oleg

Oleg is a masculine given name used in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and other Slavic-speaking regions. It is the Cyrillic spelling Олег and is usually transliterated as Oleg in English. The name is of uncertain origin, but is commonly linked to Norse influence and the Old Norse name Olaf or Olav through East Slavic contact; the precise etymology remains a matter of scholarly debate. The form Oleh is typical in Ukrainian.

In medieval East Slavic history, Oleg of Novgorod was a Varangian prince who, according to the Primary Chronicle, established control over Kiev and is traditionally regarded as a founder of Kievan Rus'. The name later spread widely in the region and remains common today.

Notable people named Oleg include fashion designer Oleg Cassini; businessman Oleg Deripaska; actor and mixed martial artist Oleg Taktarov; intelligence officers Oleg Gordievsky and Oleg Penkovsky; pop singer Oleg Gazmanov. The name also appears in literature and film as a given name for fictional characters.

Oleg remains a common given name in Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus, with Ukrainian speakers more often using Oleh as the local form. Its usage extends to diaspora communities and appears in various transliterations in international contexts.