Ólafur () is a common name in Iceland, derived from the Old Norse Óláfr , meaning "ancestor's relic". According to Icelandic custom, people are generally referred to by first and middle names and patronyms are used if disambiguation is required. The name is a frequently given name in Iceland. In 2005, it was the fifth most common male given name after Gunnar and before Einar. A diminutive form is Óli. Notable Icelanders named Ólafur Bjarni Ólafur Eiríksson (born 1982), football defender Guðni Ólafur Guðnason (born 1965), retired basketball player Ólafur Arnalds (born 1986), modern composer Ólafur Benediktsson (born 1952), former handball player Ólafur Egilsson (1564–1639), priest Ólafur Elíasson (born 1967), Danish-Icelandic artist Ólafur Friðrik Magnússon (born 1952), former mayor of Reykjavík Ólafur Garðar Einarsson (born 1932), politician and former minister Ólafur Gottskálksson (born 1968), retired professional football goalkeeper Ólafur Guðmundsson, handball player Ólafur Haukur Símonarson, (born 1947), playwright and novelist Ólafur Ingi Skúlason (born 1983), footballer and a midfielder Ólafur Jóhann Ólafsson (born 1962), author Ólafur Jóhann Sigurðsson (1918–1988), novelist, short story writer and poet Ólafur Jóhannesson (football manager) (born 1957), football manager and former player Ólafur Jóhannesson (1913–1984), the fifteenth Prime Minister of Iceland Ólafur Jónsson (born 1946), former handball player Ólafur Josephsson, musician, better known by the stage name Stafrænn Hákon Ólafur Örn Bjarnason (born 1975), football defender Ólafur Páll Snorrason (born 1982), international footballer Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson (born 1943), the fifth President of Iceland Ólafur Stefánsson (born 1973), handball player Ólafur Stígsson (born 1975), footballer Ólafur Þór Gunnarsson (born 1977), footballer Ólafur Þórðarson (footballer) (born 1965), former footballer Ólafur Thors (1892–1964), former Prime Minister of Iceland on five occasions See also Óláfr Leggsson, 13th-century Icelandic skald Óláfr Þórðarson, Icelandic skald and scholar, born about 1210 and died in 1259 Olaf (disambiguation) References Masculine given names Icelandic masculine given names