Olive Name Meaning

The olive branch is a symbol of peace and the olive tree is a symbol of wisdom. The name Olive, therefore, carries with it connotations of peace and wisdom. It’s a name that has stood the test of time and continues to be a popular choice for parents today.

Origins of the Name Olive

The name Olive has its roots in ancient Greece and Rome. In Greek mythology, the goddess Athena was said to have created the olive tree, and in Rome, the olive branch was a symbol of peace. The name Olive itself comes from the Latin word “oliva,” which means “olive tree.”

Popularity of the Name Olive

The name Olive didn’t become popular as a girl’s name until the 19th century. One reason for this could be the rise of the middle class during this time period. As families moved up the social ladder, they began to place a greater emphasis on education and culture, which included giving their children “refined” names. Olive, with its classical roots, fit the bill perfectly.

The 20th century saw a rise in the popularity of the name Olive. In the early 1900s, it was a top 100 name in the United States and remained popular throughout the century. One reason for its continued popularity could be the fact that it’s a versatile name that can be shortened to “Ollie” or “Liv” for a more modern feel.

Famous Olives

The name Olive has also appeared in popular culture throughout the years. One of the most famous Olives is Olive Oyl, the love interest of Popeye the Sailor in the comic strip of the same name. In recent years, the name Olive has been used in literature, film, and television. In the movie “Little Miss Sunshine,” the main character’s name is Olive, and in the TV show “Parenthood,” one of the characters is named Olive.

Final Thoughts on the Name Olive

In conclusion, the name Olive has ancient roots, but it didn’t become popular until the 19th century. It’s a versatile name that can be shortened for a more modern feel and has appeared in popular culture throughout the years. The name also carries with it connotations of peace and wisdom, thanks to the olive branch and tree. So, if you’re looking for a name with a rich history and a peaceful meaning, Olive might just be the perfect choice for your little girl.

Infographic of Olive name meaning, which is A name derived from the olive tree, Olive is of English origins.
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Olive Name Popularity

How popular is the name Olive? Here’s everything we know.

Year Rank # Births % Births
1910 124 624 0.1772%
1911 121 664 0.1783%
1912 129 853 0.1691%
1913 129 979 0.1727%
1914 126 1,174 0.1685%
1915 123 1,647 0.1813%
1916 132 1,600 0.1656%
1917 137 1,559 0.1558%
1918 143 1,614 0.1504%
1919 150 1,468 0.1402%
1920 150 1,547 0.1391%
1921 153 1,553 0.1356%
1922 168 1,307 0.1173%
1923 178 1,205 0.1076%
1924 195 1,048 0.0902%
1925 203 956 0.0846%
1926 212 849 0.0772%
1927 212 865 0.0781%
1928 223 762 0.0712%
1929 240 632 0.061%
1930 275 506 0.0484%
1931 271 479 0.0485%
1932 282 449 0.0454%
1933 319 342 0.0367%
1934 353 273 0.0282%
1935 380 237 0.0244%
1936 393 215 0.0223%
1937 436 177 0.018%
1938 439 189 0.0185%
1939 443 181 0.0178%
1940 566 108 0.0102%
1941 497 147 0.0131%
1942 561 125 0.0099%
1943 573 129 0.0099%
1944 753 58 0.0047%
1945 668 79 0.0065%
1946 824 56 0.0038%
1947 967 44 0.0026%
1948 829 64 0.004%
1949 999 40 0.0025%
1950 992 43 0.0027%
1951 1,294 19 0.0011%
1952 1,277 21 0.0012%
1953 1,234 24 0.0014%
1954 1,806 6 0.0003%
1955 1,689 10 0.0005%
1956 1,341 23 0.0012%
1957 1,635 12 0.0006%
1958 1,734 10 0.0005%
1959 1,957 6 0.0003%
1960 — 0 0%
1961 — 0 0%
1962 2,218 5 0.0003%
1963 — 0 0%
1964 — 0 0%
1965 — 0 0%
1966 — 0 0%
1967 — 0 0%
1968 — 0 0%
1969 — 0 0%
1970 — 0 0%
1971 — 0 0%
1972 — 0 0%
1973 — 0 0%
1974 — 0 0%
1975 — 0 0%
1976 — 0 0%
1977 — 0 0%
1978 — 0 0%
1979 — 0 0%
1980 — 0 0%
1981 — 0 0%
1982 — 0 0%
1983 — 0 0%
1984 — 0 0%
1985 — 0 0%
1986 — 0 0%
1987 — 0 0%
1988 — 0 0%
1989 — 0 0%
1990 — 0 0%
1991 — 0 0%
1992 — 0 0%
1993 3,580 5 0.0003%
1994 — 0 0%
1995 — 0 0%
1996 — 0 0%
1997 — 0 0%
1998 — 0 0%
1999 3,876 5 0.0003%
2000 3,169 8 0.0005%
2001 — 0 0%
2002 2,960 11 0.0007%
2003 2,804 13 0.0009%
2004 3,230 8 0.0005%
2005 1,866 48 0.0031%
2006 1,652 67 0.0043%
2007 981 216 0.0137%
2008 792 309 0.02%
2009 594 461 0.0308%
2010 534 498 0.0346%
2011 408 730 0.0512%
2012 355 840 0.0589%
2013 282 1,076 0.0756%
2014 276 1,124 0.0771%
2015 257 1,191 0.0819%
2016 265 1,138 0.0789%
2017 250 1,217 0.0872%
2018 263 1,190 0.0866%
2019 207 1,398 0.1033%
2020 197 1,429 0.1123%
2021 175 1,529 0.1251%
2022 158 1,816 0.1377%

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Data via SSA.gov.

