Log in · Sign up

Oliver Boy

Popularity: #3 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Origin(s)

PronunciationOL-iv-er / ˈɒlɪvər

Latin; Old French; Germanic

Meaning

Latin: olive tree; Old French: descendant of the ancestor; Germanic: elf army

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Oliver is derived from the Latin name 'Oliverius,' which is believed to have originated from the Latin word 'oliva,' meaning 'olive.' The olive tree has long been a symbol of peace and prosperity, and its association with these qualities may have contributed to the name's appeal. The transition of the name into English occurred through Old French, where it appeared as 'Olivier' during the Norman Conquest of England in the 11th century, subsequently evolving into the Middle English form 'Oliver.' This linguistic journey reflects the broader cultural exchanges between the Romans, the Franks, and the Anglo-Saxons.

Historically, the name Oliver gained prominence in the medieval period, particularly due to its association with various saints and notable figures. One of the earliest recorded uses of the name in England can be traced back to the 12th century, with Saint Oliver Plunkett, an Irish martyr canonized in the 20th century, further solidifying its religious significance. The name also appears in literary works, most notably in the 19th century with Charles Dickens' character Oliver Twist, which has contributed to its enduring presence in English literature.

Culturally, the name Oliver has been associated with nobility and virtue, often linked to the qualities of wisdom and peace, reflective of the olive branch's symbolism. The name has also inspired various diminutive forms, such as Ollie, which have been used affectionately throughout history. Overall, Oliver's rich etymological roots and historical associations have allowed it to maintain a significant place in various cultural contexts.

Trend Summary

Oliver has consistently ranked among the top names for boys in the United States over the past decade.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Ollie
  • Olly

International Variants

  • Olivier (French)
  • Olaf (Scandinavian)
  • Olivo (Italian)

Famous people named Oliver

Oliver Twist is a fictional character best known for the novel Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens.

Oliver Stone is a filmmaker best known for Platoon, JFK, and Natural Born Killers.

Oliver Hudson is an actor best known for Rules of Engagement, Nashville, and The Christmas Chronicles.

Oliver Reed is an actor best known for The Devils, Gladiator, and Women in Love.

Oliver Sacks is a neurologist and author best known for Awakenings, The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat, and Musicophilia.

Oliver Platt is an actor best known for The Three Musketeers, Lakeview Terrace, and The Big Night.

Oliver Kahn is a former footballer best known for his time with Bayern Munich and the German national team.

Oliver Jeffers is an artist and author best known for children's books such as Lost and Found, The Day the Crayons Quit, and How to Catch a Star.

Oliver Phelps is an actor best known for his role as George Weasley in the Harry Potter film series.

Oliver North is a former U.S. Marine and political commentator best known for his role in the Iran-Contra affair.

Fictional characters named Oliver

Oliver Twist is a fictional character from the novel Oliver Twist. He is a young orphan who navigates the harsh realities of life in Victorian England.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Oliver was first seen in the United States in 1880. Oliver has ranked as high as #3 nationally, which occurred in 2024, and has been most popular in California, Texas, New York, Florida, and Illinois. In the past 5 years the name Oliver has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Oliver (2024)

StateBirthsShare
CA 1,544
11%
TX 1,314
9%
FL 840
6%
NY 673
5%
OH 617
4%
PA 597
4%
IL 556
4%
NC 536
4%
GA 460
3%
MI 454
3%
WA 448
3%
TN 427
3%
MO 425
3%
IN 397
3%
VA 391
3%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
1880234
1881238
1882244
1883219
1884245
1885258
1886230
1887203
1888206
1889210
1890218
1891212
1892238
1893214
1894222
1895216
1896194
1897174
1898186
1899161
1900256
1901187
1902181
1903210
1904200
1905211
1906183
1907207
1908207
1909246
1910307
1911333
1912646
1913644
1914861
19151,131
19161,103
19171,175
19181,248
19191,209
19201,164
19211,194
19221,214
19231,221
19241,172
19251,049
19261,065
19271,002
1928934
1929885
1930850
1931778
1932741
1933595
1934732
1935647
1936591
1937609
1938568
1939598
1940582
1941601
1942612
1943668
1944565
1945558
1946619
1947624
1948631
1949597
1950556
1951552
1952555
1953521
1954537
1955507
1956483
1957452
1958453
1959371
1960370
1961348
1962312
1963358
1964367
1965303
1966337
1967290
1968325
1969329
1970366
1971416
1972368
1973374
1974347
1975355
1976336
1977338
1978422
1979408
1980393
1981403
1982455
1983434
1984397
1985371
1986338
1987461
1988440
1989460
1990625
1991582
1992664
1993665
1994643
1995597
1996607
1997669
1998735
1999782
2000978
2001978
20021,166
20031,374
20041,491
20051,793
20062,352
20072,910
20083,604
20094,287
20104,664
20115,413
20125,922
20137,275
20149,450
201511,667
201613,065
201713,224
201813,499
201913,964
202014,275
202114,707
202215,161
202314,782
202415,343