Illustration: MomJunction Design Team
Norse gods, Vikings, dragons – Scandinavia, comprising Norway, Denmark, and Sweden, is fascinating in the truest sense. And it’s not just the history and mythology that attracts people to this wonderful nation. Scandinavian baby names are also enticing major interest from parents all over the world. These exquisite and unique baby names are symbolic of the rich history and culture of the country. Traditional Scandinavian names are derived from Old Norse, a Germanic language, which was spoken in the province until the 14th century. From Axl, meaning father of peace, to Ebbe, meaning brave as a boar, and Karalyn, meaning pure. These names can be robust and tough or delicate and light.
Until the 1850s, Scandinavian provinces used the patronymic naming system, where the child’s surname had the father’s name followed by the suffixes sen or sson for boys and datter or dotter for girls.
After this period, the naming system transformed, leading to the emergence of family names, ancestral names, and toponymic names. Irrespective of these changes, a common practice of given names was followed by almost all Scandinavians, allowing the same name to be repeated in different generations of the family as a memoir of their legacy. For example, the first child would be named after the father's parent and the second after the mother's parent, while the third and others were named after the parents, uncles, and aunts. Additionally, Scandinavians also had a unique practice of honoring the people who have had untimely demise. For instance, an infant born after the passing of the previous one would be given the name of the deceased child if they both had the same gender (1). However, in modern times, just like most European countries, the naming laws are very strict in Scandinavia, and they forbid the use of made-up or creative names. Hence, parents have to choose from a list of acceptable names released by the government authorities. So if you need help selecting an appropriate Scandinavian name for your little one, look at the list below. We have a comprehensive list of Scandinavian baby names, their meanings, and additional information.
| Name | Gender | Meaning | |
|---|---|---|---|
 Osca |  |  Boy | A heavenly combatant who always battles for God's sake. |
| Oscar | | Boy | Deer loving one; Friend of deer |
| Osmin | | Boy | The one under God's protection |
| Oswin | | Boy | Name given to a God's friend |
| Oswine | | Boy | A God's best friend |
| Oswinn | | Boy | A friend of God |
| Oswy | | Boy | A God's friend; optimistic and caring |
| Paley | |  Unisex | One with the pale eyes |
| Paxson | | Unisex | Peaceful, son of peace |
| Peer | | Boy | Another name for Peter; A rock |
| Per | | Boy | The person who is like a rock or stone |
| Pernilla | |  Girl | Rock; Stone; A variant of Petra |
| Petronella | | Girl | Country bumpkin; Rock; Stone |
| Quinnie | | Girl | Living like royalty |
| Quirinus | | Boy | Spear |
| Rakel | | Girl | Ewe; A variant of Rachel |
| Raul | | Boy | Wolf counsel; Strong defender |
| Raulin | | Boy | A little wise wolf |
| Raum | | Boy | A big person |
| Rheta | | Girl | Advice; Speaker |
| Rhetta | | Girl | Advice; Counsel |
| Rigmor | | Girl | Rich; Powerful; Ruler; Spirit; Courage; Maid |
| Rona | | Girl | Joy is mine; Fame; Friend; Spear; Pike; White; Fair; Blessed; Holy; Fair Haired |
| Rora | | Unisex | Dawn; Morning light |
| Rorik | | Boy | A man who is red |
| Rosco | | Boy | A heathland of the deer |
| Roselen | | Girl | She who holds the beauty of the roses |
| Ruth | | Girl | Friend; Companion |
| Sas | | Unisex | Short form of Sasha and Saskia |
| Sedalia | | Unisex | Graceful; Elegant; Serene |
| Sigered | | Boy | He who gives a counsel that brings victory |
| Signy | | Girl | One who brings new victories |
| Sigrid | | Girl | Wisdom brought by victory |
| Sigrun | | Girl | To achieve secret victories |
| Sigurd | | Boy | Victorious guardian |
| Silka | | Girl | A dim-sighted woman; A short form of Cecilia |
| Smilla | | Girl | One who is always smiling; One with a beautiful smile |
| Soeren | | Boy | One who is a good, stern warrior |
| Sofia | | Girl | Wisdom; Learned |
| Somerild | | Girl | One who is a traveler in the summer |
| Somerled | | Boy | One who goes traveling in the summer |
| Stofn | | Boy | To be crowned |
| Sunnie | | Girl | She is the Sun's gift |
| Sunnild | | Girl | She is like the Sun |
| Susannah | | Girl | Lily; Lotus; Rose |
| Svea | | Girl | Spear |
| Svein | | Boy | One who is young in age and spirit |
