Given name & surname
Ollie
“of the olive tree; one who is peaceful”·“olive tree”·“one who leaves a white footprint”
In English use, Ollie is a diminutive of Olivia. In Latin use, Olivia carries the interpretation “of the olive tree; one who is peaceful.” In English use, Ollie is an affectionate form of Oliver. An “olive tree” interpretation is associated with Oliver, but it does not settle the name’s original meaning.
Meaning & origin
What it means
In English use, Ollie is a diminutive of Olivia. In Latin use, Olivia carries the interpretation “of the olive tree; one who is peaceful.” In English use, Ollie is an affectionate form of Oliver. An “olive tree” interpretation is associated with Oliver, but it does not settle the name’s original meaning. In English use, Ollie is a diminutive of Olwen. One Welsh interpretation is “one who leaves a white footprint.”
Explained through its name family
Where it comes from
In English use, Ollie is an affectionate form of Oliver. Oliver reached English through Norman usage. Oliver’s deeper origin is probably Germanic, although its exact earlier form is uncertain. In English use, Ollie is a diminutive of Olwen. An origin associated with Olwen is Welsh.
Explained through its name family
How it developed
In English use, Ollie is used as an affectionate form of Oliver. In English use, Ollie is an affectionate form of Oliver. The shared background comes through Oliver: The French form Olivier resembles a Late Latin word for an olive tree. Oliver also appears among legendary companions with Germanic names, suggesting that Olivier may have reshaped an older Germanic name, perhaps Olaf. That deeper connection remains uncertain.
Combines direct and name-family evidence
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1880. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin. In English use, Ollie is a diminutive of Olivia. The history of Olivia gives this family its wider story. Shakespeare used Olivia for the heiress in Twelfth Night. Possible starting points include Oliver, Latin oliva meaning “olive,” and the older feminine name Oliva; the literary appearance is more secure than any single derivation. In English use, Ollie is an affectionate form of Oliver. The history of Oliver gives this family its wider story. In the medieval Song of Roland, Olivier is Roland’s thoughtful and cautious companion in arms. This places the name in the world of Charlemagne’s legendary paladins.
Combines direct and name-family evidence
Ollie through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 59,267
- 17,626 boys · 41,641 girls
- Most popular year
- 1919
- 1,345 babies
- 2025
- 287
- #1,058 for boys · #2,294 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- +34%
- Rising
Boys, girls and both
The balance of boys and girls given this name has shifted over time. Recent births are 66% boys.
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 207 U.S. birth records for boys, ranking No. 1,058 among boys’ names. Average annual use for boys was 48.9% higher in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for boys was 369 in 1919. It also appeared in 80 birth records for girls in 2025. In 2025, California had the largest reported state-level birth count for boys with this name (18). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 11,653 as a first name in 2020; 1,216 as a surname in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Ollie’s family of names
In English usage, Ollie is a diminutive of Olivia. Ollie has a related form in Oliver. Ollie has a related form in Olivia.
Inner ring: spellings · middle: nicknames and forms · outer: across languages.
Around the world
Ollie has relatives in 3 languages.
6 related names in 3 languages. Point at a dot, or tab to the map and use the arrow keys.
Nicknames & forms 6
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Spellings & scripts 2
The same name written differently, including transliterations into other scripts.
Across languages 3
Equivalents and cognates in other languages, plus older forms it grew from.
People named Ollie
- Ollie WatkinsEnglish footballer (born 1995)
- Ollie JohnstonAmerican animator (1912-2008)
- Ollie MatsonAmerican football player and sprinter (1930–2011)
- Oliver MacleanNew Zealand rowerborn 1998
- Ollie BarbieriEnglish actorborn 1991
- Ollie Schriversport shooter (1879–1947)
- Ollie Murray JamesAmerican politician (1871–1918)
- Ollie Lindsay-HagueEnglish rugby union footballerborn 1990
- Ollie KirkbyAmerican actress (1886 – 1964)
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Appears in
Similar names
If you love Ollie, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Sidney
“from the wide meadow”
49% boys · 51% girls
Oliffe
“of the olive tree; one who is peaceful”
—
Olivee
“of the olive tree; one who is peaceful”
57% boys · 43% girls
Oliff
“of the olive tree; one who is peaceful”
—
Everette
“as strong as a boar; as brave as a boar”
73% boys · 27% girls
Golden
“the golden one”
52% boys · 48% girls
Merlin
Merlin is used as a given name and a surname. One Welsh interpretation is “of the sea fortress; in Arthurian legend, the wizard and mentor of King Arthur.”
82% boys · 18% girls
Olivey
“of the olive tree; one who is peaceful”
—