611 Sweet Danish Baby Names For Your Precious Child

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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Browse Baby Names By Gender

Browse Baby Names By Alphabet

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Name Gender Meaning
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Olivia
Baby Girl Sign Girl Peace; Olive tree
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Emma
Baby Girl Sign Girl Whole; Universal
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Charlotte
Baby Girl Sign Girl Free person; Petite
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Oliver
Baby Boy Sign Boy Olive; Olive tree planter; Ancestor's descendant; All cautious
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Benjamin
Baby Boy Sign Boy Son of the right hand; Son of the south
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Isabella
Baby Girl Sign Girl God is my oath
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Lucas
Baby Boy Sign Boy Bringer of light; From Lucania; Light
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Jack
Baby Boy Sign Boy God is gracious; Healthy; Supplanter
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Alexander
Baby Boy Sign Boy Defender of mankind
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Michael
Baby Boy Sign Boy Who is like God?
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Sofia
Baby Girl Sign Girl Wisdom
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Sebastian
Baby Boy Sign Boy From Sebaste; Venerable; Exalted
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John
Baby Boy Sign Boy God is gracious
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Nora
Baby Girl Sign Girl Light; Bright; Honor; Dignity; Victorious
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Leo
Baby Boy Sign Boy Lion
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Natalie
Baby Girl Sign Girl Birthday; Birthday of the God; Christmas; Festival of the nativity
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Adrian
Baby Boy Sign Boy Man from Hadria
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Kai
Baby Boy Sign Boy Sea; Keeper of the keys; Shell; Pier; From the sea
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Christian
Baby Boy Sign Boy A Christian; Follower of Jesus Christ
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Axel
Baby Boy Sign Boy Father is peace
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Jonathan
Baby Boy Sign Boy Gift of God
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Silas
Baby Boy Sign Boy Of the forest; Of the woods; Asked for; Prayed for
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Sarah
Baby Girl Sign Girl Princess; Noblewoman
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Iris
Baby Girl Sign Girl Rainbow; Bringer of Joy; Irish flower; Colored part of the eye
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Vincent
Baby Boy Sign Boy Conquering
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Lucia
Baby Girl Sign Girl Light
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Arthur
Baby Boy Sign Boy Bear king; Bear
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Alexandra
Baby Girl Sign Girl Defender or helper of the people
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Kevin
Baby Boy Sign Boy Handsome by birth; Gentle; Lovable; Fair; Peace
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August
Baby Boy Sign Boy Respected; Esteemed; Venerable; Exalted
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Felix
Baby Boy Sign Boy Blessed with good fortune; Succesful
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Sara
Baby Girl Sign Girl Lady; Princess; Noblewoman
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Beckett
Baby Boy Sign Boy Beehive; Stream
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Patrick
Baby Boy Sign Boy Nobleman
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Peter
Baby Boy Sign Boy Rock; Stone
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Richard
Baby Boy Sign Boy Brave ruler; Mighty king; Firm ruler
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Lilly
Baby Girl Sign Girl Lily; Pure; Innocence; My God is an oath
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Oscar
Baby Boy Sign Boy God's spear; Friend of deer
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Lukas
Baby Boy Sign Boy Illumination; Light
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Marcus
Baby Boy Sign Boy Warlike; Dedicated to Mars
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Vera
Baby Girl Sign Girl Faith; Summer; Valor; Foreign
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Elise
Baby Girl Sign Girl God is my oath
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Mark
Baby Boy Sign Boy Mars; God of war; Male; Warlike; Hammer; Defender
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Kenneth
Baby Boy Sign Boy Handsome; Comely; Respect
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Walter
Baby Boy Sign Boy Army ruler; Power of the army
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Tobias
Baby Boy Sign Boy Yahweh is good
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Lena
Baby Girl Sign Girl Torch; Bright shining light; Of Magdala; Tower
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Martin
Baby Boy Sign Boy The god of war; Mars; Dedicated to Mars; Warlike; Male
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Camilla
Baby Girl Sign Girl Religious attendant; Priest's helper
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Nina
Baby Girl Sign Girl Fire; Fish; Ancient city of Nineveh; Little girl; God is gracious; Strong
