By Pamela Redmond · Updated September 2026
Across 6 pages
of 6
Danish, Finnish, Swedish, Norwegian
"fast-sailing ship"
A theatrical name, appearing in Henrik Ibsen's 1888 play, The Lady from the Sea , Ellida comes from the Old Norse Elliði , giving it an ocean-related meaning. Also spelled as Elida, it may be…
Helje is a feminine name with Scandinavian and Estonian roots, related to names like Helge and Helga which derive from Old Norse elements meaning 'holy,' 'blessed,' or 'successful.' This distinctive…
Literary place name, English, Danish
"narrow strait"
The famous home of Hamlet in Shakespeare's great play, Elsinore is based on Kronborg Castle in eastern Denmark. Known as Helsingør in Danish, it guarded the narrow entryway to the Baltic Sea for…
Dorthe is a feminine name primarily found in Scandinavian countries, particularly Denmark and Norway. It's a variation of Dorothy, ultimately derived from the Greek name Dorothea meaning 'gift of…
Dorte is a feminine name of Scandinavian origin, particularly popular in Denmark. It evolved as a Danish variant of Dorothy, which ultimately derives from the Greek name Dorothea meaning 'gift of…
Danish and Swedish variation of Freyr, Old Norse
"lord"
A mythological choice with a fresh sound, Frej is a variant of Freyr, the Norse god of fertility, sunlight, and peace. While it's nowhere near as popular as the god's twin sister's name, Freya, Frej…
Dorete is a feminine name with Scandinavian and Germanic roots. It can be considered a variant of Dorothy, which derives from the Greek name Dorothea, meaning 'gift of God.' In Danish and Norwegian…
Danish
"variation of Celia"
This Danish variation of Celia / Cecilia is quite popular in Denmark in recent years.
"hero, sword hilt"
Popular in Denmark back in the 2000s, Hjalte has an ancient feel and knightly air. Deriving from the Old Norse Hjalti, it originally referred to someone from "Hjaltland" (modern day Shetland), though…
Danish form of Ketil, Norwegian
"kettle, cauldron, helmet"
Ultimately from the Old Norse Ketill , this name means "cauldron" or "kettle", though it later came to mean "helmet" too. Kjeld is a Danish form that saw some popularity in the Netherlands in the…
Spelling variation of Karen, Danish variation of Katherine
"pure"
Modernized spelling not enough to revive Karen.
Danish form of Apollonia
"destroyer, strength, father of light"
A Danish name relating back to the Greek Apollo.
Chinese, Swedish, Danish, Portuguese
"horse, graceful; pearl; beloved, bitter, drop of the sea"
Short and succinct, Ma is a Chinese feminine name meaning "horse", "graceful", or "elegant" depending on the Han character used. It may also be used as a surname, and occasionally as a masculine…
Danish, Latin, Slavic
"soldier; gracious, dear"
Familiar in Denmark and the Netherlands, Milas blends the trendiness of Silas with the old-school bookishness of Miles, with a hint of mythical Midas too. The exact origins are unknown, but it could…
Danish, meaning unknown
While English speakers may will recognize Orla as an Irish girl name with a golden meaning, it is also used as Danish masculine name, and as a unisex choice in Norway, Finland and Germany. The exact…
English, Norwegia, Danish, Japanese
"move upward, ascend; mighty, distinguished; lapis lazuli + celestial"
A multicultural choice with a range of meanings, this name boomed in the 1940s and 50s thanks to the glamorous singer Risë (pronounced REE-sa) Stevens, who inherited her name from her Norwegian…
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.
Danish form of Solveig, Scandinavian, Norse
"the strong house; way of the sun"
Recently popular in Denmark, Solvej is a variant of Solveig, pronounced with a strong VYE sound at the end, rather than the softer VAY. Danish writer Solvej Balle is a notable bearer. In a recent…
Danish form of Severus
"stern, severe"
A gentle Scandinavian name despite its connection to severe Severus, Søren is soft and sensitive, but with more masculine punch than Loren. This spelling is most commonly used in Denmark.
"sister"
Not an SOS but a short form of the Danish word for sister — søster — meaning this anme could be compared to the English "Sis". It entered the Top 50 in Denmark in a recent year, with nearly 140…
