Updated October 2026
Across 7 pages
of 7
Norse
"knot"
A strong, powerful choice, ancestor of the modern Superboy Names. Knut is the name of the patron saint of Denmark; Knute Rockne was a legendary Notre Dame football coach. Knute is the middle name of…
"groundskeeper, enclosure"
A name that took on a pronounced country twang via Nashville megastar Garth (born Troyal) Brooks.
"guarded by Ing"
Ing was a powerful Norse god whose name inspired several modern variations -- though Inga has become a caricatured Scandinavian choice.
Scandinavian
"will, determination"
Ulla, the beautiful Swedish secretary in The Producers (played by Uma Thurman in the movie) who purrs, "Ven you got it, flaunt it," has changed the image of this name forever. Ulla may stand on its…
"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,…
"holy"
Older form of Helge, and a masculine form of Helga.
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…
Modern invented name or diminutive of Harald, English or Norse
"Thor's stone"
Popular in the Scandinavian countries, but in this country it would surely bring to mind the very feminine Halle Berry.
"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…
Variation of Quenby, English
"queen's settlement"
Virtually never heard in this country, with a quirky quality.
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.
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.
"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.
Norse, variation of Margaret
"pearl"
This is a Scandinavian variant of Margaret, and is pronounced MEH-teh or MET, rhyming with jet.
"battle maid"
At the very least, shorten it to Hilda.
"peacefulness, mercy"
So airy, it's almost not there.
"armed for battle"
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.
"lime tree, lime blossom"
Popular Scandinavian name -- first bestowed in honor of Swedish botanist Carl von Linné, a classifier of plants and animals -- that could make an engaging choice.
Old Norse; Norwegian; Swedish; Danish
This royal but common Scandinavian name is, in the US, linked to a single figure -- Notre Dame football coach Knute Rockne. While Rockne's name was commonly pronounced like newt, the correct…