ashleypaige's list "Favorite Boy Names" of 5 great name ideas: Oliver - Leyrick!

Favorite Boy Names

Oliver is an international star, ranking near the top of the charts throughout the English-speaking world and in a host of European and Latin American countries, from Norway to Chile, Slovenia to Switzerland. Why? Because Oliver is energetic and good-natured, stylish but classic, with a meaning symbolizing peace and fruitfulness. 
 
Long a popular choice in England, Australia and New Zealand, Oliver entered the US Top 100 for the first time in 2009 and over the next decade, it continued to climb. As of 2024, it had been the third most popular boy name in the US for six years. 
 
Oliver derives from Olivier, the Norman French variation of the Ancient Germanic name Alfihar ("elf army") or the Old Norse Áleifr ("ancestor's relic"), from which comes Olaf. Olivier emerged as the dominant spelling for its associations with the Latin word oliva, meaning "olive tree."

Oliver was used as a given name in medieval England after the spread of the French epic poem La Chanson de Roland, which features a character named Olivier. It lost favor after the seventeenth century rule of Oliver Cromwell, then was revived in the nineteenth century. 

Oliver's biggest boost in this country came from the hit book and movie Love Story, which also catapulted the name Jennifer to stardom. Notable namesakes range from Oliver Wendell Holmes to Oliver Hardy to Oliver Stone, while in fiction, there's Oliver Twist, 
 Oliver works particularly well with single-syllable surnames, as in Oliver Stone, North and Puck (son of Wolfgang). Other celebrities who have chosen Oliver include Bridget Fonda, Fred Savage, Stephen Stills, and Taylor Hawkes. 
 International forms include the French Olivier, the Spanish Olivero, and the Italian Oliviero.
 Parents considering Oliver for their sons might consider that with Olivia at the top of the charts for girls and Olive also rising star, there will be an awful lot of children with names starting with Oliv-. For those in the UK, New Zealand, and Ireland, it's also worth bearing in mind that Ollie as a stand-alone name is a high ranking choice, again making Oliver feel even more popular.
 
That doesn't have to be a bad thing. It makes it a safe, versatile, and solid option, but if you were after something similar in sound but not quite so popular, Solomon 'Solly' , Olsen 'Oli', and Apollo 'Olly' might work, while Oleander, Tolliver, and Ptolemy make rarer options still.

Oliver

Adler is a German-Jewish surname that is beginning to be used occasionally as a first and is among the stylish new <a href="https://nameberry.com/baby-names/805/german-names-for-boys">German names for boys</a>. Among the distinguished bearers of Adler as a last name are Freud colleague Alfred Adler, actress and influential acting teacher Stella Adler and Guns N' Roses drummer Steve Adler.

Adler

Cohan

Cullan is a masculine name with Irish and Gaelic origins. It derives from the Gaelic surname 'Ó Cuilinn,' meaning 'son of Holly' or from 'cuileann,' referring to the holly tree, which was considered sacred in Celtic tradition. This name carries connotations of strength and protection, as holly was believed to ward off evil spirits in Celtic folklore. Cullan might also be connected to the Irish mythological figure Culann, the smith who owned the hound that was killed by the young Cúchulainn (who was originally named Setanta). While not among the most common Irish names, Cullan has gained moderate popularity as parents seek authentic Celtic names with meaningful heritage. Its straightforward pronunciation and spelling, combined with its distinctive sound, make it appealing for those seeking a name with Celtic roots.

Favorite Boy Names

The names

Oliver

Adler

Cohan

Cullan

Leyrick