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Scandinavian Names that Start With A

Nameberry
By Nameberry
Updated Tue Oct 01 2024
  1. Astrid

    • Origin:

      Scandinavian

    • Meaning:

      "divinely beautiful"

    • Description:

      Astrid has been a Scandinavian royal name since the tenth century, and many people associated it with the Swedish author of the Pippi Longstocking stories, Astrid Lindgren. Astrid is derived from the name Ástríðr, which is made up of the Old Norse elements that mean "god" and "beautiful."
  2. Axel

    • Origin:

      Scandinavian variation of Absalom

    • Meaning:

      "father of peace"

    • Description:

      A classic in its native Scandinavia, Axel has a cool rock 'n' roll flavor in the US, thanks to Guns N' Roses' Axl Rose (born William). With its distinctive letter 'x', it has an effortlessly cool vibe about it, and is currently growing in popularity.
  3. Andrea

    • Origin:

      Feminine variation of Andrew, Greek

    • Meaning:

      "strong and manly"

    • Description:

      Andrea — a feminine form of Andrew (and a male name in several European cultures) — comes with a good selection of pronunciations — ANN-dree-a, AHN-dree-a, or ahn-DRAY-a — each with a slightly different image: girl next door/slightly affected/downright mysterious
  4. Anders

    • Origin:

      Scandinavian variation of Andrew

    • Meaning:

      "strong and manly"

    • Description:

      Friendly, unusual, but a decidedly Old Country version of Andrew and one of the classic Scandinavian names. It made a brief appearance in the US Top 1000 in 2006 and then reentered in 2010. Its rising popularity could be attributed to the interest in Anderson, which has been gaining steadily over the last fifteen years.

      Trivia tidbits: The patronymic Andersson is the second most popular surname in Sweden, and in Denmark, Donald Duck is called Anders.

  5. Anderson

    • Origin:

      English from Scandinavian

    • Meaning:

      "son of Anders"

    • Description:

      Anderson shot up quite a bit on the popular names list in the 2000's, no doubt in large part due to the prominence of white-haired cable newsman Anderson Cooper. Perhaps surprisingly though, Anderson was even higher on the list in 1880. Actress Edie Falco named her son Anderson in 2005. Though there haven't been many first-named Anderson namesakes, there have been countless notables bearing the surname, including Hans Christian, Marian, Maxwell, Sherwood, Gillian, Laurie, and Pamela.
  6. Arvid

    • Origin:

      Swedish, Norwegian, Danish

    • Meaning:

      "eagle-tree"

    • Description:

      Arvid, a Scandinavian name that's virtually unknown in the US, is one of the top baby names in Sweden. It might make a handsome, unusual choice for a parent in search of an original yet traditional A name.
  7. Arne

    • Origin:

      Dutch and Scandinavian variation of Arnold

    • Meaning:

      "ruler; strong as an eagle"

    • Description:

      Works better as a full name than Arnie does as a nickname.
  8. Aalto

    • Origin:

      Finnish

    • Meaning:

      "wave"

    • Description:

      The last name of Finnish moderne designer/architect makes an original, creative choice with an unexpected water-related meaning.
  9. Anneli

    • Origin:

      Scandinavian variation of Annalie or Hannah

    • Meaning:

      "grace"

    • Description:

      Anneli is one of the hundreds of Anne variations with an intriguing spelling. This name has been popular throughout Scandinavia over time and would certainly translate easily to English-speaking countries.
  10. Aric

    • Origin:

      Norse variation of Eric

    • Description:

      This poor lad will spend his life saying, "No, it's Aric, not Eric. Aaric, Arick, Arik Arric, Arrick.
  11. Axl

    • Origin:

      Variation of Axel, Scandinavian version of Absalom

    • Meaning:

      "father of peace"

    • Description:

      Guns 'n' Roses musician Axl (born William) Rose created this name by dropping a vowel, a la Barbra Streisand. The traditional Axel is more popular, though celebrity parents Fergie and Josh Duhamel deliberately chose the Axl spelling to honor her rock hero.
  12. Asmund

    • Origin:

      Scandinavian

    • Meaning:

      "God is protector"

    • Description:

      This common Scandinavian name, also spelled Osmund, is only occasionally heard in this country.
  13. Agata

    • Origin:

      Italian, Spanish, Swedish, Polish, Slovene, Russian, Croatian, Serbian variation of Agatha

    • Description:

      Agata is an Agatha form widely used throughout Europe. And the hard t may be more appealing to your ear than the th sound.
  14. Agne

    • Description:

      Agne is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins. In Lithuanian tradition, it derives from the Greek name Agnes, meaning 'pure' or 'holy.' In Latvian usage, it shares these same roots while developing its own cultural associations. The name is pronounced AHG-neh in these Baltic languages, not to be confused with the English pronunciation of Agnes. In French contexts, Agne might appear as a variant of Agnès, while in some Scandinavian countries, particularly Sweden, it can be found as a feminine name with similar etymological connections. While not among the most popular names globally, Agne maintains steady usage in Baltic countries and Lithuanian diaspora communities, appreciated for its classic simplicity, cultural connections, and elegant sound.
  15. Agnethe

    • Description:

      Agnethe is a feminine name of Scandinavian origin, primarily used in Denmark and Norway. It represents a Nordic variation of Agnes, which derives from the Greek word 'hagnos' meaning 'pure' or 'holy.' The Scandinavian spelling gives this classic name a distinctive northern European character. While not commonly used outside Nordic countries, Agnethe carries the same associations with purity and virtue as Agnes, with a unique cultural twist. The pronunciation (typically AG-net-uh or ag-NEE-tuh) varies regionally. This name might appeal to parents with Scandinavian heritage or those seeking an uncommon name with classical roots. Agnethe has connections to Saint Agnes, an early Christian martyr, giving it religious significance in addition to its cultural heritage.

  16. Agneta

    • Description:

      Agneta is a feminine name of Swedish origin, representing a Scandinavian form of Agnes. It derives from the Greek word 'hagnos' meaning 'pure' or 'chaste.' Particularly popular in Sweden and other Nordic countries during the mid-20th century, Agneta carries an elegant, classical quality while maintaining a distinctly Scandinavian character. The name gained international recognition through Agneta Fältskog, the blonde vocalist of the renowned Swedish pop group ABBA. While its popularity has declined since its peak, Agneta continues to be appreciated for its melodious sound and cultural heritage. The name conveys refinement and simplicity, appealing to parents seeking names with both historical depth and Nordic connections.

  17. Agnek

    • Description:

      Agnek is an unusual feminine name with mysterious origins. It may be a creative variant of Agnes, which comes from the Greek 'hagnos' meaning 'pure' or 'holy.' The distinctive spelling with the ending 'k' gives it a strong, unexpected quality that sets it apart from more common variations. The name has an intriguing, somewhat exotic sound that might appeal to parents seeking something truly unique. Agnek could also have roots in various Eastern European naming traditions, though it remains extremely rare in most naming databases. The combination of the soft 'g' sound with the firm ending creates an interesting phonetic contrast. While unconventional and not represented in popularity charts, Agnek offers the appeal of a name that is unlikely to be shared with classmates while still maintaining a connection to historical naming traditions.