Vivian Name Meaning, Origin, Popularity & Nicknames

Vivian Name Meaning and Origin

The name Vivian is unique. It rose in popularity from 1890; however, it declined in the 20th century. The lack of the name’s use does not do justice to this name. In recent years, the unique name gradually climbed up the baby’s name ranking. 

What Does Vivian Mean? 

Often parents evaluate the meaning of a name before finalizing a name for the child. Understanding a name’s meaning can help in choosing the perfect name. The meaning of Vivian is “lively” or “alive.” This indicates the beautiful meaning of the name, perfect for your little girl. The name is widely popular among Christians since it symbolizes life.

Origin 

The name Vivian originates from the Latin word “Vivius,” which was derived from the word “Vivianus,” meaning “alive.” Vivian was also the name of a 5th-century bishop of Saintes who resided in France. The name was popular among the Normans, from where it was welcomed into England. 

Gender 

Female

Pronunciation 

  • Vi-vi-ian
  • Ve-ve-inn
  • Viv-ee-an

Syllables 

3 syllables

Length/Letter 

6 letters

Name Variations/Spellings 

Different cultures and religions worldwide have diverse trends for the name Vivian. There are several other spellings for Vivian that denote the name’s cultural significance across other nationalities. This list includes some of the Vivian name variations: 

Name Origin
Vivianne Latin
Vivyan Latin
Vivien Latin
Vinaya Indian
Vibiana Viviano
Viviano  Italian
Vaiana Hawaiian
Viveca Scandinavian
Vivyen Latin
Vien French

How Popular Is the Name Vivian? 

The name Vivian was popular in the 19th century. The name ranked among the top 200 names from 1890, with significant popularity in the 1920s. According to the Vivian popularity index, the name faded from popularity after 1950. Its reappearance in the popularity list in recent years indicates the inclination of parents towards this beautiful name. As per the Social Security Administration, the name ranked among the top 300 in 2000. With a decline in 2001 and its ranking to 312, the name picked up its pace from 2002 by ranking 249. 

The SSA data indicates the gradual rise from the year 2005 onwards where it ranked 223 followed by 210 in 2007 and 207 in 2008. The Vivian baby name ranking finally re-entered the top 200 baby name ranking in 2009 in 164. This indicates the name’s rising popularity. Since then, the name has been rising in the name list in the US. The name ranked 164 in 2009, 158 in 2010, and 153 in 2011. 

The steady inclination of the name upwards in the list suggests increasing use of the name. Vivian ranked 95 in 2015 and 2016. The name experienced a slight decline in 2018 and 2019, where it ranked 96, followed by 101 in 2020. The name has a significant scope to enter the top 100 baby names list, as observed in the name trend. 

Interest in Vivian – Worldwide

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The interest in Vivian’s name has been steady over the last ten years. The name maintains a rank over 18, which is quite low. The interest of the name across the world reached its highest peak in December 2014, followed by April 2017. 

Interest in Vivian – US

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In the US, the interest in the name is consistent, holding a rank of over 30 in the last decade. The name’s interest peaked in December 2014, followed by July 2020. This indicates the gradual rising popularity of Vivian in recent years as per the name trends.

Popularity of the name Vivian

URL: https://www.ssa.gov/cgi-bin/babyname.cgi

Where Is the Name Most Searched?

Search trends of Vivian – Worldwide

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The search trends of the name Vivian indicate its popularity in Nicaragua in the last decade. The popularity of the name across the world can also be observed in Uganda, Singapore, Ghana, and Kenya, respectively. 

Search trends of Vivian – US

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In the US, the search trends of the name in the last ten years have been in Louisiana. South Dakota, the District of Columbia, New York, and New Jersey are the other countries where the name trend has been significantly popular. 

Middle Names That Go With Vivian 

Selecting a middle name for your child is as crucial as your child’s first name. By selecting a proper name, you can maintain the overall uniqueness of the name. Therefore, some suitable double names with Vivian are:

Grace Victoria
Kate Alexandra
Eloise Elizabeth
Lilia Margaret
Mary Zelda
Maeve Lucille
Tabitha Catherine
Coralie Estelle
Isabel Scarlett
Josephine Louise

Famous People Named Vivian 

Names of celebrities have a huge influence on the trend of the name. Similarly, the name Vivian is also impacted by the celebrity influence. Therefore, some of the most famous people called Vivian are:

Celebrity Name Profession/Famous For
Vivian Joseph American figure skater
Vivian Gornick American author
Vivian Cheruiyot Kenyan long-distance runner
Vivian Blaine American actress and singe
Vivian Inez Archibald British Virgin Islander politician
Vivian Bang American actress
Vivian Maier American photographer
Vivian Rich American silent film actress
Vivian Flowers American politician
Vivian Wu Chinese actress

Similar Names & Last Names 

Baby names like Vivian have a wide variety. There are other names for Vivian that have similar meanings but are of different spelling. This list narrows down some of the similar baby names along with suitable family names for Vivian:

Similar Baby Names Suitable Family Names
Ella Gomez
Evalyn Reyes
Aizza Garcia
Abella Lopez
Jilian Dias
Ziva Flores
Evika Torres
Aoife Johnson
Jollene Cruz
Raylene Wilson

Names That Sound Like Vivian 

There is a diverse range of names that have similar-sounding alternatives. The same can be said for the name Vivian. Therefore, some names that rhyme with Vivian are:

Livian Lillian
Caroline Evelyn
Jillian Cillian
Valeria Seraphina
Celia Sylvia
Gabriela Jocelyn
Reverie Genevieve
Coraline Elian
Simon Marion
Davina Meredith

Sibling Names Related to Vivian 

Choosing sibling names that go with Vivian should be done selectively to ensure harmony among all your children’s names. The names should balance out one another. Hence, some of the suitable sibling names for Vivian are:

Sister Names for Vivian Brother Names for Vivian
Beatrice Jonathan
Emma Harden
Alexa Arden
Lydia Jackson
Bethany Mateo
Fiona Lucius
Kaitlyn Benjamin
Cassandra Kai
Hannah Andrew
Daniela Cameron

Nicknames for Vivian 

Nicknames have a special place in our hearts, especially because they are given by loved ones like best friends or family members. Some of the unique nicknames for Vivian are:

Viv Viva
Viena Vivi
Vivo Vi
Vina Vanya
Viola Von
Van Vanna
Yenny Yen

The popularity of Vivian has been slowly yet steadily rising in recent years. The name’s entry in the top 100 in the last five years indicates its increasing usage. In the upcoming years, Vivian can become an increasingly popular name chosen because of its meaning. This name is unique and one of a kind; therefore, it’s a perfect name choice for your bundle of joy. 

Sources/References

Social Security Administration: https://www.ssa.gov/cgi-bin/babyname.cgi
Vivian Name Popularity in the United States: https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=2011-01-01%202021-11-23&geo=US&q=Vivian
Vivian Name Popularity Across The World: https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=2011-01-01%202021-11-23&q=Vivian
Vivian Name Interest in the United States: https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=2011-01-01%202021-11-23&geo=US&q=Vivian
Vivian Name Interest Across the World: https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=2011-01-01%202021-11-23&q=Vivian

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Ruchelle has a vast experience working with clients in hospitality, health and wellness, entertainment, real estate, and retail. She aims to utilise her learnings to deliver quality content which will in turn help drive sales and customer engagement.