Find out how popular the first name Lively has been for the last 12 years (from 2012 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Lively by gender

Based on the last 12 years of data, Lively is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 68 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Lively.

The history of the first name Lively

The name Lively originated from the Old English word "liflic," which means "lively" or "full of life." This adjective was derived from the Old English word "lif," meaning "life." The name Lively first emerged in England during the Anglo-Saxon period, roughly between the 5th and 11th centuries.

Lively was initially used as a descriptive surname or byname, given to individuals who exhibited a vibrant or energetic personality. It was later adopted as a given name, particularly during the late Middle Ages and the Renaissance period in England.

One of the earliest recorded references to the name Lively can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landholdings and properties in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The entry mentions a person named "Liflic" holding land in Oxfordshire.

In the 14th century, the name Lively appeared in the writings of the renowned English poet Geoffrey Chaucer, who mentioned a character named "Lively" in his famous work, The Canterbury Tales.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Lively. One of the earliest was Lively Denny (1496-1567), an English merchant and philanthropist from Hertfordshire, who founded a school and almshouses in his hometown.

Another famous bearer of the name was Sir Lively Culme (1612-1680), an English politician and Member of Parliament for Devon during the reign of Charles II.

In the 18th century, Lively Sutton (1722-1785) was a notable English architect and surveyor, best known for his work on the redesign of the town of Warrington in Cheshire.

Moving into the 19th century, Lively Polhill (1818-1893) was a British diplomat and author, serving as the British Consul in various parts of the Ottoman Empire and writing several books on his travels and experiences.

More recently, Lively Holroyd (1926-2010) was a British actress and stage performer, known for her roles in productions such as "The Importance of Being Earnest" and "The Merchant of Venice."

While the name Lively has declined in popularity in recent times, it remains a unique and descriptive name with a rich history rooted in the English language and culture.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Lively was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Lively, please contact us.

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