Tolliver is an uncommon given name of English origin that has been used in the United States for centuries. The name Tolliver is believed to have originated from a medieval surname that was derived from the Middle English word "tol" meaning "to pay" and "liuer," which referred to a person who collected tolls or taxes.
The name Tolliver became popular in the Southern United States during the 18th century, particularly among families of Scottish descent. It is not clear why this name gained popularity during this time period, but it may have been due to immigration patterns or simply because it was seen as a distinctive and unusual name.
Despite its obscure origins, Tolliver has been used consistently throughout American history, although it remains relatively rare today. According to the Social Security Administration's data on popular baby names in the United States, Tolliver has never ranked among the top 1000 boy names since record-keeping began in 1879.
In literature and pop culture, there are a few notable characters named Tolliver, such as Tolliver Twinkle in E. Nesbit's "The Phoenix and the Carpet" and Tolliver House in the television series "True Blood." However, these uses do not seem to have significantly impacted the name's popularity or meaning.
Overall, Tolliver is an intriguing and unusual given name with a fascinating history that spans centuries and continents. While it may not be widely known today, its unique origins and uncommon usage make it a distinctive choice for parents looking for something different for their child.
The statistics provided show the number of births for the name Tolliver in the United States from 1917 to 2023. The name appeared consistently throughout this period with five births each year in 1917, 1948, 1990, 2015, 2018, and 2023. There was a slight increase in popularity between 2016 and 2017 with seven births in 2016 and six births in 2017. Overall, there were a total of forty-three children named Tolliver born in the United States during this timeframe. This shows that while not extremely common, the name Tolliver has maintained a steady presence among baby names in the U.S. over the past century.