Oliver in Chinese
Oliver in Chinese is 奥利弗 (Ào Lì Fú).
- Origin
- Latin
- Meaning
- olive tree, peace
Oliver is a name of Latin origin, generally understood to mean "olive tree, peace". It has been in continuous US use since Social Security records begin in 1880, peaking in the 2010s. Names sharing the same root meaning include Olivia.
3 ways to write Oliver
phonetic
Following the sound of your name
奥利弗
Ào Lì Fú
The standard transliteration of Oliver: 奥 (ào, "profound, mysterious"), 利 (lì, "benefit, sharp"), 弗 (fú, "not (classical); phonetic 'f'"). Chosen for sound, it is instantly recognizable as this name.
Why these characters?
Syllable by syllable: 奥 (ào) carries "o", 利 (lì) carries "li", 弗 (fú) carries "ver". The tone contour is 4-4-2 (falling, falling, rising).
Character breakdown
24 strokes total (simplified)- 奥
ào
Tone 4 · 12 strokes (simplified)
profound, mysterious
- 利
lì
Tone 4 · 7 strokes (simplified)
benefit, sharp
- 弗
fú
Tone 2 · 5 strokes (simplified)
not (classical); phonetic 'f'
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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meaningful
Chosen for meaning and association
嘉树
Jiā Shù
Inspired by "olive tree, peace": 嘉 (jiā, "excellent, praiseworthy") + 树 (shù, "tree; to establish"), expressing flowers, trees and natural beauty.
Why these characters?
The idea of "olive" behind Oliver is rendered by 嘉, "excellent, praiseworthy"; 树, "tree; to establish", completes it.
Character breakdown
23 strokes total (simplified)- 嘉
jiā
Tone 1 · 14 strokes (simplified)
excellent, praiseworthy
- 树
shù
Tone 4 · 9 strokes (simplified)
tree; to establish
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balanced
A balance of sound and meaning
奥森
Ào Sēn
奥 (ào, "profound, mysterious") + 森 (sēn, "forest; lush"): echoes the sound of the English name while carrying meaning.
Why these characters?
It keeps 奥 (ào), the same opening character as the transliteration 奥利弗, for the "o" sound, and replaces the rest with 森 ("forest; lush") so the whole reads as a real given name.
Character breakdown
24 strokes total (simplified)- 奥
ào
Tone 4 · 12 strokes (simplified)
profound, mysterious
- 森
sēn
Tone 1 · 12 strokes (simplified)
forest; lush
PNG · black on white
Stroke order
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Recent US usage of Oliver
In the Social Security Administration’s 2020–2025 snapshot, Oliver ranked 3 among names recorded for boys, with 89,293 registrations in that group across the period. These are US birth-name records, rather than search counts or a ranking of Chinese names. The period covers part of a decade; it is not a final ranking for the whole 2020s.
Compare the dated figures in the SSA’s official 2020s name table. This snapshot was checked on 2026-10-15; any historical figures on this page describe their own stated period.
Popularity in the US
US Social Security records show 152,922 boys named Oliver since 1880, with the high point in 2017 (13,141 births) and the busiest decade being the 2010s. Between 1990 and 2017 it climbed, from #372 to #9 among boys.
- Peak year
- 2017
- Peak decade
- 2010s
- First year
- 1880
- Total since 1880
- 152,922
More About Oliver in Chinese
The Chinese translation of Oliver offers multiple styles to suit different preferences. Whether you prefer a phonetic transliteration that sounds like your name, or a meaningful interpretation that captures the essence of Oliver, you'll find options that work for you.
Names with the same root meaning include Olivia in Chinese, which share similar origins or meanings.
If you're exploring Chinese names for boys, you might also be interested in Olivia in Chinese, Colin in Chinese, and Raymond in Chinese. Each name has its own unique character combinations and meanings.
Other popular choices include Wesley in Chinese, Jake in Chinese, Jorge in Chinese, and Bryce in Chinese, each with beautiful traditional and simplified character options.
When choosing Chinese characters for Oliver, consider whether you want:
- Phonetic accuracy: Characters that sound like Oliver to native Chinese speakers
- Meaningful symbolism: Characters chosen for their beautiful meanings and cultural significance
- Balanced approach: A combination of sound and meaning that works well in both languages
Browse our complete A-Z index of Chinese names to explore more options, or start with our curated list of popular names in Chinese to see what others are choosing.
Frequently asked questions
How do you write Oliver in Chinese?
奥利弗 (Ào Lì Fú), or 奧利弗 in traditional script. This is the conventional transliteration used in Chinese media.
How many strokes does 奥利弗 have?
24 strokes in simplified form and 25 in traditional; per character: 奥 12, 利 7, 弗 5.
How popular is the name Oliver?
US Social Security records show 152,922 boys named Oliver since 1880, with the high point in 2017 (13,141 births) and the busiest decade being the 2010s. Between 1990 and 2017 it climbed, from #372 to #9 among boys.