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At a Glance
- Meaning
- Short form of Olaf ('ancestor's heir')
- Origin
- Danish
- Gender
- Primarily used for boys
- Pronunciation
- OH-leh
Ole is a Danish name that also works as a short form of Olaf, meaning "ancestor's heir." It's short, simple to say, and carries that clear Scandinavian root if you're looking for something compact with a bit of history behind it. That Danish, Olaf-linked background is the main thing to know if you're weighing Ole for a baby name.
Meaning & Origin of Ole
Meaning: Short form of Olaf ('ancestor's heir').
Origin: Danish.
Source: Wiktionary.
How to Pronounce Ole
OH-lehIPA /ˈoʊlə/
Popularity of Ole
SSA records show Ole was most common back in 1881, when it ranked #242 with 42 babies given the name; by 2024 it had dropped to #5178 with just 19 babies, based on data spanning 1880 to 2024.
Names Like Ole
These names have followed a similar path to Ole in U.S. popularity over the years.
FAQ
What does the name Ole mean?
Short form of Olaf (‘ancestor’s heir’). (Source: Wiktionary)
How do you pronounce Ole?
Ole is pronounced OH-leh (IPA: /ˈoʊlə/).
Is Ole a popular name right now?
Ole peaked at #242 in 1881 and is ranked #5178 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)
Make Ole Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Ole, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
📊 How popular is Ole? See the full popularity history, trend data, and ranking since 1880 with our free Baby Name Popularity Checker.
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