What comes to your mind when you hear or read about Old Norse? Norse mythology would be the answer for most of you. But there’s a lot to Old Norse language apart from mythology – unique names being one of them.
Old Norse names, dominant in the 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 with the hope that they will inherit the same traits, virtues, or personality of the ones whose names they bore. If a relative died when the child was in the womb, it was mandatory to give the child the name of that particular relative. If the honored relative or ancestor had a common name, then the ancestor's nickname or by-name would also be attached to the name. Hence, names remained almost the same in the families for long periods of time. Names of Norse gods and goddesses were also common as first names. And there was no system of surnames in ancient times. A patronymic or metronymic system was used.
From the language of Norse Sagas, mythology, and Viking Age, MomJunction brings you an extensive collection of Old Norse names with meanings. Most of these names are still used in Scandinavia, but in anglicized form and with a different pronunciation. Keep scrolling!
NAMES | MEANING | GENDER | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aasta | Love | Girl | |||
Adalbjorg | Noble protection. | Girl | |||
Adalheidis | Noble kind, of the noble sort. | Girl | |||
Adalstienn | Noble stone. | Boy | |||
Adalward | The noble guardian. | Boy | |||
Age | Old Norse - Representatives of Ancestors; Derivative of Aage | Boy | |||
Ake | Old Norse - Representatives of Ancestors; A Derivative from name Aage | Boy | |||
Alfdis | Goddess, divine woman | Girl | |||
Alfild | Old Norse - Elf; Supernatural Being; Battle; Magical Counsel | Girl | |||
Alfina | Old Norse - Elf; Supernatural Being; Battle; Magical Counsel | Girl | |||
Alvilda | Old Norse - Elf; Supernatural Being; Elf Battle; Victory; A variant transcription of Alfhild | Girl | |||
Ansgar | Old Norse - God Spear; Gentle Friend; A variant name of Oscar | Boy | |||
Arick | Old Norse - Ever Ruling, Island Ruler; Germanic - Powerful Ruler | Boy | |||
Arik | Hebrew - Lion of God; Latin - Ram; Greek - Excellent Purpose | Boy | |||
Arlan | Gaelic - A Pledge; Old Norse - Foreigner, Stranger; A variant of name Arien | Boy | |||
Armann | Messenger | Boy | |||
Arna | Eagle or rule | Girl | |||
Arnleif | The eagle inheritor. | Girl | |||
Arrick | Germanic - Powerful Ruler; Old Norse - Ever Ruling; Lone Ruler; Island Ruler; A variant of Aric | Boy | |||
Arthea | A variant of Artice, meaning lofty hill' or 'follower of Thor'. | Girl | |||
Artice | Of lofty hill or the follower of Thor. | Girl | |||
Artina | A variant of Artice, meaning lofty hill' or 'follower of Thor'. | Girl | |||
Arvie | English - Friend of the People; Old Norse - Eagle Tree; A variant of name Arvid | Boy | |||
Asatrus | Faith in the God; and is also true to God | Boy | |||
Asbjorn | Old Norse - Divine Bear | Boy | |||
Asdis | Goddess | Girl | |||
Asgerd | God's fence | Girl | |||
Astri | Old Norse - Divinely Beautiful; Fair Beautiful Goddess; Divine Beauty; Fair | Girl | |||
Audbjorg | A combination of luck and one who saves. | Girl | |||
Baldur | One who comes from Iceland | Boy | |||
Birgir | Mountain | Boy | |||
Birkir | Birch tree | Boy | |||
Birtingr | A smart, capable and illustrious man. | Boy | |||
Bjarki | A small bear | Boy | |||
Bjartur | Bright | Boy | |||
Borje | Old Norse - From the fortified Hill or Castle; A variant of the name Borg | Boy | |||
Botilda | Old Norse - A commanding Heroine; Battle for Help | Girl | |||
Brandr | Sword | Boy | |||
Brenndah | Old Norse - Sword; Torch; Burning; Stinking Hair | Girl | |||
Brunhild | Like battle armor; Dark; Noble | Girl | |||
Dagbjart | Daylight, bright day | Boy | |||
Dagbjartur | Daylight or bright day. | Boy | |||
Dagnija | Day | Girl | |||
Dagomara | A glorious day | Girl | |||
Dyri | Deer in Icelandic language. | Boy | |||
Eysteinn | The stone island. | Boy | |||
Eyvindur | Lucky warrior. | Boy | |||
Finnur | One from Finland. | Boy | |||
Fraida | Someone who is beautiful and adored by all | Girl | |||
Fram | Someone who is forward, outward and brave | Boy | |||