The name Olin is of Swedish origin, derived from the Old Norse name Ǫlvir, which means "descendent of the ancestor." This name can be traced back to the Viking era, around the 8th to 11th centuries.

The name was primarily used in Scandinavia, particularly in Sweden and Norway, during the medieval period. It is believed to have its roots in the Old Norse word "ǫlr," which translates to "ancestor" or "forebear."

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Olin can be found in the Icelandic Sagas, a collection of historical narratives written in the 13th and 14th centuries. These sagas often mentioned characters with the name Olin, suggesting its usage during that time.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Olin. One such person was Olin Nilsson (1904-1976), a Swedish athlete who competed in the 1928 Summer Olympics in Amsterdam, where he won a silver medal in wrestling.

Another prominent figure was Olin E. Teague (1910-1981), an American politician who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from Texas from 1947 to 1979.

Olin J. Stephens II (1908-2008) was an American yacht designer who played a significant role in the development of modern yacht design. He designed several successful America's Cup yachts and was inducted into the America's Cup Hall of Fame.

Olin Browne (born 1959) is an American professional golfer who has won four times on the PGA Tour and is currently competing on the PGA Tour Champions.

Olin Kreutz (born 1977) is a former American football player who spent most of his career as a center for the Chicago Bears in the National Football League (NFL). He was a six-time Pro Bowl selection and was named to the NFL's 2000s All-Decade Team.

While the name Olin may not be as common today as it was in the past, it remains a significant part of Scandinavian and European heritage, with its roots stretching back to the Viking era and the Old Norse language.