50 Best Middle Names for Oliver

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Naming your baby can be a difficult task. If you are sharing the task with your partner, it can take a while to find a name that you both agree on.

But even after you decide on your baby’s first name, you still have to find the perfect middle name!

You want to make sure you choose a middle name that sounds good with the first name (especially if you’re the type of parent who will say their whole name when they are in trouble!).

It’s also important to choose a name pair that doesn’t create an embarrassing set of initials!

As someone with the initials of A, S, and S – trust me on this. I just avoid monograms now.

After getting ideas from real parents in moms groups, asking friends, and getting current suggestions from online parenting communities, I’ve compiled this list of beautiful middle names that go with Oliver for your baby.

The name combinations are sorted by first listing my top picks, then other middle names for Oliver, and are in alphabetical order.

I hope you choose the perfect name for your new little one! Here are the best middle names for Oliver.

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Top 10 Middle Names for Oliver

When I was pregnant with my fourth child, Oliver was a name I considered before we knew we were having a little boy. Olive was also a name I liked for a baby girl, but unfortunately I didn’t get to use either of these baby names, since my husband wasn’t a fan.

While his taste in baby names may be questionable, I’m convinced mine is pretty good! And with that, I will share my favorite name combinations for you to peruse.

Here are my favorite middle names for Oliver:

1. Oliver Cole
2. Oliver Dale
3. Oliver Dean
4. Oliver Finn
5. Oliver Gray
6. Oliver James (also the name of a song by Fleet Foxes)
7. Oliver Lee
8. Oliver Neil
9. Oliver Reed
10. Oliver Zade

I think I’m really drawn to short, one syllable names for Oliver – since Oliver is a bit of a mouthful with three syllables. Some two-syllable middle names seem to work well, but I don’t like many that are three syllables or more.

I personally don’t lean toward a specific theme or name origin when choosing middle names for Oliver. However, I do love strong, classic names. I also think last names from family history could work great as a middle name.

Other middle names for Oliver

11. Oliver Abel
12. Oliver Allen
13. Oliver Archer
14. Oliver Benjamin (one of the few three-syllable names on this list!)
15. Oliver Blake
16. Oliver Brooks
17. Oliver Chase
18. Oliver Cruz
19. Oliver David
20. Oliver Drake
21. Oliver Edward
22. Oliver Ezra
23. Oliver Ethan
24. Oliver Fox (a more unusual middle name)
25. Oliver Gage
26. Oliver Gordon
27. Oliver Graham (this could sound like one or two syllables, depending on your accent)
28. Oliver Grant
29. Oliver Hayes
30. Oliver Hudson
31. Oliver Jackson
32. Oliver Jay
33. Oliver Kent
34. Oliver Knox
35. Oliver Lowe
36. Oliver Luke
37. Oliver Madison
38. Oliver Maxwell
39. Oliver Miles
40. Oliver Monroe
41. Oliver Neil
42. Oliver Onyx (a unique name and an alliteration)
43. Oliver Patrick
44. Oliver Rex (such a strong name pair!)
45. Oliver Ryan
46. Oliver Scott
47. Oliver Tate
48. Oliver Thomas
49. Oliver Vincent
50. Oliver William (a common middle name, but they work well together!)

How to Choose the Perfect Middle Name

• Check for weird or offensive initials and monograms
• Say and write the full name (first, middle, and last) repeatedly to see how it flows. Repetitive sounds can be good, or they can become a tongue twister!
• Avoid names that have beginning/ending sounds that get lost, such as with Scott Thomas or Amber Rae
• Balance the weight – if you decide on a very long first name or have a long last name, you may want a short middle name. Short first names often go well with longer middle names.
• Mix it up – traditional middle names are great with unique first names, while classic baby names are fun when paired with unusual middle names
• Choose a name that honors a loved one, such as a favorite older relative or family member who has passed
• Consider a family name, a maiden name, or names that reflect your family’s culture and heritage
• Choose a name that has a special meaning to you – even if it isn’t a common name (if celebs can do it with Apple and Blue and North, you can too)
• If you can’t decide on one perfect baby middle name, consider adding a second name and go with your two favorites
• Lastly, Google the name and make sure there isn’t someone infamous with the same name! (Unless you are ok with your baby sharing the name with a criminal, for instance.)

Famous people named Oliver

1. Oliver Cromwell, English military and political leader in the 1600s
2. Oliver Stone, American filmmaker
3. Oliver Hardy, of Laurel and Hardy
4. Oliver Twist, title character of the book by Charles Dickens
5. Oliver Phelps, actor who played George Weasley in the Harry Potter movies
6. Oliver Flynn, adult film star (pretty name, but you may want to avoid this one)

Origin and Meaning of the name Oliver

In Old Norse, Oliver comes from a name meaning “ancestor’s descendants.” Oliver is also a popular name of Latin origin which means “olive tree planter”. The French version of the name is Olivier, meaning “olive tree.” As the olive tree has been associated with peace, the name Oliver is considered to be a peaceful name as well.

Oliver has long been a popular name in England and Australia, but did not become a top 100 baby name in the United States until 2009. According to the Social Security Administration, Oliver was ranked as the 3rd most popular boy’s name from 2019-2021. Babycenter reports that Oliver is currently still the 3rd most popular boy’s name in 2022 – with Liam and Noah in the top two spots.

“Ollie” is a popular and cute nickname for Oliver.

Other names you may like:

If you’re considering Oliver for your new baby boy but aren’t 100% decided yet, you may also want to consider these names:

• Owen
• Oscar
• Milo
• Elliott
• Jack

If you go with Oliver and need a sibling name for his sister, Olivia is a popular choice and is the female version of the name. Be sure to check out our list of great middle names for Olivia – it may help you choose the perfect name for Oliver!

Which middle name for Oliver is your favorite?

Did you happen to fall in love with one of the suggestions you saw here in this list of names? Or have you considered different middle name ideas that are’t on the list?

I’d love to know! Leave a comment below and share with me!