155 Norwegian Baby Girl Names With Meanings
Unique names signifying the brave Viking spirit from the land of the fabled Valhalla.
Just as the Scandinavian mountains in the Kingdom of Norway stand tall and majestic, these Norwegian baby girl names will let your child reach new heights. Norway is located in Northern Europe, specifically in the northernmost part of the Scandinavian Peninsula. The Kingdom of Norway was formed in 872 after the unification of numerous petty kingdoms. Norway has a unique culture that is rooted in farming and exists to this day. The people of Norway had to resort to agriculture due to the scarcity of resources resulting from the harsh climate and unfair property laws. This struggle brought about a romantic nationalistic movement in the 19th century, and its traces are still noticeable in the Norwegian language and media. Norwegian names are tied to the country’s history, culture, folklore, and literature. Some names have connections to Christianity, as children, to this day, are named after biblical characters and famous saints. Many names are also based on mythological characters. A distinct quality of Norwegian names is that people rarely use hereditary surnames. However, this is an exception for the upper class and a few families that had members serving as civil servants. The Norwegian people followed a three-part naming system consisting of the first name (given name), a patronymic name (father’s first name), and a farm name, which indicates where they were born or where they resided. The farm name usually changes whenever a person relocates (1). Certain suffixes are attached to the patronymic name as an indication that he or she is the son or daughter of so and so. The suffixes are -ønn, -son, and -sen for sons and -datter or -dotter for females. Another unique feature of Norwegian names is that a person may have multiple names, but it will be considered a single personal name. Below, we have compiled a list of some of the best-known Norwegian baby girl names, so scroll on!
Name | Gender | Meaning | |
---|---|---|---|
Hyndla | Girl | A giant | |
Hyrrokkin | Girl | Name of an ogre | |
Idona | Girl | Norse goddess of apples of eternal youth | |
Idun | Girl | One who is active | |
Iduna | Girl | She who is active in love | |
Inga | Girl | The hero's daughter | |
Ingaberg | Girl | Daughter of a hero | |
Ingeborg | Girl | Of the goddess Frøy | |
Ingigerd | Girl | Name of Dagstygg's sister | |
Ingjerd | Girl | Of the goddess Frøy | |
Ingunn | Girl | Of the goddess Frøy | |
Ingvild | Girl | Ing's power | |
Iselin | Unisex | Noble; Exalted leader | |
Jannie | Girl | God is gracious | |
Kine | Girl | She is of Christian faith | |
Kjellaug | Girl | Coundron of the holy oath | |
Kjellfrid | Girl | A beautiful kettle | |
Kjersti | Girl | A variant of Christina; The Christian one | |
Kjerstin | Girl | She is the follower of Christ | |
Lovise | Girl | Famous warrior | |
Lull | Girl | Woman who is a legendary soldier | |
Lulla | Girl | A legendary female warrior | |
Marete | Girl | Pearl; a variant of Margaret | |
Nikolina | Girl | One who achieves victory for people | |
Noen | Unisex | Shining light | |
Nore | Unisex | A small river in Ireland | |
Oleana | Girl | Ancestor's descendant | |
Ragnfrid | Girl | Of the gods | |
Rebekka | Girl | A girl who traps and baits | |
Rebekkah | Girl | She who traps and baits people | |
Regna | Girl | To advise; To make a decision | |
Reidun | Girl | One who bestows the home | |
Reka | Girl | A mighty, distinguished person | |
Rissa | Unisex | Little laughter; Joyful one | |
Roen | Unisex | Peaceful; Calm | |
Ronja | Girl | A daughter of a robber | |
Ronya | Girl | She who is a daughter of a robber | |
Silje | Girl | A diminutive of Cecilia; A blind woman | |
Siw | Girl | She who is a bride | |
Snefrid | Girl | One who loves snow | |
Solfrid | Girl | She is beautiful like the Sun | |
Solie | Unisex | Dignified | |
Solveig | Girl | Woman of the house; Strength of the sun | |
Svanhild | Girl | She who fights with elegant moves like a swan | |
Sylve | Girl | She who holds the strength of the Sun | |
Thyri | Girl | Norse goddess | |
Tone | Girl | A new thunder; Storm | |
Torild | Unisex | The battle or war or Thor | |
Torill | Unisex | Thunder God's battle | |
Tove | Girl | Good | |
Tuva | Girl | A beautiful lady; Charming | |
Unn | Girl | She who is loved | |
Valjeta | Girl | Dawning | |
Vibeke | Girl | Little woman | |
Vigdis | Girl | The battle Goddess |
Norwegian baby girl names are deeply connected with the nation's history, folklore, literature, and culture, especially its farming culture. A unique feature of Norwegian names is that they do not use hereditary surnames. Instead, they include suffixes to the patronymic names and, sometimes, even farm names that change depending on the location of the individual. The list we compiled will help you explore these names from Norway so you can decide on a perfect one for your daughter.
Infographic: Marvelous Norwegian Baby Girl Names With Meanings
Norwegian names contain in them the essence of the Scandinavian culture, which traces its roots all the way back to the Viking Age. Norwegians often bear more than one personal name. Have a look at the following infographic, which lists some of the most beautiful Norwegian names for girls and their meanings. You can pick one or maybe even two!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What do the most popular Norwegian girl names mean?
Emma is a famous Norwegian name for girls that means ‘great.’ Maja is another name that has become popular5 and means ‘good mother.’
2. How do I choose an authentic Norwegian name for my baby girl?
Choosing an authentic Norwegian name for your baby girl can be a wonderful way to celebrate your heritage or simply appreciate the beauty of Norwegian culture. A popular database like Nordic Names is invaluable as they provide extensive lists of authentic Norwegian names, often including their meanings and pronunciations. This helps in understanding Norwegian literature and folklore and the significance of given names, family names, and any cultural or historical influences that might shape Norwegian names.
3. Can I combine a Norwegian name with a name from another culture?
Yes, you can combine a Norwegian name with a name from another culture. This practice is widespread in multicultural societies or when parents have diverse backgrounds. When combining names from different cultures, it's essential to consider pronunciation, meaning, and cultural significance to ensure the name remains respectful and appropriate.
4. What are some unique Norwegian names that are not commonly used?
Unique and extraordinary Norwegian names like Ingrid, meaning ‘Ing is beautiful,’ Oda, meaning ‘fortune,’ and Freya meaning ‘lady,’ surely make your little sunshine stand out.
5. What are some Norwegian names that have historical or cultural significance?
Freya is one such name in Norse mythology that means ‘lady’ and is associated with the Goddess of love, beauty, war, and death. Another important name is Gudrun, which means ‘God’s secret lore’ and is the name of Sigurd’s wife in Norse mythology (2).
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