Vivian

Your new bundle of joy will surely bring all the fun and life into your home, so why not give them a name to let people know of their bubbly personality? Vivian is a gender-neutral name of Latin origin, meaning "lively." This name derives from the Latin name Vivianus, which comes from the Latin word vivus, meaning "alive." This name inspires a vibrant life and legacy. Vivian is also considered by some to be a variation of the Irish Bébinn, which adds endearments like "blessed woman," "white woman," and "melodious woman" to its repertoire. Vivian is a favorite over on The Bump forum, where members describe it as "beautiful," "classic," "elegant," and "timeless."

Fun Facts About the Name Vivian

• Vivian was originally masculine: Long before Vivian became a staple girls' name in English-speaking countries, it was historically masculine. Early Christian saints bearing the name, like Saint Vivianus and Saint Vivian, were male. It was exclusively for boys in Europe for centuries.
• The "Vivien Leigh Effect": The Hollywood silver screen played a massive role in shaping Vivian's spelling preferences. When British actress Vivien Leigh won the Academy Award for her iconic portrayal of Scarlett O'Hara in Gone with the Wind (1939), the less popular variant Vivien jumped up the name rankings in 1940.
• Vivian vs. Vivienne: While Vivian remains the more popular of the two, the French variant Vivienne has been rising in the charts over the last few decades. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie shone the spotlight on Vivienne in 2008 when they named their daughter Vivienne Marcheline.