Amlaoibh

Amlaoibh is a given name of Irish origin. It is the Gaelic form of the Old Norse name Óláfr, which translates to "heir of the ancestors." The name was introduced to Ireland by the Norse settlers and became particularly popular among the Gaelicized Norse families and later throughout the Irish nobility.

Historically, several notable figures bore the name Amlaoibh. These include Amlaoibh mac Ímair, a prominent Viking king in 9th-century Ireland who was a member of the Uí Ímair dynasty. He was a significant ruler in Dublin and other Hiberno-Norse settlements. Another historical figure is Amlaoibh Cúarán, also known as Olaf Cuaran, who was King of Northumbria and later King of Dublin in the 10th century. His reign marked a period of considerable power for the Norse in Ireland and Britain.

The name Amlaoibh is now less common as a given name in modern Ireland, often being anglicized to Oliver. However, it remains a significant historical name, representing a period of Norse influence and integration in Irish history. Variations of the name can be found in other Scandinavian languages, reflecting its common Norse root. The pronunciation of Amlaoibh can be challenging for non-Irish speakers, often approximated as "OW-liv" or similar phonetic renderings.