Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Olaf
BoyOld Norse, Norwegian· “ancestor's heir”
- Meaning
- ancestor's heir
- Origin
- Old Norse, Norwegian
- Pronunciation
- OH-lahf
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #13,369
- US babies 2025
- 5
- Best rank
- #393 (1885)
- Peak year
- 1916
Meaning and origin of Olaf
Olaf is an Old Norse and Norwegian name that means “ancestor's heir”.
Olaf comes from the Old Norse Áleifr, usually explained as ancestor's heir or descendant of the forefathers. Saint Olaf, King Olaf II of Norway, helped establish Christianity in the country and is its patron saint. Kings of Norway, Sweden and Denmark also bore the name, most recently Olav V of Norway. The snowman Olaf in Disney's Frozen made the name familiar to a new generation of children. It is pronounced OH-lahf, and Scandinavian forms include Olav, Olof and Ole.
Popularity over time
Olaf has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 39 different years. Its best national rank was #393 in 1885, and the most babies received it in 1916, when 79 were named Olaf. In 2025, 5 babies were named Olaf, and it ranked #13,369 nationally. That is 72% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #1,084 in 1920, #2,290 in 1950, #3,380 in 1980, #8,866 in 2000, #4,799 in 2010, and #13,369 in 2025. Of the 2,531 US boys named Olaf since records began, 20% were born in the 1910s, its biggest decade. The 1920s come next, with 357 babies. Since 2010, 168 more have been named Olaf.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Tillman, Clovis, Reinhold, Ludwig, and Verner.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Olaf is usually pronounced OH-lahf, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with O and ends in “-af”.
Middle names for Olaf
A few middle names that flow with Olaf: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Olaf
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Lists that include Olaf
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Olaf mean?
Olaf is an Old Norse and Norwegian name that means “ancestor's heir”.
What is the origin of the name Olaf?
Olaf has Old Norse and Norwegian roots. Olaf comes from the Old Norse Áleifr, usually explained as ancestor's heir or descendant of the forefathers.
Is Olaf a popular name?
Not especially. Olaf ranked #13,369 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Olaf a boy or girl name?
Olaf is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Olaf?
Olaf is usually pronounced OH-lahf. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings