When was Olive most popular?

The name Olive reached its peak popularity during the 1970s.

What are the origins of the name Olive Lister?

The name Olive Lister combines two different traditions: the first name Olive has English roots, while the surname Lister originates from Norse.

Olive Lister — 47K & 8K bearers

Olive Lister is a name that combines English origins. The first name Olive is a feminine given name of English origin. Olive is a feminine given name of English origin meaning olive tree. The name is associated with peace because of the symbolism of the olive branch. An olive wreath has traditionally been worn by champions as a symbol of victory. It has also been seen as a symbol of fruitfulness. Olive came into fashion in English-speaking countries in the 1800s along with other tree, plant and flower names for girls and was a more popular name during that era than the related Olivia, which has been among the most popular names for girls in recent years. The surname Lister: The name probably comes from the Old Norse verb 'lita', meaning 'to dye' and rendered as 'lystare' in English. The noun for 'dyer' was 'litster' (Scottish), 'lit(t)e' (middle English), or 'lister' (English). The word was also associated with a 'salmon spear', rendered 'lyster' (Danish) or 'lister' (English). A 1533 Act of Parliament stated, "No person shall take in any crele, raw web, lister.... the young fry of salmon." The name took hold in areas of England in the 16th century known for the woollen industry, mainly Yorkshire, but also Lancashire, Lincolnshire and Norfolk. Olive is a distinctive first name, carried by approximately 47K people globally, with the highest concentration in United States. The name Olive reached peak popularity in the 1970s, reflecting the naming trends of that era.

Etymology & Origin

First Name: Olive

English

Olive is a feminine given name of English origin meaning olive tree. The name is associated with peace because of the symbolism of the olive branch. An olive wreath has traditionally been worn by champions as a symbol of victory. It has also been seen as a symbol of fruitfulness. Olive came into fashion in English-speaking countries in the 1800s along with other tree, plant and flower names for girls and was a more popular name during that era than the related Olivia, which has been among the most popular names for girls in recent years.

Surname: Lister

Norse

The name probably comes from the Old Norse verb 'lita', meaning 'to dye' and rendered as 'lystare' in English. The noun for 'dyer' was 'litster' (Scottish), 'lit(t)e' (middle English), or 'lister' (English). The word was also associated with a 'salmon spear', rendered 'lyster' (Danish) or 'lister' (English). A 1533 Act of Parliament stated, "No person shall take in any crele, raw web, lister.... the young fry of salmon." The name took hold in areas of England in the 16th century known for the woollen industry, mainly Yorkshire, but also Lancashire, Lincolnshire and Norfolk.

Geographic Distribution

The first name Olive is distributed across the globe, with the highest concentrations in the following countries:

United States 53%

United Kingdom 26%

Australia 12%

Canada 9%

Popularity Over Time

Popularity of the name Olive by decade, based on birth registration data:

1900s

1910s

1920s

1930s

1940s

1950s

1960s

1970s

1980s

1990s

2000s

2010s

2020s

Notable People Named Olive Lister

People listed above share this name. Listed for informational purposes only. Source: Wikipedia.

Numerology

According to Pythagorean numerology, each letter in a name carries a numerical value. Here are the key numbers for Olive Lister:

11

Expression Number

Intuition and inspiration (Master Number 11). Amplifies spiritual awareness, creative vision and sensitivity.

7

Soul Urge Number

Wisdom and introspection. A deep, analytical mind drawn to philosophy, spirituality and the search for truth.

22

Personality Number

Master Builder (Master Number 22). Combines grand vision with the practical ability to achieve lasting, large-scale goals.

Numerology is a cultural tradition for exploring symbolism in names. Results are for entertainment purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the origin of the first name Olive?: The first name Olive originates from English. Olive is a feminine given name of English origin meaning olive tree. The name is associated with peace because of the symbolism of the olive branch. An olive wreath has traditionally been worn by champions as a symbol of victory. It has also been seen as a symbol of fruitfulness. Olive came into fashion in English-speaking countries in the 1800s along with other tree, plant and flower names for girls and was a more popular name during that era than the related Olivia, which has been among the most popular names for girls in recent years.
When was Olive most popular?: The name Olive reached its peak popularity during the 1970s.
What is the origin of the surname Lister?: The surname Lister originates from Norse. The name probably comes from the Old Norse verb 'lita', meaning 'to dye' and rendered as 'lystare' in English. The noun for 'dyer' was 'litster' (Scottish), 'lit(t)e' (middle English), or 'lister' (English). The word was also associated with a 'salmon spear', rendered 'lyster' (Danish) or 'lister' (English). A 1533 Act of Parliament stated, "No person shall take in any crele, raw web, lister.... the young fry of salmon." The name took hold in areas of England in the 16th century known for the woollen industry, mainly Yorkshire, but also Lancashire, Lincolnshire and Norfolk.
What are the origins of the name Olive Lister?: The name Olive Lister combines two different traditions: the first name Olive has English roots, while the surname Lister originates from Norse.