Updated November 2023
Across 5 pages
of 5
Norse
"ancestor's relic"
Olaf, though sainted and regal in Norway, is slightly oafish here. It is one of those names that has become completely familiar in the U.S. without ever becoming assimilated. Now that he's a comical…
Norse, diminutive of Sigrid
"fair victory"
Siri is a charming and lively Scandinavian name that is no longer on the table given the ubiquity of Apple's digital Siri. Too bad, because Siri -- along with variations Syrie and Cyrie -- is unique,…
Norse variation of Philippa
"lover of horses"
Pippi may be cute but isn't very practical. In addition to being forever Pippi Longstocking, there is that variant pee-pee spelling to consider. Try Pippa instead.
"armed for battle"
One of the Valkyries, still clad in heavy armor.
Variant of Brunhild, still clad in heavy armor. Though the heroine Brunhilda of Quentin Tarantino's recent film Django Unchained may have given this version of the name new appeal.
"Day maiden"
This royal Danish name has long been used across Scandinavia, Germany and Slavic countries and somewhat in the US around the turn of the last century --it was #622 in 1888. There were two notable…
Dair is a concise feminine name with multiple possible origins. It may be derived from the Gaelic word 'darach' meaning 'oak tree,' suggesting strength and endurance. Alternatively, it could be a…
English, Norse
"town by the ditch"
Digby is a place-name in Lincolnshire turned surname turned quirky first name that is starting to get some attention. In fact, it ranked in the UK Top 1000 in a recent year where it fits in with the…
"peacefulness, mercy"
So airy, it's almost not there.
Literary name and Old Norse
"gravel bank river"
This lovely name is best-known as the surname of eponymous Bronte heroine, Jane Eyre, and would make an appealing and distinctive middle name for the child of fans of that book. While the surname…
Norse word name
The Old Norse and modern Norwegian word name Fjord, which refers to a passage in the sea, could work for children of both genders.
Manx, Norse
"fair, beautiful"
Gentle yet tough, rare and intriguing, Fritha is an Anglicized variation as well as a Manx form of the Old Norse Fríða. Ultimately derived from the element fríðr meaning "fair, beautiful", it is…
"wise, learned"
The name of several legendary Danish kings, including one who declared universal peace.
"high ground"
A literary surname that's short, to the point, and very rare. It combines several origins: Scandinavian meaning "high ground", Scottish meaning "stranger", and English meaning "wild boar" (hello,…
"battle maid"
At the very least, shorten it to Hilda.
"chosen son"
An ancient name that's been used by the Norwegian royal family; still popular there but not likely to appeal to many American parents.
"Thor's stone"
This, like many Norse and Scandinavian names , remains icebound, though with the unexpected rise of such ancient Scandinavian mythology names as Odin, Thor, and Freya, we may see Haldor rise again.
Modern invented name or diminutive of Harald, English or Norse
Popular in the Scandinavian countries, but in this country it would surely bring to mind the very feminine Halle Berry.
Norse mythological name
Heidrun, which is occasionally used in modern Europe, was the name of a mythological goat who nibbled from the tree of life, transforming her milk into mead. You might think of Heidrun as a cross…
"holy"
Older form of Helge, and a masculine form of Helga.