187 Old Norse Baby Names With Meanings
Unleash your child's noble spirit with names that embody strength and resilience.
Many immediately think of Norse mythology when considering Old Norse baby names. Old Norse names, dominant in Scandinavian and Viking history, range from strong, robust, and tough to delicate and lovely. Parents often named their children after their deceased hero or relative, hoping they would inherit the same traits, virtues, or personalities as the ones whose names they bore. If a relative died when the child was in the womb, giving the child the name of that particular relative was mandatory. If the honored relative or ancestor had a common name, the ancestor's nickname or by-name would also be attached. Hence, names remained almost the same in the families for long periods. Names of Norse gods, goddesses, and mythical beings were also common as first names. For instance, Thor was a well-liked name, symbolizing the god of thunder and might. Another example is Freya, the goddess of love, beauty, and fertility (1) (2). In Norse culture, names connected to animals were also very popular. It wasn't uncommon to find Vikings with names like Orm, which meant 'serpent,' or Ingolf, which meant 'wolf.' A patronymic or metronymic system was used. An individual's family name was commonly formed by uniting their father's first name with a gender-specific suffix. This method was used to determine a person's paternal lineage. For example, a man named Johannes Andersen denoted that he was the son of Ander, whereas the name Maria Olofsdatter denoted that she was the daughter of a man named Olofs. This form of naming provided a simple and straightforward approach to establishing lineage-based family connections. We bring you an extensive collection of Old Norse names with meanings from the language of Norse Sagas, mythology, and the Viking Age. Most of these names are still used in Scandinavia, but in anglicized form and with a different pronunciation. Keep scrolling!
Name | Gender | Meaning | |
---|---|---|---|
Aasta | Girl | Love | |
Adalbjorg | Girl | Noble protection | |
Adalheidis | Girl | Noble kind; Of the noble sort | |
Adalstienn | Boy | Noble stone | |
Adalward | Boy | The noble guardian | |
Age | Boy | Chaste; Edge; Blade | |
Agnar | Boy | Sharp; Edge of a sword; Ruler with a sword | |
Ake | Boy | Representatives of ancestors; A derivative of Aage | |
Alfdis | Girl | Goddess; Divine woman | |
Alfild | Girl | Elf; Supernatural being; Battle; Magical counsel | |
Alfina | Girl | Elf; Supernatural being; Battle; Magical counsel | |
Alvilda | Girl | Variant of Alfhild; Elf; Supernatural being; Elf battle; Victory | |
Ansgar | Boy | God spear; Gentle friend; A variant name of Oscar | |
Arick | Boy | Ever-ruling, Island ruler; Powerful ruler | |
Arik | Boy | Lion of God | |
Arlan | Boy | Pledge; Oath | |
Armann | Boy | Messenger | |
Arna | Girl | Eagle; Power | |
Arnleif | Girl | The eagle inheritor | |
Arrick | Boy | Powerful ruler; Ever ruling; Lone ruler; Island ruler; A variant of Aric | |
Arthea | Girl | A variant of Artice; Lofty hill; Follower of Thor | |
Artice | Girl | Of lofty hill; The follower of Thor | |
Artina | Girl | A variant of Artice; Lofty hill; Follower of Thor | |
Arvie | Boy | Friend of the people; Eagle tree; A variant of the name Arvid | |
Asatrus | Boy | Faith in God; True to God | |
Asbjorn | Boy | Divine Bear | |
Asdis | Girl | Goddess | |
Asger | Boy | Spear of god | |
Asgerd | Girl | God's fence | |
Astri | Girl | Divinely beautiful; Fair beautiful goddess; Divine beauty; Fair | |
Audbjorg | Girl | A combination of luck and one who saves | |
Birgir | Boy | Mountain | |
Birkir | Boy | Birch tree | |
Birtingr | Boy | A smart, capable and illustrious man | |
Bjarki | Boy | A small bear | |
Bjartur | Boy | Bright | |
Borje | Boy | Old Norse - From the fortified Hill or Castle; A variant of the name Borg | |
Botilda | Girl | Old Norse - A commanding Heroine; Battle for Help | |
Brandr | Boy | Sword | |
Brenndah | Girl | Sword; Torch; Burning | |
Brunhild | Girl | Battle armor; Protection | |
Brynhildr | Girl | Armor or protective battle maiden | |
Dagbjart | Boy | Daylight; Bright day | |
Dagbjartur | Boy | Daylight; Bright day | |
Dagnija | Girl | Day | |
Dagomara | Girl | A glorious day | |
Dyri | Boy | Deer in the Icelandic language | |
Elf | Unisex | A small human being-like mythical creature from folklore | |
Eysteinn | Boy | The stone island | |
Eyvindur | Boy | Lucky warrior | |
Finnur | Boy | One from Finland | |
Fraida | Girl | Someone who is beautiful and adored by all | |
Fram | Boy | Someone who is forward, outward and brave | |
Fray | Boy | The foremost person; Lord | |
Fraya | Girl | Noble lady | |
Frea | Girl | The lady; Mistress | |
Frei | Boy | Lord; Master; Free man | |
Freia | Girl | Lady or mistress | |
