131 Scandinavian Baby Girl Names With Meanings
Inspired by the mighty goddesses and serenity, the rich feminine names can awe everyone.
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Illustration: MomJunction Design Team
Scandinavian girl names are mystical and versatile. Scandinavia comprises nations such as Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. These countries are known for their pristine natural beauty and landscapes. Scandinavia is also known for their harsh weather conditions. However, the indigenous inhabitants were so accustomed to the conditions and the rugged terrain that over the years they gained physical attributes to suit their environment. As they experience very sparse and watery sunshine throughout the year, most of the indigenous inhabitants lose the majority of the melanin from their cells and have a pale countenance. Amazingly they also possess striking blue eyes and blonde hair.
As striking as these features are, Scandinavian names are also beautiful and unique. Scandinavia follows the patronymic naming system where an individual's family name was formed by taking the first name of the father and adding a gender-specific suffix to it (1). These names are often inspired by the old Norse Gods, some of which have become famous globally due to their references in popular culture. They include Thor the God of Thunder and Loki the God of Mischief. These characters have made an appearance in the American-based Marvel Series the Avengers, and are admired by people all over the world.
The Nordic inhabitants also revered nature and its elements. They particularly worshiped the sea and were expert sailors. Many Scandinavian names bear resemblances to these aspects, such as the Gods they worshiped, the natural elements, and their physical features. Some of the names that are still widely used across the globe are Bimasha meaning ‘a mighty woman from the sea,’ Estrid meaning ‘a beautiful goddess’ and Olga meaning ‘the holy light.’ In this post, we list some adorable Scandinavian names with meanings. Scroll down.
| Name | Gender | Meaning | |
|---|---|---|---|
 Annika |  Girl | Beautiful; Grace; Favor | |
| Astrid | Girl | Godly strength | |
| Carina | Girl | Beloved; Pure | |
| Dahlia | Girl | Dahlia flower | |
| Erika | Girl | Eternal ruler | |
| Freya | Girl | Noble woman | |
| Freyja | Girl | Lady of love, beauty and death | |
| Karlie | Girl | Free woman | |
| Laila | Girl | Night | |
| Liv | Girl | Life; Protection; Shelter | |
| Agnes | Girl | Chaste; Pure | |
| Airic |  Unisex | Ruler; Eternal ruler | |
| Aivy | Unisex | Gift of God | |
| Betla | Girl | A woman who finds God in her oath | |
| Bimasha | Girl | She is a mighty woman from the sea | |
| Botill | Girl | One who likes to command | |
| Brigid | Girl | A Celtic goddess of poetry and fire | |
| Britta | Girl | Exalted one; Mighty; Help | |
| Brynja | Girl | An armoured and protected woman | |
| Carianne | Girl | A merciful and pure woman | |
| Crysten | Girl | Follows Christ | |
| Dagmar | Girl | Day; Maiden | |
| Dagmara | Girl | Maiden; Unmarried | |
| Dagna | Girl | A special day | |
| Dagny | Girl | A special new day | |
| Edda | Girl | One with a clear vision; Great grandmother inheritance | |
| 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 | |
| Erica | Girl | Forever strong; Noble leader | |
| Erikka | Girl | A ruler | |
| Erilyn | Girl | A combination of two words Eric and Lynn | |
| Erleen | Girl | Noble woman | |
| Erlene | Girl | An elfin; A noble woman | |
| Erth | Unisex | Earth | |
| Ertha | Girl | Earth | |
| 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 | |
| Eslanda | Girl | An Irish word for truth | |
| Estrid | Girl | Beautiful goddess | |
| Etna | Girl | A 5th century Irish saint. | |
| Eyra | Unisex | Arrow or warrior | |
| Eyre | Girl | One who lives at the gravel bank river | |
| Gamela | Girl | One who resembles an older or elder person | |
| Gefion | Girl | One who bestows treasures | |
| Gefjun | Girl | The person who provides prosperity | |
| Gerd | Girl | A plot of ground where plants are cultivated | |
| Gersemi | Girl | Precious as a gem and valuable as a jewel | |
| Gulla | Girl | Yellow or divine sea | |
| Halda | Girl | One who is half-Danish | |
| Hanne | Girl | Grace; Charm; Elegance | |
| Inger | Unisex | God's protection; Hero's daughter | |
