Oliver

Meaning: olive tree · Origin: French / Latin · Gender: usually a boy's name

Origin & history

From Old French Olivier, linked to Latin oliva. Olivier was a hero of the medieval Song of Roland; Dickens's Oliver Twist (1838) made it familiar in English.

Famous people named Oliver

Oliver Cromwell (statesman)
Oliver Twist (Dickens)

Nicknames

Ollie, Ol

Variants & related names

Olivier, Oliviero, Olivér

Oliver name art

A free preview of a printable “Oliver” poster with its meaning — great for a nursery, a birthday or a gift.

Instant download, no subscription. Not printed or shipped — you get a high-resolution PNG to print at home or at a print shop.

FAQ

What does the name Oliver mean?

Oliver means “olive tree”. It comes from French / Latin.

Is Oliver a popular name?

Yes — Oliver has been one of the most popular boys' names in the United States in the 2020s, according to US Social Security Administration baby-name data.

What are nicknames for Oliver?

Ollie, Ol.

What are other forms of Oliver?

Olivier, Oliviero, Olivér.

Similar names

Beau · Calvin · Grant · Owen · Oscar · Otis

More: names starting with O · all boys' names

Sources: standard name etymology references (e.g. Behind the Name, Oxford Dictionary of First Names); popularity from US SSA and UK ONS baby-name data. Meanings of old names are often debated — where scholars disagree we say so.