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The short answer
Liv is a feminine name used in Norwegian and Swedish. Behind the Name describes it this way: "Derived from the Old Norse name Hlíf meaning ‘protection’. Its use has been influenced by the modern Scandinavian word liv meaning ‘life’." It ranked #896 for girls in the United States in 2025.
Meaning and etymology
According to Behind the Name, derived from the Old Norse name Hlíf meaning ‘protection’. Its use has been influenced by the modern Scandinavian word liv meaning ‘life’. The entry lists its usage as Norwegian, Swedish, Danish.
Editorial confidence: established
Popularity
Liv ranked #896 for girls in the United States in 2025. The figure comes from the Social Security Administration's national file for that year.
| Region | Year | Rank | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 2025 | #896 | ssa-2025 |
If you like this name
Names that Behind the Name files under the same origin (Norwegian) and that sit near Liv in the 2025 American rankings.
Similar by origin
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Liv mean?
Liv means "protection", according to Behind the Name.
Is Liv a popular name?
Liv ranked #896 for girls in the United States in 2025. (Social Security Administration data).
Is Liv a boy's or a girl's name?
In the 2025 SSA data Liv appears in the girls' list; Behind the Name labels it feminine.
Sources
- Behind the Name: Meaning, origin and history of the name Liv (1) — supports meaning, usage, pronunciation, variants.
- U.S. Social Security Administration: Popular Baby Names — national data, year of birth 2025 — supports popularity.
