124 Danish Baby Names With Meanings

Discover the charm of Denmark through unique names that you did not know before.

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• Nov 22, 2023

Illustration: MomJunction Design Team

If you’re expecting a bundle of joy and are thinking of giving him a Danish baby name, you have landed at the right place. Denmark, a country that embraces rules and regulations with huge enthusiasm, is very strict about the naming rules. A baby's first and last names are governed by law and must be approved by the Ministry of Family and Consumer Affairs and the Ministry of Ecclesiastical Affairs. The laws are designed to protect children who are burdened with silly and preposterous names by their parents. So you must choose names from the 7000 Western European and English names pre-approved by the government (1). But if you like a name that’s not mentioned in the list, you have to get it approved by the government by applying.

There are certain parts of Denmark where only one given name is used, while in other parts of the country, more than one name can also be used. Danish names with hyphens also rose to popularity in the 1900s; for instance, names like ‘Anna-Lisa’ were quite popular.

Around the 19th century, a common naming practice was followed in Denmark and across Europe. The first-born daughter would be named after her maternal grandmother, and the second-born daughter after her paternal grandmother. Similarly, the first-born son would be named after his paternal grandfather, and the second-born son after his maternal grandfather.

Danish names may keep coming in and going out of style, but one thing is sure, you can never write them off. Some names, such as Eva, Karen, and Cristofer, have been popular for generations. So from the birthplace of the Little Mermaid, Danish cheese, and Norse mythology, we have got you an equally magnificent collection of Danish baby names with meanings. Check them out below.

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Name	Gender	Meaning
Alberte	Boy	A noble and intelligent being
Alfred	Boy	Elf counsel
Alma	Boy	Nourishing; Fostering; Kind
Amberson	Boy	Variant of Emerson; Brave and vigorous
Amelia	Girl	Hardworking and industrious
Andersen	Unisex	Son of Andrew
Andriette	Girl	Male
Anna	Boy	Grace; Favor
Annaline	Girl	Graceful; Beautiful
Anniken	Girl	Grace

Arne	Boy	Powerful ruler; Like an eagle; Stable person
Axel	Boy	Father of peace
Balduin	Boy	A bold friend
Beorhtel	Boy	He who shines with a bright light
Betina	Girl	My God is an oath
Bjorn	Boy	Bear
Brede	Boy	Glaciers
Bugga	Boy	A man of power
Bugge	Boy	A powerful man
Caja	Girl	Full of joy

Carl	Boy	Free man
Carryn	Girl	An unsillied and pure free woman
Caryne	Girl	An unsullied, pure woman
Carynn	Girl	Of pure nature
Cesilie	Girl	Blind; Talented musician
Christensen	Unisex	Derived from the son of Christian
Christoffer	Boy	He who holds the son of God, Christ, in his heart
Clara	Girl	Bright; Clear
Dedric	Boy	One who rules people and a great leader
Dierk	Boy	A ruler of the people

Dierks	Boy	A born ruler; powerful and confident
Dorete	Girl	A gift sent by God; Trustworthy
Ella	Girl	Beautiful light; Goddess
Embla	Girl	First woman on Earth
Emil	Boy	Rival
Emma	Girl	Whole; Universal
Fyn	Unisex	Light-skinned; Fair
Gamel	Boy	An old person
Gro	Girl	To grow; To heal
GUrdun	Girl	One with a strong mind

Gyrth	Boy	To gird with a sword
Haki	Boy	Justice; Claim; Right; Privilege; Name of a Slave
Haralds	Boy	The war commander's son
Harthacnut	Boy	A legendary king; A King of Denmark
Heimericus	Boy	One who is a part of the tribe
Heimo	Boy	Tribe
Heremod	Boy	A legendary King of Denmark
Ida	Girl	Hardworking; Industrious person
Isabelle	Girl	Devoted to God
Jokum	Boy	God is merciful; Variant of Joachim

Jony	Boy	Quick-deciding, best friends
Jorality	Girl	God's precious gift; Unifying, joyful
Jozef	Boy	Jehovah will increase
Juanita	Girl	God is gracious; Yahweh is gracious; Gift from God
Juel	Unisex	Precious gem; Jewel
Juliane	Girl	Downy grace; Dedicated to Jupiter; Devoted to Jove; Youthful; Jove's child
Juul	Unisex	Youthful; Downy
Keersten	Girl	The christian
Kerith	Girl	A Christian
Kirsten	Girl	A christian

