Illustration: MomJunction Design Team
If you or your spouse has Scandinavian or Viking blood running through your veins, you might want to consider one of the many beautiful Nordic names for your child. Nordic baby names, just like the language, are exquisite, romantic, and flowing. These names are steeped in the history and mythology of Scandinavia.
In ancient times, Nordic countries had to follow the patronymic naming system, which lasted for generations. Eventually, Scandinavia abandoned the patronymic naming system and decreed the use of a family name that would be handed down the generation.
Today, the government has set rules for the naming system and conventions. The Nordic law gives a list of pre-approved names and parents have to select from it. This prevents parents from choosing strange names for their children.
The Nordic naming system is similar to Europe, in general. One common feature is the influence of Christianity on the names and the second is the impact of monarchies. Since the Nordic people originated as a North Germanic tribe, most of their first names are of Germanic origin. Some names are also Celtic due to the fighting and co-mingling among these two groups for centuries. The names are usually derived from places, history, and nature. Below is MomJunction's compilation of Nordic baby names along with their meanings.
| Name | Gender | Meaning | |
|---|---|---|---|
 Millay |  |  Girl | A flower with a good scent |
| Mille | | Girl | A decent scented flower |
| Odell | |  Unisex | One who is distressed or upset |
| Odie | |  Boy | Woad hill; Wealthy |
| Oglesby | | Unisex | Not widely known; Especially valued for its uncommonness; Not widely distributed |
| Oska | | Boy | One who is an outdoor lover and likes nature |
| Otso | | Boy | Powerful and brave bear |
| Otta | | Girl | A philosopher and creative individual |
| Ottar | | Boy | A born fighter, very powerful |
| Pave | | Boy | A person who stands permanent |
| Quimby | | Boy | From the woman's estate |
| Radulfus | | Boy | A shield wolf |
| Radulph | | Boy | A wolf counsel |
| Raedwulf | | Boy | A red wolf |
| Raegan | | Girl | Nobility; Impulsive; Little king |
| Ragenhild | | Boy | A warrior in a strong army |
| Raggi | | Boy | Shagginess |
| Ragna | | Girl | A goddess; A warrior |
| Ragnar | | Boy | Army; Counsel; Judgement |
| Ragnell | | Girl | Goddess of war |
| Ragnhild | | Girl | Advisor in a battle |
| Raija | | Girl | One who radiates light |
| Randii | | Girl | A lovely Goddess |
| Randin | | Boy | A beautiful advice giver |
| Randulf | | Boy | Edge of the wolf's shield |
| Rann | | Boy | House |
| Ranveig | | Girl | A house woman |
| Rasmus | | Boy | He who is beloved |
| Ryden | | Boy | Horseman; Woodland clearing; From the rye hill |
| Saffy | | Girl | A wise one |
| Safie | | Girl | A wise woman |
| Saija | | Girl | Princess |
| Saime | | Girl | A woman who is fasting |
| Sain | | Boy | Nordic surname |
| Salla | | Girl | One who is righteous |
| Salli | | Girl | Norse variation of the name Sarah; Princess |
| Salo | | Boy | He who brings luck and fortune |
| Salomo | | Boy | He who brings peace |
| Samme | | Boy | He who is a God's wish |
| Sanna | | Girl | She who is truthful |
| Sanny | | Girl | The new truth |
| Sascha | | Boy | Defender; Protector of mankind |
| Savea | | Girl | The swedish nation |
| Sebald | | Boy | A brave victory |
| Sebbe | | Boy | A victorious one |
| Sebbi | | Boy | A sea bear |
| Segrid | | Girl | A beautiful victory |
| Seija | | Girl | A cloudless sky |
| Selmer | | Boy | One who finds happiness in fame |
| Selvie | | Girl | A happy home |
| Senija | | Girl | One who is hospitable |
| Seri | | Girl | Slender and delicate girl |
| Serlo | | Boy | Man carrying armor |
| Sessa | | Girl | Blinded by the light |
| Tappen | | Unisex | The top of the hanging rock |
| Tarald | | Boy | Power of the thunder |
| Tellef | | Boy | Descendant of thunder |
| Tellervo | | Girl | Finnish Goddess of the forest |
| Tem | | Boy | A famous man |
| Teobald | | Boy | A bold man |
| Terican | | Girl | A complete ruler |
| Terje | | Boy | Thor's spear |
| Teyte | | Boy | A cheerful person |
| Thor | | Boy | Thunder |
| Thora | | Girl | Thunder Goddess |
| Thorald | | Boy | Follower of Thor |
| Thoralf | | Boy | Thunder |
| Thorbert | | Boy | As glorious as Thor |
| Thorbjorn | | Boy | Thunder bear |
| Thord | | Boy | Son of a Viking |
| Thorfinn | | Boy | Strength of a thunder |
| Thorgils | | Boy | Descendant of thunder |
| Thorin | | Boy | Thunder |
| Thorleif | | Boy | Descendant of Thor |
| Thormod | | Boy | Son of Odd |
| Thorold | | Boy | He who is under Thor's rule |
| Thorsen | | Boy | Son of Thor |
| Thorstein | | Boy | Thor's stone |
| Thorsten | | Boy | Stone of Thor |
| Thorvald | | Boy | Thor's ruler |
| Thorvaldr | | Boy | A poweful thunder |
| Thryth | | Boy | A powerful man |
| Thure | | Boy | Holy thunder |
| Thurid | | Girl | A beautiful thunder |
| Thurman | | Boy | Men of thunder |
| Thurstan | | Boy | A surname; Thunder |
| Thurston | | Boy | Stone of Thor |
| Thurstun | | Boy | He who loves thunder |
| Thyra | | Girl | Feminine form of Tyr; God of war |
| Tro | | Boy | One who has a strong sense of responsibities; dependable |
