Olivia (name)

Olivia is a feminine given name in the English language. It is derived from Latin oliva, olive. Both Oliva and Olivia were Latinate forms in use in English-speaking countries as early as the 13th century. Olive was in common use as a vernacular form. Though not invented by William Shakespeare, the name was popularized by a character in Twelfth Night. Usage of the name in the 20th and 21st centuries has been influenced by popular culture, including the popularity of the actress Olivia Newton-John in the 1970s and of Olivia Kendall, a child character played by actress Raven-Symoné on the American television sitcom The Cosby Show. Olivia has been a popular name throughout the English-speaking world since the mid-1990s, and is also well used throughout Europe and South America. In 1880 (the first year for which records are available), "Olivia" was the 232nd most popular name given to female babies in the United States. Olivia reached a low point in popularity in 1970 when it ranked 542 in female baby names. In 2019, it became the most popular name given to female babies in the U.S.