Given name
Olly
“of the olive tree; one who is peaceful”·“olive tree”
In Norwegian use, Olly is a diminutive of Olivia. In Latin use, Olivia carries the interpretation “of the olive tree; one who is peaceful.” In Norwegian use, Olly is a diminutive 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 Norwegian use, Olly is a diminutive of Olivia. In Latin use, Olivia carries the interpretation “of the olive tree; one who is peaceful.” In Norwegian use, Olly is a diminutive of Oliver. An “olive tree” interpretation is associated with Oliver, but it does not settle the name’s original meaning.
Explained through its name family
Where it comes from
In Norwegian use, Olly is a diminutive of Oliver. Oliver reached English through Norman usage. Oliver’s deeper origin is probably Germanic, although its exact earlier form is uncertain.
Explained through its name family
How it developed
In Norwegian usage, Olly is a diminutive of Olivia. In Norwegian use, Olly is a diminutive 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 1925. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin. In Norwegian use, Olly 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 Norwegian use, Olly is a diminutive 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
Olly through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 149
- 128 boys · 21 girls
- Most popular year
- 2021
- 20 babies
- 2025
- 11
- #7,543 for boys
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- +5%
- Steady
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 11 U.S. birth records for boys, ranking No. 7,543 among boys’ names. Average annual use for boys was 5.3% lower in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 218 as a first name in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Olly’s family of names
In Norwegian usage, Olly is a diminutive of Olivia. In Norwegian usage, Olly is a diminutive of Oliver.
Inner ring: nicknames and forms · outer: across languages.
Nicknames & forms 2
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Across languages 2
Equivalents and cognates in other languages, plus older forms it grew from.
People named Olly
- Olly MursBritish singer (born 1984)
- Olly AlexanderBritish singer and actorborn 1990
- Olly LeeEnglish footballer (born 1991)
- Olly BlackburnFilm director and screenwriterborn 1950
- Olly DonnerFinnish writer and anthrosophist (1881–1956)
- Olly GebauerAustrian actress (1908-1937)
- Olly DondokambeyIndonesian politicianborn 1961
- Olly LancashireEnglish association football playerborn 1988
- Olly MossEnglish graphic artistborn 1987
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Olly, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Ion
“of the tree” · “resembling a lotus blossom”
>99% boys
Oliveea
“of the olive tree; one who is peaceful”
—
Rip
“from the noisy meadow”
>99% boys
Roly
“from the renowned land” · “from the rough meadow”
>99% boys
Olivor
“olive tree”
—
Oballa
“a river goddess”
—
Oilbhries
“olive tree”
—
Ridgely
“one who lives at the meadow'sridge”
65% boys · 35% girls