Rising since 1985, #3 for boys today.
Popularity of Oliver since 1880
Babies named Oliver per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 2,287 |
| 1890s | 2,035 |
| 1900s | 2,088 |
| 1910s | 8,657 |
| 1920s | 10,900 |
| 1930s | 6,709 |
| 1940s | 6,057 |
| 1950s | 4,987 |
| 1960s | 3,340 |
| 1970s | 3,732 |
| 1980s | 4,153 |
| 1990s | 6,570 |
| 2000s | 20,935 |
| 2010s | 98,160 |
| 2020s | 89,293 |
Meaning & origin
Few names have traveled a stranger road to the top of the American charts. Olivier rode into European nurseries with the Song of Roland, was banished from English ones for a century by association with Cromwell, and returned respectable enough for Dickens to hang a novel on. Its modern American career began quietly in 1985 and has been a single long ascent ever since.
By 2025 Oliver sat at No. 3 among American boys, about 1 in every 114, having touched its all-time peak in 2024. That forty-year climb has been remarkably steady rather than meteoric, the signature of a name adopted by successive waves of parents rather than a single trend cycle. The Ollie nickname and the fashionable -er ending have kept it feeling current even at saturation levels.
Its strongholds are rural and northern: Vermont, Wyoming, and Maine rank highest, consistent with the broader pattern of British-classic revivals running strongest in northern New England and the Mountain West. For parents who love the sound but flinch at a top-three rank, the same circles have been turning to Everett, Jasper, and Asher.
Olivier was one of Charlemagne's twelve paladins in the Song of Roland, the wise, level-headed companion to the hot-tempered Roland, and the name spread across medieval Europe on the strength of the epic. Its deeper origin is disputed: the olive-tree association with Latin oliva may be a medieval reshaping of a Germanic name such as Alfher ("elf army") or Old Norse Áleifr (an ancestor of Olaf), and standard references present the question as unsettled. The Normans carried the name to England, where it thrived until Oliver Cromwell's rule made it politically toxic for more than a century; Dickens's Oliver Twist (1837–39) helped complete its rehabilitation. In the United States it was a respectable nineteenth-century choice that faded badly by the 1970s, then began an unbroken climb in 1985.
Read more: Oliver on Wikipedia
Where Oliver is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Oliver” around the world
Where Oliver lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
90
babies in 2024
Ireland
#18
in 2025
New Zealand
#3
in 2025
Quebec
57
babies in 2025
Australia (NSW)
#2
in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec) · NSW Registry of BDM (Australia (NSW)).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ollie
Famous people named Oliver
- Oliver Cromwell · Lord Protector of England
- Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. · U.S. Supreme Court justice
- Oliver Sacks · neurologist and author
Sibling names for Oliver
