Ólafur () is a common name in Iceland, derived from the Old Norse

Óláfr Olaf or Olav (, , or British ; Old Norse: ''Áleifr'', ''Ólafr'', ''Óleifr'', ''Anleifr'') is a Scandinavian and German given name. It is presumably of Proto-Norse origin, reconstructed as ''*Anu-laibaz'', from ''anu'' "ancestor, grand-father" ...

, meaning "ancestor's relic". According to Icelandic custom, people are generally referred to by first and middle names and patronyms are used if disambiguation is required. The name is a frequently given name in Iceland. In 2005, it was the fifth most common male given name after

Gunnar Gunnar is a male first name of Nordic origin (''Gunnarr'' in Old Norse). The name Gunnar means fighter, soldier, and attacker, but mostly is referred to by the Viking saying which means Brave and Bold warrior (''gunnr'' "war" and ''arr'' "warrior ...

and before Einar. A diminutive form is Óli.Statistics Iceland
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Notable Icelanders named Ólafur

Bjarni Ólafur Eiríksson Bjarni Ólafur Eiríksson (born 28 March 1982) is a retired Icelandic football defender. Career He signed for Stabæk Fotball, 2008 winner of the Norwegian Tippeligaen in February 2010 after one week on trial. Stabæk manager Jan Jönsson was ...

(born 1982), football defender * Guðni Ólafur Guðnason (born 1965), retired basketball player * Ólafur Arnalds (born 1986), modern composer *

Ólafur Benediktsson Ólafur Benediktsson (born 3 August 1952) is an Icelandic former handball player who competed in the 1972 Summer Olympics The 1972 Summer Olympics (), officially known as the Games of the XX Olympiad () and commonly known as Munich 1972 (germa ...

(born 1952), former handball player * Ólafur Egilsson (1564–1639), priest * Ólafur Elíasson (born 1967), Danish-Icelandic artist *

Ólafur Friðrik Magnússon Ólafur Friðrik Magnússon (born 3 August 1952) is a former mayor of Reykjavík, Iceland. His term was from 24 January 2008 to 21 August 2008. He was originally expected to step down in March 2009, when a representative from the Independence Pa ...

(born 1952), former mayor of Reykjavík *

Ólafur Garðar Einarsson Ólafur Garðar Einarsson (born 7 July 1932) is an Icelandic politician and former minister. External links Non auto-biography of Ólafur Garðar Einarsson on the parliament website 1932 births Ólafur Gardar Einarsson Ólafur Gardar E ...

(born 1932), politician and former minister *

Ólafur Gottskálksson Ólafur Gottskálksson (born 12 March 1968 in Keflavík) is a retired Icelandic professional football goalkeeper. He played ten games for Icelandic national football team. Football Club career Ólafur played for IA Akranes and KR Reykjavík ...

(born 1968), retired professional football goalkeeper * Ólafur Guðmundsson, handball player * Ólafur Haukur Símonarson, (born 1947), playwright and novelist *

Ólafur Ingi Skúlason Ólafur Ingi Skúlason (born 1 April 1983) is an Icelandic former professional association football, footballer who played as a midfielder. He is the manager of Iceland national under-19 football team and the Iceland national under-15 women's te ...

(born 1983), footballer and a midfielder *

Ólafur Jóhann Ólafsson Ólafur Jóhann Ólafsson (born 26 September 1962), also known as Olaf Olafsson, is an Icelandic businessman and writer. He is best known for his tenure at Sony and his leadership in the creation of the PlayStation video game console. Personal ...

(born 1962), author *

Ólafur Jóhann Sigurðsson Ólafur Jóhann Sigurðsson (26 September 1918 – 30 July 1988) was an Icelandic novelist, short story writer and poet. His style was social realism. His published works include five volumes of short stories, six novels, two short novels, four ...

(1918–1988), novelist, short story writer and poet * Ólafur Jóhannesson (football manager) (born 1957), football manager and former player * Ólafur Jóhannesson (1913–1984), the fifteenth Prime Minister of Iceland * Ólafur Jónsson (born 1946), former handball player * Ólafur Josephsson, musician, better known by the stage name ''Stafrænn Hákon'' * Ólafur Örn Bjarnason (born 1975), football defender * Ólafur Páll Snorrason (born 1982), international footballer * Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson (born 1943), the fifth President of Iceland * Ólafur Stefánsson (born 1973), handball player * Ólafur Stígsson (born 1975), footballer * Ólafur Þór Gunnarsson (born 1977), footballer * Ólafur Þórðarson (footballer) (born 1965), former footballer * Ólafur Thors (1892–1964), former Prime Minister of Iceland on five occasions

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Olafur Masculine given names Icelandic masculine given names

Notable Icelanders named Ólafur

See also

References