Danish Names
Across 4 pages
of 4
About this list
Danish baby names include many names that are the familiar Danish spins on pan-European names: consider Frederik and Kristen. And then there are the Danish names not usually found outside Copenhagen and environs, such as Bendt (the Danish form of Benedict) or Jesper (an intriguing spin on Jasper).
A small country connected to the European mainland and separated by water from the other Scandinavian lands, Denmark has its own distinct culture including names. If your family has Danish roots or you have other reasons you're seeking a Danish name for your baby, our complete collection of Danish names for girls and boys is here, ordered by popularity on Nameberry.
RELATED:
The names
Jensen
Spelling variation of Jenson and Danish surname
"son of Jens"
A variation of Jenson, which is actually more popular than the original in the United States. This spelling also holds the distinction of being the most common surname in Denmark. The most famous…
Hugo
Latinized form of Hugh
"mind, intellect"
Hugo, the Latin form of Hugh, has more heft and energy than the original -- and of course we love names that end (or begin, for that matter) with an o. This one is especially appealing because it's…
Soren
Danish, Norwegian
"stern"
This gentle Scandinavian name, soft and sensitive, is being discovered in a major way by parents in the US. It's most closely identified with the nineteenth century philosopher Soren Kierkegaard, but…
Caryn
Spelling variation of Karen, Danish variation of Katherine
"pure"
Modernized spelling not enough to revive Karen.
Karen
Danish variation of Katherine, Japanese
"pure; lotus flower"
Karen, a once sweet Danish import, was so popular during the baby boom (Karen was Number 3 in 1960) that it's become a mem in recent years, representing a hostile white woman—one who usually wants to…
Derrick
Spelling variation of Derek, English from German form of Theodoric,"the people's ruler"
"the people's ruler"
Derek is one of those names that, in its heyday, spawned lots of variations, all trendy. Last year, about 300 baby boys were named Derrick and about 1350 were named Derek.
Jonna
Scandinavian variation of Johanna
"God is gracious"
A Scandinavian short form of Johanna, properly pronounced with a Y sound at the start, but would likely be read as the more prosaic "John-a" in an English-speaking context.
Kristen
Danish and Norwegian variation of Christine
"a Christian"
Kristen may be somewhat past its fashion high point, but it remains forever crystalline clear. Possible problem: confusion with the similar Scandinavian names Kristin, Kirsten, Kirstie, et al.…
Derick
Derick is a masculine name that originated as a variation of Derek, which itself derives from the Germanic name Theodoric, meaning 'ruler of the people.' This Old German name combines 'theud'…
Lise
Diminutive of Elisabeth, Hebrew
"pledged to God"
Lise is most often found in the U.S. as the second half of the hybrid name Annalise. Canadian journalist Lyse Doucet bears a pretty alternative spelling, pronounced LEESE.
Adolf
German
"noble wolf"
Adolf may have been a Swedish royal name but the terrible dictatorship of Adolf Hitler has ruled out this name Adolf for any sensible parent. In the US last year, there were more than 100 boys' given…
Kristian
Danish, Albanian, Breton, Bulgarian, Danish, Estonian, Finnish, Norwegian, Swedish variation of Christian
Variation of Christian.
Derrek
Derrek is a variant spelling of Derek, which originated from the Old German name Theodoric, meaning 'ruler of the people.' This alternative spelling adds a unique touch while maintaining the strong,…
Iver
Norwegian variant of Ivar
"yew wood, archer, warrior"
Iver is a popular name in its native Norway, but parents in the U.S. are starting to take note of this rugged yet gentle name. Stemming from the original Norse name Ívarr , it is part of a small…
Clemens
Latin
"merciful and gentle"
This surname related to Clement is strongly associated with Major League pitcher Roger Clemens, winner of more Cy Young awards than any other pitcher in baseball history, and has a softer sound than…
Jone
Jone is a feminine name with multiple cultural connections. It can be viewed as a variant spelling of Joan, which derives from the Hebrew name Yochanan meaning 'God is gracious.' In Basque culture,…
Jensine
Danish
"God is gracious"
Sure to be mispronounced.
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.
Helsa
Danish
"god is my oath"
This Danish diminutive of Elizabeth could be a sweet, less-Frozen alternative to Elsa.
Silje
Danish
"variation of Celia"
This Danish variation of Celia / Cecilia is quite popular in Denmark in recent years.
