Updated March 5, 2024

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Girl name origins & meanings

Olivia is a girl’s name with origins in Latin, French, and Old Norse.

Olivia is originally derived from the Latin word oliva, meaning “olive” and “olive tree.” In French, the name means “peace,” and in Old Norse it means “kind one.”

Olivia has been used as a baby girl's name in England since the 13th century, first popularized by Shakespeare in his play Twelfth Night.

Popular nicknames for Olivia include Liv, Livia, Livy (/Livvy), and Ollie.

Syllables: 4

Girl name variations

Olive

Olive

+ 12% this year
Feminine
Common
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Olivya

Olivya

- 5% this year
Feminine
Rare
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Olivette

Olivette

+ 63% this year
Feminine
Rare
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Ollie

Ollie

+ 11% this year
Neutral
Rare
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Olly

Olly

- 35% this year
Neutral
Rare
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Olva

Olva

0 % this year
Feminine
Rare
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Livia

Livia

- 15% this year
Feminine
Rare
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Livy

Livy

+ 58% this year
Feminine
Rare
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Liv

Liv

- 6% this year
Feminine
Rare
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Livvy

Livvy

+ 13% this year
Feminine
Rare
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Nollie

Nollie

- 36% this year
Feminine
Rare
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Nola

Nola

- 7% this year
Feminine
Rare
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How Popular Is The Name Olivia

Famous people with this first name

Popularity of the name Olivia

According to Social Security Administration data, Olivia has been a consistently popular name. It often competes for the #1 spot in the U.S. with Emma, and it has remained in the top 5 for the past decade. 

Despite its spot as one of the top 5 baby girl names in the U.S., it ranks #43 on FamilyEducation.com. 

According to Google search data analysis, in the last five years Olivia was at its peak popularity in March 2019. 

Olivia in pop culture and entertainment 

Olivia was first made popular by William Shakespeare in his play Twelfth Night. Today, it remains popular with namesakes such as actresses Olivia Newton-John, Olivia Colman, Olivia Wilde, Olivia Munn, and Olivia Culpo, as well as popular YouTuber Olivia Jade.

In TV and film, Olivia is a popular name choice for fictional characters. Olivia Benson is the protagonist of Law & Order SVU, Olivia Pope is a character in Scandal, and Olivia Dunham is a character in Fringe.

Where is it Popular?

Olivia was searched for most often in the following states:

Nicknames for Olivia

  • Liv
  • Ollie
  • Livie

Pairs well with these middle names

Olivia meaning and origin