Boy · 145th of 7,545
Orville
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
35,206
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1920
Peak Popularity Year
1,203
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Orville 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 Orville has its roots in Old French, meaning 'gold town.' It evolved from its original form in French to modern English. The name is characterized by associations with innovation and adventure, particularly linked to the Wright brothers. There is no biblical relevance associated with this name. It gained popularity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and remains a classic American name today.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈɔːrvəl/
Origin
French
Etymology
The name Orville is derived from the Old French name 'Orville,' which is thought to mean 'gold town' or 'golden city.' The components of the name are 'or,' meaning 'gold,' and 'ville,' meaning 'town' or 'city.'
Meaning
gold town
Language Evolution
Orville (Modern English), Orville (Old French)
Historical Usage
Orville gained popularity in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly associated with the Wright brothers and their pioneering contributions to aviation.
Variants & Derivatives
Orv, Orvie
Modern Popularity & Image
Orville is perceived as a classic American name, often associated with innovation and adventure due to its connection with the Wright brothers.
Famous People
Orville Wright, Orville Redenbacher
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
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 1,203 peak births in 1920
Geographic Spread
Popular across 43 US states, with strongest presence in North Dakota
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 9 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 1 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 9 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 145th of 7545 | 17,257 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 230th of 6773 | 9,946 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 494th of 7552 | 4,322 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 951st of 10718 | 1,155 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 2440th of 16616 | 416 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 6160th of 24088 | 191 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 6159th of 23106 | 167 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 3588th of 9107 | 116 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 5597th of 9204 | 39 |