Meaning and Origin
What does the name Olive mean? Keep reading to find the user submitted meanings, dictionary definitions, and more.
Origin and Meaning of Olive
User Submitted Origins
English
65%
Italian
17%
Greek
4%
Russian
4%
Korean
4%
Jewish
4%
User Submitted Meanings
- A user from California, U.S. says the name Olive is of Russian origin and means "It comes from the word Olive Branch with is a symbol of peace".
- A submission from Canada says the name Olive means "Olive tree" and is of Greek origin.
- A user from Ghana says the name Olive is of English origin and means "Olive".
- A user from California, U.S. says the name Olive means "Peace and Grace, Like a godess".
- A user from Utah, U.S. says the name Olive means "A funny person".
International Interest
Also see international interest
Webster's Unabridged Dictionary
noun Ol"ive
Senses
- [Bot]
- A tree (Olea Europæa) with small oblong or elliptical leaves, axillary clusters of flowers, and oval, one-seeded drupes. The tree has been cultivated for its fruit for thousands of years, and its branches are the emblems of peace. The wood is yellowish brown and beautifully variegated.
- The fruit of the olive. It has been much improved by cultivation, and is used for making pickles. Olive oil is pressed from its flesh.
- A tree (Olea Europæa) with small oblong or elliptical leaves, axillary clusters of flowers, and oval, one-seeded drupes. The tree has been cultivated for its fruit for thousands of years, and its branches are the emblems of peace. The wood is yellowish brown and beautifully variegated.
- [Zoöl]
- Any shell of the genus Oliva and allied genera; -- so called from the form. See Oliva.
- The oyster catcher.
(Prov. Eng)
- Any shell of the genus Oliva and allied genera; -- so called from the form. See Oliva.
- The color of the olive, a peculiar dark brownish, yellowish, or tawny green.
- One of the tertiary colors, composed of violet and green mixed in equal strength and proportion.
- The color of the olive, a peculiar dark brownish, yellowish, or tawny green.
- [Anat] An olivary body. See under Olivary.
- [Cookery] A small slice of meat seasoned, rolled up, and cooked; as, olives of beef or veal.
Note: ☞ Olive is sometimes used adjectively and in the formation of self-explaining compounds; as, olive brown, olive green, olive-colored, olive-skinned, olive crown, olive garden, olive tree, olive yard, etc.
Etymology: F., fr. L. oliva, akin to Gr. �. See Oil
adjective Ol"ive
Approaching the color of the olive; of a peculiar dark brownish, yellowish, or tawny green.
Other Dictionary Sources
- A yellow-green color of low brightness and saturation
- One-seeded fruit of the European olive tree usually pickled and used as a relish
- Hard yellow often variegated wood of an olive tree; used in cabinetwork
- Evergreen tree cultivated in the Mediterranean region since antiquity and now elsewhere; has edible shiny black fruits
- Small ovoid fruit of the European olive tree; important food and source of oil
- Of a yellow-green color similar to that of an unripe olive
Wiktionary
Medieval form of the Latin saint's name Oliva "olive"; revived in the 19th century when flower and plant names became fashionable. The surname is topographical, often representing an Anglicization of continental European surnames such as Spanish Oliva.
- A female given name from English.
- A surname.
- (rare) A male given name from English.
Olive was also found in the following language(s): Cebuano and German