Swedish Names

Birdie

English

"bird"

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…

Anneka

Anneka is a feminine name with Scandinavian and Dutch origins, primarily functioning as a variant of Anna or Annika. In Dutch, it's a diminutive form of Anna, while in Swedish and Finnish contexts,…

Beata

Swedish, German, Italian, from Latin

"blessed"

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…

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.

Barbro

Scandinavian variation of Barbara

A more upbeat, modern-sounding version of a granny name.

Bird

Nature name

We once dismissed Bird as "too flighty", but with the rise of avian names from Lark to Robin to, well, Birdie, we don't see why Bird can't be a fine choice, especially as a middle name.

Birta

Icelandic

"exalted or rescue"

An Icelandic diminutive of Birgitta turned popular first name there, currently ranking among the Top 30 girl names in Iceland. Parent name Birgitta is either a Nordic variant of Brigitta, from the…

Wilma

Diminutive of Wilhelmina

"resolute protection"

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…

Britt

Swedish, contracted form of Birgit

"high goddess"

Brisk but rather brittle. Britt Eklund was a Bond Girl in the 1974 The Man with the Golden Gun . Britt is a contracted form of Birgit, but be aware that it does come with the strong possibility of…

Gittan

Gittan is a feminine Swedish name that functions primarily as a diminutive form of Birgitta or Margareta. The name has a warm, friendly quality typical of Swedish nicknaming patterns, which often add…

Brita

Brita is a feminine name with Scandinavian and German origins. It developed as a variant of Bridget (or Brigid), which ultimately derives from the Celtic name meaning 'strength' or 'exalted one.'…

Brigitta

Brigitta is a feminine name with rich historical roots, derived from the ancient Celtic name Brighid, meaning 'exalted one' or 'high goddess.' It's the Central European form of Bridget, particularly…

Britta

Scandinavian, variation of Birgit or Britt

"strength or exalted one"

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.

Berget

Berget is a feminine name with Scandinavian origins, primarily found in Norwegian and Swedish communities. It represents a variant of Birgit or Birgitta, which derive from the Old Irish name Brighid,…

Charlotta

Swedish variation of Charlotte, French

"free man"

This form of Charlotte, long obscure, is sure to grow in popularity along with the explosion of Charlotte. It's pretty and feminine and a nice spin on the more familiar version. In Germany, short…

Carolinda

Carolinda is a melodious feminine name that appears to blend the classic name Caroline with the pretty ending of names like Linda or Melinda. Though not common in any country, it has a romantic,…

Karila

Karila is a feminine name with potential Finnish or indigenous roots. In Finnish, it may relate to 'kari' meaning 'reef' or 'shoal,' combined with a feminine suffix. The name might also have…

Antonetta

Antonetta is a feminine name of Italian origin, serving as an elaborate feminine form of Anthony (Antonio in Italian). Derived from the Roman family name Antonius, it carries the meaning 'priceless'…