So you want an unusual and distinctive name for the new member of your family? Then you might want to consider a Norwegian baby name. Norwegian names have historical associations and beautiful meanings, making them a perfect naming option.
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 as many as five names to their children, which included names of parents, grandparents, relatives, and even ancestors.
When the Norwegians immigrated to America, they were not consistent in their use of surnames. So in 1923, a law was ordered in which each family could have a single, family name, which would be handed down the generations. While most of the families adopted a patronymic name, some even adopted occupational surnames, place surnames, or characteristic surnames.
From the world of Scandinavia, MomJunction brings you an exhaustive collection of Norwegian baby names with meanings.
NAMES | MEANING | GENDER | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ella | One who is a beautiful fairy; one who enjoys life | Girl | |||
Emil | this means a person who is lively and eager. | Boy | |||
Emilie | someone who is extremely laborious, hard working and striving. | Girl | |||
Emma | the meaning of this name is universal whole. | Girl | |||
Ingrid | Daughter of a hero | Girl | |||
Jacob | Hebrew - Yahweh may protect; Holder of Heel; Supplanter; Derived from the Yaakov or Yakubel in Hebrew | Boy | |||
Lucas | One who gives light | Boy | |||
Maya | Uncertain; Perhaps Mother or Great One; Illusion; Imaginative; Magical | Girl | |||
Noah | Relaxation, restful, harmony, calm. | Unisex | |||
Norah | The person who is possessing the quality of honourable. | Girl | |||
Oliver | The one who represents the emblem of peace or olive tree. | Boy | |||
Olivia | The one who is closer to olive tree. | Girl | |||
Oskar | One with the fastness of a divine spear | Boy | |||
Phillip | A friend and lover of horses | Boy | |||
Sarah | Princess | Girl | |||
Sophia | She who posesses great knoledge and wisdom | Girl | |||
Sophie | She is wise and clever | Girl | |||
William | Will or Desire to Protect | Boy | |||
Aasta | Love | Girl | |||
Abellona | The sun Goddess | Girl | |||
Aegileif | Daughter of Hrolf Helgason. | Girl | |||
Aesir | Of the Gods. | Boy | |||
Aevar | Name of Ketil's son. | Boy | |||
Agot | A woman who is good hearted. | Girl | |||
Alfarin | Name of Hlif's son. | Boy | |||
Alfgeir | Elfin's spear | Boy | |||
Alfrigg | Name of a mythical dwarf. | Boy | |||
Alfrothul | Of the sun. | Boy | |||
Amund | A bridal gift. | Boy | |||
Andvaranaut | Brunhild's ring | Boy | |||
Andvari | Name of a mythical treasure guardian. | Boy | |||
Angerboda | A giant. | Girl | |||
Angerbotha | One who is giant. | Girl | |||
Annar | Father of the world. | Boy | |||
Annikin | A form of Anne, meaning grace or mercy. | Girl | |||
Anrid | Wife of Ketil Fjorleifarson. | Girl | |||
Ansfrid | Protected by God | Boy | |||
Arild | War Chief, Battle Commander | Boy | |||
Arkyn | Eternal king's son. | Boy | |||
Armod | Name of Geirleif's blood brother. | Boy | |||
Arneot | One who frightens eagles. | Boy | |||
Arngeir | The eagle's spear. | Boy | |||
Arnlaug | Norwegian word for eagle. | Boy | |||
Aros | From the river's mouth. | Boy | |||
Arvakl | Name of a mythical horse. | Boy | |||
Arwed | Eagle of the woods; a clear minded and has a good judgement | Boy | |||
Asbiom | A divine bear. | Boy | |||
Asgard | Name of city of the gods in Norse mythology. | Boy | |||
Asgaut | Name of a mythical divine goth. | Boy | |||
Asgrim | Name of a thief; leadership ability | Boy | |||