Olof is a masculine given name of Scandinavian origin, derived from the Old Norse elements 'Åle' meaning 'noble' or 'nobleman', and 'ulfR' meaning 'wolf'. The name Olof is popular in Sweden and other Nordic countries.
The first known bearer of the name was Olof Skötkonung (also spelled Olof Skotkonung), who was the king of Sweden from around 995 to 1022. He was the son of Erik Segersäll, a previous Swedish ruler, and was instrumental in the Christianization of Sweden during his reign.
The name Olof has been used throughout history in Scandinavia, with notable bearers including Olof Palme, a former Swedish Prime Minister who served from 1969 to 1976 and again from 1982 until his assassination in 1986. Other famous Olofs include Olof Thunberg, an 18th-century Swedish botanist, and Olof Persson, a Swedish Olympic medalist in cross-country skiing.
In popular culture, the name Olof has been used in various forms of media, such as in the video game series Assassin's Creed, where one of the main characters is named Olaf, and in the animated film Frozen, where one of the minor characters is named Olaf.
Overall, Olof is a strong and noble-sounding Scandinavian name with a rich history and many notable bearers throughout the centuries.
"Olof's popularity peaked around the turn of the century, with a noticeable increase between 1913 and 1924."