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Home › Baby Names Directory › Orville

Orville

♂ Boy

Pronounced OR-vil /ˈɔr.vɪl/High

Meaning: From French — 'the golden town/city' (or, 'gold', plus ville, 'a town') — a name coined by the novelist Fanny BurneyLow

In 30 seconds: The golden town; the gold estate: Orville is French. Crisp, vintage, and warm.
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Origin LowFrench
MeaningFrom French — 'the golden town/city' (or, 'gold', plus ville, 'a town') — a name coined by the novelist Fanny Burney
U.S. rank (2025)#6347 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births14 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1920
Total births (all-time)≈ 35,065

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 192018802025

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

Orville comes from French — 'the golden town/city' (or, 'gold', plus ville, 'a town') — a name coined by the 18th-century novelist Fanny Burney. Famous for the aviation pioneer Orville Wright. A crisp, vintage name (said 'OR-vil'; nickname Orv).

In the U.S. it appears as a vintage name. Rare today, the-golden-town at the root, and vintage.

Did you know? Orville means 'the golden town/city' (French or, 'gold', plus ville, 'a town') — a name coined by the novelist Fanny Burney — a crisp, vintage name (famous for aviator Orville Wright; said 'OR-vil').
Overall data confidence 45%
References — Orville — French etymology

Variations

OrvilOrvelle

Nicknames

Orv

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Orville…

Orson— a sound-neighbor Or- vintage boys' name
Oran— a fellow Or- boys' name
Grover— a companion vintage boys' name
Wilbur— his brother Wilbur Wright's name

Explore names like Orville

By themefrench
By meaningGold

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Orville mean?

Orville is French for 'the golden town/city' (or, 'gold', plus ville, 'a town').

How do you pronounce Orville?

It's said OR-vil /ˈɔr.vɪl/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Orville a boy or girl name?

Orville is a boy's name.

How popular is Orville?

Orville is a rare name in the U.S. today.

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