Oliver Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated June 7, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Oliver Name Meaning

Fact: The name Oliver evokes images of the olive tree, which is associated with peace, wisdom, and longevity. The olive branch is a universal symbol of peace.

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A Deep Dive

Oliver Overview

Meaning

Olive tree

Gender

Boy

Origin

English, Old French

Etymology

Derived from the Old Norse name “Áleifr,” meaning “ancestor’s descendant,” and the Latin word “olivarius,” meaning “olive tree.”

Religion

Christianity

Pronunciation

/ˈɑl.ɪ.vər/

Popularity

Oliver is highly popular in many English-speaking countries, including the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. Ranked 3rd most popular name in USA in 2023.

Syllable

3 syllables

Length

6 letters

Numerology

9 (Humanitarian, Selfless, Creative)

Name Styles

Popular, Classic, Nature-inspired, Cute

Associated Traits

Friendly, intelligent, and kind

Spiritual, Religious, or Cultural Significance

The olive tree has significant symbolism in many cultures, representing peace and fruitfulness.

Name Day

July 11 (St. Oliver Plunkett)
A Deep Dive

Oliver Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Olivier, Olivio, Oliveras, Ollievar, Olaf, Oliviero

Common Nicknames

Oli, Liv, O, Lio, Vero, Ovie

Diminutives

Ollie, Olly, Oli, Ovie, Lio

Famous People

  • Oliver Cromwell
    (English Military and Political Leader)
  • Oliver Twist
    (Fictional Character)
  • Oliver Hardy
    (American Comedian)
  • Oliver Stone
    (American Director)
  • Oliver Sacks
    (British Neurologist and Author)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Oliver Twist
    ("Oliver Twist," Book)
  • Oliver Queen
    ("Arrow," TV Series)
  • Oliver Wood
    ("Harry Potter," Book Series)
  • Oliver Barrett IV
    ("Love Story," Film)
  • Oliver Oken
    ("Hannah Montana," TV Series)

Places

  • Oliver Town
    (British Columbia, Canada)
  • Oliver Springs Town
    (Tennessee, USA)
  • Oliver County
    (North Dakota, USA)
  • Mount Oliver Borough
    (Pennsylvania, USA)
  • Oliver Township
    (Michigan, USA)

What Is the Meaning of Oliver?

The meaning of Oliver is “olive tree.” This name symbolizes peace and fruitfulness, reflecting qualities of growth and harmony in people named Oliver.

What Is the Origin of The Name Oliver?

Oliver is of English and Old French origin. It is derived from the Latin word “oliva,” meaning “olive tree.”

The name gained popularity as both a first name and a surname, fitting into contemporary naming trends. People named Oliver often carry a sense of peace and modern charm.

Oliver Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Oliver in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#32021#32022#32023
Top 3 Rankings#32019#32020#32021

