Ollie is a gender-neutral name of English origin that has gained popularity in recent years. It is often used as a nickname for Oliver, but it can also stand alone as a full-fledged given name.
The name Ollie is derived from the Old Norse word "Áleifr," which means "elf-warrior." In Old English, this name was rendered as Ælfwine or Ælfric. Over time, these names evolved into the modern English name Oliver.
While Ollie does not have a specific meaning or history associated with it beyond its derivation from Oliver, it has become popular in its own right due to its unique sound and spelling. In some cases, parents may choose this name for their child because they like the way it sounds or because they are looking for a shorter, more casual version of Oliver.
Overall, Ollie is a modern and stylish name option that offers a blend of traditional and contemporary appeal. Its origins in Old Norse mythology give it an intriguing backstory, while its connection to the popular name Oliver makes it feel familiar and approachable.
The name Ollie has been quite popular among parents in the United States over the past century and a half, with a total of 41,476 babies given this name between 1880 and 2023.
The peak years for Ollie as a baby name were during the early to mid-1900s. In 1914, there were 765 births, marking the start of a significant increase in popularity for the name. This trend continued through the following years, with the highest number of births occurring in 1918, at 976.
However, after reaching its peak in the early 20th century, the popularity of the name Ollie began to decline steadily over the decades that followed. By the 1950s and 1960s, there were fewer than 200 births each year with this name.
The lowest point for Ollie's popularity came in the late 1980s and early 1990s, with only single-digit numbers of babies being named Ollie each year. However, since around the turn of the century, there has been a resurgence in the popularity of the name.
From 2006 onwards, the number of births registered as Ollie began to increase once again, reaching a new peak in 2023 with 106 births. This recent trend suggests that the name Ollie is once again becoming popular among parents in the United States.