Declining since 2009, #12,008 for boys today.
Popularity of Olaf since 1880
Babies named Olaf per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1916, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Olaf's real moment was 1885.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 149 |
| 1890s | 124 |
| 1900s | 126 |
| 1910s | 501 |
| 1920s | 357 |
| 1930s | 190 |
| 1940s | 137 |
| 1950s | 142 |
| 1960s | 175 |
| 1970s | 148 |
| 1980s | 79 |
| 1990s | 98 |
| 2000s | 137 |
| 2010s | 133 |
| 2020s | 35 |
Meaning & origin
Olaf is a name with deep roots in Scandinavian history, derived from Old Norse Áleifr, meaning 'ancestor's descendant.' It was most popular in the United States during the 1880s, peaking in 1885, when immigration from Scandinavia was at its height. However, its usage has steadily declined; since 2009 it has been falling in popularity. By 2025, it ranked 12,008 and was given to approximately 1 in 341,615 newborns. Despite its rarity, the name carries strong cultural associations through the legacy of Saint Olaf and remains familiar to modern audiences via popular culture.
Olaf derives from the Old Norse name Áleifr, composed of elements meaning 'ancestor' (anu) and 'heir' or 'descendant' (leifr). It was borne by several early kings of Norway and Denmark, including Saint Olaf (Olaf II), the patron saint of Norway. The name spread across Scandinavia and into Germany and the Netherlands, and was brought to America by Scandinavian immigrants in the 19th century.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ole, Oli, Olly
Sibling names for Olaf
Names that share Olaf's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Greta, Ingrid, Karin, Sigrid, Astrid, Helga, Beatris, Gerda, Hildur, Inge, Ingeborg, Margit, Dagny, Elfida, Gunda, Gunhild, Hedda, Margrete, Olar
Brothers: Erik, Lars, Nils, Sven, Anders, Arvid, Magnus, Verner, Waldemar, Erland, Haakon, Harald, Helmer, Knute, Kristoff, Larsen, Trygve, Valdemar, Einer, Eirik, Olanda, Roald
