Home βΊ Baby Names Directory βΊ Olga
Olga
Pronounced OHL-gah /ΛoΚl.Ι‘Ι/High
Meaning: Holy, blessed; Russian form of Scandinavian Helga, from Old Norse heilagr, 'holy'High
Popularity in the U.S. Β· SSA data
U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880βpresent). Pink marker = peak year.
SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.
History & Origin
Olga is the East Slavic form of Helga, brought to the lands of Kievan Rus by Norse traders and princes; the root is Old Norse heilagr, 'holy, blessed'. Princess Olga of Kiev (c. 890β969) β regent, avenger, and finally saint β gave the name its first and most formidable bearer, and it has anchored Russian and Ukrainian naming ever since.
Olga arrived in America with Slavic and Scandinavian immigrants and was a familiar presence by the early twentieth century; gymnast Olga Korbut made it briefly luminous worldwide in the 1970s. Today it is rare among American newborns β a sturdy classic awaiting its vintage revival.
Variations
Nicknames
Famous Bearers
- β
Olga Korbut (1955βpresent)Soviet gymnast whose performances at the 1972 Olympics transformed the sport.
- β
Olga of Kiev (890β969)Regent of Kievan Rus and one of the first saints of the Eastern Slavic church.
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Frequently Asked
What does the name Olga mean?
Olga is the Russian form of Helga, from Old Norse heilagr, meaning 'holy' or 'blessed'.
How do you pronounce Olga?
It's said OHL-gah /ΛoΚl.Ι‘Ι/ β two syllables, stress on the first.
Is Olga a boy or girl name?
Olga is a girl's name; the masculine counterpart is Oleg.
How popular is Olga?
Olga is rare among American newborns today, though it remains a bedrock classic across the Slavic world.