Vivian
Origin of the name Vivian:
Cognate of the French Vivien (alive), a male name derived from the Latin Vivianus, which has its root in vivus (alive). Although in Great Britain it is occasionally bestowed upon females, the alternate spelling Vivien is the more common female form. In Arthurian legend, Vivian was the name of the Lady of the Lake, an enchantress who was the mistress of Merlin.
From A World of Baby Names by Teresa Norman. Buy the bookDoes Vivian sound...
Sibling Names for Vivian...
Do you know any real life Vivians?
What are their siblings named?
Reader Contributions
Contribute to, or edit, this collection of community wisdom on the name Vivian!
- Comments and insights on the name Vivian: | Edit
- Share what you know!
- Personal experiences with the name Vivian: | Edit
My first name is Vivian. I hated it as a name growing up in the 1980s, it sounded so old and stuffy to me, compared to my friends who were all callled Kim, Tracey, Cindy and other such cutesy names. I opted to go by my middle name instead, which is Alycia. Now, as an adult I love the name Vivian, and am very proud of it. I really wished I had toughed it out and used it as my name. It is elegant, and sophisticated. I would love to have the nickname "Viv" or "Vivie" both of which are so "now" as names.
- Nicknames for Vivian: | Edit
Viv, Vi, Vivi
- Meanings and history of the name Vivian: | Edit
- Share what you know!
- Famous real-life people named Vivian: | Edit
Vivian Dandridge (1921-1991), actress and singer, member of the singing trio the Dandridge Sisters
Vivien Leigh (1913-1967), Academy Award winning actress
Vivian Vance, actress that played neighbor Ethel on "I Love Lucy"
Vivian Campbell (born 1962), heavy metal guitarist
Vivian Chow (born 1967), singer and actress from Hong Kong
Vivian Green (born 1980), R&B singer
Vivian Hsu (born 1975), singer, actress, and model from Taiwan
Vivian Richards (born 1952), cricketer and sports commentator
Vivian Stanshall (1943-1995), English comedic musician
Saint Bibiana (4th century), also known as Saint Vivian, Roman Virgin Martyr- Vivian in song, story & screen: | Edit
Vivian Banks, character on the '90s sitcom "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air"
Lady of the Lake, in Arthurian mythology, sometimes named Viviane
Vivian, a character from Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door
Vivian was the name of call-girl, main character in the 1990 film Pretty Woman played by Julia Roberts
Vyvyan Basterd, a character on the 1980s British TV comedy The Young Ones
NameVoyager US Popularity of Vivian Over Time
NameMapper Current Popularity of Vivian by State
Global Popularity of the Name Vivian
- #196 in Canada (British Columbia)
- #207 in United States
- #292 in Canada (Alberta)
- #393 in Norway
Baby Name Wizard Store
Celebrate with personalized baby name products! Custom birth announcements, invitations, bibs, onesies & more.
Start Shopping