Oluf is a male given name of Scandinavian origin. It is composed of two Old Norse elements: 'Álfr', which means 'elf', and 'úlfR', which means 'wolf'. Thus, Oluf can be interpreted as meaning 'elf-wolf'.
The name Oluf has a long history in Scandinavia, particularly among the royal families of Norway and Denmark. It was borne by several Norwegian kings, including Oluf II Haraldsson (r. 1067-1093) and his son Oluf III Magnusson (r. 1093-1103). In Denmark, Oluf IV Hunger (r. 1103-1134) was a notable king.
Oluf is also associated with Saint Olaf II Haraldsson, the patron saint of Norway who ruled from 1015 to 1028. After his death, he became known as Olaf the Holy, and numerous miracles were attributed to him, leading to his canonization in 1164.
Today, Oluf is still used as a given name in Scandinavia, particularly in Norway and Denmark. While it may not be as popular as some other Scandinavian names, it remains a part of the rich cultural heritage of these regions.
The name Oluf experienced a brief surge in popularity during the year 1918, with five babies being given this unique moniker across the United States. However, its usage has been quite rare throughout the history of record-keeping for names, with no other occurrences noted in any subsequent years until the present day. Despite this scarcity, it is fascinating to observe that there exists a small group of individuals who share this distinctive name, born in the same year and on different occasions. While Oluf may not be among the most commonly used or familiar names today, its holders can take pride in their rarity and exclusivity within the American naming landscape.