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Olivia

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Origin and meaning of Olivia



Gender:
Historical gender:
Usage over the past 5 years:
Girls - 99% (117,602 births)
Boys - 1% (142 births)
Source: US SSA data
girl Girl
girl Girl
Origin:
Variant of the English name Oliver
Meaning:
› Elf army
› Olive tree
More info:

Olivia is a variant of the English name Oliver, which is a variant of the French name Olivier, which is a variant of the Germanic name Alifhar, which is comprised of the elements alf "elf" and hari "army." It may also be related to the Old French word "olivier" meaning "olive tree."

William Shakespeare coined the name Olivia for a character in his comedy "Twelfth Night." He may have intended it to be a feminine variant of Oliver or a variant of the Latin name and word Oliva meaning "olive."

Olivia was used consistently in the English speaking world from the 18th century onward, but it was not until the 1970s television series "The Waltons" used the name for the matriarch of the family that Olivia began to gain more widespread attention and in turn popularity.

Famous bearers include American actress Olivia de Havilland, Australian singer and actress Olivia Newton-John, and the fictional character Olivia Benson on the American television series Law and Order: SVU.

Pronunciation:
oh LIV ee ah
Form of:
Oliver
Variants:
Rating:
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Popularity:
Ranks 4th in the latest U.S. Social Security Administration list of most popular baby girl names. Show popularity chart
Categories:
Olivia is listed in the name categories below

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Meaning of Olivia: Olivia is a variant of the English name Oliver, which is a variant of the French name Olivier, which is a variant of the Germanic name Alifhar, which is comprised of the elements alf "elf" and hari "army

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