Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Oliver
BoyFrench, Latin· “olive tree”
- Meaning
- olive tree
- Origin
- French, Latin
- Pronunciation
- AH-luh-vur
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #3
- US babies 2025
- 14,939
- Best rank
- #3 (2019)
- Peak year
- 2024
Meaning and origin of Oliver
Oliver is a French and Latin name that is usually said to mean “olive tree”.
Oliver comes from the Old French Olivier, generally connected with the Latin oliva, "olive tree", though some scholars suspect it was reshaped from a Germanic or Norse name. In the medieval Song of Roland, Olivier is the loyal companion and friend of the hero Roland. In England, Oliver Cromwell's rule in the seventeenth century made the name politically charged for a time. Charles Dickens's novel Oliver Twist gave it lasting sympathy through its orphan hero. Modern parents rediscovered Oliver and made it a leading choice in many countries. It feels friendly and a little literary, with Ollie and Olly as cheerful nicknames.
Popularity over time
Oliver 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 146 different years. Its best national rank was #3 in 2019, and the most babies received it in 2024, when 15,396 were named Oliver. In 2025, 14,939 babies were named Oliver, and it ranked #3 nationally. That is 28% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #135 in 1920, #284 in 1950, #414 in 1980, #305 in 2000, #88 in 2010, and #3 in 2025. Of the 269,903 US boys named Oliver since records began, 36% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 89,293 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Theodore, Henry, Mateo, Noah, and Elias.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Oliver ranked highest in Ohio, Indiana, and Missouri.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Oliver is usually pronounced AH-luh-vur, with three syllables. It has six letters, starts with O and ends in “-er”.
Middle names for Oliver
A few middle names that flow with Oliver: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Oliver
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Lists that include Oliver
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Oliver mean?
Oliver is a French and Latin name that is usually said to mean “olive tree”.
What is the origin of the name Oliver?
Oliver has French and Latin roots. Oliver comes from the Old French Olivier, generally connected with the Latin oliva, "olive tree", though some scholars suspect it was reshaped from a Germanic or Norse name.
Is Oliver a popular name?
Yes. Oliver ranked #3 in the US in 2025, which makes it one of the 100 most popular names.
Is Oliver a boy or girl name?
Oliver is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Oliver?
Oliver is usually pronounced AH-luh-vur. 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