Gerlof is a Dutch masculine given name, originating as a form of Gerulf. The name is composed of two Old German elements: ger meaning "spear" and wolf meaning "wolf," thus giving the overall meaning "spear-wolf."Etymology and Historical ContextThe root name Gerulf was borne by an 8th-century saint and martyr from Drongen, Belgium. The name gained popularity in the Low Countries, particularly in the Netherlands, where Gerlof emerged as a vernacular form. Variants include the German Gerolf and the original Germanic Gerulf.Notable BearersWhile historical records may be sparse, the name Gerlof is most famously known through Gerlof van der Leek, a Dutch rower who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics. It also appears in literary contexts, such as in the novel The Fat Girl by Nancy Garden, where a character is named Gerlof.