875 Norwegian Baby Names From The Land Of Fjords
From the mighty goddess to warriors, classic names from the Scandinavian island.
Illustration: MomJunction Design Team
Norwegian baby names have historical associations and beautiful meanings, making them a perfect naming option. Norwegian first names were generally unisex and influenced by ancient Norse names such as Olef, Haakon, Idona, and Erik. They are inspired by nature, mythological gods and goddesses, social status, and ancient virtues associated with rulers or warriors. These names were traditionally followed until they were introduced to Christianity and names inspired by Biblical characters. This led to the introduction of gender specificity in Norwegian names. Additionally, this religious integration also impacted their traditional naming traditions. The Norwegian baby-naming patterns have changed significantly throughout the centuries. Initially, a child could be given just one given name and no surname. A patronymic naming pattern existed, with names ending in suffixes such as –sson and -ssen for sons and -sdatter and -sdotter for daughters. Later, the double ‘s’ was dropped from male surname suffixes and the single ‘s’ was dropped from the female surname suffixes. Around a hundred years ago, there was a custom of using combination names. Parents gave their children as many as five names, including parents, grandparents, relatives, and even ancestors. When the Norwegians immigrated to America, they did not consistently use surnames. So in 1923, a law was ordered in which each family could have a single family name handed down through the generations. In addition, names based on paternal names, place of residence, and those acquired through marriage were also considered (1). While most families adopted a patronymic name, some even adopted occupational surnames, place surnames, or characteristic surnames. However, despite all these adaptations, Norwegian people continue to stick to their distinct cultural roots and mythologically inspired virtues. Thus, the following list brings you an exhaustive collection of baby names with meanings from the world of Norwegia.
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| Name | Gender | Meaning | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  Girl | Peace; Olive tree | |
| | Girl | Free person; Petite | |
| |  Boy | Olive; Olive tree planter; Ancestor's descendant; All cautious | |
| | Girl | God is my oath | |
| | Boy | Bringer of light; From Lucania; Light | |
| | Boy | Defender of mankind | |
| | Boy | Who is like God? | |
| | Girl | Wisdom | |
| | Boy | From Sebaste; Venerable; Exalted | |
| | Boy | God is gracious | |
| | Girl | Light; Bright; Honor; Dignity; Victorious | |
| | Boy | Lion | |
| | Girl | Birthday; Birthday of the God; Christmas; Festival of the nativity | |
| | Boy | Man from Hadria | |
| | Boy | Ascension; My God; My God is an oath; Torch | |
| | Boy | Sea; Keeper of the keys; Shell; Pier; From the sea | |
| | Boy | A Christian; Follower of Jesus Christ | |
| | Boy | Gift of God | |
| | Girl | Princess; Noblewoman | |
| | Girl | Rainbow; Bringer of Joy; Irish flower; Colored part of the eye | |
| | Girl | Light | |
| | Boy | Bear king; Bear | |
| | Girl | Defender or helper of the people | |
| | Boy | Handsome by birth; Gentle; Lovable; Fair; Peace | |
| | Boy | Respected; Esteemed; Venerable; Exalted | |
| | Boy | Blessed with good fortune; Succesful | |
| | Girl | Lady; Princess; Noblewoman | |
| | Boy | Beehive; Stream | |
| | Boy | Nobleman | |
| | Boy | Rock; Stone | |
| | Boy | Brave ruler; Mighty king; Firm ruler | |
| | Girl | Lily; Pure; Innocence; My God is an oath | |
| | Boy | God's spear; Friend of deer | |
| | Boy | Illumination; Light | |
| | Boy | Warlike; Dedicated to Mars | |
| | Girl | Faith; Summer; Valor; Foreign | |
| | Girl | God is my oath | |
| | Boy | Hearing; Listening; Flat-nosed | |
| | Boy | Handsome; Comely; Respect | |
| | Boy | Army ruler; Power of the army | |
| | Boy | Yahweh is good | |
| | Girl | Torch; Bright shining light; Of Magdala; Tower | |
| | Boy | The god of war; Mars; Dedicated to Mars; Warlike; Male | |
| | Girl | Fire; Fish; Ancient city of Nineveh; Little girl; God is gracious; Strong | |
| | Girl | Noble birth; Nobility | |
| | Boy | Mind; Spirit; Thought | |
| | Girl | Godly strength; Divine beauty | |
| | Girl | Of the sea; Star of the sea; True love; Ocean loving | |
| | Girl | Warm; Moon; To shine; Light; Sun | |
| | Boy | God's gift | |
| | Boy | God's gift | |
| | Boy | Horse lover | |
| | Boy | Behold, a son | |
| | Girl | A lady of the woods or forest | |
| | Girl | Prosperous in war; Fortunate battle | |
| | Boy | God is with us | |
| | Girl | Torch; Shining light | |
| | Boy | Dove; God is gracious | |
| | Boy | Bold warrior | |
| | Girl | Favor; Grace; God has favored me | |
| | Boy | God is gracious | |
