Oliver
OL-iv-er /ˈɒl.ɪ.vər/
Meaning of Oliver
Oliver's roots are contested. The dominant view derives it from the Old French Olivier, meaning olive tree — Olivier is one of Charlemagne's twelve paladins in the medieval Song of Roland. An alternative view derives it from the Old Norse Áleifr (modern Olaf), giving 'ancestor's descendant.'
Current popularity of Oliver
Rankings from the most recent fully-published year in each national registry. Source links at the foot of the page.
| Registry | Year | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| United States (SSA) | 2024 | #3 |
| United Kingdom (ONS) | 2024 | #6 |
Notable bearers of Oliver
Olivier in the Song of Roland; Oliver Cromwell; Oliver Twist; Oliver Sacks.
Similar names & variants
Cognates, spelling variants and close relatives. Click any name with an underline to read its own page.
Sibling-name suggestions
Names that pair stylistically with Oliver — useful as middle names or for siblings.
About this entry
Compiled by the Baby Name Finder editorial team following the rules in our Methodology and Editorial guidelines. If you spot an error, please tell us; our corrections policy is at /editorial-guidelines#corrections.
Sources
- https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/
- https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/livebirths/datasets/babynamesenglandandwalesbabynamesstatisticsgirls
Last reviewed: 2026-05-31