Oliver
Oliver is a boys' name of Latin origin meaning “olive tree, peace.” It ranked #3 in the United States in 2025. Oliver likely derives from the Latin 'olivarius' (olive tree) symbolizing peace.
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how do you pronounce Oliver?
OL-ih-ver
where does the name Oliver come from?
The origin is genuinely disputed. The Old French Olivier may descend from a Germanic name such as Alfihar, meaning elf army, later reshaped by scribes who heard the Latin oliva in it. Whether or not the olive is original, it has been the working meaning for the better part of a thousand years.
Dickens's 'Oliver Twist' made it iconic. It has been locked in the top 3 in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia simultaneously — a rare global phenomenon.
how popular is this name?
Oliver has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 146 years since 1880. It peaked at #3 in 2019, and ranked #3 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #3 |
| 2024 | #3 |
| 2023 | #3 |
| 2022 | #3 |
| 2021 | #3 |
| 2020 | #3 |
| 2019 | #3 |
| 2018 | #5 |
| 2017 | #10 |
| 2016 | #12 |
| 2010 | #88 |
| 2000 | #305 |
| 1990 | #373 |
| 1980 | #414 |
| 1970 | #427 |
| 1960 | #410 |
| 1950 | #283 |
| 1940 | #215 |
| 1930 | #170 |
| 1920 | #135 |
| 1910 | #103 |
| 1900 | #95 |
| 1890 | #81 |
| 1880 | #69 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Oliver fell outside the top 1,000.
the history of Oliver
Olivier is Roland's steadfast companion in the eleventh-century Chanson de Roland, which spread the name across medieval Europe. Oliver Cromwell then made it distinctly unwelcome in England for generations, and Dickens's Oliver Twist did not entirely rehabilitate it. Its revival is recent and complete: it topped the British charts through the 2010s.
who are famous people named Oliver?
- Oliver Twist (Dickens character)
- Oliver Stone (American filmmaker)
- Oliver Sacks (British neurologist and author)
what are the nicknames and variants of Oliver?
Nicknames
Variants around the world
what names are similar to Oliver?
what names go well with Oliver?
Sibling names that share Oliver's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Oliver
What does the name Oliver mean?
Oliver means “olive tree, peace”.
What is the origin of the name Oliver?
Oliver comes from the Latin naming tradition. Related forms include Olivier, Oliviero and Oliwier.
How popular is the name Oliver?
Oliver ranked #3 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 2019, at #3, and it has spent 146 years in the top 1,000 since 1880.
Is Oliver a boy or girl name?
Oliver is primarily a boys' name.
How do you pronounce Oliver?
Oliver is pronounced OL-ih-ver, with 3 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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