Oliver comes from the Old Norse name Áleifr, meaning "ancestor's descendant" (derived from anu - "ancestor" and leifr - "descendant"). It was brought to Britain by the Normans as Olivier in Old French. It is also commonly associated with the Latin terms oliva and olivarius, meaning "olive tree" and "olive tree planter." The olive tree symbolizes peace, dignity, and fruitfulness. Oliver was a common male name in medieval England, but fell out of popularity after the rule of military commander Oliver Cromwell, although it has seen a sharp rise in use in the 21st century.