Olson (surname)
Olson 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, 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, anarchist activist and political theorist
- Oscar L. Olson, third President of Luther College in Iowa
Artists and entertainers
- Alix Olson, American poet
- Candice Olson, Canadian interior designer and host of the home makeover show Divine Design with Candice Olson
- Charles Olson, American modernist poet
- Evan Olson, rock singer and songwriter
- James Olson (actor), American actor
- Jenni Olson, writer, director and documentary filmmaker
- Jody Jean Olson, also known as India Summer, American porn actress
- John Olson (poet and writer)
- Johnny Olson, American radio personality and television announcer
- Kaitlin Olson, American actress
- Mark Olson (musician), American country singer-songwriter
- Martin Olson American comedy writer
- Nancy Olson, American actress
- Olivia Olson, American singer-songwriter and actress
- Scott Olson, guitarist, bassist, and recording engineer
Athletes
- Benji Olson, former National Football League player
- Bob Olson, American collegiate football player
- Carl Bobo Olson, American boxer
- Dante Olson, American football player
- Drew Olson, NFL quarterback
- Evan Olson (rower), American rower
- Greg Olson (baseball), Major League Baseball catcher
- Gregg Olson, MLB pitcher
- Josh Olson, American ice hockey player
- Karl Olson, MLB outfielder
- Lute Olson, former basketball coach
- Matt Olson, MLB first baseman
- Olivia Olson, American basketball player
- Reese Olson, MLB pitcher
- Sasha Olson, Canadian softball player
- Tyler Olson (baseball), American baseball player
Politicians and government officials
- Alec G. Olson, American politician
- Allen I. Olson, American politician
- Bud Olson, Canadian Member of Parliament, Senator and Lieutenant Governor
- Conrad P. Olson American judge and politician
- Conrad Olson (Minnesota politician), American politician and lawyer
- Culbert Olson, American politician
- Donovan Olson, American politician
- Edgar Olson, American politician
- Floyd B. Olson, American politician
- George W. Olson, American farmer and politician
- Herb Olson, American politician
- Judy Olson Duhamel, American politician and educator
- Kurt Olson, American politician
- Mark Douglas Olson, American politician
- Mark W. Olson, American economist and bank executive
- Ole H. Olson, American politician
- Pete Olson, American politician
- Ralph O. Olson, associate justice of the Washington Supreme Court
- Theodore Olson, American politician
- William Olson, American politician
Scientists and engineers
- Everett C. Olson, American zoologist, paleontologist, and geologist
- Frank Olson, American biological warfare scientist
- Harry F. Olson, American acoustic engineer
- Jean Olson Lanjouw, American economist
- John Melvin Olson, American biochemist, pioneering researcher in photosynthesis
- Mancur Olson, Jr., American economist and social scientist
- Storrs L. Olson, American biologist, ornithologist and avian paleontologist
Soldiers
- Eric T. Olson, American admiral and commander of United States Special Operations Command
- Magnus Olson (Swedish Army officer)
- Norman E. Olson, American World War II flying ace
- Sven-Olof Olson, Swedish Air Force lieutenant general
- Truman O. Olson, United States Army soldier posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor
Writers and commentators
- Barbara Olson, television commentator, 9/11 victim, wife of Theodore Olson
- Lisa Olson, American sportswriter
- Sigurd F. Olson, American author and environmentalist
- Walter Olson, author and blogger
Playboy Playmates
Other
- Annette Olson, Miss North Dakota 2006
- Arthur David Olson, founding contributor of the tz database
- Clifford Olson, Canadian serial killer
- Dwight C. Olson, founder of Data Securities International
- Jim Olson, Seattle architect
- Joy Olson, American humanitarian
- Michael Fors Olson, American Catholic bishop
- Norman Olson, American militia movement activist
- Sara Jane Olson, former member of the Symbionese Liberation Army