Boy · 5th of 23,106
Oliver
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
255,607
Total Births
145
Years of Data
2024
Peak Popularity Year
15,368
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Oliver stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name Oliver has its roots in Latin, meaning 'olive tree', a symbol of peace. It has evolved through various languages and forms over centuries. Today, it is associated with positive traits and remains a popular choice for boys.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈɒlɪvə/
Origin
Latin
Etymology
The name Oliver is derived from the Latin word 'oliva', meaning 'olive tree'. The olive tree has historically symbolized peace and prosperity.
Meaning
peace, olive tree
Language Evolution
Oliveira (Portuguese), Olivier (French), Olaf (Old Norse), Olafur (Icelandic)
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in the English-speaking world during the 12th century, particularly after its use in medieval literature and its association with the character Oliver Twist in Charles Dickens' novel.
Variants & Derivatives
Ollie, Olly, Olivier, Oliviera
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Oliver is a popular name in many English-speaking countries, often associated with friendliness and warmth.
Famous People
Oliver Twist (fictional character), Oliver Cromwell (English military and political leader), Oliver Stone (American filmmaker), Oliver Sacks (neurologist and author)
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Rising
25-Year Trend:
Consistently Rising
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 15,368 peak births in 2024
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Utah
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 14 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 4 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 14 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 135th of 7545 | 19,570 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 204th of 6773 | 12,114 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 344th of 7552 | 9,213 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 427th of 10718 | 5,707 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 405th of 16616 | 8,142 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 165th of 24088 | 39,118 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 5th of 23106 | 156,412 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 2934th of 9107 | 170 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 3722nd of 9204 | 109 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 6550th of 12526 | 60 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 8647th of 19264 | 64 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 16689th of 27321 | 30 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 15598th of 35406 | 71 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 5978th of 30306 | 249 |