Names that share Oliver's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Charlotte, Amelia, Violet, Hazel, Clara, Adeline, Alice, Eleanor, Evelyn, Josephine, Lillian, Nora, Sophie, Adalynn, Adelaide, Alisa, Annabelle, Audrey, Beatrice, Daisy, Elisa, Elise, Eliza, Emerson, Evie, Flora, Gabrielle, Genevieve, Georgia, Holly, Isabel, Jana, Jasmine, Laurel, Lea, Lia, Lilly, Lucille, Mabel, Madeline, Rosemary, Vivian, Vivienne, Abbie, Adaline, Adelyne, Ailany, Alexie, Alianna, Alyce, Amalia, Amelie, Annabel, Annalise, Annalyse, Audry, Azalea, Bellamy, Camellia, Camilla, Cataleya, Cecily, Charli, Cherry, Chloee, Clover, Coral, Delina, Easter, Edie, Elaina, Eleanora, Elina, Elsy, Emalyn, Emelia, Emelie, Emmaline, Emmeline, Emmy, Esme, Evalyn, Evelina, Evelynn, Everlee, Felicity, Fern, Ferne, Harmony, Heidy, Holli, Hollie, Indigo, Iris, Jemma, Juli, Juliet, Karolina, Libby, Lilah, Lilia, Lilian, Lilliann, Lilyann, Lorelai, Louisa, Lucie, Madeleine, Magnolia, Margot, Matilda, Maudie, Melani, Melany, Mirabelle, Nana, Nataly, Nelly, Pansy, Poppy, Robbin, Rosalind, Roselyn, Scarlet, Scarlette, Sofie, Vienna, Waverly, Willa, Winslow, Wren, Adalia, Adalie, Aime, Alise, Alyna, Amee, Amilia, Anabell, Anise, Annalynn, Anny, Anyah, Araya, Aribella, Arisbeth, Avah, Avalynn, Avelina, Azalee, Blossom, Calla, Cally, Camelia, Camillia, Cera, Charlette, Chloie, Chole, Cloey, Coralee, Coralie, Daisey, Darcey, Daysi, Elease, Elenora, Ellena, Ellia, Elliette, Elly, Elysa, Ema, Emaline, Emeli, Emelyn, Emmalynn, Emrie, Esmae, Evalena, Evalina, Evaline, Evalynn, Evelynne, Evy, Fairy, Gardenia, Gracee, Graci, Harmonie, Ivie, Izabell, Jenevieve, Jozie, Lavender, Leyah, Lili, Lilie, Lillia, Lillianne, Lillyan, Lillyann, Lilyanna, Lynnea, Madaline, Madelene, Madelin, Madelyne, Madolyn, Meah, Melia, Melodee, Nicol, Nonie, Novaleigh, October, Olevia, Olyvia, Pippa, Roselee, Rosey, Theadora, Zinnia, Zoee, Abella, Adalaide, Adalena, Adalin, Addeline, Adeleine, Adelena, Adelie, Adelin, Adelynne, Ailynn, Aleecia, Aleesia, Alis, Alissia, Aliviah, Amarilis, Ameila, Ameliah, Amellia, Amely, Amelya, Ameria, Ameris, Amorie, Amylia, Anelise, Annalea, Annelyse, Arial, Arista, Aster, Audery, Avalina, Avangeline, Avarose, Avory, Aymee, Azaleah, Callia, Calysta, Caraline, Chari, Charlea, Charlise, Charlott, Clairissa, Clarie, Clary, Daisie, Daizy, Daphnee, Daphnie, Darlin, Dasie, Deisi, Elea, Eleena, Eleina, Eleonor, Eleora, Elexia, Elivia, Elize, Ellagrace, Ellah, Ellaina, Ellana, Ellanor, Ellarose, Elleana, Ellenor, Ellisa, Ellise, Elloise, Ellorie, Ellouise, Elysse, Elyssia, Emalie, Emalynn, Emelin, Emelly, Emilea, Emiline, Emillie, Emmah, Emmalin, Emmalina, Emmaly, Emmarose, Emmelia, Emmelyn, Erina, Esabella, Everlynn, Eviana, Evianna, Florie, Genavieve, Genieve, Graycee, Hally, Hayzel, Hazely, Helaina, Heydi, Idaly, Ily, Ivalee, Jacqui, Jassmine, Jennavieve, Jessamine, Jorgia, Josiephine, Katalyna, Katty, Letticia, Liliann, Lillee, Lilley, Lillis, Lilyrose, Livi, Livvy, Lizzet, Loralai, Lorelie, Lydiann, Lylia, Lyllian, Lyvia, Madeliene, Madelina, Maggi, Maily, Maizee, Miarose, Mileah, Mily, Nolia, Nollie, Novalie, Olivea, Oliviana, Olivya, Orelia, Peaches, Pennelope, Pheobe, Pixie, Posey, Posie, Primrose, Rainy, Roizy, Rosaleigh, Rosaly, Rosebud, Roselia, Rosi, Rosiland, Rozena, Scarleth, Skarlett, Sophee, Sophy, Starlet, Tamsen, Tansy, Vanellope, Violett, Vivi, Viviane, Viviann, Wallis, Winry, Zoei, Zoelle, Zophia, Adabelle, Adahlia, Adaly, Adalyne, Addaline, Adelae, Adelai, Adelaine, Adelyna, Adylene, Adyline, Aerabella, Aerilyn, Ahnna, Aimy, Alicha, Aliena, Alitza, Alivya, Allis, Allycia, Ameilia, Ameliyah, Amylee, Amzie, Angeleen, Annaleia, Annalese, Annelie, Annelisa, Aribelle, Avaline, Avamae, Avelyn, Avelynn, Azalia, Bellany, Bellarose, Briony, Bryony, Cecilee, Cerise, Charie, Charlei, Charlett, Charolett, Cressie, Daffney, Daysy, Deysy, Dhalia, Edlin