| | Girl | Anointed; Follower of Jesus Christ | |
| | Girl | Rose; Dew | |
| | Girl | Peace | |
| | Girl | Life; Protection; Shelter; Olive | |
| | Boy | Famous spear | |
| | Girl | Advisor; Truth; Single; One; Counsel | |
| | Girl | Strong; Womanly; Free woman; Peasant; Little and strong | |
| | Girl | God is gracious | |
| | Boy | Large; Great | |
| | Girl | Rock; Army ruler; Manor; Hall | |
| | Boy | Exalted; High mountain; Teaching; Singing | |
| | Boy | Twin | |
| | Girl | Delicate; Weary | |
| | Boy | God is gracious | |
| | Boy | Holder of the heel; Supplanter; May God protect | |
| | Girl | Beautiful; Soft; Flexible; Linden tree; to wait | |
| | Boy | Lord of the house; Estate ruler 80 | |
| | Boy | Manly; Male; Virility; Brave | |
| | Boy | Elf counsel | |
| | Boy | Christian; Follower of the Christ; Anointed | |
| | Girl | From Ilium or Troy; God is Yahweh | |
| | Girl | Woman from Judea; Jewish woman; Praised | |
| | Girl | Peace; Beautiful; Beloved | |
| | Girl | Beautiful goddess of fertility; Godlike beauty | |
| | Girl | My God is an oath; God's promise | |
| | Girl | My God is an oath | |
| | Girl | Hardworking; Industrious person; Battle | |
| | Girl | Christmas day; Born on Christmas day | |
| | Boy | Mars; The god of war; Warlike; Male | |
| | Girl | Follower of Jesus Christ; Anointed | |
| | Girl | Chaste; Pure | |
| | Girl | Rival; Industrious; Hardworking | |
| | Boy | Gift; God is salvation | |
| | Boy | My father is peace | |
| | Girl | Christian; Follower of the Christ; Anointed | |
| | Boy | Gift of Yahweh | |
| | Boy | Defender of mankind | |
| | Boy | Victor; Conqueror | |
| | Girl | Pure; Each of the two | |
Norwegian baby names continue to reflect the nation's history, culture, and values. With their ties to nature, lineage, religion, and social ideals, these names glimpse the deep-rooted historical connections Norwegians maintain while embracing the future. Whether inspired by ancient legends or Christian trends, the above-given Norwegian names carry a piece of the country's heart and soul. This beautifully blends heritage and progress into a harmonious union.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What restrictions exist on the names that can be given to babies in Norway?
The Norwegian Names Act of 2022 regulates the names given to children. Any person can change their family name to a common family name. Norway's strict naming laws are aimed at protecting children from strange-looking names. You can even end up in jail if you give a name banned in Norway, such as swear names or names of medicines and diseases. Some examples of acceptable names are Raabi, Gesher, Glisur, and Dits (2).
2. How do Norwegian baby names reflect the country's culture and history?
Norwegian names reflect the Old Norse Mythology. Some examples of such names are Oskar, meaning spear of Gods, and Thor or the God of strength. Astrid and Kaia are Scandinavian roots. The former means divinely beautiful, while the latter means pure or the sea. Ellinor means the other Aenor. One of the first females named Eleanor was the 12th-century queen Eleanor of Aquitaine. Hanna, meaning Yahweh is gracious, is another Norwegian name with Greek roots that reflect the country's culture.
3. What does the Norwegian baby name Maren, Olav, and Astrid mean?
Maren is a Latin feminine name that means 'star of the sea.' Olav is a Dutch, Polish, Scandinavian, and German name. It means ancestor's relic or heirloom. Astrid is a modern form of Ástríðr and means 'divinely beautiful.'
4. Which Norwegian baby names are also popular in other countries?
Many Norwegian baby names have become popular across Europe today. Many of them are inspired by Norse mythology, and some are Viking warrior names. Some examples include Anders, meaning brave, Ingrid, meaning beautiful, Karl, meaning free man, Ella, meaning fairy maiden, and Karolina, meaning warrior.
Infographic: Mesmerizing Norwegian Baby Names With Meanings
From nature-inspired to heroic names, Norwegian naming practices intertwine tradition and history with societal values. With evolution and modernization, these names continue to hold on to their Nordic roots and mythological tales. Delve into the mesmerizing blend of history, culture, and tradition hidden within modern-sounding names with the following infographic.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
References
- Norway Personal Names.
https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Norway_Personal_Names#:~:text=1923%20Law%20on%20Personal%20Names%5B,a%20woman%20receives%20her%20husband%27s%20surname - These 11 countries are banning certain baby names because you can't be trusted.
https://theworld.org/stories/2016/07/30/these-11-countries-are-banning-certain-baby-names-because-you-cant-be-trusted
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.
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