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Olly

Boy name · 629 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Olly: 629 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 83 births in 2012.

Olly is most often a friendly, affectionate short form of Oliver, a name tracing back to the Old Norse *Áleifr*, meaning "ancestor's descendant," though it was later influenced by the Latin *oliva*, "olive tree," symbolising peace. Famous modern bearers include pop singer and *Years & Years* frontman Olly Alexander, as well as chart-topping singer-songwriter Olly Murs. While no major places take the name Olly directly, the root *oliva* appears in places like Olive in California and the many Olive streets worldwide. A notable variant is the feminine Olive, which shares the same gentle, nature-inspired origin. In Scotland, Olly has steadily charmed parents seeking a cheerful, approachable nickname that stands comfortably on its own.