Olivia

Olivia: a Coincidentally Perfectly Fitting Name

By Olivia Knapp

My parents landed on my name as a compromise. I don't think they knew this then, but the name Olivia means peace, fitting the circumstances (Whelehan). Their blindness to its meaning signifies that it was meant to be. My mom wanted to name me Skylar, but my dad did not. Olivia – a name they both liked – an olive branch, in some sort. 

The idea of an olive branch extends to the rest of my name. The name “Skylar,” shot down by my dad, is now my middle name. My last name, Knapp, is my dad’s last name. To my understanding, I didn’t inherit my father’s last name for the reason most people do. My dad’s last name is much easier to spell and say than my mom’s last name, “Lorenzut.” My parents were not together for any portion of my life, but they were good at making compromises – I felt like I was part of a connected family. I love that my name has equal parts of each of them in it. Olivia Skylar Knapp – a name both my parents like, a name my mom likes, and a name passed down to me by my dad. 

Olivia is a lot of other people's names too. It was the fourth most popular name in the year I was born, 2004 (Lassiter). Growing up, I always hated being the other Olivia. Even worse was Olivia K, when the other Olivias in my class were simply called by their first name — no harsh "K," a screech at the end of a beautiful melody. 

The worst situations were when someone said "Olivia," and I turned around to find out they were talking to another Olivia. There was no reason to be, but I always felt so defeated by this. I shouldn't have to share a part of identity with someone else, when we are entirely different people. 

My attitude toward my name has since changed. The name “Olivia” has no ties to anyone in my family. In fact, it has no relationship to anything significant to my family in any capacity. They thought it was a pretty name, that's all. Because my parents granted me this gift, I have free reign to do what I want with my name. “Olivia” is a piece of fabric that I crafted to fit me. I do not need to fill a uniform that doesn't fit, which is why it is my chosen name too. “Olivia” is mine to grow into.