Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Olive
GirlEnglish, Latin· “olive tree”
- Meaning
- olive tree
- Origin
- English, Latin
- Pronunciation
- AH-lihv
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #197
- US babies 2025
- 1,597
- Best rank
- #82 (1893)
- Peak year
- 2022
Meaning and origin of Olive
Olive is an English and Latin name that means “olive tree”.
Olive comes from the English name of the olive tree and its fruit, from the Latin oliva. The olive branch has long served as a symbol of peace, going back to ancient Greece and the story of Noah's dove. As a given name Olive was used in England from the Middle Ages and was especially popular around the turn of the twentieth century. It has returned to favor with parents who like vintage names with a nature connection. Olive is short, earthy and charming, and Ollie and Liv are possible nicknames. Olivia is a related, longer choice.
Popularity over time
Olive has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 90 different years. Its best national rank was #82 in 1893, and the most babies received it in 2022, when 1,836 were named Olive. In 2025, 1,597 babies were named Olive, and it ranked #197 nationally. That is 32% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #151 in 1920, #892 in 1950, #5,449 in 1980, #3,715 in 2000, #543 in 2010, and #197 in 2025. Of the 66,926 US girls named Olive since records began, 18% were born in the 1910s, its biggest decade. The 1920s come next, with 10,889 babies. Since 2010, 20,707 more have been named Olive.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Myla, Wren, Emersyn, Zuri, and Journee.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Olive ranked highest in Utah, Alaska, and Maine.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Utah | #72 | 54 |
| Alaska | #83 | 8 |
| Maine | #89 | 12 |
| North Dakota | #98 | 10 |
| Vermont | #100 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Olive is usually pronounced AH-lihv, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with O and ends in “-ve”.
Middle names for Olive
A few middle names that flow with Olive: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Olive
Similar names
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Lists that include Olive
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Olive mean?
Olive is an English and Latin name that means “olive tree”.
What is the origin of the name Olive?
Olive has English and Latin roots. Olive comes from the English name of the olive tree and its fruit, from the Latin oliva.
Is Olive a popular name?
Yes. Olive ranked #197 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Olive a boy or girl name?
Olive is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Olive?
Olive is usually pronounced AH-lihv. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings