Oleander
Nerium oleander, commonly known as oleander, rose laurel, be-still tree or rosebay, is a shrub or small tree cultivated worldwide in temperate and subtropical areas as an ornamental and landscaping plant. It is the only species currently classified in the genus Nerium, belonging to subfamily Apocynoideae of the dogbane family Apocynaceae.
Meaning & Origin of Oleander
What this name means, where it came from, and how it has traveled across cultures.
Nerium oleander, commonly known as oleander, rose laurel, be-still tree or rosebay, is a shrub or small tree cultivated worldwide in temperate and subtropical areas as an ornamental and landscaping plant. It is the only species currently classified in the genus Nerium, belonging to subfamily Apocynoideae of the dogbane family Apocynaceae.
Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0). Read more →
Etymology
Origin & history
The Story of Oleander
As a girl name
Oleander first appeared in U.S. Social Security Administration records as a girl name in 2023, with 8 babies given the name that year. Its peak popularity came in 2023, when 8 Oleanders were born — ranking #11,156 that year. As of 2026, Oleander ranks #15,243 for girls with 5 births, with steady use. In total, more than 13 Oleanders have been born in the U.S. since records began in 1880, spanning the 2020s through the 2020s.
As a boy name
Oleander first appeared in U.S. Social Security Administration records as a boy name in 2021, with 11 babies given the name that year. Its peak popularity came in 2024, when 15 Oleanders were born — ranking #5,878 that year. As of 2026, Oleander ranks #5,878 for boys with 15 births, with steady use. In total, more than 54 Oleanders have been born in the U.S. since records began in 1880, spanning the 2020s through the 2020s.
Popularity Over Time
Popularity by State
Names that sound like Oleander
Phonetically similar names — useful when Oleander is the vibe but a different syllable count or letter feel might suit better. Linked entries have a profile on Peek a Name.
Source: Datamuse . Phonetic similarity ranking, not curated.
Frequently Asked Questions about Oleander
What does the name Oleander mean?
How popular is Oleander in 2026?
When was Oleander most popular?
Is Oleander a unisex name?
What names go well with Oleander?
About the name Oleander
Oleander is a unisex baby name tracked by the U.S. Social Security Administration. It first appeared in SSA records in 2021 and has accumulated 54 births in the dataset. Oleander's peak popularity came in 2024 when it ranked #5,878. Use the chart and map above to compare Oleander's trajectory across years and U.S. states, or browse the related names section to discover similar choices.
Continue exploring
- Top names of 2024 →
- Names of the 2020s →
- Names starting with "O" →
- Browse all boy names →
- Top names of 2026 →
- Browse unisex names →
Data sources
- Birth statistics (counts, ranks, years 1880–2026) — U.S. Social Security Administration . Predictions for years not yet released by SSA are computed by Peek a Name from historical trends; we update with official data as soon as it ships.
- Etymology, cultural origins, and related forms — Behind the Name (used under their public API terms).
- Meaning prose and editorial summary — Wikipedia article extracts, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 .
- Predicted nationality distribution — Nationalize.io .
- Phonetically similar names — Datamuse .
Peek a Name aggregates and presents the above data for informational purposes. Statistical predictions and external attributions are clearly labelled where shown; we make no guarantee of accuracy beyond what each source provides.