Olsen () is a

Danish Danish may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to the country of Denmark People * A national or citizen of Denmark, also called a "Dane," see Demographics of Denmark * Culture of Denmark * Danish people or Danes, people with a Danish a ...

Norwegian Norwegian, Norwayan, or Norsk may refer to: *Something of, from, or related to Norway, a country in northwestern Europe * Norwegians, both a nation and an ethnic group native to Norway * Demographics of Norway *The Norwegian language, including ...

patronymic surname meaning "son of Ole". The surname Olesen () has a similar origin. The

Swedish Swedish or ' may refer to: Anything from or related to Sweden, a country in Northern Europe. Or, specifically: * Swedish language, a North Germanic language spoken primarily in Sweden and Finland ** Swedish alphabet, the official alphabet used by ...

parallel form is Olsson – "son of Ole".

and

immigrants to

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England ** English national ide ...

-speaking countries often changed the spelling to Olson in order to accommodate English orthographic rules. Notable people with the surname include:

A–K

* Aase Olesen (1934–2013), Danish politician * Andrea Olsen (born 1961), American politician * Angel Olsen (born 1987), American singer. * Anton Olsen (U.S. Navy) (1873–1924), Spanish–American War Medal of Honor recipient *

Ben Olsen Benjamin Robert Olsen (born May 3, 1977) is an American sports executive, soccer coach, and former professional player who was formerly the president of Washington Spirit, a professional women's soccer club in the National Women's Soccer Leagu ...

(born 1977), American soccer player * Bjørnar Olsen (born 1958), Norwegian archaeologist *

Brian Olsen Brian Olsen (born 1975) is an American former mixed martial artist. A professional from 2004 until 2008, he was the last WEC Heavyweight Champion before it was abolished when Zuffa purchased the organization. Mixed martial arts career World Extr ...

(born 1975), American mixed martial artist * Carsten Olsen (1891–1974), Danish plant ecologist and physiologist *

Charles Olsen Charles Olson (27 December 1910 – 10 January 1970) was a second generation modern American poet who was a link between earlier figures such as Ezra Pound and William Carlos Williams and the New American poets, which includes the New York ...

(1910–1970), American poet renowned for his provocative style and large body of works * Dorothy Olsen (1916–2019), American aircraft pilot and member of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) *

Elizabeth Olsen Elizabeth Chase Olsen (born February 16, 1989) is an American actress. Born in Sherman Oaks, California, Olsen began acting at age four. She starred in her debut film role in the thriller ''Martha Marcy May Marlene'' in 2011, for which she wa ...

(born 1989), American actress *

Eric Christian Olsen Eric Christian Olsen (born May 31, 1977), is an American actor. He is known for his portrayals of Investigator Marty Deeks on the CBS television series '' NCIS: Los Angeles'', and of Austin in the film ''Not Another Teen Movie''. Early life O ...

(born 1977), American actor *

Eunice Olsen Eunice Elizabeth Olsen (born 24 October 1977) is a Singaporean actress, media host, communications and media trainer, media producer, and businesswoman. She is a former Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP) in Singapore for two terms, a publ ...

(born 1977), Singaporean actress and model * Frances Olsen (born 1945), American law professor at UCLA, feminist law scholar. * Frederik-Valdemar Olsen (1877–1962), Danish soldier, commander in chief of the Belgian Congo Force Publique *

Gary Olsen Gary Olsen (born Gary Kenneth Grant; 3 November 1957 – 12 September 2000) was an English actor. He played Ben in the BBC television sitcom ''2point4 Children''. Biography Olsen was born in London and lived with an aunt and uncle after b ...

(1957–2000), English actor *

Greg Olsen (disambiguation) Greg Olsen may refer to: * Greg Olsen (American football) (born 1985), American football sportscaster and former tight end * Gregory Olsen (born 1945), American entrepreneur, engineer, scientist and space tourist See also * Gregg Olsen (born 1959), ...

, multiple people *

Gregory Olsen Gregory Hammond Olsen (born April 20, 1945) is an American entrepreneur, engineer and scientist who, in October 2005, became the third private citizen to make a self-funded trip to the International Space Station with the company Space Adventure ...

