Olaf Boy
Origin(s)
PronunciationOH-lahf / ˈoʊ.lɑfNorse; Scandinavian
Meaning
Norse: ancestor's relic; Scandinavian: prosperous
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Olaf has roots in Old Norse, derived from 'Anund' meaning 'ancestor's relic'. It has been a popular name in Scandinavian countries, particularly in Norway and Sweden. Historically, several kings of Norway bore the name, contributing to its prominence in Viking culture. The name is often associated with strength and leadership.
Trend Summary
Olaf has seen fluctuating popularity in the U.S., particularly influenced by the success of Disney's 'Frozen'.
Similar Names
Variants
- Olafur
- Olav
International Variants
- Olav (Norwegian)
- Olafur (Icelandic)
- Olaff (Swedish)
Famous people named Olaf
Olaf II of Norway was a king known for his efforts to Christianize Norway.
Olaf Stapledon was a British philosopher and science fiction writer, recognized for his influential works in the genre.
Olaf Schubert is a German comedian and musician known for his unique style of humor.
Olaf von Schwartzenberg was a notable German painter in the 19th century, celebrated for his landscape works.
Fictional characters named Olaf
Olaf is a snowman character in Disney's 'Frozen', known for his cheerful personality and love for summer.
Olaf is a character in the video game series 'Fire Emblem', often depicted as a brave warrior.
Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Olaf was first seen in the United States in 1880. Olaf has ranked as high as #761 nationally, which occurred in 1916, and has been most popular in Minnesota, North Dakota, New York, California, and Wisconsin. In the past 5 years the name Olaf has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Olaf (2015)
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| IL | 6 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880 | 11 |
| 1881 | 7 |
| 1882 | 13 |
| 1883 | 17 |
| 1884 | 20 |
| 1885 | 21 |
| 1886 | 17 |
| 1887 | 14 |
| 1888 | 12 |
| 1889 | 17 |
| 1890 | 14 |
| 1891 | 15 |
| 1892 | 12 |
| 1893 | 8 |
| 1894 | 16 |
| 1895 | 11 |
| 1896 | 13 |
| 1897 | 13 |
| 1898 | 13 |
| 1899 | 9 |
| 1900 | 8 |
| 1901 | 9 |
| 1902 | 12 |
| 1903 | 9 |
| 1904 | 8 |
| 1905 | 8 |
| 1906 | 19 |
| 1907 | 21 |
| 1908 | 23 |
| 1909 | 9 |
| 1910 | 14 |
| 1911 | 13 |
| 1912 | 40 |
| 1913 | 46 |
| 1914 | 55 |
| 1915 | 71 |
| 1916 | 79 |
| 1917 | 74 |
| 1918 | 60 |
| 1919 | 49 |
| 1920 | 43 |
| 1921 | 50 |
| 1922 | 33 |
| 1923 | 34 |
| 1924 | 31 |
| 1925 | 38 |
| 1926 | 35 |
| 1927 | 35 |
| 1928 | 33 |
| 1929 | 25 |
| 1930 | 31 |
| 1931 | 24 |
| 1932 | 18 |
| 1933 | 19 |
| 1934 | 15 |
| 1935 | 19 |
| 1936 | 17 |
| 1937 | 10 |
| 1938 | 15 |
| 1939 | 22 |
| 1940 | 13 |
| 1941 | 17 |
| 1942 | 10 |
| 1943 | 16 |
| 1944 | 13 |
| 1945 | 15 |
| 1946 | 18 |
| 1947 | 8 |
| 1948 | 14 |
| 1949 | 13 |
| 1950 | 12 |
| 1951 | 11 |
| 1952 | 17 |
| 1953 | 17 |
| 1954 | 12 |
| 1955 | 15 |
| 1956 | 12 |
| 1957 | 15 |
| 1958 | 10 |
| 1959 | 21 |
| 1960 | 17 |
| 1961 | 15 |
| 1962 | 18 |
| 1963 | 15 |
| 1964 | 23 |
| 1965 | 14 |
| 1966 | 17 |
| 1967 | 18 |
| 1968 | 21 |
| 1969 | 16 |
| 1970 | 21 |
| 1971 | 19 |
| 1972 | 14 |
| 1973 | 20 |
| 1974 | 7 |
| 1975 | 21 |
| 1976 | 8 |
| 1977 | 16 |
| 1978 | 9 |
| 1979 | 13 |
| 1980 | 13 |
| 1981 | 8 |
| 1982 | 9 |
| 1983 | 5 |
| 1984 | 7 |
| 1985 | 5 |
| 1986 | 11 |
| 1987 | 10 |
| 1988 | 11 |
| 1990 | 9 |
| 1991 | 18 |
| 1992 | 9 |
| 1993 | 7 |
| 1994 | 12 |
| 1995 | 8 |
| 1996 | 10 |
| 1997 | 9 |
| 1998 | 9 |
| 1999 | 7 |
| 2000 | 7 |
| 2001 | 11 |
| 2002 | 13 |
| 2003 | 11 |
| 2004 | 6 |
| 2005 | 18 |
| 2006 | 19 |
| 2007 | 13 |
| 2008 | 22 |
| 2009 | 17 |
| 2010 | 20 |
| 2011 | 15 |
| 2012 | 15 |
| 2013 | 9 |
| 2014 | 22 |
| 2015 | 18 |
| 2016 | 10 |
| 2017 | 8 |
| 2018 | 7 |
| 2019 | 9 |
| 2020 | 7 |
| 2021 | 7 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 5 |