The six-letter word “Olivia” is one most of us have come to learn. It is the most common name during the year I was born, with its rolling l and hard vowels being incredibly popular amongst proud new parents. It stems from the meaning of “peace” in Latin, perfectly describing the plethora of beautiful baby girls that are bestowed with this name. 

Olivia Newton-John was the inspiration behind my name. She was a famous actress known for her role in “Grease”, and my parents both loved her. They thought her to be the epitome of timeless beauty and a feminine ideal. So, when they wanted to name their sweet daughter, they thought that the name Olivia would help me have a role model of these ideals. 

Olivia is “basic”. In films and movies, Olivia is a blonde, pink-loving, outgoing person. well-liked and sociable.

But— I am a tall-gangly brunette who’s not particularly sweet or kind. I have moved so much that I don’t know many people that I go to school with. I am loud and brutish, my opinions are obvious and I am not afraid to hurt others’ feelings to support what is important to me. My mother has even told me that I am not the feminine and quiet Olivia she had imagined when she was naming me. 

However, I find myself loving the name. It helps me fit into whatever situation I am placed in. 

For all of my life, I have lived in a variety of cultures and in a variety of languages. My mother is Russian. she speaks both Tatar and Russian. I used to live in Geneva, Switzerland. Under all of these cultures and languages, Olivia is a common name. This helped me fit into society instead of being an exotic “Samantha” in Geneva or a rare “Ilsiar” in America. Olivia fits in anywhere. 

Overall, Olivia is a fine example of a name—for someone else. Olivia is so common that its association is set in stone.