Olga

Origin and meaning of Olga

Olga comes from the Old Norse Helga, 'holy, sacred, blessed,' brought into the Slavic world by the Varangians. The name is tied to Saint Olga of Kiev, ruler of the Rus' and the first among her people to embrace Christianity. Hugely common in Russia and throughout the Slavic world, it is also frequent in Poland, Germany, Spain and Italy. Its short, strong sound and noble meaning make it an intense, elegant name with a blend of Nordic and Eastern charm.

Variants around the world

How Olga sounds in other languages.

Famous people

• Sant'Olga di Kiev— saint
• Olga Korbut— athlete