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Oliver

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
20233
No change from 2022
14741
(-400 from 2022)
0.80501
20223
No change from 2021
15141
(+445 from 2021)
0.80839
20213
No change from 2020
14696
(+426 from 2020)
0.78437
20203
No change from 2019
14270
(+308 from 2019)
0.77149
20193
(+2 from 2018)
13962
(+470 from 2018)
0.72652
20185
(+5 from 2017)
13492
(+270 from 2017)
0.69412
201710
(+2 from 2016)
13222
(+157 from 2016)
0.66807
201612
(+7 from 2015)
13065
(+1398 from 2015)
0.64498
201519
(+13 from 2014)
11667
(+2220 from 2014)
0.57067
201432
(+20 from 2013)
9447
(+2172 from 2013)
0.46101
201352
(+21 from 2012)
7275
(+1354 from 2012)
0.36002
201273
(+5 from 2011)
5921
(+509 from 2011)
0.29179
201178
(+10 from 2010)
5412
(+748 from 2010)
0.26642
201088
(+10 from 2009)
4664
(+377 from 2009)
0.22702
200998
(+20 from 2008)
4287
(+684 from 2008)
0.20213
2008118
(+22 from 2007)
3603
(+693 from 2007)
0.16524
2007140
(+33 from 2006)
2910
(+559 from 2006)
0.13137
2006173
(+36 from 2005)
2351
(+558 from 2005)
0.10724
2005209
(+19 from 2004)
1793
(+302 from 2004)
0.08428
2004228
(+17 from 2003)
1491
(+117 from 2003)
0.07055
2003245
(+23 from 2002)
1374
(+208 from 2002)
0.06539
2002268
(+31 from 2001)
1166
(+188 from 2001)
0.05642
2001299
(+6 from 2000)
978
No change from 2000
0.04728
2000305
(+35 from 1999)
978
(+196 from 1999)
0.04683
1999340
(+16 from 1998)
782
(+48 from 1998)
0.03835
1998356
(+11 from 1997)
734
(+65 from 1997)
0.03620
1997367
(+17 from 1996)
669
(+62 from 1996)
0.03349
1996384
(+9 from 1995)
607
(+10 from 1995)
0.03029
1995393
(-23 from 1994)
597
(-46 from 1994)
0.02968
1994370
(-15 from 1993)
643
(-22 from 1993)
0.03155
1993355
No change from 1992
665
(+1 from 1992)
0.03220
1992355
(+34 from 1991)
664
(+82 from 1991)
0.03163
1991389
(-17 from 1990)
582
(-43 from 1990)
0.02746
1990372
(+67 from 1989)
625
(+165 from 1989)
0.02904
1989439
(-11 from 1988)
460
(+20 from 1988)
0.02195
1988428
(-23 from 1987)
440
(-21 from 1987)
0.02198
1987405
(+66 from 1986)
461
(+123 from 1986)
0.02364
1986471
(-29 from 1985)
338
(-33 from 1985)
0.01759
1985442
(-26 from 1984)
371
(-26 from 1984)
0.01928
1984416
(-32 from 1983)
397
(-37 from 1983)
0.02115
1983384
(-4 from 1982)
434
(-21 from 1982)
0.02329
1982380
(+29 from 1981)
455
(+52 from 1981)
0.02411
1981409
(+5 from 1980)
403
(+10 from 1980)
0.02164
1980414
(-18 from 1979)
393
(-15 from 1979)
0.02119
1979396
(-21 from 1978)
408
(-14 from 1978)
0.02278
1978375
(+56 from 1977)
422
(+84 from 1977)
0.02470
1977431
(-7 from 1976)
338
(+1 from 1976)
0.01977
1976424
(-17 from 1975)
337
(-18 from 1975)
0.02064
1975407
(+13 from 1974)
355
(+8 from 1974)
0.02188
1974420
(-17 from 1973)
347
(-27 from 1973)
0.02129
1973403
(+8 from 1972)
374
(+6 from 1972)
0.02318
1972411
(-16 from 1971)
368
(-48 from 1971)
0.02198
1971395
(+33 from 1970)
416
(+50 from 1970)
0.02288
1970428
(+9 from 1969)
366
(+38 from 1969)
0.01921
1969437
(-9 from 1968)
328
(+3 from 1968)
0.01793
1968428
(+16 from 1967)
325
(+35 from 1967)
0.01831
1967444
(-34 from 1966)
290
(-48 from 1966)
0.01630
1966410
(+36 from 1965)
338
(+36 from 1965)
0.01860
1965446
(-24 from 1964)
302
(-65 from 1964)
0.01594
1964422
(+2 from 1963)
367
(+8 from 1963)
0.01811
1963424
(+26 from 1962)
359
(+48 from 1962)
0.01739
1962450
(-25 from 1961)
311
(-37 from 1961)
0.01480
1961425
(-15 from 1960)
348
(-23 from 1960)
0.01613
1960410
(+2 from 1959)
371
No change from 1959
0.01713
1959412
(-49 from 1958)
371
(-82 from 1958)
0.01712
1958363
(-5 from 1957)
453
(+1 from 1957)
0.02102
1957358
(-17 from 1956)
452
(-31 from 1956)
0.02065
1956341
(-14 from 1955)
483
(-24 from 1955)
0.02250
1955327
(-17 from 1954)
507
(-29 from 1954)
0.02426
1954310
(+4 from 1953)
536
(+15 from 1953)
0.02590
1953314
(-14 from 1952)
