Definition of "Olivia"

O! when mine eyes did see Olivia first / Methought she purg’d the air of pestilence.

1601, William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night, act I, scene 1

I intended to call her after Aunt Grizel, but my wife who, during pregnancy, had been reading romances, insisted upon her being called Olivia. In less than another year we had another daughter, and now I was determined that Grizel should be her name; but a rich relation taking a fancy to stand godmother, the girl was, by her directions, called Sophia, so that we had two romantic names in the family, but I solemnly protest I had no hand in it.

1766, Oliver Goldsmith, The Vicar of Wakefield

‘Olivia, that's a fine posh name for Castlebay,’ he said approvingly. ‘Ah, they're sick of these Davids and Clares and Gerrys, the dull old names,’ Clare laughed. ‘I hope they won't call her Olly,’ David said. ‘Make your own nickname then,’ Gerry said. ‘Livy?’ Clare suggested. ‘Liffey even?’ Gerry said.

1985, Maeve Binchy, Echoes, Arrow Books, published 2006, page 404