0 | MomJunction

Illustration: MomJunction Design Team

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
Hrafn	Boy	Raven
Hreinn	Boy	A reindeer
Hulda	Girl	Loved One; Hiding; Secrecy; Sweet; Lovable
Huldah	Girl	Loved one; Hiding; Secrecy; Sweet; Lovable; A variant of Hulda
Hulk	Boy	A large, powerful, or clumsy person or thing
Iceland	Unisex	Country of ice and cold weather
Idony	Girl	Renewal; Rebirth
Igor	Boy	Warrior; Army
Ingrida	Girl	A beautiful woman
Iorek	Boy	Battle; Mighty; Distinguished; Ruler

Island	Unisex	A piece of land surrounded by water
Ivar	Boy	Bow warrior; Archer
Ivor	Boy	Bow of the warrior
Jerk	Boy	Ever-ruling; Variant of Eric
Jerker	Boy	Island ruler; Variant of Eric
Jordis	Unisex	Sword woman; Woman of the Earth
Kalfr	Boy	Young cow in Icelandic
Keldan	Unisex	Spring; Well
Kleppr	Boy	A large stone
Kolbrun	Girl	Coal or eyebrow

Kolli	Boy	One who is bald
Kolskeggr	Boy	One who has a black beard
Kron	Unisex	A person from Kron
Lagatha	Unisex	Strong warrior woman
Leif	Boy	A descendant; Dearly beloved
Leifr	Boy	Heir; A variant of Leifur
Leifur	Boy	Heir; Successor.
Live	Girl	A protector and defender of life
Lyall	Boy	Wolf
Mikkael	Boy	Icelandic version of Michael, meaning who is like God?

Narfi	Boy	Thin
Nehelenia	Girl	Goddess of seafarers, prosperity, and rebirth
Norian	Unisex	Strong; Courageous; Adventurous
Odan	Boy	Fury; Inspiration; To blow; Owner; Proprietor
Piper	Girl	Pipe player
Pipere	Girl	One who plays the pipe
Raghnall	Boy	Well advised ruler; Wise and powerful; An Irish variant of Reynold
Ragnild	Girl	Goddess; Warrior; All-knowing power
Ragnor	Boy	Judgement warrior; Counsel
Ralfs	Boy	A variant of Ralph; Wolf counsel

Rannveig	Girl	A house woman; A variant of Ranveig
Raud	Boy	The father of the wolves
Refr	Boy	A fox
Reinaldo	Boy	Well-advised ruler; A variant of Reynold
Renaldo	Boy	Well-advised ruler; A variant of the name Reynold
Rhaegar	Boy	Noble; Visionary; Enigmatic
Ronna	Girl	Bearer of victory; True image; Well-advised ruler; A variant of Rhonda and derivative of Veronica
Sagga	Girl	The seeing one
Sakki	Boy	The God remembers all
Sansa	Girl	Praising; Commending

Shelba	Girl	A settlement of willows
Sherica	Boy	One who rules them all
Siggy	Unisex	Protection through victory
Sigourney	Girl	Victorious conqueror
Skeggr	Boy	Thin
Ski	Unisex	Cloud
Skyrim	Unisex	A fictional Northern region in the Elder Scrolls video game series
Solveiga	Girl	Strength or the sun
Solvi	Unisex	Sun strength
Sorren	Unisex	Bright; Sun-like; Stern

Steinunn	Girl	Stone or wave
Stiorra	Unisex	Little star
Stoick	Boy	Steadfast; Unyielding; Strong
Styrr	Boy	Battle
Svala	Girl	A bird
Svartur	Boy	The color black
Syden	Unisex	From the south
Thoren	Boy	Thunder god; Eagle
Thorunn	Girl	Thor's love; Loved by Thor
Thursday	Unisex	Name of a day named after Thor, the Norse God of Thunder

Torvi	Unisex	Thor's warrior; Thor's fighter
Torvin	Unisex	Thor's friend
Trask	Unisex	Toll collector
Trausti	Boy	One who is dependable
Tuesday	Unisex	Day of the week named after the Norse God of war, Tyr
Ubba	Unisex	Big army; From the River Scheldt; Tumult
Ubbe	Boy	Bright heart
Uggi	Boy	Fear of something; Phobia
Ulf	Boy	Wolf
Ulfhrafn	Boy	Combination of the words wolf and raven

Ulfr	Boy	Wolf
Vagn	Boy	A carriage
Vaile	Unisex	Strength, bravery, resilience
Valdimar	Boy	Ruler of the ocean
Viggo	Boy	Warlike; Fighter; Energetic
Vigharthur	Boy	One who is fearless in war
Visenya	Girl	Strong and powerful
Ylfa	Girl	A female wolf

« 1 2

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.

magical old norse names for your child (infographic)

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

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.