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Olivia

♂ Boy

Pronounced oh-LIV-ee-ah /oʊˈlɪv.i.ɑ/Medium

Meaning: From Latin oliva, 'the olive tree' — a symbol of peace; overwhelmingly a girls' name (coined by Shakespeare); here for boysMedium

In 30 seconds: The olive tree; peace: Olivia is Latin for 'the olive tree' (a symbol of peace). Lyrical and warm. Overwhelmingly a girls' name (here for boys; said 'oh-LIV-ee-ah').

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Origin MediumLatin

MeaningFrom Latin oliva, 'the olive tree' — a symbol of peace; overwhelmingly a girls' name (coined by Shakespeare); here for boys

U.S. rank (2025)#8067 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births10 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2004

Total births (all-time)≈ 791

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Olivia comes from Latin oliva, 'the olive tree', long a symbol of peace and reconciliation. Shakespeare gave it lasting fame in Twelfth Night. It is overwhelmingly a girls' name (one of the most popular in the world); its appearance here for boys is very unusual, which we flag honestly (said 'oh-LIV-ee-ah'; nickname Oli).

It registers almost entirely for girls. Very rare for boys, the-olive-tree-and-peace at the root, and lyrical.

Did you know? Olivia means 'the olive tree' (Latin oliva) — a symbol of peace — popularized by Shakespeare in Twelfth Night — it is overwhelmingly a girls' name, recorded here for boys (which we flag; said 'oh-LIV-ee-ah').

Overall data confidence 45%

Behind the Name — Olivia — root etymology

Variations

OliverOlivioOlivier

Nicknames

Oli

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Olivia…

Oliver— the standard boys' olive-tree name

Olivier— the French boys' form

Octavian— a sound-neighbor Latin boys' name

Octavio— lands in the same popularity range

Ovidio— shares Olivia's Latin roots

Explore names like Olivia

By themeuncertain latin unisex

By meaningPeace

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Olivia mean?

Olivia is Latin for 'the olive tree' — a symbol of peace.

How do you pronounce Olivia?

It's said oh-LIV-ee-ah /oʊˈlɪv.i.ɑ/ — four syllables, stress on the second.

Is Olivia a boy or girl name?

Olivia is overwhelmingly a girls' name; this page covers its very rare use for boys.

How popular is Olivia?

Olivia is extremely rare for boys in the U.S. (it is a top girls' name).