| Swaine | | Boy | A Boyish person, young in spirit |
| Sweden | | Unisex | Country in Northern Europe |
| Synne | | Girl | She who is of the Sun |
| Synnove | | Girl | A girl who was the Sun's gift; To be gifted by the Sun |
| Syver | | Boy | One who defeated others; One who is a victor |
| Tassilo | | Boy | A fearless protector |
| Tem | | Boy | A famous man |
| Thoralf | | Boy | Thunder |
| Tiabeanie | | Girl | Main character of the adult animated fantasy television series Disenchantment |
| Tonje | | Girl | One who can't be labelled with a price |
| Toralf | | Boy | Supernatural powers of the thunder God |
| Tord | | Boy | The Thunder God |
| Torold | | Boy | The rule of thunder God |
| Torsten | | Boy | The stone of the thunder god |
| Toyah | | Boy | A toy; A baby girl as a toy to keep house-members busy |
| Tralloni | | Girl | The servant or the serf |
| Trallonus | | Boy | The male servant or surfer |
| Truls | | Boy | Resembling the arrow of Thor. |
| Ture | | Boy | Variant of Tore; God of thunder |
| Tyra | | Unisex | God of battle; Warrior woman |
| Ulrik | | Boy | Noble ruler |
| Uzma | | Girl | Grand; Greatest; Supreme; Ultimate |
| Valda | | Girl | Power; Rule |
| Viki | | Unisex | Victory; Conqueror |
| Weylyn | | Unisex | Wolf leader; Brave wolf |
| Ylva | | Boy | Wolf |
The naming practices related to Scandinavian baby names offer a fascinating glimpse into the region's history, culture, and evolution. One of their most appreciative qualities is how they use naming traditions to honor their ancestry, respect their deceased, and stay connected to nature and family. Although these practices have evolved with changing times, they remain strongly connected to their origins. From ancient roots to modern trends, the above-given list covers a wide range of names that continue to hold onto their deep-seated values and meaningful identity.
Infographic: Splendid Scandinavian Baby Names With Meanings
Scandinavian names encompass several notable aspects, such as Viking history, Norse mythology, and the region's ancient traditions. While continuing to retain their cultural roots, these names have evolved to accommodate family, nature-oriented, and toponymic names. The following infographic presents a selection of such Scandinavian names you may consider for your baby.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How popular are Scandinavian baby names in other countries?
Popular culture has led to a coming together of many cultures, which is evident in the migration of given names. Scandinavian names have found their way to other countries, whether through films or books. Names like Bodie, Carson, Eric, Finn, Jense, and Sofia have been widely used in other countries.
2. What is the meaning behind the name "Sven"?
Sven is a masculine name with Old Norse origins. Taken from the byname Sveinn, it means 'boy' and was borne by many rulers of Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.
3. How do Scandinavian baby names reflect the region's culture and history?
Naming patterns in Scandinavian countries tell of the Viking origins and changes that have since taken place (2). The traditional naming patterns follow the patronymic style, where personal names are inherited from the father. For example, the first son would be named after his paternal grandfather, the second son would be named after his maternal grandfather, and the third son would be named after the father. For daughters, the first daughter would be named after her maternal grandmother, the second would be named after her paternal grandmother, and the third daughter would be named after her mother (3).
4. How are names chosen for newborns in modern-day Scandinavia?
Baby names in Scandinavia, specifically Sweden, are chosen and approved through the Swedish naming law. The law requires the government's approval for naming your child. A name should be submitted three months before birth, and the Swedish Tax Agency will administer the registration of names in Sweden (4).
References
- Scandinavian Naming Practices – Genealogy Research in Scandinavia.
1.https://www.swedishfinnhistoricalsociety.org/scandinavian-naming-practices-genealogy-research-in-scandinavia/ - Names in Sweden Throughout History
https://digitalcommons.augustana.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2049&context=swensonsag - Sweden Personal Names
https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Sweden_Personal_Names - Sweden: New Law Regulating Names Adopted
https://www.loc.gov/item/global-legal-monitor/2016-12-15/sweden-new-law-regulating-names-adopted/
