Scandinavian Names for Boys

Shades of Thurston Howell, the effete millionaire castaway on Gilligan's Island.

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

Related to the Russian name Nikolai, this is a fresh and worldly form of a popular favorite.

Lothar is cloddish, till you add a dashing io to the end...

Despite its brotherly meaning, sounds rather formal and cold.

The K is silent in this royal but common Scandinavian name that is, in this country, linked to a single figure -- Notre Dame football coach Knute Rockne. Could easily be confused with Newt.

The name of Sarah Palin's youngest son might also be good for the child of a mathematician. Trig Palin's middle name is Paxson, after a popular snowmobiling area in Alaska.

Torvald, not to be confused with Torvill of skating fame, is a Norse name which might be of interest to parents looking for Thor-related options. Torvald is most familiar in the English-speaking world as the infuriatingly sexist husband of Nora in Ibsen's play A Doll's House, which may account for its low usage. However, Linus Torvalds, inventor of Linux , might put the name into a more positive light, especially in Silicon Valley.

A very Christmas-y Christmas baby name, that may avoid the Santa image by instead adopting the alternative spelling Klaus.

Nickname-name that's all the rage in Scandinavia.

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

Pelle is one of several possible Peter-related Scandinavian choices. In Swedish or Norwegian, the name Pelle rhymes roughly with Ella.

Too tied to those well-publicized twins.

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 Jessica Simpson's son Ace, in honor of his paternal great-grandfather.

Vill always sound as if you're pronouncing Walter with an affected accent.

Virtually never heard in this country, with a quirky quality.

The name of several legendary Danish kings, including one who declared universal peace.

More familiar in its K forms, where it's associated with football legend Knute Rockne, Canute has a tough, macho image.