Oliver

Oliver is a traditionally masculine name that's long been popular — likely because it works (and has a wide variety of meanings) in many languages. In English and French the name usually derives from the olive tree, which has been said to symbolize peace (you've likely heard of "extending an olive branch" as a pacifist gesture). In Norse, Oliver means "affectionate," and in German it refers to an "elf army" (?!). Magical meanings abound!

Shakespeare chose Oliver for his character Sir Oliver Martext, the vicar in "As You Like It." Of course, perhaps the most famous Oliver is Charles Dickens' unlikely orphan hero, "Oliver Twist." Other famous Olivers include actor Oliver Hudson, director Oliver Stone, bass player Oliver Riedel, and model Oliver Cheshire.

The name Oliver began rising in popularity in 1998 and hasn't stopped since; in 2018 it was the fifth most popular boys' name in the United States, and in 2019 it rose to third most popular, behind only Liam and Noah. If you want a related (but, let's be real, weirder) English name that makes great use of the "L" sound, try Hannol, Linly, Wellington, Darnell, Orwell, Willard or Allen.

Oliver in quotes:

“For the rest of his life, Oliver Twist remembers a single word of blessing spoken to him by another child because this word stood out so strikingly from the consistent discouragement around him.”
― Charles Dickens, Oliver Twist

"Kindness, nobler ever than revenge,
And nature, stronger than his just occasion,
Made him give battle to the lioness,
Who quickly fell before him."
— Sir Oliver Martext, "As You Like It"