Gender: Feminine
Usage: English, Italian, Spanish, German, Finnish
Pronounced: ə-LIV-ee-ə (English), o-LEE-vee-ah (German)
This name was first used in this spelling by William Shakespeare for a character in his comedy 'Twelfth Night' (1602). Shakespeare may have based it on OLIVER or OLIVA, or perhaps directly on the Latin word oliva meaning "olive". In the play Olivia is a noblewoman who is wooed by Duke Orsino but instead falls in love with his messenger Cesario.
The name has been used in the Engish-speaking world since the 18th century, though it did not become overly popular until the last half of the 20th century. Its rise in popularity in America was precipitated by a character on the 1970s television series 'The Waltons'.
As of 2008 it holds the number 6 spot on the USA's Social Security list. A very high spot. The name started to gain popularity in the US in the late 1980s, and jumped significantly in 1990 from number 123 to number 72 and gained popularity from there. By 1999 it was at number 20 and at number 10 by 2001. The highest spot Olivia has held is at number 4 in 2005 and has slowly dropped ever since, until 2008 when it moved from number 7 to number 6.
I personally adore this name, popular or not. It was mine and my husband's first choice for our daughter for many months after the sonogram confirmed we were having a baby girl in 2006. We chose it for a middle name to Tatum, then later to Josephine, but after researching the name more, we threw it out completely, and regrouped (as many parents do...the baby name merry-go-round i call it).
There is something very sweet and vibrant about the name. I first heard of it watching the Cosby show. Olivia Kendall who was played by Raven Symone (she had a show on the Disney Channel called That's So Raven, and is also a singer in the group Cheetah Girls on occasion) was introduced to the show as Denise's step-daughter.
She was a very cute and curious child, and I enjoyed her scenes with Bill Cosby. I don't have much in the negative to say about Olivia, except for it's popularity. That is very discouraging to me, and obviously was enough to make me rethink it's usage on my own daughter. Nothing makes a name's sparkle fade than over usage.
The most common (and over used) combination of first/middle that I've seen with Olivia is Grace. Others would include: Olivia Rose, Olivia Marie, Olivia Claire, Olivia Michelle, and Olivia Ann. As far as these names go I find them pretty, yet unsatisfying. They are run-of-the-mill, and slightly uncreative. Catchy?, yes. Pretty?, yes...but how many other little Olivia Grace's will they meet?
I still think Olivia stands the test of time. I still find it refreshing and wonderful. So perhaps we should consider other alternatives as middles for this fabulous name that would help it stand out amongst the crowds of Olivia Grace's. Suggestions that I find quite nice would be-
Olivia Dawn
Olivia Catherine
Olivia Simone
Olivia Corinne
Olivia Josephine
Olivia Siobhan (shi-vawn, Irish)
Olivia Colleen
Olivia Verity
Olivia Temperance
Olivia Kristen
Olivia Rochelle
Olivia Kate
Alternative names to Olivia that might be preferable if you wish to stay away from a top 10 name would be-
Alena
Alivia
Alcina (al-see-nuh)
Alcinda
Olive
Olympia
Ophelia
Olesia (O-leesee-uh)
Olena (O-lean-uh)
Olinda
and the traditional Roman Oliva
Some of these are a bit out there, but others are quite lovely. Such as: Olesia (variant of Alicia), though not too similar to Olivia I personally get the same style-ish feel. Others more literal would be Alivia (ah-liv-ee-uh). Which is less common at the number 181 spot for 2008. If you want to use this name, but are unsure of the popularity something like the traditional Roman Oliva might be right up your alley. Said the same as Olivia but spelled a bit different. It's is a late Roman name meaning olive, and was the name of a 2nd century saint from Brescia. Modern Olivia was derived from this name (as well as being the feminine variant form of Oliver).
Either way, this name is truly a classic that will age well and sound mature and professional on an adult.
All comments welcome, and happy naming!
~Jaesus
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