usual nicknames with this, so I think we would go with [name_f]Octavia[/name_f] in full all the time.
[name_f]Linnea[/name_f] - seems pleasing and likeable by most people’s standards, no controversy. The meaning is strong and connects with our heritage and interests.
[name_f]Octavia[/name_f] by far! I think its a very beautiful name. I love the O sound and its strong, feminine feeling. I never liked [name_f]Linnea[/name_f], sorry.
I like both, but would also say [name_f]Octavia[/name_f] for pronunciation and spelling difficulties with [name_f]Linnea[/name_f]. Both are underused, but [name_f]Octavia[/name_f] has a more classic feel. Plus, empress consort of the [name_m]Roman[/name_m] Empire. [name_m]How[/name_m] badass can you get?! ([name_u]True[/name_u], she was murdered by her husband, but that’s not her fault.)
I’m in the column that really like [name_f]Octavia[/name_f]. It’s such a gorgeous name. I’m not fond of [name_f]Linnea[/name_f] at all so it’s impossible for it to be out [name_f]Octavia[/name_f]. I don’t think the meaning matters much, so long as it’s nothing something truly vulgar or offensive. Most people really don’t think much about the meaning of names beyond random trivia conversations.
I adore [name_f]Octavia[/name_f]. I think it’s a strong, strikingly beautiful name. [name_f]Linnea[/name_f] is nice, but it doesn’t really stand out to me.
[name_f]Octavia[/name_f]! I’m not entirely convinced [name_f]Linnea[/name_f] isn’t made up. (Though nameberry folks do seem to be quite attached to it)
Well, my initial reaction was that [name_f]Linnea[/name_f] is the pretty and safe choice, and [name_f]Octavia[/name_f] is the more daring choice. But you’ve already figured that out. Obviously, you’ve also looked into which has the meaning and significance… but [name_f]Octavia[/name_f] is still on your list.
It’s true that [name_f]Octavia[/name_f] is not going to be universally loved, but I’m not sure I would call it “polarizing” either. I really think that it’s completely a matter of taste. A name like [name_u]Harper[/name_u] doesn’t get universal love, and yet it’s a very popular name not to everyone’s taste. I don’t think that [name_f]Octavia[/name_f] is as out-there as some names. Considering the resurgence of [name_m]Roman[/name_m] names in general, the actress named [name_f]Octavia[/name_f], and the ongoing popularity of [name_f]Olivia[/name_f], it seems like an opportune time to pull out [name_f]Octavia[/name_f].
Personally, I like both: [name_f]Linnea[/name_f] a bit more, but [name_f]Octavia[/name_f] is the more daring choice so I would be inclined to go ahead with that one. I chose [name_f]Dulcinea[/name_f] for my last daughter, pulling that pretty “naya” sound but going a bit more daring up-front (and less than 10 little girls get the name per year, so there’s plenty of room for more of them if you want to use it too! [name_f]Dulcie[/name_f] is a popular nn choice, but we call her [name_f]Daisy[/name_f]). [name_f]Octavia[/name_f] has been flirting with going on my list this pregnancy, but the meaning and the similarity to “octopus” are a little off-putting to me, so it’s still hanging off in the shadows. Either way, I’d be impressed to meet a little [name_f]Linnea[/name_f] or a little [name_f]Octavia[/name_f].
I think that [name_f]Linnea[/name_f] is gorgeous! I like [name_f]Octavia[/name_f] alright, but it doesn’t really have any good nicknames and seems a lot harsher than [name_f]Linnea[/name_f].
To me they are so different in sound and style that it makes comparisons difficult. I think it really depends on if you want melodic and sweet or bold and unapologetic. I personally prefer the latter, so I’d pick [name_f]Octavia[/name_f]. But you can’t go wrong with either.
[name_f]Linnea[/name_f], I just love the fresh sounding, flower like sound to it. It’s very pleasing to the ears. That being said I don’t dislike [name_f]Octavia[/name_f] at all.
[name_f]Octavia[/name_f], to me, invokes a tall, pretty woman with an accent. She is evil. [name_f]Octavia[/name_f] just sounds like an evil name to me. It’s fit for a Malfoy, but it’s a bit much unless you actually have eight kids. But you could call her [name_u]Tavi[/name_u] ([name_m]TAH[/name_m]-vee), which is adorable.
[name_f]Linn[/name_f]éa sounds fresher. It reminds me of flowers, since it is (technically!) a flower name. [name_f]Linnaea[/name_f] is a genus of flowers more commonly known as twinflowers. They are lovely. [name_f]Linn[/name_f]éa is a really common name in [name_u]Sweden[/name_u] because it honors Swedish botanist [name_m]Carl[/name_m] Linnaeus. I can just picture a little [name_f]Linn[/name_f]éa dancing around the maypole during Midsommar.
[name_f]Linnea[/name_f]'s pronunciation migh be hard for some people to get, assuming you’re pronouncing it lin-AY-uh. [name_f]IMO[/name_f], it seems too insubstantial for a first name.
[name_f]Octavia[/name_f] I really like, despite the fact that I will not be having eight children. It seems like it has more to it, and I like the sound. A nickname might be [name_f]Tavy[/name_f] ([name_u]TAY[/name_u]-vee) or something like that.
[name_f]Octavia[/name_f]! I really don’t care for the meaning but it could have a worse meaning, too. I do like the name’s association with the Romans and the nickname [name_u]Tavi[/name_u].
[name_f]Linnea[/name_f] is pretty but I feel that it has the potential to be mispronounced by a lot of people.