Names › Girls' names › V › Vivian

Vivian

Meaning: alive, lively · Origin: Latin · Gender: usually a girl's name

Origin & history

From Latin vivus, 'alive'. In Arthurian legend Vivian is the Lady of the Lake. Originally used for men as well.

Famous people named Vivian

Vivien Leigh (actor)
Vivian Maier (photographer)

Nicknames

Viv, Vivi

Variants & related names

Vivienne, Viviana, Bibiana

Vivian name art

A free preview of a printable “Vivian” 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 Vivian mean?

Vivian means “alive, lively”. It comes from Latin.

Is Vivian a popular name?

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

What are nicknames for Vivian?

Viv, Vivi.

What are other forms of Vivian?

Vivienne, Viviana, Bibiana.

Similar names

Emily · Victoria · Nova · Emilia · Stella · Lucy

More: names starting with V · all girls' 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.