Norse Names for Boys
Across 3 pages
of 3
The names
Tate
English from Norse
"cheerful"
A strong single-syllable surname with a joyful meaning, Tate is finding a place on more and more birth certificates. Former Spice Girl Emma Bunton named her second son Tate Lee. Tate also has a…
Eric
Old Norse
"eternal ruler"
Eric is derived from the Old Norse name Eiríkr, from the components ei , meaning "ever," and ríkr , "rule." It was adopted by English speakers in the mid-nineteenth century, who were already familiar…
Bo
Norse nickname
"to live"
A popular name in Denmark, in this country Bo has some cowboy swagger and a lot of substance in its minimal two letters. In Mandarin Chinese, Bo means "wave".
Odin
Variation of Óðinn, Old Norse
"god of frenzy; poetic fury"
Odin is the name of the supreme Norse god of art, culture, wisdom, and law — who was handsome, charming, and eloquent into the bargain. The name projects a good measure of strength and power and has…
Ronald
Scottish, Norse
"ruler's counselor"
A strong, if slightly dated sounding choice, Ronald made the US Top 10 in the late 1930s through into the mid-1940s, before it became heavily associated with President Reagan, as well as with the…
Dustin
Norse
"brave warrior, or Thor's stone"
Dustin's popularity in recent years has probably had more due to its similarity to Justin than to idolization of Dustin Hoffman -- himself named after silent screen cowboy star Dustin Farnum -- who…
Kari
Norse
"curly hair"
In Norse mythology, the son of the giant who ruled the wind and air; in modern America, recalls a 1970s girl's nickname name, à la Carrie and Keri.
Galt
Norse
"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,…
Knute
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…
Frodi
Norse
"wise, learned"
The name of several legendary Danish kings, including one who declared universal peace.
Ivarr
Ivarr is a masculine name of Old Norse origin, representing a traditional Scandinavian name that was common among Vikings. It derives from elements meaning 'yew' (a type of tree associated with…
Garth
Norse
"groundskeeper, enclosure"
A name that took on a pronounced country twang via Nashville megastar Garth (born Troyal) Brooks.
Haakon
Norse
"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.
Haldor
Norse
"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.
Knut
Old Norse; Norwegian; Swedish; Danish
"knot"
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…
Ivar
Norse
"yew wood, archer, warrior"
Closer to the original Norse name Ívarr , it is part of a small group of names with similar roots: Ivor, Iver, Ivo, Ives, and Evander, which all make rugged yet gentle feeling choices. Used…
Ingmar
Norse
"son of Ing"
Ingmar is known here almost solely through Swedish director Ingmar Bergman. Ing was the powerful Norse god of fertility and peace, who lent his name to several mortal variations, more notably to…
Digby
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…
Helgi
Norse
"holy"
Older form of Helge, and a masculine form of Helga.
Halle
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.