Vivien is a unisex given name of Latin origin, derived from the Roman family name Vivennius, which was derived from the Latin word 'vivus', meaning 'living'. The name gained prominence through its use by various literary figures, most notably as the pen name of the Irish poet and dramatist Aubrey Thomas de Vere St. Clair (1873-1962). In literature, Vivien also appears in Arthurian legend as the Lady of the Lake who provides Merlin with Excalibur. The name has been used more frequently for females since the mid-20th century but remains unisex in nature. It is often spelled interchangeably with Vivian and Viveen.
"The name Vivien saw a notable increase in popularity between 1913 and 1924, with the highest number of births recorded in 1924."