The Baby Name Wizard

Reader Contributions

Contribute to, or edit, this collection of community wisdom on the name Oliver!

Comments and insights on the name Oliver: | Edit

My Friends older brother was named Oliver but the parents changed his name when he was a couple of moths old to Gregory because they hated how everyone kept calling him Ollie.

Personal experiences with the name Oliver: | Edit

I chose the name Oliver for my third son (2007) and am very happy with my decision. It's in the 'just right' spot (in North America at least) of familiar and yet not overly trendy. Everyone who meets him seems to think his name is charming, and it always brings a little surprised smile to people's faces.

I named my second son Oliver(2008). It's not too trendy and it's a nice classic name all of my other children have classic names. Great name and it fits my son to a tee.

I also named my second son Oliver (2009). He is a super easy-going, mellow, easy baby! He fits his name perfectly, and I am so happy we chose it!

(10/18/10) My four year old son is named Oliver--he is tall with dark curly hair, glasses, and a happy personality, and he's very bright. As soon as people learn his name, everyone says "He is definitely an Oliver!" It's easy to say and spell, it's recognizable but not TOO common or trendy, and it's cute as a little boy but will easily grow with him into a great man's name.

Nicknames for Oliver: | Edit

Ollie, Oli, Olaf, Iver, Ive, Ivy, Nole, Noll, Noli, Vero, Liv, Levi, Levy, Olli, Ollivander,

Meanings and history of the name Oliver: | Edit

Oliver Goldsmith: An Irish writer. One of Charles Dicken's literary heroes. He may have written the children's book, "Little Miss Goody-Two-Shoes".

Famous real-life people named Oliver: | Edit

Oliver Cromwell, British military leader and Lord Protector of Britain from 1653-8
Oliver Hardy, American comedian (Laurel & Hardy)
Oliver Stone, American director (JFK)
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr., 19th-century American author and physician
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., early 20th-century Supreme Court Justice
Oliver North, Military Hero
Oliver Tompsett, British actor best know for playing Fiyero in the London production of "Wicked"
Oliver Sykes, vocalist in British metalcore band Bring Me the Horizon
Oliver Reed, Actor
Oliver Platt, Actor

Oliver in song, story & screen: | Edit

Oliver Queen, secret identity of Green Arrow in DC Comics and on Smallville
Oliver Twist, title character of Charles Dickens novel that was made into the musical and movie Oliver!
Oliver Barrett IV, male lead in "Love Story"
Cousin Oliver, from "The Brady Bunch"
Oliver, the redeemed villian of Shakespeare's comedy As You Like It
Oliver Wood, Harry Potter character
Oliver and Company, Disney Animated movie (Oliver is the little orange tabby cat)
Oliver Oken, character in Disney's series "Hannah Montana"
There's an Oliver in several episodes of season one of The OC, played by Taylor Handley