Olson (also Olsson, Oleson, Olsen) is a common patronymic surname of Scandinavian origin that literally means "son of Olaf or Ole". Olson may refer to:
Academics Eric T. Olson (philosopher), American-born professor of philosophy Hope A. Olson, library scholar known for her critical analyses of classification systems James C. Olson (1917–2005), American historian and 17th president of the University of Missouri System James S. Olson, American professor of history at Sam Houston State University Joel Olson (1967–2012), anarchist activist and political theorist Oscar L. Olson (1872–1956), third President of Luther College in Iowa
Artists and entertainers Alix Olson (born 1975), American poet Candice Olson (born 1964), Canadian interior designer and host of the home makeover show Divine Design with Candice Olson Charles Olson (1910–1970), American modernist poet Evan Olson (born 1967), rock singer and songwriter James Olson (actor) (1930–2022), American actor Jenni Olson (born 1962), writer, director and documentary filmmaker Jody Jean Olson, also known as India Summer, American porn actress John Olson (poet and writer) (born 1947) Johnny Olson (1910–1985), American radio personality and television announcer Kaitlin Olson (born 1975), American actress Mark Olson (musician) (born 1961), American country singer-songwriter Martin Olson (born 1956) American comedy writer Nancy Olson (born 1928), American actress Olivia Olson (born 1992), American singer-songwriter and actress Scott Olson, guitarist, bassist, and recording engineer
Athletes Benji Olson (born 1975), former National Football League (NFL) player Bob Olson, American collegiate football player Carl Bobo Olson (1928–2002), American boxer Dante Olson (born 1997), American football player Drew Olson (born 1983), NFL quarterback Evan Olson (rower) (born 1997), American rower Greg Olson (baseball) (born 1960), Major League Baseball (MLB) catcher Gregg Olson (born 1966), MLB pitcher Josh Olson (born 1981), American ice hockey player Karl Olson (1930–2010), MLB outfielder Lute Olson (1934–2020), former basketball coach Matt Olson (born 1994), MLB first baseman Olivia Olson (born 2005), American basketball player Reese Olson (born 1999), MLB pitcher Sasha Olson (born 1976), Canadian softball player Tyler Olson (baseball) (born 1989), American baseball player
Politicians and government officials Alec G. Olson (born 1930), American politician Allen I. Olson (1938–2025), American politician Bud Olson (1925–2002), Canadian Member of Parliament, Senator and Lieutenant Governor Conrad P. Olson (1882–1952) American judge and politician Conrad Olson (Minnesota politician) (1895–1953), American politician and lawyer Culbert Olson (1876–1962), American politician Donovan Olson (born 1965), American politician Edgar Olson (1937–2020), American politician Floyd B. Olson (1891–1936), American politician George W. Olson (1897–1958), American farmer and politician Herb Olson (born 1951), American politician Judy Olson Duhamel (born 1939), American politician and educator Kurt Olson (1948–2023), American politician Mark Douglas Olson, American politician Mark W. Olson (1943–2018), American economist and bank executive Ole H. Olson (1872–1954), American politician Pete Olson (born 1962), American politician Ralph O. Olson (1902–1955), associate justice of the Washington Supreme Court Theodore Olson (1940–2024), American politician William Olson (1873–1931), American politician
Scientists and engineers Everett C. Olson (1910–1993), American zoologist, paleontologist, and geologist Frank Olson (1910–1953), American biological warfare scientist Harry F. Olson (1901–1982), American acoustic engineer Jean Olson Lanjouw (1962–2005), American economist John Melvin Olson (1929–2017), American biochemist, pioneering researcher in photosynthesis Mancur Olson, Jr. (1932–1988), American economist and social scientist Storrs L. Olson (1944–2021), American biologist, ornithologist and avian paleontologist
Soldiers Eric T. Olson (born 1952), American admiral and commander of United States Special Operations Command Magnus Olson (Swedish Army officer) (1929–2018) Norman E. Olson (1915–1944), American World War II flying ace Sven-Olof Olson (1926–2021), Swedish Air Force lieutenant general Truman O. Olson (1917–1944), United States Army soldier posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor
Writers and commentators Barbara Olson (1955–2001), television commentator, 9/11 victim, wife of Theodore Olson Lisa Olson, American sportswriter Sigurd F. Olson (1899–1982), American author and environmentalist Walter Olson (born 1954), author and blogger
Playboy Playmates Gale Olson (born 1947) Hope Olson (born 1956) Kalin Olson (born 1975)
Other Annette Olson, Miss North Dakota 2006 Arthur David Olson, founding contributor of the tz database Clifford Olson (1940–2011), Canadian serial killer Dwight C. Olson (late 20th century), founder of Data Securities International Jim Olson, Seattle architect Joy Olson, American humanitarian Michael Fors Olson (born 1966), American Catholic bishop Norman Olson (born 1946), American militia movement activist Sara Jane Olson, former member of the Symbionese Liberation Army
See also General Olson (disambiguation) Governor Olson (disambiguation) Justice Olson (disambiguation) Senator Olson (disambiguation) Olson (disambiguation) Olsen (surname) Olsson Olason