273 Scandinavian Baby Names With Meanings

Nordic charm, timeless appeal - that's the beauty of Scandinavian baby names.

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• Oct 30, 2023

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Norse gods, Vikings, dragons – Scandinavia, comprising Norway, Denmark, and Sweden, is fascinating in the truest sense. And it’s not just the history and mythology that attracts people to this wonderful nation. Scandinavian baby names are also enticing major interest from parents all over the world. These exquisite and unique baby names are symbolic of the rich history and culture of the country. Traditional Scandinavian names are derived from Old Norse, a Germanic language, which was spoken in the province until the 14th century. From Axl, meaning father of peace, to Ebbe, meaning brave as a boar, and Karalyn, meaning pure. These names can be robust and tough or delicate and light.

Until the 1850s, Scandinavian provinces used the patronymic naming system, where the child’s surname had the father’s name followed by the suffixes sen or sson for boys and datter or dotter for girls.

After this period, the naming system transformed, leading to the emergence of family names, ancestral names, and toponymic names. Irrespective of these changes, a common practice of given names was followed by almost all Scandinavians, allowing the same name to be repeated in different generations of the family as a memoir of their legacy. For example, the first child would be named after the father's parent and the second after the mother's parent, while the third and others were named after the parents, uncles, and aunts. Additionally, Scandinavians also had a unique practice of honoring the people who have had untimely demise. For instance, an infant born after the passing of the previous one would be given the name of the deceased child if they both had the same gender (1). However, in modern times, just like most European countries, the naming laws are very strict in Scandinavia, and they forbid the use of made-up or creative names. Hence, parents have to choose from a list of acceptable names released by the government authorities. So if you need help selecting an appropriate Scandinavian name for your little one, look at the list below. We have a comprehensive list of Scandinavian baby names, their meanings, and additional information.

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Name	Gender	Meaning
Aaren	Boy	Lofty; Inspired; High mountain
Agnes	Girl	Chaste; Pure
Airic	Unisex	Ruler; Eternal ruler
Aivy	Unisex	Gift of God
Alrik	Boy	Noble; Gracious; Universal ruler
Anker	Boy	A manly harvester; Strong and brave
Annika	Girl	Beautiful; Grace; Favor
Ansfrid	Boy	Protected by God
Ansgar	Boy	God spear; Gentle friend; A variant name of Oscar
Anshelm	Boy	Protected by God; A variant of name Ansel

Asbjorn	Boy	Divine Bear
Asmund	Boy	Cognate of Osmond; gold which is the protector
Astor	Boy	One who is looking for prey; Hawk; Thunder
Astrid	Girl	Godly strength
Asva	Boy	Having speed like a horse; One who is swift
Ax	Boy	One who likes peaceful conditions
Axill	Boy	One who spread peace; Kind of father
Axl	Boy	The father of peace
Aymer	Boy	A noble and generous human being
Beorhthelm	Boy	A protector of light

Bertelot	Boy	A man who is light and bright
Betla	Girl	A woman who finds God in her oath
Bimasha	Girl	She is a mighty woman from the sea
Bjorn	Boy	Bear
Bode	Boy	Order, command
Boden	Boy	One who takes shelter
Bodie	Boy	Command; Messenger
Bodine	Boy	To find shelter
Boe	Boy	A very handsome admirer
Booth	Boy	He who lives in a hut

Borge	Boy	A helping person
Borghild	Boy	A war in the fortifications
Borgny	Boy	One who gladly helps
Bori	Boy	One who is a father of the warrior
Botill	Girl	One who likes to command
Brage	Boy	Famous king; Shining
Brigid	Girl	A Celtic goddess of poetry and fire
Britt	Boy	Strength
Britta	Girl	Exalted one; Mighty; Help
Broder	Boy	To be someone's brother

Brynja	Girl	An armoured and protected woman
Brynklie	Boy	A woman with an armour
Burr	Boy	A beautiful youth
Cajetan	Boy	Rejoiced man
Canute	Boy	To tie in a knot
Carianne	Girl	A merciful and pure woman
Carina	Girl	Beloved; Pure
Carson	Boy	Son of marsh dwellers
Crysten	Girl	Follows Christ
Dag	Boy	Day; Present

Dagen	Boy	The one who is dark-haired
Dagmar	Girl	Day; Maiden
Dagmara	Girl	Maiden; Unmarried
Dagna	Girl	A special day
Dagny	Girl	A special new day
Dahlia	Girl	Dahlia flower
Dain	Boy	The one who is from Denmark
Daube	Boy	Name of a bird called Dove
Denby	Boy	One who is from a Danish settlement
Ebbe	Boy	Brave like a boar

