Orville Boy

Popularity: #924 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: OR-vil //ˈɔːrvɪl//

Origin: French; Latin

Meaning: French: 'golden city'; Latin: 'to be brave'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Orville is believed to have originated from the Old French name "Orville," which itself is derived from the Latin "Aurelius," meaning "golden" or "gilded." The transition into English occurred during the Norman Conquest of England in the 11th century, when many Old French names were adopted into the English lexicon. The name has been associated with nobility and wealth due to its etymological roots, which evoke images of something precious and valuable.

Historically, the name Orville gained prominence in the 19th century, particularly through notable figures such as Orville Wright, one of the pioneering aviators who, along with his brother Wilbur, made significant contributions to the development of powered flight in the early 1900s. Their successful flight in 1903 marked a pivotal moment in aviation history, and the name Orville became more widely recognized in American culture as a result.

The Wright brothers' achievements not only transformed transportation but also inspired a generation of inventors and dreamers. Culturally, the name Orville carries connotations of innovation and adventure, reflecting the spirit of exploration that characterized the early 20th century.

It is also associated with various literary and artistic works, although specific references may vary. The name's unique sound and historical significance have contributed to its endurance in various contexts, including literature and popular culture.

A diminutive form, "Orv," may also be used informally, though it is less common in historical texts. Overall, Orville encapsulates a blend of linguistic heritage and cultural milestones that have shaped its identity over the centuries.

Famous people named Orville

In this section, you will find notable people named Orville. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Orville who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Orville who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Orville Wright is an aviation pioneer best known for inventing the first successful airplane and founding the Wright brothers' aviation company.

Orville Redenbacher is a businessman best known for his gourmet popcorn brand and television commercials.

Orville Peck is a singer-songwriter best known for his unique blend of country music and his masked persona.

Fictional characters named Orville

The following list of fictional characters named Orville is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Orville is a fictional character from the animated television series DuckTales. He is a pilot and a member of the Junior Woodchucks, known for his adventurous spirit.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Orville, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

OrsonOliverOscarOwenOrenOlivier

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Orville. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

ArvilleMarvinDarrellGarrettHaroldNorvilleBurlVirgil

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Orville was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Orville has ranked as high as #318 nationally, which occurred in 1920, and has been most popular in Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, Minnesota, and Ohio.

In the past 5 years the name Orville has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Orville is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Orville was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Orville.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 14 14 0
2024 12 12 0
2023 12 12 0
2022 13 13 0
2021 16 16 0
2020 12 12 0
2019 17 17 0
2018 11 11 0
2017 19 19 0
2016 13 13 0
2015 12 12 0
2014 17 17 0
2013 13 13 0
2012 7 7 0
2011 9 9 0
2010 6 6 0
2009 13 13 0
2008 16 16 0
2007 9 9 0
2006 14 14 0
2005 9 9 0
2004 11 11 0
2003 12 12 0
2002 18 18 0
2001 12 12 0
2000 18 18 0
1999 12 12 0
1998 10 10 0
1997 15 15 0
1996 19 19 0
1995 26 26 0
1994 16 16 0
1993 21 21 0
1992 16 16 0
1991 17 17 0
1990 27 27 0
1989 33 33 0
1988 27 27 0
1987 26 26 0
1986 26 26 0
1985 34 34 0
1984 23 23 0
1983 29 29 0
1982 31 31 0
1981 45 45 0
1980 45 45 0
1979 39 39 0
1978 45 45 0
1977 53 53 0
1976 46 46 0
1975 71 71 0
1974 57 57 0
1973 63 63 0
1972 74 74 0
1971 81 81 0
1970 86 86 0
1969 97 97 0
1968 102 102 0
1967 82 82 0
1966 112 112 0
1965 101 101 0
1964 111 111 0
1963 135 135 0
1962 121 121 0
1961 168 168 0
1960 155 155 0
1959 176 176 0
1958 183 183 0
1957 235 235 0
1956 225 225 0
1955 196 196 0
1954 244 244 0
1953 257 257 0
1952 256 256 0
1951 255 255 0
1950 263 263 0
1949 291 291 0
1948 321 321 0
1947 399 399 0
1946 332 332 0
1945 332 332 0
1944 357 357 0
1943 476 476 0
1942 445 445 0
1941 431 431 0
1940 461 461 0
1939 494 494 0
1938 447 447 0
1937 515 515 0
1936 516 516 0
1935 581 581 0
1934 598 593 5
1933 627 627 0
1932 654 649 5
1931 667 656 11
1930 756 747 9
1929 808 808 0
1928 820 811 9
1927 861 856 5
1926 905 894 11
1925 951 940 11
1924 1,044 1,035 9
1923 1,019 1,012 7
1922 1,034 1,022 12
1921 1,161 1,149 12
1920 1,203 1,195 8
1919 1,126 1,120 6
1918 1,199 1,188 11
1917 1,066 1,061 5
1916 1,070 1,063 7
1915 1,083 1,076 7
1914 792 787 5
1913 676 676 0
1912 477 477 0
1911 230 230 0
1910 223 223 0
1909 218 218 0
1908 153 153 0
1907 148 148 0
1906 148 148 0
1905 125 125 0
1904 134 134 0
1903 125 125 0
1902 108 108 0
1901 94 94 0
1900 112 112 0
1899 94 94 0
1898 101 101 0
1897 83 83 0
1896 89 89 0
1895 92 92 0
1894 105 105 0
1893 78 78 0
1892 84 84 0
1891 56 56 0
1890 88 88 0
1889 64 64 0
1888 87 87 0
1887 54 54 0
1886 63 63 0
1885 79 79 0
1884 53 53 0
1883 59 59 0
1882 46 46 0
1881 61 61 0
1880 49 49 0

Top States for Orville (1995)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
NY 5
100%