The nameLiv
Liv is a short Scandinavian name meaning "life". It is crisp and modern.
- Girl's name
- Old Norse
Meaning
Liv comes from the Old Norse hlif, "protection", and is read today as liv, "life", in Norwegian and Swedish.
Origin
Old Norse.
History
Liv Ullmann, the Norwegian actress, made it known abroad, then Liv Tyler. In the United States it reached 665th in 2020.
Did you know?
- The actress Liv Tyler discovered at around the age of 11 that her father was the Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler.
Famous people named Liv
- Liv Ullmann, actress
- Liv Tyler, actress
Popularity of the name Liv
Liv in the United States
Liv was most popular in the United States in the 2010s, with 3,443 births over the decade, 52% of all recorded babies named Liv. Its rise began around 2002, and it peaked in 2017. Half of all babies named Liv in the United States were born before 2016, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 394 births a year.
Liv in the United Kingdom
Liv was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, with 264 births over the decade, 52% of all recorded babies named Liv. Its rise began around 2002, and it peaked in 2020. Half of all babies named Liv in the United Kingdom were born before 2015, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 21 births a year on average, against 28 in the five years before.
Liv in France
Liv in Belgium
Liv in Switzerland
Liv in Norway
Sibling names for Liv
Names from the same generation as Liv, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Liv? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Liv with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Liv side by side with the name of your choice.
Liv in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Liv mean?
Liv comes from the Old Norse hlif, "protection", and is read today as liv, "life", in Norwegian and Swedish.
What is the origin of the name Liv?
Old Norse.
Is Liv a girl's or a boy's name?
Liv is a girl's name.
How popular is the name Liv?
In 2024, Liv was the 873rd most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 308 births.
What are good sibling names for Liv?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Louisa, Violette, Ramona and Edie for a sister, Alistair, Jenson, Imran and Ayan for a brother.
Who are famous people named Liv?
Liv Ullmann, actress; Liv Tyler, actress.