A 1900s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Orville since 1880
Babies named Orville per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1920, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Orville's real moment was 1909.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 615 |
| 1890s | 870 |
| 1900s | 1,365 |
| 1910s | 7,901 |
| 1920s | 9,722 |
| 1930s | 5,825 |
| 1940s | 3,845 |
| 1950s | 2,290 |
| 1960s | 1,184 |
| 1970s | 615 |
| 1980s | 319 |
| 1990s | 179 |
| 2000s | 132 |
| 2010s | 124 |
| 2020s | 79 |
Meaning & origin
Orville is a name that peaked in 1909, when it reached its highest rank in U.S. births. After a long decline, it has been rising again since 2011, a trajectory likely tied to renewed interest in vintage names. The name's most famous association is with Orville Wright, whose pioneering flights cemented the name in American history. Despite its revival, Orville remains uncommon; in 2025, only about 1 in 122,005 boys received the name, placing it at rank 6,143. Its French etymology, meaning 'golden town', adds a touch of gilded imagery that appeals to parents seeking a distinguished yet underused classic.
Orville is derived from a Norman French surname, itself from the place name Orville in France, composed of the Old French elements 'or' (gold) and 'ville' (settlement, town). It was brought to England after the Norman Conquest and later gained use as a given name in the 19th century, partly influenced by the fame of aviation pioneer Orville Wright.
Where Orville 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.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Orv
Sibling names for Orville
Names that share Orville's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Wilma, Harriet, Mabel, Cora, Edith, Arlie, Izetta, Laverna, Leatrice, Marva, Melva, Nedra, Nelda, Tressa, Verla, Almeda, Ardella, Ardelle, Ardyce, Arletta, Arvilla, Awilda, Blondell, Cleora, Corena, Drema, Eartha, Elwanda, Lahoma, Lanelle, Lavera, Laveta, Lavona, Lavonna, Lemon, Lovella, Luvenia, Nadean, Ozella, Regenia, Trula, Vernette, Waneta, Wanita, Wava, Aldine, Alvenia, Ardean, Arleta, Belma, Belvia, Docia, Fayrene, Flonnie, Fronia, Genora, Jonita, Juanice, Lajean, Larayne, Lavergne, Lavetta, Letti, Lonita, Lovenia, Lovetta, Luevenia, Lurena, Luretha, Lutricia, Marcelyn, Mardella, Mardelle, Marilla, Nelva, Neola, Nezzie, Onalee, Oralee, Orva, Paralee, Reola, Vanetta, Velna, Velta, Verline, Vermell, Verneda, Voncille, Wanetta, Wauneta, Zelpha, Alfretta, Almyra, Areatha, Arlita, Avanell, Avonell, Berdella, Birdell, Chestine, Cleota, Conda, Delberta, Derotha, Eldean, Eldonna, Ercel, Estelene, Genella, Gilma, Glendola, Glenola, Inza, Ivadell, Juanell, Junella, Lamona, Larene, Lavaun, Lestine, Loletta, Louvina, Louvinia, Luretta, Modene, Monteen, Norrine, Norva, Odella, Orlinda, Ozelle, Tangy, Thelda, Vaneta, Verdelle, Verlia, Vermelle, Verneta, Vernona, Vinia, Willadene, Arvetta, Birdella, Olamae, Rayola, Alnita, Altovise, Alveda, Alveta, Arcenia, Arlina, Armentha, Armetta, Avonelle, Belvie, Birdena, Carnetta, Cleaster, Delona, Doneta, Donzella, Earnstine, Eldene, Eldoris, Elverda, Elzada, Elzena, Gaynel, Idonna, Inetha, Irlene, Ivanell, Ladonne, Lendora, Leveta, Levora, Loveda, Loyda, Lummie, Luvena, Luverna, Marvelene, Maudean, Milta, Minetta, Modine, Mosella, Norvella, Onedia, Oreatha, Orvetta, Reathel, Renelda, Seleta, Sible, Twylla, Vanice, Velvia, Venida, Verble, Verley, Virdell, Walsie, Wanell, Waunetta, Welda, Wilmetta, Zelta, Zenola
Brothers: Wilbur, Chester, Elmer, Otis, Clarence, Berton, Burl, Delbert, Delwin, Lavon, Luverne, Millard, Ozie, Vernell, Arlis, Carlis, Carnell, Cleophus, Delton, Derwin, Harlon, Hillard, Lenwood, Lugene, Obie, Pernell, Prentis, Prentiss, Verdell, Virgle, Ancil, Arnel, Arville, Beecher, Buell, Cleotha, Delford, Deloy, Dewaine, Doyce, Eldo, Lawayne, Lendell, Levester, Lilburn, Linville, Marvelle, Odus, Opie, Orrie, Orvis, Othel, Overton, Tevis, Vernis, Vestal, Windle, Burdell, Carthel, Cleatis, Clydell, Crockett, Delman, Delno, Dewie, Erbie, Ervey, Hearl, Hillman, Lamoyne, Lavoy, Levell, Lindel, Mingo, Norville, Olney, Orlen, Thermon, Thurl, Verlan, Wyndell, Hulan, Algia, Atwell, Azell, Culver, Delmo, Duell, Granvel, Hoyte, Lannis, Ledell, Lenville, Leverett, Levorn, Lyndle, Lyndol, Narvel, Noris, Orby, Oronde, Orvan, Ulice, Wildon, Wilman, Wilmon
