Oliver
Old Norse boy's name meaning “ancestor's descendant; (also linked to 'olive tree')”
- Gender
- Boy
- Origin
- Old Norse
- Meaning
- ancestor's descendant; (also linked to 'olive tree')
- Syllables
- 3
- Letters
- 6
- US rank (2023)
- #3
- Born in 2023
- 14,782
- Peak year
- 2023 (#3)
Meaning & origin
Oliver comes from the Old French Olivier, borne by a paladin of Charlemagne in the Song of Roland. Though popularly linked to the Latin oliva ('olive tree'), it probably derives from the Old Norse Áleifr (source of Olaf), meaning roughly 'ancestor's descendant'.
Is Oliver a Norse name?
Yes — Oliver is a Norse name meaning "ancestor's descendant; (also linked to 'olive tree')". Oliver comes from the Old French Olivier, borne by a paladin of Charlemagne in the Song of Roland. Though popularly linked to the Latin oliva ('olive tree'), it probably derives from the Old Norse Áleifr (source of Olaf), meaning roughly 'ancestor's descendant'. You may also see it described as Scandinavian or Viking, which refer to the same root.
Popularity
In the latest US data, Oliver ranked #3 for boys. It has held remarkably steady over the past decade — a dependable classic.
In 2023, 14,782 US boys were given the name Oliver.
US popularity rank over time
Peaked at #3 in 2023
“Unranked” means Oliver was outside the US top 1,000 that year.
See more boy names starting with O.
How to spell Oliver
Oliver is spelled O-L-I-V-E-R — 6 letters and 3 syllables.
Nicknames
Ollie, Oli
Oliver: frequently asked questions
What does the name Oliver mean?
Oliver is a Old Norse name meaning "ancestor's descendant; (also linked to 'olive tree')". Oliver comes from the Old French Olivier, borne by a paladin of Charlemagne in the Song of Roland. Though popularly linked to the Latin oliva ('olive tree'), it probably derives from the Old Norse Áleifr (source of Olaf), meaning roughly 'ancestor's descendant'.
Where does the name Oliver come from?
Oliver is of Old Norse origin. Oliver comes from the Old French Olivier, borne by a paladin of Charlemagne in the Song of Roland. Though popularly linked to the Latin oliva ('olive tree'), it probably derives from the Old Norse Áleifr (source of Olaf), meaning roughly 'ancestor's descendant'.
Is Oliver a boy or a girl name?
Oliver is most commonly a boy's name.
How many babies are named Oliver?
In 2023, 14,782 US boys were given the name Oliver.
Is Oliver a popular name, and is it rising or falling?
In the latest US data, Oliver ranked #3 for boys. It has held remarkably steady over the past decade — a dependable classic.
What are common nicknames for Oliver?
Common nicknames for Oliver include Ollie, Oli.
How do you spell Oliver?
Oliver is spelled O-L-I-V-E-R — 6 letters.
How common is the name Oliver?
In 2023, 14,782 US boys were given the name Oliver. In the latest US data, Oliver ranked #3 for boys. It has held remarkably steady over the past decade — a dependable classic.
Is Oliver a Norse name?
Yes — Oliver is a Norse name meaning "ancestor's descendant; (also linked to 'olive tree')". Oliver comes from the Old French Olivier, borne by a paladin of Charlemagne in the Song of Roland. Though popularly linked to the Latin oliva ('olive tree'), it probably derives from the Old Norse Áleifr (source of Olaf), meaning roughly 'ancestor's descendant'. You may also see it described as Scandinavian or Viking, which refer to the same root.
What does Oliver mean in Norse?
In Norse, Oliver means "ancestor's descendant; (also linked to 'olive tree')". Oliver comes from the Old French Olivier, borne by a paladin of Charlemagne in the Song of Roland. Though popularly linked to the Latin oliva ('olive tree'), it probably derives from the Old Norse Áleifr (source of Olaf), meaning roughly 'ancestor's descendant'.
Is Oliver a Scandinavian name?
Oliver is usually classified as Norse, and Scandinavian belongs to that same tradition — so yes, it is commonly described as Scandinavian too. It means "ancestor's descendant; (also linked to 'olive tree')".