Olli is a Finnish masculine given name, a variant of Olavi, itself the Finnish form of Oluf. The name ultimately derives from the Old Norse Áleifr, composed of the elements anu ("ancestor") and leif ("inheritance, legacy"), thus meaning "ancestor's descendant". In Finland, Olli has been a popular given name for decades. Though it is a variant of Olavi, it has also been influenced by the Swedish short form Olle. The name's simplicity and strong Viking-age roots give it a sturdy, traditional feel. There is also a well-known unrelated Dutch children's book and media character called Olli (created in 2004), who has become a mascot for the city of Rotterdam and the football club Feyenoord, but this is a distinct cultural phenomenon from the Finnish given name. Notable Bearers Olli Mäki (born 1936), Finnish featherweight boxer and Olympic silver medalist Olli Rehn (born 1962), Finnish politician, European Commissioner, and Governor of the Bank of Finland Olli Jokinen (born 1978), Finnish professional ice hockey player in the NHL Olli Kiviniemi (1961–2016), Finnish violinist and music educator Related Names Olaf – the root name, shared by five kings of Norway Olavi – the Finnish original form from which Olli is derived Ole – Norwegian and Danish short form Oluf – Danish variant