273 Unusual Scandinavian Baby Names With Meanings | Momjunction

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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.

Name	Gender	Meaning
Osca	Boy	A heavenly combatant who always battles for God's sake.
Oscar	Boy	Deer loving one; Friend of deer
Osmin	Boy	The one under God's protection
Oswin	Boy	Name given to a God's friend
Oswine	Boy	A God's best friend
Oswinn	Boy	A friend of God
Oswy	Boy	A God's friend; optimistic and caring
Paley	Unisex	One with the pale eyes
Paxson	Unisex	Peaceful, son of peace
Peer	Boy	Another name for Peter; A rock

Per	Boy	The person who is like a rock or stone
Pernilla	Girl	Rock; Stone; A variant of Petra
Petronella	Girl	Country bumpkin; Rock; Stone
Quinnie	Girl	Living like royalty
Quirinus	Boy	Spear
Rakel	Girl	Ewe; A variant of Rachel
Raul	Boy	Wolf counsel; Strong defender
Raulin	Boy	A little wise wolf
Raum	Boy	A big person
Rheta	Girl	Advice; Speaker

Rhetta	Girl	Advice; Counsel
Rigmor	Girl	Rich; Powerful; Ruler; Spirit; Courage; Maid
Rona	Girl	Joy is mine; Fame; Friend; Spear; Pike; White; Fair; Blessed; Holy; Fair Haired
Rora	Unisex	Dawn; Morning light
Rorik	Boy	A man who is red
Rosco	Boy	A heathland of the deer
Roselen	Girl	She who holds the beauty of the roses
Ruth	Girl	Friend; Companion
Sas	Unisex	Short form of Sasha and Saskia
Sedalia	Unisex	Graceful; Elegant; Serene

Sigered	Boy	He who gives a counsel that brings victory
Signy	Girl	One who brings new victories
Sigrid	Girl	Wisdom brought by victory
Sigrun	Girl	To achieve secret victories
Sigurd	Boy	Victorious guardian
Silka	Girl	A dim-sighted woman; A short form of Cecilia
Smilla	Girl	One who is always smiling; One with a beautiful smile
Soeren	Boy	One who is a good, stern warrior
Sofia	Girl	Wisdom; Learned
Somerild	Girl	One who is a traveler in the summer

Somerled	Boy	One who goes traveling in the summer
Stofn	Boy	To be crowned
Sunnie	Girl	She is the Sun's gift
Sunnild	Girl	She is like the Sun
Susannah	Girl	Lily; Lotus; Rose
Svea	Girl	Spear
Svein	Boy	One who is young in age and spirit
Swaine	Boy	A Boyish person, young in spirit
Sweden	Unisex	Country in Northern Europe
Synne	Girl	She who is of the Sun

Synnove	Girl	A girl who was the Sun's gift; To be gifted by the Sun
Syver	Boy	One who defeated others; One who is a victor
Tassilo	Boy	A fearless protector
Tem	Boy	A famous man
Thoralf	Boy	Thunder
Tiabeanie	Girl	Main character of the adult animated fantasy television series Disenchantment
Tonje	Girl	One who can't be labelled with a price
Toralf	Boy	Supernatural powers of the thunder God
Tord	Boy	The Thunder God
Torold	Boy	The rule of thunder God

Torsten	Boy	The stone of the thunder god
Toyah	Boy	A toy; A baby girl as a toy to keep house-members busy
Tralloni	Girl	The servant or the serf
Trallonus	Boy	The male servant or surfer
Truls	Boy	Resembling the arrow of Thor.
Ture	Boy	Variant of Tore; God of thunder
Tyra	Unisex	God of battle; Warrior woman
Ulrik	Boy	Noble ruler
Uzma	Girl	Grand; Greatest; Supreme; Ultimate
Valda	Girl	Power; Rule

Viki	Unisex	Victory; Conqueror
Weylyn	Unisex	Wolf leader; Brave wolf
Ylva	Boy	Wolf

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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)

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

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