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It's the "g" sound that most people don't like. That, and the fact that they're not used to feminine names beginning with an "o."

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I'm a Russophile, so Olga is fine by me. I love the nn Olya.

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By the way, are you pronouncing it the Russian way, "ULL-guh," or the English way, "OHL-guh?" Just curious.

It's my grandma's name. She was Olga Helen. She was Czechoslovakian.

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Despite this, I can't say I've ever been very fond of it. Like Bear says, I think it's the G that's unappealing to me. Or more specifically, it's the LG combination. It kind of gets stuck in my mouth, if that makes any sense. It's definitely not the O for me because about half of my favourite names start with O.

It's alright. I don't think it's ugly, but I don't think it's pretty, I do think it's unique, though.

Olga sounds like the name of an obese, middle-aged, unpleasant, Russian woman. That's what I don't like about it.

It seems very harsh to me, and while I enjoy a harsh name or two, I'm not crazy about this one. I do like Olga much more than Helga however. The O makes it more powerful and eternal sounding. Olga makes me think of a rough, thick woolen sweater, and if you are into that kind of name, there is not a thing wrong with it! It has a lot of merit.

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And hey, "ugly" names are coming back in style (Hugo, Gus, Matilda, Frances, etc) - so I bet if you use Olga you'll be ahead of the times!

I like it and don't think it's ugly at all. Maybe the -ga is a bit harsh for some people.

To me it sounds like the gulping sound a frog makes while swallowing a juicy worm. Which is why I don't enjoy it as a name! But what associations it may have in Russia, for instance, I just don't know. Perhaps Russian frogs have different habits.

change of heart

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I used to think it was horrid - big, swarthy, Russian sounding (if I can say that with the understanding that it is of course a stereotype and not discriminatorily intended). Then I met the kindest sweetest Olga ever and now I don`t mind it at all.

I like Olga, too. I think it's pretty and sophisticated. I don't get an "ugly" vibe from it at all, but different strokes, I guess.

i think the main reason people think it is ugly is simply because of the 'g' sound in it! I can see how people would get that first impression, but if they actually thought about it they would see that it is actually how sweet i is. Its like a dark horse of the name world! If you like it then use it! xxx

I like Olga and I'm pretty keen on the Russian diminutive of Olya too.