Edda	Girl	One with a clear vision; Great grandmother inheritance
Edzard	Boy	Strong edge
Eggert	Boy	Hardy and has a lot of potential
Eilif	Boy	An immortal person who is born to do great things
Eirny	Girl	One who is born of new healing and is fresh
Eivin	Unisex	Island; Good fortune; Victor
Elizabet	Girl	My God is an oath
Elna	Girl	A creative person
Else	Girl	One who is noble; An abbreviated form of Elisabeth
Elvi	Girl	Noble friend

Eric	Boy	Eternal ruler
Erica	Girl	Forever strong; Noble leader
Erick	Boy	Ruler of the people
Erik	Boy	Ruler of the world
Erika	Girl	Eternal ruler
Erikka	Girl	A ruler
Erikson	Boy	Son or Erik; Ruler of the people
Erilyn	Girl	A combination of two words Eric and Lynn
Erle	Boy	A leader; Nobleman; Warrior; Prince
Erleen	Girl	Noble woman

Erlend	Boy	A stranger
Erlene	Girl	An elfin; A noble woman
Erth	Unisex	Earth
Ertha	Girl	Earth
Erwinek	Boy	Friend at sea
Eryn	Girl	A poetic form of referring to Ireland
Erynn	Girl	A word which is used in poetry for referring to Ireland
Erynne	Girl	Ireland
Esabell	Girl	Someone who is devoted to God
Esben	Boy	A divine bear

Eslanda	Girl	An Irish word for truth
Estrid	Girl	Beautiful goddess
Etna	Girl	A 5th century Irish saint.
Euddogwy	Boy	A very ancient saint pilgrim
Eudeat	Boy	A very ancient saint pilgrim
Eudel	Boy	From the Yew tree valley
Eudelme	Boy	A grove of Yew trees
Eyra	Unisex	Arrow or warrior
Eyre	Girl	One who lives at the gravel bank river
Finn	Boy	Fair; Person from Finland

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The naming practices related to Scandinavian baby names offer a fascinating glimpse into the region's history, culture, and evolution. One of their most appreciative qualities is how they use naming traditions to honor their ancestry, respect their deceased, and stay connected to nature and family. Although these practices have evolved with changing times, they remain strongly connected to their origins. From ancient roots to modern trends, the above-given list covers a wide range of names that continue to hold onto their deep-seated values and meaningful identity.

Infographic: Splendid Scandinavian Baby Names With Meanings

Scandinavian names encompass several notable aspects, such as Viking history, Norse mythology, and the region's ancient traditions. While continuing to retain their cultural roots, these names have evolved to accommodate family, nature-oriented, and toponymic names. The following infographic presents a selection of such Scandinavian names you may consider for your baby.

sublime scandinavian names you must consider for your little one (infographic)

Get the high-quality PDF version of this infographic.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How popular are Scandinavian baby names in other countries?

Popular culture has led to a coming together of many cultures, which is evident in the migration of given names. Scandinavian names have found their way to other countries, whether through films or books. Names like Bodie, Carson, Eric, Finn, Jense, and Sofia have been widely used in other countries.

2. What is the meaning behind the name "Sven"?

Sven is a masculine name with Old Norse origins. Taken from the byname Sveinn, it means 'boy' and was borne by many rulers of Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.

3. How do Scandinavian baby names reflect the region's culture and history?

Naming patterns in Scandinavian countries tell of the Viking origins and changes that have since taken place (2). The traditional naming patterns follow the patronymic style, where personal names are inherited from the father. For example, the first son would be named after his paternal grandfather, the second son would be named after his maternal grandfather, and the third son would be named after the father. For daughters, the first daughter would be named after her maternal grandmother, the second would be named after her paternal grandmother, and the third daughter would be named after her mother (3).

4. How are names chosen for newborns in modern-day Scandinavia?

Baby names in Scandinavia, specifically Sweden, are chosen and approved through the Swedish naming law. The law requires the government's approval for naming your child. A name should be submitted three months before birth, and the Swedish Tax Agency will administer the registration of names in Sweden (4).

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.

Scandinavian Naming Practices – Genealogy Research in Scandinavia.
1.https://www.swedishfinnhistoricalsociety.org/scandinavian-naming-practices-genealogy-research-in-scandinavia/
Names in Sweden Throughout History
https://digitalcommons.augustana.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2049&context=swensonsag
Sweden Personal Names
https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Sweden_Personal_Names
Sweden: New Law Regulating Names Adopted
https://www.loc.gov/item/global-legal-monitor/2016-12-15/sweden-new-law-regulating-names-adopted/

Look Up For Many More Names

Do you have a name in mind and want to know more about it? Or want to find names belonging to a particular origin, religion, or having a specific meaning? Use our search tool below to explore more baby names with different combinations.