(born 1945), American entrepreneur and scientist, space tourist *

Harold Olsen Harold G. Olsen (May 12, 1895 – October 29, 1953) was a college men's basketball coach. The Rice Lake, Wisconsin native was the head coach of the Ohio State University from 1922 to 1946. That year, he became the first head coach of the BAA's ...

(1895–1953), American college sports coach *Helle Olsen, better known as

Helle Helle Helle Helle (born 1965 as Helle Olsen but later named Helle Krogh Hansen) is a widely translated Danish short story writer and novelist. Basing her stories on episodes in the lives of ordinary people, she gained fame in 2005 with her novel ''Rødb ...

, Danish writer born 1965 *

Hilde Gunn Olsen Hilde Gunn Olsen (born 2 March 1992) is a Norwegian footballer, who currently plays as a goalkeeper for Amazon Grimstad. Personal life Olsen is from Flekkerøy in Kristiansand. Career She first played internationally as an under-15, and contin ...

(born 1992), Norwegian footballer *

Inger Pors Olsen Inger Pors Olsen (born 7 January 1966) is a Danish rower. She competed at the 1988 Summer Olympics and the 1996 Summer Olympics The 1996 Summer Olympics (officially the Games of the XXVI Olympiad, also known as Atlanta 1996 and commonly r ...

(born 1966), Danish rower * Jens Olsen (1872–1945), Danish clockmaker and locksmith *

John Olsen John Wayne Olsen, AO (born 7 June 1945) is a former Australian politician, diplomat and football commissioner. He was Premier of South Australia between 28 November 1996 and 22 October 2001. He is now President of the Federal Liberal Party, C ...

(born 1928), Australian artist *

, 42nd

Premier of South Australia The premier of South Australia is the head of government in the state of South Australia, Australia. The Government of South Australia follows the Westminster system, with a Parliament of South Australia acting as the legislature. The premier is ...

José María Figueres Olsen José is a predominantly Spanish and Portuguese form of the given name Joseph. While spelled alike, this name is pronounced differently in each language: Spanish ; Portuguese (or ). In French, the name ''José'', pronounced , is an old vernacu ...

(born 1954), 42nd President of Costa Rica *

Karen Olsen Beck Rita Karen Olsen Beck (born January 31, 1933 Copenhagen, Denmark) is a Danish American- Costa Rican diplomat, politician and social worker. She has served as the First Lady of Costa Rica during the governments of her husband Jose Figueres Ferre ...

(born 1933), Danish American-Costa Rican diplomat and politician * Ken Olsen (1926–2011), American engineer, co-founder of Digital Equipment Corporation *

Kirsten Olesen Kirsten Olesen (born 1949) is a Danish actress who since 1979 has been with Copenhagen's Royal Danish Theatre. In Denmark, she is known above all for taking the part of Agnes, a housemaid, in the popular television series ''Matador'' (1978–1982 ...

(born 1949), Danish actress *

Kjeld Olesen Kjeld Olesen (born 8 July 1932, in Copenhagen) is a Danish former Social Democratic politician. His father was among the resistance members against Nazi Germany during World War II. In 1955 Olesen was part of the CIA team who secretly listened i ...

(born 1932), Danish politician * Kristoffer Olsen (1883–1948), a Norwegian sailor who competed in the 1920 Summer Olympics * Kurt Olsen, American attorney who worked on efforts to overturn 2020 election

L–Z

* Larry Olsen (disambiguation), multiple people * Lisa Olsen (born 1956), Canadian skydiver *

Maria Olsen Maria Olsen (born July 22, 1966) is a South African film producer and actress known for her many roles in horror films. These include '' Paranormal Activity 3'', '' The Lords of Salem'', '' Gore Orphanage,'' and '' Starry Eyes''. Non-horror ro ...

, South African film producer *

, New Zealand artist * Martin Olsen (disambiguation), multiple people *

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Fuller Olsen (born June 13, 1986), also known as the Olsen twins as a duo, are American fashion designers and former actresses. The twins made their acting debut as infants playing Michelle Tanner on the television s ...

(born 1986), American actress twins *

Merlin Olsen Merlin Jay Olsen (; September 15, 1940 – March 11, 2010) was an American football player, announcer, and actor. For his entire 15-year professional football career he was a defensive tackle with the Los Angeles Rams in the National Football Le ...

