Swedish Names
Updated Thu Nov 30 2023
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Swedish baby names are getting new attention and appreciation from parents all over the world, many of whom want to celebrate their family's Swedish heritage or who simply love Sweden's stylish, modern culture. Baby names popular in Sweden include classic English names like Alice and Oliver, Swedish spins on traditional names such as Maja and Filip, and classic Scandinavian or Norse choices with original roots in Sweden such as Astrid and Nils.
Nameberry's complete roster of Swedish baby names is here. The top names below rank among the current US Top 1000 Baby Names and are ordered by popularity. Unique names rank below the Top 1000 and are listed alphabetically.
Go here to browse our full collection of Scandinavian names.
Nameberry's complete roster of Swedish baby names is here. The top names below rank among the current US Top 1000 Baby Names and are ordered by popularity. Unique names rank below the Top 1000 and are listed alphabetically.
Go here to browse our full collection of Scandinavian names.
- Olin
Origin:
Swedish, Norwegian, EnglishMeaning:
"ancestor, to inherit, legacy; from the low-lying land"Description:
Distinctive yet familiar, Olin is both a Scandinavian name and an English surname. Currently a rare choice, yet reminiscent of popular options, like Oliver, Orion, and Colin.
- Stellan
Origin:
Swedish, meaning unknown, possibly "calm"Meaning:
"calm"Description:
Stellan is a strong, attractive, Scandinavian possible up-and-comer, known through actor Stellan Skarsgard, and his namesake, the son of Jennifer Connelly and Paul Bettany. Its trendy 'an' ending and the similarity in sound to the popular Kellen/Kellan make it all the more accessible.
- Birdie
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"bird"Description:
Birdie was until recently a middle-aged Ladies' Club member wearing a bird-decorated hat --but now it's just the kind of vintage nickname (think Hattie, Josie, Mamie, Millie) that's coming back into style in a big way. Actress Busy Philipps named her baby Birdie (inspired by First Lady Lady Bird Johnson), as did soap star Maura West.
- Linnea
Origin:
SwedishMeaning:
"twinflower, lime tree"Description:
Linnea is an attractive Scandinavian name that derives from the renowned 18th century Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus, who developed the Linnean system of classifying plants and animals.
- Juni
Origin:
ScandinavianMeaning:
"June"Description:
Juni is the Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, and Finnish form of the month name June. While Juni feels cute and fresh, most Americans would assume it was a nickname or a Joni variation. We prefer Juna or the English June.
- Bjorn
Origin:
SwedishMeaning:
"bear"Description:
Bjorn is one of the most recognizable Scandinavian names, thanks in large part to tennis great Björn Borg, winner of five consecutive Wimbledon singles titles and six French opens and something of a rock star figure.
- Lukas
Origin:
German variation of LucasMeaning:
"man from Lucanus"Description:
Highly popular in Germany, Norway, Lithuania, and Austria, Lukas is a spelling variation of the also extremely popular Lucas. The "K" spelling gives it extra kick and a more international, globe-trotter feel.
- Tove
Origin:
ScandinavianMeaning:
"beautiful"Description:
Tove is a modern variation of an Old Norse name for which there are no letters on the twenty-first century keyboard. It's related to Thor, and Tove and Tuva are the forms that survive and thrive in modern Scandinavia.
- Elin
Origin:
Swedish variation of EllenDescription:
The Elin variation makes an old favorite sleeker and more modern. Elin came to prominence via the ex-Mrs.Tiger Woods and is now perhaps best known via novelist Elin Hildebrand.. It entered the US Top 1000 in 2010, though it's now dropped off again.
- Saga
Origin:
Swedish word nameMeaning:
"story; seeress"Description:
Apt name for a little drama queen with a long future ahead of her. Saga is a Top 30 girls' name in Sweden.
- Wilma
Origin:
Diminutive of WilhelminaMeaning:
"resolute protection"Description:
In the US, Wilma is appears to be eternally fossilized in Bedrock as Fred Flintstone's wife, but in Sweden it's a Top 10 hottie. It did have its moment in the US--from 1912 to 1940 it was a Top 100 name. One notable namesake: track and field star Wilma Rudolph.
- Pixie
Origin:
Swedish or CornishMeaning:
"fairy"Description:
Pixie is a cute -- quite possibly too cute -- name that suddenly feels possible thanks to the craze for names that contain the letter x. Though its origin may be uncertain, a pixie is internationally recognized as a sprite or fairy: tiny, sometimes green, usually pointy-eared.
- Malin
Origin:
Scandinavian diminutive of MagdaleneMeaning:
"high tower or woman of Magdela"Description:
A multi-cultural name that's in the Norwegian Top 50 and well-used throughout the Scandinavian cultures. Malin has the advantage of being at once simple and unusual.
- Freja
Origin:
Swedish and DanishMeaning:
"lady, noblewoman"Description:
One of the most popular names in Scandinavia, Freja--or Freyja--was a major deity of Norse paganism. Beautiful, blonde and blue-eyed, she was the goddess of love, beauty and fertility. In the US, the name is most likely spelled Freya.
- Arvid
Origin:
Swedish, Norwegian, DanishMeaning:
"eagle-tree"Description:
Arvid, a Scandinavian name that's virtually unknown in the US, is one of the top baby names in Sweden. It might make a handsome, unusual choice for a parent in search of an original yet traditional A name.
- Tuva
Origin:
Swedish and Norwegian variation of ToveMeaning:
"beautiful"Description:
Tove is a modern variation of an Old Norse name, related to Thor. Tuva is a form of the name popular in modern Scandinavia.
- Beata
Origin:
Swedish, German, Italian, from LatinMeaning:
"blessed"Description:
Beata, a Latinate saint's name, has been widely used primarily by Roman Catholics in several European countries, but is rarely heard in English-speaking countries. Playground alert: could be mispronounced Beeta.
- Britta
Origin:
Scandinavian, variation of Birgit or BrittMeaning:
"strength or exalted one"Description:
If you want a pan-Scandinavian name with energy and style that could have been a winner, if not for the sound-alike water filtration company Brita.
- Lovisa
- Valdemar
Origin:
Nordic variation of VladimirDescription:
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 and Casimir, maybe its time to re-thing Valdemar. It's a big name, but with enough penache, it could be pulled off. Valdemar was introduced to Scandinavia in the 12th Century by a Danish king named for his Ukrainian grandfather, and is currently in the Danish Top 20.