A 1910s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Olen since 1880
Babies named Olen per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1922, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Olen's real moment was 1913.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 55 |
| 1890s | 106 |
| 1900s | 181 |
| 1910s | 1,143 |
| 1920s | 1,647 |
| 1930s | 1,130 |
| 1940s | 916 |
| 1950s | 676 |
| 1960s | 415 |
| 1970s | 282 |
| 1980s | 195 |
| 1990s | 159 |
| 2000s | 174 |
| 2010s | 360 |
| 2020s | 226 |
Meaning & origin
Olen is a rare name that saw its highest usage in the 1910s, peaking in 1913. It has been rising in popularity since 2000, though it remains uncommon, given to about 1 in 51760 babies in 2025. The name likely derives from Olin, a Scandinavian short form of Olaf. Its revival in recent decades places it among early 20th century names experiencing renewed interest.
Olen is likely a variant of Olin, itself a diminutive of Olaf, an Old Norse name meaning 'ancestor's descendant'. Alternatively, it may be an English surname derived from a place name. The name saw modest use in the early 20th century, particularly in the 1910s.
Where Olen is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Len, Ollie
Sibling names for Olen
Names that share Olen's style, for a brother or sister.
