Names related to Oliver: Olivier, Ollie
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Oliver

Pronunciation: AH-li-ver (key)

Origin of the name Oliver:

Derived from the French Olivier, which is generally considered to be from the Old French olivier (olive tree). Some believe it is of Germanic origin, however, and is thus probably from the Middle Low German Alfihar, a compound name composed of the elements alf (elf) and hari (army): hence, "elf army."

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Sibling Names for Oliver...

Do you know any real life Olivers?
What are their siblings named?

Alexander Amelia August Benjamin Charles Ella Elliot Evelyn Henry Jack Leo Liam Lily Madeline Nolan Owen Piper Rowan Sawyer Sebastian Sophie Theodore Toby Tyler Willa
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Reader Contributions

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

Comments and insights on the name Oliver: | Edit

I was plugging in names of people I know on this site, and because I have a nephew named Oliver, I noticed an interesting trend with this name. For years & years it was never in the top 100, then suddenly in Vermont in 2003 it popped up at #91 -- still didn't register in any other states. 2004 VT #67 (no other states); 2005 VT #59 (still no place else); in 2006 it dropped to 69 in VT, but popped up in 3 other states and in '07 it hit a record 42 in VT, plus 9 other states actually had it in their top 100. WHAT HAPPENED IN VERMONT? Probably there is some famous Vermonter who hit the headlines in '03 and I just don't know about him!

Painfully preppy, but what a fantastically charming name if you have the swagger and humor to pull it off! Its sort of the consummate NE boarding school name and the map seems to reflect that.

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.

Nicknames for Oliver: | Edit

Ollie

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 in song, story & screen: | Edit

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)

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