Names Like Olive

If you like Olive, you’ll love these other names like Olive.

What names sound like Olive?

If you like how Olive sounds, you might also like these names that sound like Olive.

Name Meaning Origin Popularity Other Gender
Oliff

Olive tree

Latin

Oliffe

Olive tree

Latin

Oliva

Olive tree

Latin

Oliveea

Olive tree

Latin

Olivya

Olive tree

Latin

Olva

Olive tree

Latin

What names are similar to Olive?

Find a name that’s like Olive, but just a little bit different.

Name Meaning Origin Popularity Other Gender
Oline

Joyous

Polynesian

Olivet

Olive tree

Latin

Lists With Olive

Find inspiration in these baby girl name lists featuring the name Olive.

Siblings of Olive

Mamas with kids named Olive also have kids with these names.

Name Meaning Origin Popularity Other Gender
Isla

Island

Scottish

Trinity

The Holy Trinity

English

Jubilee

Ram's horn

Hebrew

13 Comments

  1. We named her after the idea of the Olive branch or peace. My husband hates olives (I LOVE them) so she is not named after the food. Green is also my favorite color. ??

    Reply

  2. We chose Olive because of Genesis 8:11 when Noah sends the dove, and dove returns with an olive branch. (My husbands name is also Noah)

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  3. None

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  4. My husband chose the name. One meaning is “peace” and we feel that is perfect for her.

    Reply

  5. ? My husband and I didn’t know what we were going to name our fourth baby. We knew she was a girl, but couldn’t agree on anything. We prayed and prayed and prayed. We trusted God would give us her name. He never fails to provide. A week before her birthday we revisited the name Olive. God talks about how the Jew and Gentile will be one in Messiah (I am a Jewish believer in Jesus and my husband is a Gentile believer), one in Jesus, and one in the olive tree. The Bible has so much significance and richness with olives, and with celebrating the biblical feasts (lighting candles in the temple and for Sabbath), there’s oil for anointing, the Mount of Olives where Jesus suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane, and so much more!

    Lastly, my husband and his father love love Olives. His dad passed away 2 years ago, but before he died we were had our third child. When I was around 3 months pregnant with her we decided on the name Jubilee. Just a few days later (after we picked Jubilee’s name) my in-laws brought us a jar of Olives that said Olives Jubilee.

    We believe this was a sign from the Lord to confirm Jubilee’s name, and then God used that same Olive jar to confirm our newborn daughter’s name. ?

    Reply

  6. Olive branches are symbols of peace between God and man. There a symbol of generations sprouting up and trees that are giftsGod extended it with Noah and his family after the flood. Personally I often struggle with feeling like I’ve failed God and yet I’ve known the deep meanings of grace but yet still feel like I’ve disappointed Him in certain seasons of my life where I never feel like enough. Olive was a big grace during pregnancy and birth and felt as though He renewed His covenant with me through the act of having her and giving this gift to me. I’ve just wanted to love for who He is not what He gives me yet he continues to give me such good gifts.
    Psalm 52:8 says but I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever! And that’s my for her that she will always feel peace and security with God and trust Him forever 🙂

    Reply

  7. My mom’s name is Holly… you could call her Ollie to rhyme and they are both trees! My name is a color green and so is Olive.

    Beauty like the olive: Strength and prosperity ( Hosea 14:6)
    Green olive tree: Vitality and fruitfulness (Psalm 52:8)
    Green olive tree: fruitfulness and economic prosperity (Jeremiah 11:16)

    Reply

  8. Olive’s full name is rich in family lineage, from both my side and my partners. Additionally there are other layers of meaning for us and we are thrilled she is here earth-side & nailing life!

    Reply

  9. Olive was my moms name – to me she deserved a prettier name. Now my daughter called her first daughter Madeline. Love the name! Now baby 2 is on the way and she’s been thinking of the name Olive

    Reply

  10. I chose the name Olive because my grandmother’s name was Ollie. Olive, means peace and I love the meaning. It’s such an old name that it seems new lol…..i don’t like that people confuse it with Olivia.

    Reply

  11. We were at Olive Garden on a date when I was 23 weeks and my husband had jokingly brought up Olive for her name. He had no idea I had been thinking about it for a while. So we decided right there. It fits her so perfectly.

    Reply

  12. We told our (then) 4yo son I was pregnant, she was the size of an olive. We didn’t know at the time she was a girl but we all continued referring to her as Olive. When we found out she was a girl the name stuck. We decided that would be her actual name.

    Reply

    • Hello. My Name is Olive and I think my name is a Symbol of Peace. My Middle name came from the Matriarch Rose. Olive is a Symbol of Peace

      Reply

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