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Heidi
Baby Girl Sign Girl Noble birth; Nobility
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Hugo
Baby Boy Sign Boy Mind; Spirit; Thought
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Astrid
Baby Girl Sign Girl Godly strength; Divine beauty
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Maren
Baby Girl Sign Girl Of the sea; Star of the sea; True love; Ocean loving
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Helen
Baby Girl Sign Girl Warm; Moon; To shine; Light; Sun
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Mathias
Baby Boy Sign Boy God's gift
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Frank
Baby Boy Sign Boy Free person; Open-hearted; Germanic tribe
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Matthias
Baby Boy Sign Boy God's gift
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Philip
Baby Boy Sign Boy Horse lover
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Ruben
Baby Boy Sign Boy Behold, a son
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Sylvia
Baby Girl Sign Girl A lady of the woods or forest
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Edith
Baby Girl Sign Girl Prosperous in war; Fortunate battle
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Emanuel
Baby Boy Sign Boy God is with us
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Jonas
Baby Boy Sign Boy Dove; God is gracious
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Analia
Baby Girl Sign Girl Gracious; Merciful; Favor
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Gunnar
Baby Boy Sign Boy Bold warrior
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Hanna
Baby Girl Sign Girl Favor; Grace; God has favored me
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Mina
Baby Girl Sign Girl Precious blue stone; Love; A place near Makkah; Goddess of sun, moon, and stars; Fierce protector
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Chris
Baby Boy Sign Boy Follower of Christ; Bearer of Christ
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Johan
Baby Boy Sign Boy God is gracious
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Rosa
Baby Girl Sign Girl Rose; Dew
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Irene
Baby Girl Sign Girl Peace
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Lliv
Baby Girl Sign Girl Life; Protection; Shelter; Olive
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Monica
Baby Girl Sign Girl Advisor; Truth; Single; One; Counsel
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Karla
Baby Girl Sign Girl Strong; Womanly; Free woman; Peasant; Little and strong
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Johanna
Baby Girl Sign Girl God is gracious
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Magnus
Baby Boy Sign Boy Large; Great
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Aron
Baby Boy Sign Boy Exalted; High mountain; Teaching; Singing
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Lea
Baby Girl Sign Girl Delicate; Weary
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Jon
Baby Boy Sign Boy God is gracious
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Axl
Baby Boy Sign Boy Father is peace
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Jakob
Baby Boy Sign Boy Holder of the heel; Supplanter; May God protect
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Linda
Baby Girl Sign Girl Beautiful; Soft; Flexible; Linden tree; to wait
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Henrik
Baby Boy Sign Boy Lord of the house; Estate ruler 80
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Anders
Baby Boy Sign Boy Manly; Male; Virility; Brave
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Alfred
Baby Boy Sign Boy Elf counsel
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Kristian
Baby Boy Sign Boy Christian; Follower of the Christ; Anointed
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Carl
Baby Boy Sign Boy Free man; Army
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Iliana
Baby Girl Sign Girl From Ilium or Troy; God is Yahweh
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Judith
Baby Girl Sign Girl Woman from Judea; Jewish woman; Praised
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Frida
Baby Girl Sign Girl Peace; Beautiful; Beloved
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Ingrid
Baby Girl Sign Girl Beautiful goddess of fertility; Godlike beauty
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Elisabeth
Baby Girl Sign Girl My God is an oath; God's promise
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Mattias
Baby Boy Sign Boy God's gift
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Ida
Baby Girl Sign Girl Hardworking; Industrious person; Battle
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Nathalie
Baby Girl Sign Girl Christmas day; Born on Christmas day
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Markus
Baby Boy Sign Boy Mars; The god of war; Warlike; Male
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Christine
Baby Girl Sign Girl Follower of Jesus Christ; Anointed
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Viola
Unisex Baby Sign Unisex Violet; A flowering plant
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Agnes
Baby Girl Sign Girl Chaste; Pure
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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)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

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.
  1. 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
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