Skip Ancestry navigation Skip to Footer Ancestry Home
  • Home
  • Trees
  • Search
  • Memories
  • DNA
  • Subscribe
  • Cart
  • Sign In
Home
Loading

Trees you own

    Shared with you

      Tree tools

      • My Trees
      • First Name Meanings
      • Last Name Meanings
      • Individual Records Search
      • Family Trees Support
      • Start a New Tree
      • Upload a GEDCOM
      Loading
      • Search All Records
      • Census & Electoral Rolls
      • Birth, Marriage & Death, including Parish
      • Military
      • Wills & Probate
      • Immigration & Travel
      • Schools, Directories & Church Histories
      • Public Member Trees
      • Card Catalogue
      • Member Search
      Memories
      Loading
      • Register a kit
      • AncestryDNA® Learning Hub
      • Traits Learning Hub
      • AncestryDNA®
      • AncestryDNA® Support
      Loading
      • Support Centre
      • Ancestry Academy
      • Community
      • Hire an expert
      • Site Status
      Loading
      • Support Centre
      • Ancestry Academy
      • Community
      • Hire an expert
      • Site Status
      Discover More Family Names with an Ancestry 14-day Free Trial* 
      • Support Centre
      • Ancestry Blog
      • About Us
      • Site Map
      • Gift Memberships
      • Careers
        • Ancestry Corporate
        • Fold3.com
        • ForcesWarRecords.com
        • Geneanet.org
        • Newspapers.com
        • ProGenealogists.com
        • RootsWeb.com
      • © 2002-2026 Ancestry
      • Privacy
      • Cookies
      • Terms and Conditions
      • Operated by Ancestry Ireland Unlimited Company
      Group of people

      Meaning of the first name Olsen

      Origin

      Scandinavian

      Meaning

      Son of Olaf

      Variations

      Colsen, Olena, Olson
      The name Olsen has its origins in Scandinavian culture and is derived from the Old Norse personal name lfr, meaning ancestor's descendant or son of Olaf. Olaf itself is derived from the elements anu, meaning ancestor, and leifr, meaning descendant or heir. This patronymic naming convention was commonly used in medieval Scandinavia to denote one's father's name and establish family lineage.

      The name Olsen appears frequently throughout history, primarily in regions historically associated with Viking settlements such as Norway, Denmark, and Sweden. In medieval times, it was common for individuals to adopt names to distinguish themselves from others of the same given name. Consequently, Olsen emerged as a distinct name, denoting someone as the son of a man named Olaf. The name has likely been passed down through generations, acting as a connection to one's paternal heritage.

      In modern-day usage, the name Olsen continues to be prevalent in Scandinavian countries, especially in Norway where Olaf was a revered name due to its historical significance. It also extends beyond Scandinavia due to migration and globalization. Many individuals with Scandinavian ancestry bear the name Olsen, which serves as a reminder of their heritage and familial ties. Additionally, it is not uncommon to encounter the name Olsen as a part of notable people's names, indicating its enduring presence in various fields, such as arts, sports, and academia.

      Based on our records...

      Anderson

      Anderson

      This is the most common surname associated with Olsen.
      Olsen

      Olsen

      This is the most common name of those married to a Olsen.
      Ole

      Ole

      This is the most common name for a child of a Olsen.
      Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. - © Mapbox - © OpenStreetMap - Improve this map

      What are you curious about?

      Ready to learn more about your own family? Here are two ways to begin.
      Start a free trial
      Order AncestryDNA
      calendar.webp
      Based on our records...

      Did you know?

      1905 is when there were the most people born with the first name Olsen.

      Explore the origins of another name.