What Does the Name Oliver Mean?
Oliver is a boy's name of Norman French / Germanic origin meaning “olive tree (or 'elf army').”
Updated June 2026
| Name | Oliver |
|---|---|
| Gender | male |
| Origin | Norman French / Germanic |
| Meaning | olive tree (or 'elf army') |
| Variants | Olivier, Ollie, Oliviero, Olly |
| Popularity | Top 3 US boys' name in the early 2020s |
The meaning and origin of Oliver
The name Oliver means “olive tree (or 'elf army')” and has Norman French / Germanic origins. Oliver comes from the Old French Olivier, possibly from Latin 'oliva' (olive tree) or a Germanic name meaning 'elf army.' It was popularized by the hero Olivier in the medieval epic 'The Song of Roland.'
Variants and related names
Oliver is related to several other names you may recognize: Olivier, Ollie, Oliviero, Olly. These share a common root or are spelling and language variants of the same name.
How popular is the name Oliver?
Top 3 US boys' name in the early 2020s
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Open the name generator →Frequently asked questions
What does the name Oliver mean?+
The name Oliver means “olive tree (or 'elf army')” and is of Norman French / Germanic origin.
What is the origin of the name Oliver?+
Oliver originates from Norman French / Germanic.
Is Oliver a popular name?+
Yes — see the popularity note above for how Oliver has trended in the US over time.
Oliver by gender
More boy's names
Sources
- Behind the Name — Etymology and history of first names — Behind the Name
- US Social Security Administration — Popular baby names by year — Social Security Administration
- A Dictionary of First Names — Oxford Reference — Oxford University Press