The name Oliver is a popular given name for boys, with a long history dating back to medieval England. Its origins can be traced to the Old Germanic name "Olivier," which means "olive tree." The olive tree was considered a symbol of peace, prosperity, and victory in ancient times, making the name Oliver a fitting choice for parents who want to express hope and positivity for their child's future.
Trends in Popularity
Oliver has been consistently popular as a baby name in recent years, ranking among the top 20 most popular names in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia. The name has seen a significant rise in popularity in the last decade, particularly in the United States, where it has climbed from being the 54th most popular name in 2010 to the 4th most popular in 2020.
Famous People Named Oliver
- Oliver Queen, the main character in the popular TV show "Arrow"
- Oliver Stone, the acclaimed filmmaker and screenwriter
- Oliver Hardy, one half of the comedy duo "Laurel and Hardy"
- Oliver Platt, the versatile actor known for his roles in films such as "Frost/Nixon" and "The Three Stooges"
Popular Variations of the Name
There are many variations of the name Oliver, including:
- Ollie
- Oli
- Olivier
- Olliver
Olive rank report (US ranking for newborns 2021)
- Rank 178. Juliette
- Rank 179. Sage
- Rank 180. Ada
- Rank 181. Anastasia
- Rank 182. Olive
- Rank 183. Alani
- Rank 184. Brianna
- Rank 185. Rosalie
- Rank 186. Molly
Nicknames for Olive
| Liv | /lɪv/ | A shortened version of Olive, pronounced like "live |
| Ollie | /ˈɑli/ | A common nickname for Olive, pronounced like "olly |
| Livy | /ˈlɪvi/ | A cute and playful nickname for Olive, pronounced like "livvy |
| Olivey | /ˈɑlɪvi/ | A sweet and affectionate nickname for Olive, pronounced like "olive-ee |
| Olive-o | /ɑlɪv-oʊ/ | A fun and catchy nickname for Olive, pronounced like "olive-oh |
Famous people named Olive
| Olive Schreiner | Feminist writer and activist | Best known for her novel 'The Story of an African Farm' and her activism for women's rights and social justice. |
| Olive Thomas | Silent film actress | Starred in numerous films in the 1910s, known for her beauty and tragic death at a young age. |
| Olive Ann Burns | Author | Best known for her novel 'Cold Sassy Tree', which was published posthumously and became a bestseller. |
| Olive Carey | Actress | Appeared in over 80 films, including many westerns, and was also a screenwriter and producer. |
| Olive Yang | Military leader and businesswoman | Fought with the Chinese Nationalist Army and later became a successful businesswoman in Myanmar. |
Fictional character called Olive from pop culture
| Olive Penderghast | Easy A | Protagonist of the 2010 film Easy A |
| Olive Oyl | Popeye | Love interest of the titular character in the comic strip and animated series Popeye |
| Olive Hoover | Little Miss Sunshine | One of the main characters in the 2006 film Little Miss Sunshine |
| Olive Doyle | A.N.T. Farm | One of the main characters in the Disney Channel series A.N.T. Farm |
| Olive Ruskettle | Redwall | A character in the Redwall book series by Brian Jacques |
| Olive Neal | Bullets Over Broadway | A character in the 1994 film Bullets Over Broadway, played by Jennifer Tilly |
| Olive Thomas | Silent film actress | A silent film actress from the early 1900s |
Frequently Asked Questions about Olive
| What is the origin of the name Olive? | The name Olive has English and Latin origins. |
| What is the meaning of the name Olive? | The name Olive means 'olive tree' or 'olive branch'. |
| Is Olive a popular name? | Olive has recently become more popular, but it is still considered a relatively uncommon name. |
| What are some famous people with the name Olive? | Famous people with the name Olive include Olive Schreiner, a South African author, and Olive Thomas, an American silent film actress. |
| Is Olive a unisex name? | Olive is considered a unisex name, but it is more commonly used for girls. |
| What are some variations of the name Olive? | Variations of the name Olive include Olivia, Oliva, and Ollie. |
| What is the nickname for Olive? | The nickname for Olive is often Ollie. |