Olivia

Olivia, a lovely Shakespearean name with an admirable balance of strength and femininity, is a megapopular baby girl name. Olivia is currently Number 4, and could be heading towards the very top of the list -- so don't say we didn't warn you.

In the UK, Olivia was the number one girls' name for 2009, joining twin brother Oliver at the top of the charts. Like its popular sister names Isabella and Sophia, Olivia blends femininity with tradition, and is a vintage choice that feels fresh after a few generations in storage.

Parents in search of a distinctive name, however, will have to keep looking. Some related alternatives: Olive, Livia, Liv.

Olivia was popularized by Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night" as the name of the pampered, wealthy countess. In ancient Greece, the olive was a symbol of Athena as well as a token of peace and fertility, and olive wreaths were awarded to the winners at the Olympic games.