521
(-34 from 1952)
0.02602
1952300
(-6 from 1951)
555
(+3 from 1951)
0.02813
1951294
(-11 from 1950)
552
(-4 from 1950)
0.02888
1950283
(-12 from 1949)
556
(-41 from 1949)
0.03057
1949271
(-13 from 1948)
597
(-34 from 1948)
0.03313
1948258
(+13 from 1947)
631
(+7 from 1947)
0.03539
1947271
(-20 from 1946)
624
(+5 from 1946)
0.03359
1946251
(-12 from 1945)
619
(+61 from 1945)
0.03751
1945239
No change from 1944
558
(-7 from 1944)
0.04069
1944239
(-22 from 1943)
565
(-103 from 1943)
0.04067
1943217
(+11 from 1942)
668
(+55 from 1942)
0.04592
1942228
(-9 from 1941)
613
(+13 from 1941)
0.04353
1941219
(-4 from 1940)
600
(+18 from 1940)
0.04781
1940215
(-12 from 1939)
582
(-16 from 1939)
0.04907
1939203
(+13 from 1938)
598
(+30 from 1938)
0.05277
1938216
(-16 from 1937)
568
(-41 from 1937)
0.04998
1937200
(+5 from 1936)
609
(+18 from 1936)
0.05569
1936205
(-8 from 1935)
591
(-56 from 1935)
0.05553
1935197
(-16 from 1934)
647
(-85 from 1934)
0.06049
1934181
(+17 from 1933)
732
(+137 from 1933)
0.06893
1933198
(-16 from 1932)
595
(-146 from 1932)
0.05832
1932182
(-7 from 1931)
741
(-37 from 1931)
0.06897
1931175
(-5 from 1930)
778
(-72 from 1930)
0.07273
1930170
(-7 from 1929)
850
(-35 from 1929)
0.07525
1929163
(-2 from 1928)
885
(-49 from 1928)
0.07990
1928161
(-4 from 1927)
934
(-68 from 1927)
0.08185
1927157
(-7 from 1926)
1002
(-63 from 1926)
0.08624
1926150
(+1 from 1925)
1065
(+16 from 1925)
0.09298
1925151
(-11 from 1924)
1049
(-123 from 1924)
0.09110
1924140
(-4 from 1923)
1172
(-49 from 1923)
0.10025
1923136
(-2 from 1922)
1221
(+7 from 1922)
0.10784
1922134
(+1 from 1921)
1214
(+20 from 1921)
0.10789
1921135
No change from 1920
1194
(+30 from 1920)
0.10493
1920135
(-7 from 1919)
1164
(-45 from 1919)
0.10574
1919128
(+2 from 1918)
1209
(-39 from 1918)
0.11908
1918130
(-3 from 1917)
1248
(+73 from 1917)
0.11901
1917127
No change from 1916
1175
(+72 from 1916)
0.12248
1916127
(-8 from 1915)
1103
(-28 from 1915)
0.11947
1915119
(+3 from 1914)
1131
(+270 from 1914)
0.12839
1914122
(+2 from 1913)
861
(+217 from 1913)
0.12600
1913124
(-7 from 1912)
644
(-2 from 1912)
0.12009
1912117
(-2 from 1911)
646
(+313 from 1911)
0.14309
1911115
(-12 from 1910)
333
(+26 from 1910)
0.13795
1910103
(+9 from 1909)
307
(+61 from 1909)
0.14723
1909112
(+10 from 1908)
246
(+39 from 1908)
0.13909
1908122
(-5 from 1907)
207
No change from 1907
0.12442
1907117
No change from 1906
207
(+24 from 1906)
0.13053
1906117
(-15 from 1905)
183
(-28 from 1905)
0.12703
1905102
(+6 from 1904)
211
(+11 from 1904)
0.14731
1904108
(-16 from 1903)
200
(-10 from 1903)
0.14440
190392
(+15 from 1902)
210
(+29 from 1902)
0.16239
1902107
(-15 from 1901)
181
(-6 from 1901)
0.13635
190192
(+3 from 1900)
187
(-69 from 1900)
0.16178
190095
(+12 from 1899)
256
(+95 from 1899)
0.15790
1899107
(-5 from 1898)
161
(-25 from 1898)
0.13976
1898102
No change from 1897
186
(+12 from 1897)
0.14080
1897102
(-4 from 1896)
174
(-20 from 1896)
0.14269
189698
(-10 from 1895)
194
(-22 from 1895)
0.15031
189588
No change from 1894
216
(-6 from 1894)
0.17056
189488
(-3 from 1893)
222
(+8 from 1893)
0.17775
189385
(-1 from 1892)
214
(-24 from 1892)
0.17680
189284
(-7 from 1891)
238
(+26 from 1891)
0.18105
189177
(+4 from 1890)
212
(-6 from 1890)
0.19402
189081
(+2 from 1889)
218
(+8 from 1889)
0.18212
188983
(+5 from 1888)
210
(+4 from 1888)
0.17642
188888
(-8 from 1887)
206
(+3 from 1887)
0.15857
188780
(-5 from 1886)
203
(-27 from 1886)
0.18571
188675
(-3 from 1885)
230
(-28 from 1885)
0.19321
188572
(+2 from 1884)
258
(+13 from 1884)
0.22252
188474
(-2 from 1883)
245
(+26 from 1883)
0.19961
188372
(-1 from 1882)
219
(-25 from 1882)
0.19471
188271
(-4 from 1881)
244
(+6 from 1881)
0.19995
188167
(+2 from 1880)
238
(+4 from 1880)
0.21981
188069
First SSA data recorded
234
First SSA data recorded
0.19764

