Boy Names 2022

Henry

German

"estate ruler"

Henry is well and truly back in style. The classic returned to the Top 10 in the US in 2021 for the first time in over a century, and as of 2024, sits at Number 6. Like James and Theodore, Henry is a…

Odin

Variation of Óðinn, Old Norse

"god of frenzy; poetic fury"

Odin is the name of the supreme Norse god of art, culture, wisdom, and law — who was handsome, charming, and eloquent into the bargain. The name projects a good measure of strength and power and has…

Alfred

English

"wise counselor; elf counsel"

Alfred is up off his recliner! If you're looking for a path to Fred, you can go directly to Frederick or take the long way around with the so-out-it's-in-again Alfred. Alfred is quite popular in…

Leif

Swedish; Danish; Norwegian

"heir, descendant"

Leif is one of the most recognizable Scandinavian names , thanks to Icelandic explorer Leif Erikson, and is still one of the best, with a pleasant aural association with the word leaf. Leif Erikson,…

Hjalmar

Scandinavian

"helmet protector"

Old Norse name that lives on more appealingly in modern times as Jalmari, short form Jari. This form remains popular in Sweden, however.

Karl

German and Scandinavian variation of Charles

Manly almost to the point of macho.

Rufus

Latin

"red-head"

Rufus is a rumpled, redheaded (it was the nickname for red-haired King William) ancient Roman name popular with saints and singers (e.g. Rufus Wainwright); now, Rufus is on the cutting edge of cool.…

Björn

Swedish

"bear"

Björn is a pervasive Swedish name that can be found on popularity charts throughout Northern Europe and now in the US as well. There are too many renowned Björns (and Bjørns and Bjorns) to list them…

Lasse

Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, and Finnish form of Laurence, Latin

"from Laurentum; bay laurel"

Well used throughout The Netherlands, Germany, Norway, and Denmark, Lasse is a variation of Laurence, typically used as a nickname for the related Lars. While English speakers may be tempted to say…

Loke

Scandinavian variation of Loki, Norse, meaning unknown

Loke is a modern variant of Loki, the name of a Norse mythological figure. Loke is a Top 100 name in Sweden.

Malte

German, Scandinavian diminutive of Helmold

"helmet rule"

Malte began as a short form of the now-obsolete Ancient Germanic name Helmold. Helmold has gone extinct, but Malte has survived and is now enjoying a popularity resurgence in Germany and Sweden.

Ragnar

Norse

"powerful army; wise warrior; counsel from the army"

An fearsome old Norse name with a long history in Scandinavia. It's gotten a boost in the States from popularity of the History Channel drama "Vikings," in which the protagonist is named Ragnar.…

Ralf

Ralf is a masculine name of Germanic origin, functioning as a variant spelling of Ralph. Both derive from the Old Norse 'Ráðúlfr,' combining elements meaning 'counsel' and 'wolf.' Historically, the…

Sören

Swedish, German, variation of Severus

A gentle Scandinavian name, soft and sensitive, but with more masculine punch than Loren.

Tor

Norwegian and Swedish variation of Thor, Hebrew, English

"thunder; turtledove; victor; hill, rocky peak"

An interesting and attractive multicultural choice, Tor packs a lot in to three letters. It may be used as a modern form of Þórr (Thor) , the name of the Norse thunder god or as a short form of…

Valdemar

Nordic variation of Vladimir

Ten years ago we would have advised people to steer clear of this name (and maybe choose the similar sounding Walter instead); but with the rise of other Nordic and Eastern European names like Viggo…

Valter

German and Scandinavian variation of Walter

Vill always sound as if you're pronouncing Walter with an affected accent.

Vidar

Old Norse

"quiet god"

Mythological son of Odin, powerful and mute.