, Eevie, Elanore, Eliabeth, Elissia, Ellamae, Ellanie, Ellarae, Elleanor, Ellenore, Ellianah, Ellowyn, Elody, Emelynn, Emeree, Emerlynn, Emie, Emmalene, Emmalia, Emmalise, Emmalyne, Emmalynne, Emmamarie, Emmary, Emmely, Emmerie, Emmilyn, Emmory, Enma, Esmay, Evalise, Evalynne, Evanny, Evellyn, Evely, Evelyna, Eveny, Everley, Everlie, Everlina, Everline, Evoleth, Evvie, Fleur, Floreine, Geneieve, Geneveive, Genever, Graciemae, Haizel, Hazell, Hazyl, Hendy, Hyacinth, Ileanna, Isabellah, Issabelle, Iviana, Ivyrose, Jessamy, Jia, Josaphine, Jozi, Juliett, Julina, Konstance, Lauryl, Leafy, Lenor, Lilac, Lilieth, Liliya, Lilliah, Lillien, Lilyonna, Lucianne, Lulia, Lya, Lylian, Lyliana, Madaleine, Madelena, Madeleyn, Madline, Maezie, Maizey, Malva, Mazey, Mazy, Milarose, Minnah, Naraly, Oliana, Olivianna, Olivine, Omelia, Prim, Rosaland, Rosalena, Rosealee, Roselie, Roselin, Roselinda, Rosely, Sabrinna, Saraiah, Sharlie, Sophiah, Sophina, Sylvanna, Tulip, Veronia, Xanthe, Adlene, Arabel, Avalie, Briarrose, Elliet, Evalie, Everlea, Jasemine, Lilibet, Norielle, Sophiarose, Adamae, Adea, Ahlivia, Alichia, Aliese, Alizia, Amarise, Amilee, Amrie, Analeise, Annalaya, Annalyce, Arelie, Aryona, Attalie, Autumnrose, Avea, Averiana, Avilyn, Ayme, Azalie, Azaylea, Azelea, Bellagrace, Bellarae, Calirose, Cateleya, Ceciley, Charlii, Chrysanthemum, Daisee, Daisi, Daissy, Daizee, Darcee, Dayzee, Dulcey, Eimmy, Elaiza, Eleven, Elizabelle, Ellakate, Ellanore, Ellenie, Elleri, Elley, Ellianne, Ellieann, Elliemay, Ellierose, Elliett, Ellizabeth, Ellyce, Elsey, Emilene, Emiliah, Emilina, Emmalena, Emmelina, Emmilia, Emmry, Emylia, Emylie, Erabella, Esmarie, Evalette, Evalin, Eveleigh, Evolett, Eymi, Falicity, Filippa, Flower, Genavie, Georga, Grettell, Holleigh, Ibbie, Idalie, Isobella, Ivylynn, Jenaveve, Joscelyne, Kabella, Kiira, Kitti, Laetitia, Lauralie, Leeona, Leliana, Liandra, Lil, Liliahna, Lillan, Lilliane, Lilliauna, Lilliona, Lillionna, Lillyona, Lillyrose, Lilyahna, Lilyanah, Lilybelle, Lilygrace, Lilyian, Lilyona, Lissy, Livvie, Lucee, Lucillia, Lunarose, Lylianna, Lyly, Madalen, Madelline, Maicie, Maisee, Marloe, Marri, Matalie, Maty, Mayline, Meria, Miaa, Miabelle, Mirajane, Nelliel, Noheli, Nolynn, Novaly, Olivene, Olivet, Oliviarose, Penelopi, Peony, Posy, Remii, Renesmay, Reni, Riella, Rosaleah, Rosealie, Rosealyn, Rosealynn, Roselynne, Rosmary, Santoria, Scarlettrose, Secily, Skarleth, Sosie, Stellah, Sugar, Tallula, Venesa, Vylette, Vyolet, Zoiee, Zoii
Brothers: Henry, Theodore, Everett, Asher, Jasper, Benjamin, Hudson, Lucas, Arthur, Dorian, Elliot, Elliott, Julian, Xander, Atticus, Edison, Eliot, Emmet, Gabe, Isa, Jensen, Kingsley, Linden, Maxim, Milo, Rob, Roby, Russel, Sonny, Theadore, Winston, Adrain, Bennet, Eliott, Elon, Haydn, Haydon, Kylian, Lucus, Mattias, Mylo, Ryver, Wesly, Alyjah, Axell, Edi, Edy, Elija, Emerick, Emitt, Endy, Ericson, Everet, Gryffin, Henrry, Iven, Jaccob, Jessey, Julyan, Lucah, Luccas, Luciel, Martyn, Milas, Roben, Steffon, Vivan, Winson, Alic, Arris, Auggie, Daved, Ediel, Eduin, Ethin, Everrett, Fredis, Griffon, Hason, Isaic, Matteus, Nicko, Olyver, Piers, Robi, Royer, Tobby, Zackarie, Anothy, Charlies, Dominyk, Ethanjames, Abem, Bellemy, Brayam, Ellian, Frasier, Hershey, Iaan, Irbin, Leiam, Leonell, Nicolis, Nikolaj, Olivander, Olly, Topher, Ustin, Wilian, Wilkin, Wyat
Names like Oliver
Names whose popularity has moved with Oliver's over the last 50 years.
