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Olivia
Pronounced oh-LIV-ee-uh /oʊˈlɪv.i.ə/High
Meaning: Olive tree; a symbol of peaceHigh
Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.
History & Origin
Olivia derives from the Latin oliva, meaning the olive tree, a plant long associated with peace, wisdom, and divine favor in Mediterranean cultures. The olive branch was offered to the gods in ancient Greece and Rome, making the name carry weighty symbolic resonance. The name existed in medieval Europe in the form Oliva, used by several minor saints.
Shakespeare's Twelfth Night (c. 1602) gave the name its modern English form and wide literary cachet. It remained in genteel but modest use through the 18th and 19th centuries before surging in popularity across the English-speaking world during the 1990s and 2000s. Olivia reached #1 on the U.S. girls' chart in 2019 and has held that position since.
Variations
Nicknames
Famous Bearers
- ★Olivia de Havilland (1916–2020)British-American actress, two-time Academy Award winner.
- ★Olivia Newton-John (1948–2022)British-Australian singer and actress, known for the film Grease.
- ★Olivia Wilde (1984–)American actress and film director.
If you like Olivia…
Frequently Asked
What does the name Olivia mean?
Olivia is of Latin origin and means 'olive tree', long a symbol of peace and wisdom.
How do you pronounce Olivia?
It's said oh-LIV-ee-uh /oʊˈlɪv.i.ə/ — four syllables, with stress on the second.
Is Olivia a boy or girl name?
Olivia is overwhelmingly used as a girl's name in the U.S. and worldwide.
How popular is Olivia?
Olivia has been the #1 U.S. girls' name since 2019, making it one of the most popular names of the modern era.