Óláfr

Óláfr is the Old Norse form of the given name Olaf, used by rulers and notable figures in medieval Scandinavia and Norse-ruled realms in the British Isles. In modern usage the name survives in Icelandic as Ólafur and in English as Olaf or Olav. The exact meaning of Óláfr is a matter of scholarly debate, but it is generally treated as a traditional Norse name rather than a name with a clearly defined modern sense.

The name was associated with several prominent rulers in the Viking and medieval Norse world, and it spread through Norse-Gaelic and Norse communities in the British Isles. It remained common in Icelandic naming traditions as well. Over time, the form varied by language and region, contributing to different spellings such as Olaf, Olav, and Olave in English and other languages.

Notable bearers named Óláfr include Óláfr Tryggvason, a king of Norway known for his role in the early Christianization of Norway; Óláfr Haraldsson, Saint Olaf, a king of Norway who was canonized and became a national saint; Óláfr Kyrre (Olaf III), another king of Norway famed for relative internal peace and urban development; Óláfr Guðrøðarson, a Norse-Gael ruler of Dublin and the Isles; and Óláfr Haakonsson (Olaf IV Haakonsson), king of Norway and Denmark in the late 14th century. The name thus reflects a long, interconnected medieval Norse heritage across Scandinavia and the Isles. See also Olaf (given name) for a broader overview of its linguistic variants and historical usage.