Freja | Girl | Lady; Goddess of beauty, love, and war | |
Freo | Boy | Lord or master; A nobleman | |
Freya | Girl | Noble woman | |
Freydis | Girl | Lady; Noble woman | |
Fridgeir | Boy | Peace spear | |
Fridmar | Boy | Brilliant or shining peace | |
Fridr | Girl | One who is beautiful | |
Fridrik | Girl | One who governs peacefully | |
Fridrika | Girl | Peaceful ruler | |
Frigg | Girl | One who belongs to Iceland | |
Gerdur | Girl | Protection; A protective woman | |
Gerta | Girl | Spear; Strength; Power; Enclosure | |
Gertha | Unisex | Protected or strength in battle | |
Gils | Boy | Father of Hedin; A variant form of Gisle and Gisli; Small goat; Son of the bishop's servant | |
Glib | Boy | Hair of God | |
Greipr | Boy | A man of great strength | |
Gudrun | Girl | God's secret lore | |
Guenther | Boy | Battle; Warrior | |
Gustavs | Boy | The staff of the geats or goths or Gods | |
Hagen | Boy | A chosen son or descendent; High; A derivative from Hakon | |
Hako | Boy | Highest number in the race | |
Halden | Boy | Half Dane; From Denmark | |
Haldis | Unisex | Spirit of stone; Firm helper | |
Haldor | Boy | Rock; Thor; God of thunder; Derived from word Hallr | |
Hallden | Boy | Half Dane; From Denmark; A variant of the name Halden | |
Halle | Girl | Rock | |
Haraldur | Boy | Leader of an army | |
Haukr | Boy | Hawk | |
Hawk | Boy | Falcon; Bird of prey | |
Hawke | Girl | A falcon bird of prey | |
Healfdene | Boy | Half Dane | |
Helga | Girl | Holy | |
Helge | Boy | Holy; Blessed; Derived from Helgi and Heilagr | |
Hinrik | Boy | Estate ruler | |
Hjalmar | Boy | Helmeted warrior | |
Hjalte | Boy | Man from Hjaltland | |
Hjordis | Girl | Sword goddess | |
Hjordos | Girl | Sword goddess | |
Hlynur | Boy | Maple tree | |
Howea | Girl | Horse; High; Warden; Guard; Heart; Mind; Clearing in the woods | |
Hoyt | Boy | Descended of mind or spirit; A variant of Hoit | |
Hrafn | Boy | Raven | |
Deciding to grant your child an Old Norse baby name is like going on an adventure into history, stories, and culture. These names carry the history of old times and have fascinating meanings associated with them. Each name is like a string that connects the past with the present, making a special history that keeps going in families. Whether it's the magic of mythological figures or the power of animal symbolism, Old Norse names open the door to a world where each name has its own story, waiting for you to find it.
Infographic: Folkloric Old Norse Baby Names With Meanings
Old Norse baby names are like whispers from a distant and captivating era. These names often draw inspiration from mythical creatures, powerful gods, and nature's elements, reflecting the beliefs and values of an ancient society. Check out this infographic and discover names for your little ones that tell a story of honor, valor, and the deep connection between humans and their surroundings.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who are some famous people with Old Norse names?
One of the popular individuals with Old Norse names includes Leif Erikson, the pioneering explorer who became the first European to discover North America (3). Another notable figure is Ingrid Bergman, a renowned 20th-century actress who embodies beauty and grace. Thor Heyerdahl, an adventurer and ethnographer, achieved fame through his adventurous spirit and curiosity, exemplified by his Kon-Tiki expedition exploring ancient cultures (4).
2. What are some Old Norse baby names inspired by mythology?
Old Norse baby names inspired by mythology include Sif, denoting bride or kinswoman, and associated with Siv, the wife of Thor in Norse mythology. Idun, derived from the goddess of spring and immortality, signifying youth and rejuvenation, embodies everlasting beauty.
3. Which is a gender-neutral Old Norse baby name?
One beautiful gender-neutral Old Norse name is Auðr, which means 'wealth' or 'fortune.' It is a unique choice that can be embraced by children of any gender, carrying a sense of prosperity and abundance.
4. What do Old Norse baby names signify or symbolize?
Old Norse names typically embody mythological and natural elements and connotations relevant to warfare. For instance, Bjorn, meaning 'bear,' signifies strength, courage, and resilience. Arna, meaning 'eagle,' represents grace, might, and natural wonder. Freya, meaning 'lady,' derived from the goddess of love and beauty, embodies passion, fertility, and the power of femininity.
References
- Norse Mythology.
https://www.worldhistory.org/Norse_Mythology/ - Freya.
https://norse-mythology.org/gods-and-creatures/the-vanir-gods-and-goddesses/freya/ - Leif Erikson.
https://u.osu.edu/christophervscolumbus/land-ho/leif-erikson/ - Thor Heyerdahl and the Galapagos Islands;
https://galapagosconservation.org.uk/thor-heyerdahl-galapagos-islands/
Look Up For Many More Names
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