Olof
A boy's name of Old Norse origin with 107 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Alternative form of Wolof.
Olof is a boy's baby name of Old Norse origin, the Swedish form of Olav, from the Old Norse Áleifr, composed of anu ('ancestor') and leifr ('heir, descendant'), meaning 'ancestor's heir' or 'descendant of the ancestors.' Saint Olaf II of Norway made this name a cornerstone of Scandinavian Christian culture.
Olof is quintessentially Swedish — one of the most iconic Swedish masculine names, borne by kings, saints, and scholars. It carries the weight of Viking heritage and Christian sainthood in a compact, dignified form.
EtymologyShow more
Phonetically, Olof belongs to a cluster of names characterized by their sharp, distinct ending — ending on a consonant gives it a firm, clear close. At two syllables, it has a two-beat rhythm that is easy to call across a room and natural in conversation.
Within the Old Norse naming tradition, names with similar sound structures often share underlying etymological patterns. Exploring Old Norse names on this site may surface connections that illuminate Olof’s linguistic neighborhood.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Olof has 17+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1883.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 1930s | 12 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 40 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 37 | ▲ |
| 1890s | 12 | ▲ |
| 1880s | 6 | — |
The Story of Olof
A Greatest Generation name
Peaking in 1914, Olof is a name steeped in history. Boys named Olof are most likely born between 1904 and 1924.
How rare is Olof?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Olof is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1883, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 1920s with 40 births that decade, and has gracefully settled into a quieter chapter.
Olof by the numbers
- Would fill 2 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(17 years, 1883–1934)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1934 | 6 | #3570 |
| 1931 | 6 | #3656 |
| 1926 | 5 | #4645 |
| 1924 | 9 | #3189 |
| 1923 | 5 | #4719 |
| 1922 | 9 | #3177 |
| 1921 | 5 | #4802 |
| 1920 | 7 | #3728 |
| 1918 | 5 | #4625 |
| 1917 | 6 | #3860 |
| 1916 | 6 | #3777 |
| 1915 | 6 | #3714 |
| 1914 | 9 | #2401 |
| 1913 | 5 | #3137 |
| 1897 | 5 | #1184 |
| 1891 | 7 | #822 |
| 1883 | 6 | #862 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1883–1934