Oliver

Oliver is a boy name of Latin / Norse origin, ranked #3 in popularity, meaning Olive tree; symbol of peace.

What Oliver means

Olive tree; symbol of peace.

Oliver sits at 6 letters, and ends on a consonant, which gives it a firmer stop.

Where Oliver comes from

Latin / Norse is a blended origin: the name is claimed by more than one tradition, which usually means it travelled, or that two similar-sounding names converged. Latin names travelled through the Roman world and then through the Church, which is why so many survive across Europe in local variants. A great many were originally descriptive — of virtue, of appearance, or of birth order.

Oliver is recorded as Latin / Norse in origin. Browse other Latin / Norse names.

How popular is Oliver?

Oliver is ranked #3, which places it in the very top tier of boy names in use right now. Expect it to be instantly recognised and correctly spelled by almost everyone — and expect your child to meet others with the same name.

The character of Oliver

We group Oliver under the natural world and Peace — an unusual pairing, and often the reason a name feels the way it does. Each theme opens a full list of names sharing it.

Themes: Nature, Peace

Names like Oliver

These share Oliver's themes, origin, or both — closest first.

  • Olivier — The olive tree; peace.
  • Callum — Dove; peace.
  • Colm — Dove.
  • Olivia — Olive tree — peace, dignity, friendship.
  • Lily — The lily flower — purity and beauty.
  • Olive — The olive tree; peace.
  • Paloma — Dove — a symbol of peace.
  • Dove — The bird of peace.
  • Halcyon — Kingfisher; tranquil.
  • Winter — The cold, still season.
  • Bodhi — Enlightenment, awakening.
  • Daiki — Great glory; great tree.

More Latin / Norse names