American States Popularity Rankings for Oliver

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#72021#62022#72023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#72021#72022#72023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#102021#62022#62023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#52021#52022#52023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#32021#32022#32023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#12021#12022#12023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#42021#32022#32023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#22021#22022#22023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#52021#42022#52023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#62021#62022#62023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#32021#12022#12023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#12021#12022#12023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#52021#42022#42023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#22021#12022#22023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#22021#12022#32023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#12021#22022#22023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#62021#32022#22023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#72021#82022#82023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#22021#12022#22023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#202021#132022#162023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#92021#92022#52023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#92021#72022#72023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#12021#12022#22023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#42021#42022#42023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#52021#52022#52023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#12021#12022#12023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#62021#32022#22023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#62021#72022#72023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#22021#22022#22023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#12021#12022#12023

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#272021#182022#182023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#22021#12022#22023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#22021#22022#22023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#72021#92022#32023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#22021#12022#12023

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#12021#12022#12023

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#42021#52022#52023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#152021#42022#12023

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#12021#12022#22023

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#12021#32022#12023

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#232021#112022#72023

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#22021#12022#12023

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#12021#12022#12023

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#92021#82022#172023

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#12021#52022#12023

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#22021#22022#12023

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#52021#92022#132023

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#22021#12022#22023

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#52021#62022#102023

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#172021#162022#132023

Wyoming (WY)

Wyoming (WY) flagWyoming (WY)#12021#62022#142023

Popularity Rankings for Oliver in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Australia (NSW)

Australia (NSW) flagAustralia (NSW)#12021#22022#12023

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#12019#12020#22021

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#12021#12022#22023

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#32021#32022#22023

Popularity in Norway

Norway flagNorway#22021#32022#22023

Popularity in Finland

Finland flagFinland#32021#42022#22023

Popularity in Estonia

Estonia flagEstonia#52011-2015#22016-2020#52021-2023

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#42021#62022#72023

Popularity in Denmark

Denmark flagDenmark#42021#102022#9First half of 2023

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#52021#62022#82023

Popularity in Slovakia

Slovakia flagSlovakia#52021#52022#62023

Popularity in Sweden

Sweden flagSweden#72021#62022#62023

Popularity in Spain

Spain flagSpain#162020#172021#192022

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#252021#252022#222023

Popularity in Galicia, Spain

Galicia, Spain flagGalicia, Spain#232020#262021#282022

Popularity in Croatia

Croatia flagCroatia#362021#402022#422023

Popularity in Austria

Austria flagAustria#452020#472021#482022

Popularity in Belgium

Belgium flagBelgium#462020#502021#472022

Popularity in Czechia

Czechia flagCzechia#582014#562015#532016

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico flagPuerto Rico#712021#702022#582023

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#602020#612021#622022

Popularity in Chile

Chile flagChile#802019#752020#662021

Popularity in Mexico

Mexico flagMexico#742020#712021

Popularity in Iceland

Iceland flagIceland#1302021#802022#1162023

Popularity in Basque Country, Spain

Basque Country, Spain flagBasque Country, Spain#902018#952021#982022

Popularity in Germany

Germany flagGermany#1142021#1302022#1202023

Popularity in Uruguay

Uruguay flagUruguay#1162023

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#1202021#1222022#1182023

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#1192020#1312021#1202022

Popularity in Argentina

Argentina flagArgentina#1812013#1442014#1442015

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Oliver a Name for Boys or Girls?

Oliver is commonly used for boys. It has become a popular choice due to its classic appeal and the friendly nickname “Ollie.”

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Oliver

Oliver in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places