The REAL (Biblical) Meaning of Olivia? - Origin, History & Stories

 

Olivia is a feminine given name of Latin origin which stems from the Latin word oliva meaning olive tree.

Olivia is the feminine alternative of the boy name Oliver and became popular thanks to the play Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare.

In recent years, Olivia became one of the most popular names for girls and has been among the top names in the United States.

 

If you are in need of a classic name for your little girl or just want to learn more about the meaning of Olivia then I have some good news for you.

This article has the answers you are looking for and will explore the biblical and spiritual meanings of this elegant name.

 

What does Olivia mean in Hebrew?

There are nine Hebrew names with a similar meaning to Oliver, the masculine form of Olivia.

Achishalom, Menucha, Shlomit, and Shulamit are used for baby girls while Avshalom, Manoach, Noach, Shalom, and Shlomo are baby names for boys.

The name Achishalom is a combination of the names Achi and Shalom, meaning "my brother is a peace" or "my brother will bring peace".

Avshalom is a variant of Absalom and means "father is peace".

Manoach means rest or place of rest and is a variation of the biblical name Manoah.

Menucha, Noach (similar to Noah), Shalom, Shlomit, Shlomo, Shulamit means peaceful, rest, peace, peaceable, or tranquil.

 

Based on the Hebrew variations and their specific meanings peace, rest, peaceable, peaceful, and tranquility are the meanings of Olivia.

 

The origins of Olivia in the Bible 

The biblical origin of the name Olivia may be traced using its Latin and Hebrew meanings.

The creation story along with the genealogy of Noah will show the origin of the olive tree and an Old Testament Bible character who had the Hebrew variation of the Latin name Olivia.

 

Garden of Eden

Olive trees (the Latin meaning of Olivia) may be traced back to the Garden of Eden and the biblical creation account.

 

“The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. ¹³ And there was evening, and there was morning—the third day.” (Genesis 1:12-13 NIV)

 

The origin of the Bible character Noah/Noach may be traced back to the Garden of Eden.

Noah is the son of Lamech and a ninth generation relative of Adam who was created on the sixth day of creation. (Genesis 5:1-32)

 

The Biblical meaning of Olivia

The biblical meaning of Olivia makes it a great first name or middle name.

Olive trees have been around since ancient times and represent anointing, new beginnings, and a place of rest.

 

Anointing

The baby girl name Olivia will create the lasting impression of what the olive plant stands for.

Naming your child Olivia is symbolic of the anointing of kings and will inspire her to be a natural leader.

Touch not the Lord's anointed (1 Samuel 24:6,9) is among the biblical Olivia name meanings that will ensure protection from rivals and foes.

 

New beginnings

When the dove returned to Noah with the olive branch it was a sign that the earth was prepared for the new beginning that Noah and his family was about to embark on.

 

“When the dove returned to him in the evening, there in its beak was a freshly plucked olive leaf! Then Noah knew that the water had receded from the earth.” (Genesis 8:11 NIV)

 

After the people returned from their exile to start their new life in Jerusalem they listened to Nehemiah as he read the word of the Lord and they started to weep.

They were told not to weep but to gather olive branches, make temporary shelters, and celebrate.

 

“Go out into the hill country and bring back branches from olive and wild olive trees, and from myrtles, palms and shade trees, to make temporary shelters”—as it is written. (Nehemiah 8:15 NIV)

 

The girl’s name Olivia is a beautiful name that represents putting the past behind and looking ahead with faith and optimism.

 

Place of Rest (Mount of Olives)

For Jesus, the mount of Olives was a place of rest and tranquility for Him to retreat to, to pray, and escape the busyness of life.

 

“Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple, and each evening he went out to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives,” (Luke 21:37 NIV)

 

The Christian name Olivia represents a physical and metaphorical place of rest.

 

The spiritual meaning of Olivia

The name Olivia has a strong spiritual meaning and it's a beautiful name that will instill traits such as peace, growth and being a light bearer.

 

Peace

The name Olivia is a symbol of peace similar to the phrase ‘extend and olive branch’.

This name will impress on your child the importance of always choosing the moral high ground when in conflict.

 

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9 NIV)

 

Light

 

“They also brought spices and olive oil for the light and for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense.” (Exodus 35:28 NIV)

 

Light and olive oil have significant spiritual meaning.

Olive oil was used in the Old Testament sanctuary to provide light and anoint the priests.

The name Olivia highlights the significance and spiritual meaning of light.

Give your daughter this name to instill in her the importance of maintaining her spiritual beliefs as she uses Matthew 5:16 as her mantra.

 

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

 

Growth

Having a new baby, especially your first child, is a representation of growth.

You and your spouse will start a new chapter in your lives as parents and naming your baby girl Olivia is an excellent way to acknowledge this tremendous milestone.

Olivia is a representation of peace, light and growth.

She will be a peacemaker that quells conflicts, she will allow her light to guide others to the Lord, and she symbolizes growth.

 

What Bible verses contain Olivia?

There are a number of Bible verses that refer to olives, olive trees, olive oil, peace, and names such as Noah, Absalom, and Manoah.

 

“But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever.” (Psalm 52:8 NIV)

 

“Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table.” (Psalm 128:3 NIV)

 

As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” (Matthew 24:3 NIV)

 

“The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.” (Psalm 29:11 NIV)

 

Stories about Olivia in the Bible?

The dove and the olive leaf (Genesis 8:11),

Jesus on the Mount of Olives (Matthew 24:3),

and the anointing of king David (1 Samuel 16:1) are some stories in the Bible that highlight the meaning of the name Olivia.

 

Final thought

Olivia is a given name of Latin origin which means olive tree.

It is among unique names given to female babies that have strong spiritual and biblical meanings.

Anointing, new beginnings, and place of rest are some biblical meanings of the name Olivia while peace, light and growth are the spiritual meanings of this name.