Vivian

Updated: October 23, 2023 by Stephanie Graham

Vivian is a girl’s baby name that has been in common use since the Middle Ages. It is just as timelessly beautiful today as it was centuries ago. Meaning “alive,” the name promises energy and enthusiasm for life.

Meaning and Origin of the name Vivian:

Vivian is a French name for girls and is of Latin origin meaning “life” or “alive.”

Vivian is the English form of the Latin feminine name Viviana and the Latin masculine Vivianus. Both Viviana and Vivianus come from the Latin verb vivus (meaning “alive”).

Symbolism of the name Vivian:

With the meaning “life,” Vivian is symbolized by vibrant flowers and trees and beautiful natural vistas.

Nicknames for the name Vivian:

Vivian is a distinguished girl's name which has several cute and upbeat nicknames. We put together the list below of nicknames for Vivian to help you find the best nickname for your baby girl. Having a cute nickname for an elegant given name creates a nice contrast.

Vi
Viv
Vivi
Vivvi
Venni
Yen
Van

Style of the name Vivian:

Classic

Gender of the name Vivian:

Although Vivian was originally a boy’s name, it has been used almost exclusively as a girl’s name since the Middle Ages.

Pronunciation of the name Vivian:

VIV-ee-ən

Number of syllables in the name Vivian:

Three

Emotion evoked from the name Vivian:

Vivian evokes feelings of refinement and vibrant life.

Alternative spellings for the name Vivian:

Vivyane
Vivianne
Vivien
Vivienne

Popularity of the name Vivian:

According to the Social Security Administration, Vivian is a timeless baby name that has never fallen out of favor as a girl’s name. Vivian was in the top 100 baby names for girls between 1911 and 1934. It returned to the top 100 list in 2014 and remains there.