Oliver
[ˈɒlɪvə]Meaning
from Old French Olivier, possibly from Latin oliva, "olive tree"
Background Story
The name comes from Old French Olivier, which was possibly derived from Latin oliva, "olive tree"; alternatively it may come from a Germanic name such as Old Norse leifr or Frankish Alawar, with the spelling altered by association with the Latin word. In the Middle Ages it became well known in Western Europe through the French epic La Chanson de Roland, in which Olivier is a friend and advisor to the hero Roland. It was a common medieval name in England, became rare after the 17th century, and was revived in the 19th century, perhaps due in part to the title character of Charles Dickens' novel Oliver Twist (1838).
Variations
Olly, Olive
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