Ollin
An indigenous Nahuatl name meaning "movement" or "motion of life".
Name Census estimates that about 213 living Americans carry the first name Ollin. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Ollin today is around 17 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Ollin births was 2022 (17 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Ollin. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
213
~ 1 in 1,609,175 Americans
Peak year
2022
17 babies that year
Average age
17
years old
2024 SSA rank
#7,114
Tracked since 1919
Popularity
Ollin: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Ollin from the 1910s through to the 2020s, spanning 8 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2010s, with 98 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 2010s peak, Ollin remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Ollin by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Ollin during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Ollins live
Origin
Meaning and history of Ollin
The name Ollin has its origins in the Nahuatl language of the Aztec civilization in ancient Mexico. It is derived from the word "ollin," which means "movement" or "to move." The Aztecs revered the concept of movement and change, and this name reflects their belief in the cyclical nature of life.
The name Ollin was likely used during the height of the Aztec civilization, which spanned from the 14th to the 16th centuries. It may have been given to children born during times of significant change or transition, or to those who were expected to play an important role in the community's growth and development.
While there are no definitive records of the name appearing in ancient Aztec texts or codices, it is possible that it was mentioned in oral traditions or mythological stories that were passed down through generations. The Aztecs had a rich cultural heritage, and their names often carried symbolic meanings related to their cosmology and worldview.
One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Ollin can be found in the writings of Spanish chroniclers who documented the Aztec civilization during the 16th century. These accounts provide valuable insights into the customs and practices of the Aztec people, including their naming conventions.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Ollin. One of the most famous is Ollin Yoliztli (c. 1480 - 1563), a renowned Aztec poet and philosopher who lived during the Spanish conquest of Mexico. His works explored themes of spirituality, nature, and the human experience.
Another individual of note is Ollin Tzin (c. 1350 - 1428), a powerful ruler of the city-state of Tenochcalco (modern-day Mexico City) during the late 14th century. He is credited with expanding the city's influence and strengthening its military might.
In more recent times, Ollin Morales (1914 - 2008) was a Mexican artist and muralist known for his vibrant depictions of indigenous life and traditions. His works can be found in various public spaces and museums throughout Mexico.
Ollin Levi (1926 - 2017) was a Mexican-American civil rights activist and labor organizer who played a pivotal role in the Chicano Movement of the 1960s and 1970s. He fought for the rights of farm workers and advocated for social justice and equality.
Finally, Ollin Tzotzil (b. 1985) is a contemporary Mexican writer and poet whose work explores themes of identity, indigenous culture, and the human condition. Her writings have garnered critical acclaim and have been translated into several languages.
People
Ollin + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Ollin as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with O
Other first names starting with O with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Ollin: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Ollin?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 213 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Ollin going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 1,609,175 US residents.
Is Ollin a common name?
We classify Ollin as "Very Rare". It ranks above 75% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 301 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Ollin most popular?
The single biggest year for Ollin was 2022, when 17 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Ollin is about 17 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Ollin a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Ollin in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.