| Iverson | Unisex | Son of Iver; Archer's son | |
| Jakobina | Girl | May the Lord watch over her | |
| Jaris | Unisex | Strong and courageous | |
| Jennsen | Girl | God has shown favor | |
| Joen | Unisex | Strong; Independent; Unique | |
| Kajsa | Girl | Pure | |
| Kamri | Unisex | Unique; Adventurous; Charismatic | |
| Karalee | Girl | Pure; Fair | |
| Karalie | Girl | Genuine | |
| Karalyn | Girl | Pure; True; Bright | |
| Khristene | Girl | She is of Chrisian faith | |
| Kirci | Girl | A blossom of a cereal herb amaranth | |
| Klara | Girl | The clear, bright one | |
| Kristin | Girl | Follower of Christ | |
| Kristina | Girl | Christian | |
| Kristinn | Girl | Shw who believes in Christ | |
| Laris | Unisex | To be crowned with laurel | |
| Lisana | Girl | my God is perfection | |
| Lise | Girl | Pledged to God; God is abundance | |
| Loxie | Unisex | Unique; Spirited; Adventurous | |
| Lynea | Unisex | Lime; Linden tree | |
| Lynnea | Girl | A name of a flower | |
| Mattis | Unisex | Strong and steadfast | |
| Nelsa | Girl | Strong-minded; Independent | |
| Nessa | Girl | Miracle; Holy; Pure | |
| Nessarose | Girl | The rose of the peninsula | |
| Norell | Girl | From the Northern land or part | |
| Nysse | Girl | The graceful of all | |
| Odda | Girl | One who is complete in every aspect | |
| Oddlaug | Girl | Derived of water | |
| Oddny | Girl | The Chosen one; Preferred one; Head of a village or society in Arabic | |
| Oddrun | Girl | Someone who is chosen or preferred upon | |
| Oddveig | Girl | Salvation or to be relieved | |
| Oletha | Girl | The person who is remarked by simplicity; Having a humble opinion of himself | |
| Olga | Girl | Holy; Blessed | |
| Onnika | Girl | Light reflection of nimble or shine | |
| Orvis | Unisex | Spear of power; Strength | |
| Paley | Unisex | One with the pale eyes | |
| Paxson | Unisex | Peaceful, son of peace | |
| Pernilla | Girl | Rock; Stone; A variant of Petra | |
| Petronella | Girl | Country bumpkin; Rock; Stone | |
| Quinnie | Girl | Living like royalty | |
| Rakel | Girl | Ewe; A variant of Rachel | |
Scandinavian girl names reflect the rich history and culture of its people and land. The indigenous inhabitants of the land were named after Norse gods and natural elements. Some names are inspired by the physical traits of a person. The names bestowed upon the children have deep symbolism and meanings. So browse through the list, and pick a name that catches your fancy. Whether to honor your Scandinavian roots or your love for Scandinavian culture and landscapes, these names can be a beautiful gift to your little princess.
Infographic: Scintillating Scandinavian Baby Girl Names
Scandinavian countries have a rich heritage and culture. Scandinavian baby girl names represent the vibrant history of this region. If you’re inspired to gift your little princess a name from this culture, look no further. We present Scandinavian girl names along with meanings in the infographic below. Scroll on and pick your favorite name.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are some naming traditions or customs in Scandinavian culture?
The Scandinavian countries embraced a cherished tradition of baby naming, wherein the birth order played a pivotal role, and names were bestowed, honoring both sides of the family. A beautiful example of this tradition unfolded as the firstborn son inherited the name of his paternal grandfather, while the initial first daughter was bestowed with the name of her paternal grandmother. Similarly, the second son and daughter embrace names from the maternal side.
2. Can I use a Scandinavian baby girl's name if I am not Scandinavian?
If you discover a Scandinavian name that resonates deeply with your heart and feels perfectly befitting for your precious child, the cultural background should not be a hindrance. Astrid, a name treasured not only in Scandinavian countries but also within French and German cultures, radiates its profound meaning of 'god, beautiful.' Likewise, Elsa and Oda, multicultural gems, signify 'my God is an oath' and 'wealth,' respectively, gracing any deserving child.
References
- Scandinavia Names, FamilySearch
https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Scandinavia_Names
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.
