Swedish Names for Girls

Birdie

English

"bird"

Birdie was until recently a middle-aged Ladies' Club member wearing a bird-decorated hat --but now it's just the kind of vintage nickname (think Hattie, Josie, Mamie, Millie) that's coming back into…

Bird

Nature name

We once dismissed Bird as "too flighty", but with the rise of avian names from Lark to Robin to, well, Birdie, we don't see why Bird can't be a fine choice, especially as a middle name.

Sybilla

Greek

"seer, oracle"

Sybilla and its near-identical twin Sibylla are dainty and demure names with a powerful namesake that also happen to be extremely rare -- no baby girls were given either name in the US last year.

Antonetta

Antonetta is a feminine name of Italian origin, serving as an elaborate feminine form of Anthony (Antonio in Italian). Derived from the Roman family name Antonius, it carries the meaning 'priceless'…

Britta

Scandinavian, variation of Birgit or Britt

"strength or exalted one"

If you want a pan-Scandinavian name with energy and style that could have been a winner, if not for the sound-alike water filtration company Brita.

Charlotta

Swedish variation of Charlotte, French

"free man"

This form of Charlotte, long obscure, is sure to grow in popularity along with the explosion of Charlotte. It's pretty and feminine and a nice spin on the more familiar version. In Germany, short…

Miah

Swedish variant of Mia

Made most familiar by Miah Persson, a famous Swedish opera singer.

Britt

Swedish, contracted form of Birgit

"high goddess"

Brisk but rather brittle. Britt Eklund was a Bond Girl in the 1974 The Man with the Golden Gun . Britt is a contracted form of Birgit, but be aware that it does come with the strong possibility of…

Lovisa

Lovisa is a Scandinavian feminine name, particularly popular in Sweden, derived from Louise, which ultimately comes from the Germanic name Ludwig, meaning 'famous warrior' or 'renowned fighter.'…

Susann

Susann is a feminine name that represents a variation of Susan, which derives from the Hebrew name Shoshana, meaning 'lily' or 'rose.' This particular spelling with the double 'n' ending gives the…

Bertie

Diminutive of Albertine or Alberta, English or Germanic

"noble, bright"

So uncool it's cool! Bertie makes for a boyish nickname for Alberta, Roberta, Bertille, Albertine... or just use it on its own, à la Billie or Frankie. Old school unisex nickname names are back in…

Wilma

Diminutive of Wilhelmina

"resolute protection"

In the US, Wilma is appears to be eternally fossilized in Bedrock as Fred Flintstone's wife, but in Sweden it's a Top 10 hottie. It did have its moment in the US--from 1912 to 1940 it was a Top 100…

Vilma

Russian, diminutive of Vilhelmina; a Polish place-name

Not much to recommend this relative of Wilma; consider Willa or Willow instead.

Linnea

Swedish

"twinflower, lime tree"

Linnea is an attractive Scandinavian name that derives from the renowned 18th century Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus, who developed the Linnean system of classifying plants and animals. Linnea is…

Elin

Swedish variation of Ellen

The Elin variation makes an old favorite sleeker and more modern. Elin came to prominence via the ex-Mrs.Tiger Woods and is now perhaps best known via novelist Elin Hildebrand.. It entered the US Top…

Brigitta

Brigitta is a feminine name with rich historical roots, derived from the ancient Celtic name Brighid, meaning 'exalted one' or 'high goddess.' It's the Central European form of Bridget, particularly…

Brita

Brita is a feminine name with Scandinavian and German origins. It developed as a variant of Bridget (or Brigid), which ultimately derives from the Celtic name meaning 'strength' or 'exalted one.'…

Berit

Scandinavian variation of Birgit

"exalted one"

Well used in northern Europe, almost unknown in the US, Berit is could make an off-beat alternative to Betty, Beth, or Merritt for those with Scandinavian ancestry.

Gittan

Gittan is a feminine Swedish name that functions primarily as a diminutive form of Birgitta or Margareta. The name has a warm, friendly quality typical of Swedish nicknaming patterns, which often add…

Beata

Swedish, German, Italian, from Latin

"blessed"

Beata, a Latinate saint's name, has been widely used primarily by Roman Catholics in several European countries, but is rarely heard in English-speaking countries. Playground alert: could be…