Fun Facts About the Name Olivier
- More than 2 thousand babies named Olivier: U.S. records list 2,009 babies given the name Olivier from 1880 through 2025. Even 21 girls received the name Olivier - about 1 girl for every 95 boys.
What Does the Name Olivier Mean?
Olivier is the French form of the name Oliver, traditionally explained as "olive tree" from Latin olivarius, a derivative of oliva "olive." A competing etymology traces the name to a Germanic compound such as Alfhar, from alf "elf" and hari "army," which would give "elf army." Which derivation is original remains uncertain. The Latin explanation may have been reinforced in French because the personal name Olivier is spelled exactly like olivier, the French word for an olive tree. The customary meaning "olive tree" is therefore a traditional interpretation as well as a possible literal etymology.
Olivier Name History & Origins
Olivier is the standard French masculine form of the name that appears in English as Oliver. Old French Olivier is the form used for Roland's companion in the Chanson de Roland, a medieval heroic poem. That famous literary role is not the name's origin; the name belongs to the stock of personal names current in medieval France. After the Norman Conquest, the Norman French form was carried to England, where it became Oliver, while French retained Olivier.
In France, the name was borne by historical figures such as Olivier de Clisson, a 14th-century constable of France. The feminine name Olivia is not a direct feminine form of Olivier; it comes separately from Latin oliva "olive."
How Popular is the Name Olivier?
Olivier has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 2011. Its best rank was #1,833 in 2011.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | #16,977 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2022 | #14,845 | 6 | 0.0004% |
| 2020 | #16,897 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1982 | #11,752 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #2,559 | 52 | 0.0030% |
| 2024 | #2,690 | 49 | 0.0029% |
| 2023 | #2,381 | 58 | 0.0034% |
| 2022 | #2,429 | 58 | 0.0033% |
| 2021 | #2,480 | 54 | 0.0031% |
| 2020 | #2,684 | 47 | 0.0027% |
| 2019 | #2,411 | 56 | 0.0031% |
| 2018 | #2,094 | 68 | 0.0037% |
| 2017 | #2,556 | 50 | 0.0027% |
| 2016 | #2,004 | 72 | 0.0038% |
| 2015 | #1,884 | 78 | 0.0041% |
| 2014 | #2,111 | 66 | 0.0034% |
| 2013 | #2,014 | 68 | 0.0036% |
| 2012 | #2,061 | 67 | 0.0035% |
| 2011 | #1,833 | 78 | 0.0041% |
| 2010 | #2,251 | 58 | 0.0030% |
| 2009 | #2,089 | 66 | 0.0033% |
| 2008 | #1,961 | 73 | 0.0036% |
| 2007 | #2,229 | 60 | 0.0029% |
| 2006 | #1,913 | 71 | 0.0035% |
| 2005 | #2,354 | 50 | 0.0025% |
| 2004 | #2,523 | 44 | 0.0022% |
| 2003 | #2,976 | 33 | 0.0017% |
| 2002 | #2,997 | 31 | 0.0016% |
| 2001 | #3,040 | 30 | 0.0015% |
| 2000 | #2,789 | 33 | 0.0017% |
| 1999 | #3,006 | 28 | 0.0015% |
| 1998 | #3,163 | 25 | 0.0013% |
| 1997 | #3,239 | 23 | 0.0012% |
| 1996 | #3,265 | 22 | 0.0012% |
| 1995 | #3,805 | 17 | 0.0009% |
| 1994 | #3,009 | 24 | 0.0012% |
| 1993 | #3,118 | 22 | 0.0011% |
| 1992 | #2,517 | 29 | 0.0015% |
| 1991 | #3,423 | 18 | 0.0009% |
| 1990 | #3,911 | 15 | 0.0007% |
| 1989 | #4,447 | 12 | 0.0006% |
| 1988 | #3,840 | 13 | 0.0007% |
| 1987 | #2,919 | 18 | 0.0010% |
| 1986 | #4,382 | 10 | 0.0005% |
| 1985 | #3,745 | 12 | 0.0006% |
| 1984 | #3,865 | 11 | 0.0006% |
| 1983 | #4,393 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1982 | #2,934 | 16 | 0.0009% |
| 1981 | #2,650 | 18 | 0.0010% |
| 1980 | #2,923 | 16 | 0.0009% |
| 1979 | #3,747 | 11 | 0.0006% |
| 1978 | #3,178 | 13 | 0.0008% |
| 1977 | #6,564 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1976 | #3,645 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 1975 | #3,032 | 13 | 0.0008% |
| 1974 | #3,507 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 1973 | #3,376 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 1972 | #4,309 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 1971 | #2,926 | 12 | 0.0007% |
| 1970 | #3,452 | 9 | 0.0005% |
| 1969 | #4,839 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1968 | #4,004 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1967 | #2,724 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 1966 | #4,364 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 1964 | #3,915 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1963 | #4,456 | 5 | 0.0002% |
| 1961 | #3,574 | 7 | 0.0003% |
| 1955 | #3,777 | 6 | 0.0003% |
| 1940 | #3,807 | 5 | 0.0004% |
| 1924 | #4,788 | 5 | 0.0004% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
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How the Name Olivier Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You are patient, persevering and strong willed. You are a good student, absorbing knowledge easily and retaining it well. You are either a saint or a sinner. You tend to hold things inside and suffer in silence. You are frank, methodical and believe in law, system and order.
You desire to inspire and lead, to control other's affairs. You are giving, courageous and bold, action oriented,energetic and strong willed. You want to make a difference in the world, and this attitude often attracts you to cultural interests, politics, social issues, and the cultivation of your creative talents.
✦ Olivier's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Olivier's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.