The baby name Tollef is a Male name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced TOL-ef (approx.; IPA: /ˈtɔlɛf/).
Tollef is Norwegian in Origin.
The baby name Tollef is a Male name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced TOL-ef (approx.; IPA: /ˈtɔlɛf/).
Tollef is Norwegian in Origin.
Tollef is a Norwegian given name rooted in Old Norse Þórleifr, from Þórr (Thor) and leifr (“heir, descendant; legacy”), producing the meaning “Thor’s heir” or “legacy of Thor.” The cluster -rleif in Old Norse often simplified in Norwegian speech, yielding forms like -llef, and Tollef developed alongside more conservative spellings.
In medieval Scandinavia the name appears in runic inscriptions and sagas as Þórleifr; in Norway it persisted in rural naming traditions and enjoyed a modest 19th-century revival amid national romanticism. Today Tollef is uncommon but recognizably traditional in Norway and among Scandinavian diaspora families. Close variants include Torleif, Torleiv, Thorleif, and Tolleiv; cognates are Icelandic Þorleifur and Faroese Tórleif, with Swedish/Danish Torleif/Thorleif also attested. Related short form Leif shares the leifr element but is widely used as an independent name. Notable bearers include Norwegian industrialist and politician Tollef Kilde (1853–1947).
Tollef is exceptionally rare. Across 2 countries, we found just 2 recorded uses of it.
Based on birth registration data from national statistics agencies.
| Country | Gender | Year | Rank | Born | of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OM | Boys | 0 | #918 | 1 | 17,948 |
| ZA | Boys | 0 | #1,272 | 1 | 25,619 |
Did we miss something about this name? Let us know!