Scandinavian Names
Across 14 pages
of 14
Trina
Scandinavian, diminutive of Katrina
Nickname name that retains an Old Country feel.
Maj
Maj is a concise feminine name with Scandinavian origins, particularly popular in Sweden and Denmark. Typically pronounced 'my' in Swedish and similar to 'mai' in Danish, this short but distinctive…
Berit
Scandinavian variation of Birgit
"exalted one"
Well used in northern Europe, almost unknown in the US, Berit is could make an off-beat alternative to Betty, Beth, or Merritt for those with Scandinavian ancestry.
Jytte
Jytte is a feminine Danish name with Norse roots, functioning as a Danish form of Judith. The original Hebrew name Judith means 'woman from Judea' or 'praised,' while Jytte has evolved its own…
Jensen
Spelling variation of Jenson and Danish surname
"son of Jens"
The number one surname in Denmark could make a sophisticated and stylish girl's name. Jensen Huang is the (male) cofounder of AI giant Nvidia.
Caryn
Spelling variation of Karen, Danish variation of Katherine
"pure"
Modernized spelling not enough to revive Karen.
Janne
Danish and Norwegian diminutive of Johanna
"God is gracious"
This common name for both boys and girls in Scandinavia would definitely work better as a feminine name in the U.S.
Janica
Variation of Jannik
"God is gracious"
With its upbeat Slavic/Scandinavian air, it has the most potential of all the Jan names.
Karena
Variation of Karen
Karena modernizes middle-aged Karen but also creates pronunciation confusion. Is it ka-REN-a, ka-REEN-a, or just plain Karen with an a at the end? Spelled Karenna as in Gore goes partway toward…
Barbro
Scandinavian variation of Barbara
A more upbeat, modern-sounding version of a granny name.
Nessa
Scandinavian
"headlands, promontory"
Like its cousin Tessa, Nessa -- a shortening of Vanessa or Agnes or Anastasia among other possibilities -- is an attractive nickname that can stand on its own.
Jakobe
Jakobe represents a modern variant spelling of Jacob, which derives from Hebrew meaning 'supplanter' or 'holder of the heel.' This contemporary spelling combines traditional roots with distinctive…
Solveig
Norse
"the strong house; the way of the sun"
Currently popular in Norway where it ranks in the Top 50, Solveig is a sunny but strong choice, also familiar across Sweden, Denmark, Germany, and Finland. It notably appears as the name of the…
Signe
Scandinavian
"new victory"
Signe could make an offbeat, more unusual alternative to Sydney or Sigrid. In Norse mythology, Signe was the twin sister of Sigmund. Can also be spelled Signy.
Isak
Scandinavian variation of Isaac
When the Danish author Karen Blixen chose Isak Dinesen as her male pseudonym, she set a precedent that could well be followed today.
Caren
Caren is a feminine name that serves as a variant spelling of Karen, which originated as a Danish form of Katherine. Katherine ultimately derives from the Greek name Aikaterine, possibly meaning…
Sonia
Russian and Scandinavian variation of Sophia
"wisdom"
Early European import, well known in the 1940s via Norwegian skating movie star Sonja Henie, that has sailed back across the Atlantic, despite the rising popularity of other Russian names.
Steena
Scandinavian short form of Christina
"annointed, Christian"
The Steen, Steena, and Stina nicknames for Christina are much more common in Scandinavia than in the English-speaking world, which prefers the Chris variations.
Tyra
Scandinavian, feminine variation of Tyr, an ancient Indo-European god
High profile supermodel/entrepreneur Tyra Banks has put this name in the spotlight, endowing it with her confident, superattractive image.
Sanna
Swedish, Finnish, Inuktitut
"lily"
If you're ready to move beyond Anna and Hannah, consider this traditional Scandinavian short form of Susanna, historically very popular in its native lands. Sanna is also a modern Inuktitut form of…