Olive literally means olive tree or olive. It is a sweet and simple name for any baby girl, and it has a much more old-fashioned feel to it. Due to the popularity of vintage names currently, the name Olive is truly coming back with vengeance being even on the top 100 list.

Meaning of the name Olive:

English: olive, from the olive tree

Origin of the name Olive:

The baby name Olive comes from the Latin word “oliva” which was the name for an olive tree. The English and French popularized this nature name, however, and originally, it was more popular than Oliver or Olivia. Now, however, the opposite rings true though Olive is making a comeback.

Symbolism of the name Olive:

Olive is the literal English interpretation of the Latin word “oliva.” This is the same word that the names Olivia and Oliver are derived from which are used for the words olive and olive tree. Olive branches are a sign of peace too, adding to the kindness associated with the name.

baby name Olive

Style of the name Olive:

Traditional

Gender of the name Olive:

The baby name Olive has always been used as a kind and subtle name for girls.

Pronunciation of the name Olive:

AHL-iv

Number of syllables in the name Olive:

two

Emotion evoked from the name Olive:

The baby name Olive is sweet, kind, and peaceful. It is not showy, and even has a quiet nature about itself.

Alternative spellings for the name Olive:

  • Ollive

Nicknames for the name Olive:

Popularity of the name Olive:

In the early 1900s, the baby name Olive was at the top of the popularity list, ranking in the top 100 from 1900 to 1903. It remained on the top 200 list until 1924, until it dipped even into the 900s in the 1940s. The name, as of the year 2020, is back on the top 200 list at number 197.

Related names for the name Olive:

Great middle names for Olive and their meanings:

Famous people with the name Olive:

  • Olive Marie Osmond (singer, “Donny and Marie”)
  • Olive Thomas (actress, “The Flapper”)
  • Olive Sturgess (actress, “The Raven”)
  • Olive Burns (novelist, “Cold Sassy Tree”)
  • Olive Deering (actress, “The Ten Commandments”)
  • Olive Zorian (professional violinist)

Olives in popular culture:

  • Olive Oyl (character in “Popeye”)
  • Olive Snook (character in “Pushing Daisies”)
  • Olive Kitteredge (character in “Olive Kitteredge”))
  • Olive Rudge (character in “On the Buses”)
  • Olive Hoover (character in “Little Miss Sunshine”)