Find out how popular the first name Oleh has been for the last 1 years (from 1980 to 1980) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Oleh by gender

Based on the last 1 years of data, Oleh is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 1980, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Oleh.

The history of the first name Oleh

The given name Oleh has its origins in the Slavic languages, particularly Ukrainian and Russian. It is a variant of the name Oleg, which is derived from the Old Norse name Áleikr or Óláfr, meaning "ancestor's descendent" or "heir to an inheritance."

In the 9th century, the name Oleg was borne by Oleg of Novgorod, a Varangian prince who ruled the Rus' people and is considered one of the founders of the Kievan Rus' state. This historical figure is mentioned in the Primary Chronicle, an early medieval East Slavic chronicle written in the 12th century.

The name Oleh gained popularity among Eastern Slavic populations, particularly in Ukraine and Russia, due to its association with Oleg of Novgorod. Over the centuries, it has been used by various notable individuals, including Oleh Zhuravsky (1914-1994), a Ukrainian artist and illustrator known for his works depicting the Cossack era.

Another prominent bearer of the name was Oleh Kokhan (1918-1994), a Ukrainian artist and sculptor who specialized in monumental and decorative art. His works can be found in various public spaces in Ukraine and other countries.

In the field of literature, Oleh Chornohuz (1935-2003) was a notable Ukrainian writer and translator. He is best known for his translations of works by authors such as Gabriel García Márquez and Mario Vargas Llosa into Ukrainian.

Oleh Blokhin (1952-2022) was a renowned Ukrainian football player and manager. He played for the Soviet Union national team and is considered one of the greatest strikers in Soviet football history. He later coached various clubs and the Ukrainian national team.

Oleh Skrypka (born 1964) is a popular Ukrainian singer, songwriter, and leader of the band Vopli Vidoplyasova. He is known for his contributions to the development of Ukrainian rock music and his efforts in promoting Ukrainian culture and language.

While the name Oleh has its roots in the Slavic languages, it has also been used in other cultures and regions, although its popularity may vary. Regardless of its geographical spread, the name carries a rich historical legacy and continues to be a part of the cultural heritage of Eastern Slavic populations.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Oleh was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Oleh, please contact us.

Reference this page

We spend a lot of resources downloading, cleaning, merging, and formatting the data that is shown on the site.

If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!