Given name & surname
Vivien
“white lady”·“one who is full of life; vibrant”·“one who is full of life”
In English use, Vivien has a related form in Vivian. Interpretations include “white lady”, “one who is full of life; vibrant” (Latin), and “one who is full of life” (Latin). These may reflect different naming traditions.
Meaning & origin
What it means
In English use, Vivien has a related form in Vivian. Interpretations include “white lady”, “one who is full of life; vibrant” (Latin), and “one who is full of life” (Latin). These may reflect different naming traditions.
Explained through its name family
Where it comes from
In English use, Vivien has a related form in Vivian. Vivian has been associated with Old French, Latin, and Irish Gaelic naming traditions.
Explained through its name family
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1885. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin. In English use, Vivien has a related form in Vivian. The history of Vivian gives this family its wider story. Vivian’s historical associations include a 5th-century bishop of Saintes in western France.
Combines direct and name-family evidence
Vivien through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 7,429
- 26 boys · 7,403 girls
- Most popular year
- 2014
- 248 babies
- 2025
- 108
- #1,854 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- −38%
- Cooling
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 108 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 1,854 among girls’ names. Average annual use for girls was 37.9% lower in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for girls was 248 in 2014. In 2025, Pennsylvania had the largest reported state-level birth count for girls with this name (11). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 5,997 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.
Vivien’s family of names
Vivien has an affectionate form in Vivi. Vivien has a feminine form in Vivienne. In English usage, Vivien has a related form in Vivian.
Inner ring: spellings · middle: nicknames and forms · outer: across languages.
Around the world
Vivien has relatives in 11 languages.
20 related names in 11 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 3
The same name written differently, including transliterations into other scripts.
Across languages 17
Equivalents and cognates in other languages, plus older forms it grew from.
See also 2
Names our sources mention alongside this one. They are related in story or meaning, not forms of this name.
People named Vivien
- Vivien LeighBritish actress (1913–1967)
- Vivien MerchantEnglish actress (1929-1982)
- Vivien ThomasAmerican surgeon (1910-1985)
- Vivien KeszthelyiHungarian racing driverborn 2000
- Vivien Cardoneactressborn 1993
- Vivien Lyra BlairAmerican actressborn 2012
- Vivien EndemannGerman footballerborn 2001
- Vivien OaklandAmerican actress (1895–1958)
- Vivien BrisseFrench cyclistborn 1988
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Vivien, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Pippa
“a friend of horses”
>99% girls
Roslynn
>99% girls
Sofie
“wisdom” · “having great wisdom and foresight”
>99% girls
Scarlette
“vibrant red color; a vivacious woman”
>99% girls
Janney
“God is gracious”
>99% girls
Imogen
“a maiden” · “one who is innocent and pure”
>99% girls
Zofia
“having great wisdom and foresight” · “wisdom”
>99% girls
Scarlet
“vibrant red color; a vivacious woman”
>99% girls