Liv
Liv: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /lɪv/ · /liːv/
Meaning and origin of Liv
- A diminutive of the female given names Olive and Olivia.
- A female given name. From Norwegian, Danish, and Swedish, from Old Norse "hlíf," meaning "defense, protection; byrnie, shield" Influenced by the modern Scandinavian word "liv" meaning "life."
How popular is Liv?
Since 1880, 6,901 girls in the U.S. have been named Liv. Its highest rank for girls was #666 in 2020. In 2025 it ranked #896 for girls, with 296 babies given the name.
Names similar to Liv
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
Sibling name ideas for Liv
Names that peaked around the same time as Liv and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Liv FAQ
What does the name Liv mean?
A diminutive of the female given names Olive and Olivia. A female given name. From Norwegian, Danish, and Swedish, from Old Norse "hlíf," meaning "defense, protection; byrnie, shield" Influenced by the modern Scandinavian word "liv" meaning "life."
How popular is the name Liv?
Since 1880, 6,901 girls in the U.S. have been named Liv. Its highest rank for girls was #666 in 2020. In 2025 it ranked #896 for girls, with 296 babies given the name.
Is Liv a boy or girl name?
Liv is mostly a girl name in the U.S.: 6,901 girls and 0 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.