Unisex, mainly a girl's name internationally; in India also used for boys, especially in Christian families · Latin · International
Vivian
VivianSay it VIV-ee-un
- Meaning today
- Full of life, alive
- Original meaning
- "living, alive; Latin Vivianus, from vivus" Online Etymology Dictionary
- Say it
- VIV-ee-un
- Other spellings
- Vivien, Vivienne, Viviane
Vivian
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Vivian meaning
Vivian is an international unisex name of Latin origin, used for both girls and boys.
Living, alive; Latin Vivianus, from vivus
Also used to mean: full of life
Vivian comes from Latin Vivianus, which the Online Etymology Dictionary explains as literally "living, alive", from vivus, the root of English vivid and vivacious; one scholar, Klein, thought the medieval name might instead be a misreading of the Celtic Ninian. In Arthurian legend Vivien or Viviane is the Lady of the Lake, who enchants Merlin. In Britain and America it is now mainly a girl's name, while in India it is also given to boys, especially in Christian families, as with the cricketer Sir Vivian Richards and the actor Vivian Dsena. It is said VIV-ee-un, and its meaning is close to Jeevika.
Source: Online Etymology Dictionary (etymonline.com) · entry Vivian · See the entry · checked 25 Oct 2026
References: Online Etymology Dictionary, Vivian
Famous namesakes
- Sir Vivian Richards, West Indian cricketer
- Vivien Leigh, British actress (French spelling)
Popularity abroad
- #72 United States, girls 2025 (up 5 from 77 in 2024)
US Social Security Administration - #834 England and Wales, girls 2025
Office for National Statistics
Official birth registrations. India publishes no national name statistics.
Spellings
Vivian · Vivien · Vivienne · Viviane