, Hall of Fame NFL American football player and TV color commentator * Michael Olsen (disambiguation), multiple people *

Moroni Olsen Moroni Olsen (June 27, 1889November 22, 1954) was an American actor. Life and career Olsen was born in Ogden, Utah to Latter-day Saint parents Edward Arenholt Olsen and Martha ( Hoverholst) Olsen, who named him after the Moroni found in the ...

(1889–1954), American actor *''Niels Olsen'', original name of Cornelius Cruys, 17th century Norwegian-Dutch admiral in Russian service * Norman Eugene Olsen (December 1, 1914 – October 1977) was an American football tackle * Ole Olsen (disambiguation), multiple people *

Ollie Olsen Ollie Olsen is an Australian multi-instrumentalist, composer and sound designer. He has performed, recorded and produced rock, electronic and experimental music since the mid-1970s. His post punk groups included Whirlywirld (1978–80), Orche ...

(born 1958), Australian-based multi-instrumentalist, composer and sound designer. *

Peder Olsen Walløe Peder Olsen Walløe (1716 – 27 April 1793) was a Dano-Norwegian Arctic explorer most noted for his historic exploration of the former Norse settlements on Greenland. Biography Peder Olsen Walloe was born on the Baltic Sea island of Bornholm. In ...

(1716–1793), Danish-Norwegian Arctic explorer * Penelope Diane Olsen, Australian ornithologist and author * Peter B. Olsen (1848–1926), American politician *

Robin Olsen Robin Patrick Olsen (; born 8 January 1990) is a Swedish professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Premier League club Aston Villa and the Sweden national team. Club career Early life and career Olsen's parents are Danish and he us ...

, (born 1990), Swedish football goalkeeper * Sally Olsen (1912-2006), Norwegian-born American social worker and missionary * Sally Olsen (Minnesota politician) (1934-2022), American lawyer and politician *

Scott Olsen Scott Matthew Olsen (born January 12, 1984) is an American former pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball for the Florida Marlins and Washington Nationals between 2005 and 2010. Early life Olsen was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He attend ...

(born 1984), American Major League Baseball pitcher for the Florida Marlins *

Søren Olesen Søren Olesen (27 September 1891– 29 August 1973) was a Danish teacher and politician. He was the minister of interior between 1957 and 1960. Biography Olesen was born in Giver, Aalborg, on 27 September 1891. He received a degree in teaching ...

(1891–1973), Danish teacher and politician *

Súni Olsen Súni Olsen (born 7 March 1981) is a Faroese former professional football midfielder. Club career He started his career at Faroese club GÍ Gøta, after a successful season in 2000, in which he scored 13 league goals, moved to Dutch side FC Z ...

, a Faroese football player * Susan Olsen (born 1961), American actress best known as Cindy Brady on ''The Brady Bunch'' * Tava Olsen, New Zealand professor in supply chain management *

Tillie Olsen Tillie may refer to: __NOTOC__ Places in the United States * Tillie, Kentucky, an unincorporated community * Tillie, Pennsylvania, a former populated place * Tillie Creek, California People * Tillie (name), a given name and surname Animal * Tilli ...

(1912–2007), American writer, feminist, and political activist * Viktor Olsen (born 1924), Norwegian long-distance runner *

Olsen Brothers Olsen Brothers ( da, Brødrene Olsen) are a Danish rock/pop music duo, formed by brothers Jørgen (born 15 March 1950) and Niels "Noller" Olsen (born 13 April 1954), both from Odense, who won the Eurovision Song Contest 2000. They formed their f ...

, Danish rock/pop music duo

Fictional characters with the surname include

Jimmy Olsen Jimmy Olsen is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Olsen is most often portrayed as a young photojournalist working for the ''Daily Planet''. He is close friends with Lois Lane and Clark Kent, and has ...

, a fictional character who appears in DC Comics' Superman stories *

Tulip Olsen ''Infinity Train'' is an American animated television series created by Owen Dennis, previously a writer and storyboard artist on '' Regular Show''. four seasons have aired, plus a series of short episodes. The pilot for the series was releas ...

, the main character in Book One of the animated anthology series ''

Infinity Train ''Infinity Train'' is an American animated television series created by Owen Dennis, previously a writer and storyboard artist on ''Regular Show''. four seasons have aired, plus a series of short episodes. The pilot for the series was releas ...