Knud	Boy	Knot
Laura	Girl	Laurel; Victory
Lauritz	Boy	Laurel tree; Symbols of honor and fame
Lego	Unisex	Play well
Lieselotte	Girl	Contraction of Lise- My God is my Oath; Charlotte - A warrior
Lillemor	Girl	Little mother; Danish name
Line	Girl	A brave woman warrior
Lone	Girl	Strenght; Tower
Lorens	Boy	A man from Laurentum; Ancient Italian city
Lucas	Boy	Bringer of light

Lulla	Girl	A legendary female warrior
Lykke	Girl	Of good fortune; Happy one
Madsen	Girl	Variation of the name Matthew; Gift of God
Maiken	Girl	Wished for child
Majken	Girl	A child that was dearly wished for
Majlis	Girl	A noble person who is born in May
Malthe	Boy	Power
Mariela	Girl	Sea of bitterness; Rebellious; Wished for child
Merethe	Boy	Danish form of Margaret, meaning pearls or the cluster of blossoms
Nielsen	Unisex	Son of Neil; Champion

Nilsa	Girl	Defender; Titleholder; Champ; Winner
Noah	Unisex	Rest
Ole	Boy	Framework that supports climbing plants
Oliver	Boy	Olive tree planter
Orn	Boy	Noorudeen radiance of trust, a glimmer of confidence
Oscar	Boy	Deer loving one; Friend of deer
Osegod	Boy	A noble landowner
Paulsen	Boy	The son of Paul; small one
Pernille	Girl	Daughter of Peter; Stone
Petrine	Girl	Pedar's feminine form; They focus on the details

Poul	Boy	A small, little person
Rebekka	Girl	A girl who traps and baits
Rebekkah	Girl	She who traps and baits people
Regitze	Boy	A mighty and distinguished person
Regna	Girl	To advise; To make a decision
Reidun	Girl	One who bestows the home
Reno	Boy	The one who was reborn
Ricko	Boy	A mighty and distinguished man
Rikke	Boy	A mighty and rich ruler
Rikki	Boy	One who rules with a firm hand

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Danish baby names hold more than just labels. They can honor family ties and ancestors and mark important milestones. As Denmark has evolved, so have its naming trends, reflecting shifts in social norms and cultural influences. Today's Danish names mix old tradition with innovation, showing a balance between tradition and new ideas. These names tie people to their Danish heritage and show the culture's values, beliefs, and dreams.

Infographic: Insightful Danish Baby Names For Your Child

Danish baby names have much cultural significance, connecting individuals to their heritage and identity. They reflect traditional and modern elements and are often passed down through generations. These names also convey parents' aspirations for their children. Check out our hand-picked compilation of Danish names in this infographic to find one that fits your baby perfectly. You can even save it for later use.

thoughtful danish baby names with meanings (infographic)

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do Danish naming traditions differ from naming traditions in other cultures?

The people of Danish culture followed a specific naming pattern until the 1850s. According to this pattern, the first boy was named after the father’s father, and the first girl was named after the mother’s mother. Similarly, the second boy was named after the mother’s father, and the second girl was named after the father’s mother. They also followed a patronymic surname system.

2. What are some unique Danish baby boy names that are not commonly used?

Some of the unique Danish boy names include Absalonis (reward from the Gods), Christoffer (bearer of Christ), Halvor (the chosen son), Frederik (the ruler of peace), and Bertil (intelligent). Though Chistopher is used, the old variation Christoffer is not common in the modern days.

3. What are some popular Danish baby girl names that have Nordic origins?

Annegrete (meaning God has answered the prayers), Bodil (meaning battle maiden), Gudrun (meaning God’s secret), and Jensine (meaning God is gracious) are a few of the many examples of Danish feminine names with Nordic origins.

4. Are there any famous or notable Danish men whose names are commonly used for baby boys?

The list of famous Danish men who are an inspiration includes Hans Christian Anderson (famous poet and author), Niels Bohr (physicist who received the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1922), and Viggo Mortensen (actor, musician, and poet best known for his roles in the Lord of the Rings trilogy as Aragorn). Many Danish parents choose their names for their little ones.

References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.

What’s in a Name?: In Denmark It’s More Complicated Than You Think.
https://www.msuilr.org/msuilr-legalforum-blogs/2018/9/11/whats-in-a-name-in-denmark-its-more-complicated-than-you-think

Look Up For Many More Names

Do you have a name in mind and want to know more about it? Or want to find names belonging to a particular origin, religion, or having a specific meaning? Use our search tool below to explore more baby names with different combinations.