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Vivien Girl

Popularity: #832 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Origin(s)

PronunciationVIV-ee-ən / ˈvɪviən

Latin; French

Meaning

Latin: alive; French: lively

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Vivien has its roots in the Latin word "vivus," meaning "alive" or "living." This etymology is reflected in the Old French form "Vivien," which emerged in the medieval period. The name was introduced into the English language through the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, where it was used both as a masculine and feminine name. The feminine variant, Vivienne, became more prominent in later centuries, particularly in the context of literary and artistic works that celebrated themes of life and vitality.

Historically, the name Vivien is associated with several notable figures, including Vivien of the Arthurian legends, who is often depicted as a powerful enchantress, sometimes identified with the Lady of the Lake. This connection to Arthurian romance, particularly in the works of medieval poets and writers, helped to solidify the name's presence in English literature. Additionally, the name appears in various forms in the writings of Geoffrey Chaucer and later in the works of Tennyson and other Victorian poets, further embedding it in the cultural consciousness of the time.

Culturally, the name Vivien has been associated with themes of vitality and femininity, resonating with the idea of life and renewal. The name's enduring appeal can be attributed to its melodic quality and the positive connotations of its meaning. In literature and art, characters named Vivien often embody strength and resilience, reflecting the name's historical significance. The diminutive form "Viv" has also been used, although it is less common in historical texts. Overall, Vivien represents a rich tapestry of linguistic evolution and cultural significance, rooted in the concepts of life and vitality.

Trend Summary

Vivien has seen fluctuating popularity in the U.S., with a notable resurgence in recent years.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Vivienne
  • Vivian

International Variants

  • Viviane (French)
  • Vivianna (Italian)
  • Viviana (Spanish)

Famous people named Vivien

Vivien Leigh is an actress best known for Gone with the Wind, A Streetcar Named Desire, and The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone.

Fictional characters named Vivien

Vivien is a fictional character from the play and film The Last Five Years. She is a character who represents the struggles and complexities of a romantic relationship over time.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Vivien was first seen in the United States in 1885. Vivien has ranked as high as #1147 nationally, which occurred in 2014, and has been most popular in California, New York, Texas, Pennsylvania, and Illinois. In the past 5 years the name Vivien has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Vivien (2024)

StateBirthsShare
TX 13
20%
NY 10
15%
CA 10
15%
MA 9
14%
FL 7
11%
GA 7
11%
OH 5
8%
WA 5
8%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
18855
18906
18925
18938
189418
189512
18969
18978
189812
18998
190015
190112
19027
19036
190410
190512
190610
190721
190810
19098
191026
191166
191274
191338
191440
191553
191647
191748
191859
191957
192054
192158
192272
192379
1924110
192589
192681
192787
192880
192958
193057
193133
193234
193331
193430
193530
193628
193728
193821
193952
1940148
194193
194261
194350
194446
194548
194657
194750
194850
194933
195040
195147
195247
195335
195432
195525
195622
195738
195830
195925
196034
196131
196224
196320
196422
196511
196614
196722
19689
196912
197012
197110
197210
19738
197410
197515
19768
197715
19788
197920
19809
198111
198215
19838
198410
19859
19869
198718
198812
198912
199023
199133
199226
199335
199434
199531
199649
199737
199842
199946
200060
200157
200265
200396
200491
2005100
2006113
2007104
2008100
2009151
2010209
2011175
2012190
2013204
2014248
2015241
2016221
2017219
2018198
2019193
2020166
2021155
2022118
2023118
2024118