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Norwegian Names for Girls

Nameberry
By Nameberry
Updated Tue Jun 09 2020
Norwegian girl names feel fresh, feisty and fashionable in the English-speaking world right now — in an understated, Scandi-chic sort of a way, of course. With their strong consonant sounds and simple spellings, these stylish Norwegian girls' names are the opposite of frilly, fussy, or frou-frou. A few — like Birgit, Vigdis and Helge — might be a little too clunky for all but the bravest of baby-namers, but others — like Juni, Malin and Sunniva — feel bang on-trend in the US today.

Browse our full roster of cool Norwegian baby girl names below. The top names below rank among the current US Top 1000 Baby Names and are ordered by popularity. Unique names rank below the Top 1000 and are listed alphabetically.
  1. Tove

    • Origin:

      Scandinavian

    • Meaning:

      "beautiful, beloved"

    • Description:

      Tove is a modern variation of an Old Norse name for which there are no letters on the twenty-first century keyboard (Þórfríðr, for those interested.) Surviving and thriving in modern Scandinavia in the form of Tove, Tuva, and Tova, it is originally related to the name Thor and means "beautiful, beloved."
  2. Sunniva

    • Origin:

      Scandinavian

    • Meaning:

      "sun gift"

    • Description:

      Sunniva was an Irish-born saint who fled to Norway, where she hid in an island cave with her followers and eventually died. After miracles were reported on the island, the cave was excavated and Sunniva's intact body was found. Sunniva is the patron saint of Western Norway. Her name would make a fascinating and unusual choice for a modern baby girl, and if her story is a bit grim, you can take refuge in the upbeat nickname Sunny or Sunni.
  3. Juni

    • Origin:

      Scandinavian

    • Meaning:

      "June"

    • Description:

      Juni is the Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, and Finnish form of the month name June. While Juni feels cute and fresh, most Americans would assume it was a nickname or a Joni variation. We prefer Juna or the English June.
  4. Tuva

    • Origin:

      Swedish and Norwegian variation of Tove

    • Meaning:

      "beautiful"

    • Description:

      Tove is a modern variation of an Old Norse name, related to Thor. Tuva is a form of the name popular in modern Scandinavia.
  5. Kirsten

    • Origin:

      Scandinavian variation of Christine

    • Description:

      Lovely, authentic name -- but any Kirsten will be condemned to a lifetime of hearing "Did you say Kristen?" They're both genuine Scandinavian names but too interchangeable.
  6. Thelma

    • Origin:

      English, Literary, meaning unknown

    • Description:

      Though modern parents seeking to honor an ancestor named Thelma might opt for the airier Thea instead, Thelma is starting to make its way back onto adventurous vintage name lovers' radars. It is currently experiencing a modest revival in France, where it now ranks around the #300 mark.
  7. Sonja

    • Origin:

      Russian, Slavic, and Scandinavian form of Sophia, Greek

    • Meaning:

      "wisdom"

    • Description:

      Popular throughout Northern and Eastern Europe, particularly in countries like Sweden, Norway, Russia, and Germany, Sonja has a rich cultural heritage. The name gained international recognition through figures like Sonja Henie, the Norwegian Olympic figure skating champion.
  8. Malin

    • Origin:

      Scandinavian diminutive of Magdalene

    • Meaning:

      "high tower or woman of Magdela"

    • Description:

      A multi-cultural name that's in the Norwegian Top 50 and well-used throughout the Scandinavian cultures. Malin has the advantage of being at once simple and unusual.
  9. Lovise

    • Description:

      Lovise is a feminine name with Scandinavian roots, functioning as a Nordic variant of Louise, ultimately derived from the Germanic name Ludwig meaning 'famous warrior.' Common in Norway, Denmark, and Sweden, Lovise combines elegant simplicity with historical depth. The name has maintained steady usage in Scandinavian countries while remaining relatively uncommon elsewhere, giving it a distinctive quality in most English-speaking regions. Lovise carries a gentle sophistication with its soft sounds and connection to the more familiar Louise. The name's connection to 'love' in its first syllable creates a warm association, though this is coincidental rather than etymological. With its blend of classic heritage and melodic pronunciation, Lovise offers timeless appeal with a touch of Nordic distinction.
  10. Terese

    • Description:

      Terese is a feminine given name that serves as a variation of Teresa or Theresa. These names derive from the Greek 'therizein' meaning 'to harvest,' or possibly 'therizo' meaning 'summer harvest.' Some sources also connect it to the Greek island of Thera (Santorini). Terese has a refined, elegant quality while being slightly less common than the more traditional Teresa spelling. The name gained modest popularity in Europe and North America throughout the 20th century, partly influenced by notable figures like Saint Teresa of Ávila and Mother Teresa. Terese carries associations of warmth, compassion, and spiritual depth due to these religious connections, while maintaining a classic, timeless appeal.

  11. Berit

    • Origin:

      Scandinavian variation of Birgit

    • Meaning:

      "exalted one"

    • Description:

      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.
  12. Kristin

    • Origin:

      German and Norwegian variation of Christina

    • Meaning:

      "a Christian"

    • Description:

      A crystalline name that retains its loveliness far past its prime. Its biggest downside: Eternal confusion over spelling and pronunciation. Kristen? Kirsten? It can be so confusing that many parents today opt to bypass it.
  13. Vigdis

    • Origin:

      Norwegian

    • Meaning:

      "war goddess"

    • Description:

      This strong Norwegian name war goddess name, commonly heard in both midcentury Norway and Iceland, has never ventured far beyond its native culture.
  14. Janne

    • Origin:

      Danish and Norwegian diminutive of Johanna

    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"

    • Description:

      This common name for both boys and girls in Scandinavia would definitely work better as a feminine name in the U.S.
  15. Beate

    • Description:

      Beate is a feminine name with German and Scandinavian origins. It derives from the Latin name Beata, meaning "blessed" or "happy." Throughout European history, Beate has been associated with qualities of joy and blessedness. The name gained popularity in Germanic countries during the medieval period, often connected to religious connotations of divine blessing. While not widely used in English-speaking countries, Beate remains a classic choice in Germany, Austria, and Scandinavian nations. The name's pronunciation varies slightly by region, commonly as "bay-AH-tuh" in German or "bay-AH-teh" in Scandinavian countries.
  16. Birte

    • Description:

      Birte is a feminine Danish and German name, derived from the Old Norse Birgit or Bridget, ultimately stemming from the Celtic name meaning 'exalted one' or 'high, noble.' Popular in Scandinavia and northern Germany, Birte has a crisp, modern sound despite its ancient origins. The name is typically pronounced 'BEER-tuh' in its native regions. While remaining relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries, Birte has maintained steady usage in Northern Europe, particularly Denmark. The name balances strength and femininity, offering a distinctive Nordic option that's easy to pronounce and spell while still feeling somewhat exotic outside its regions of origin.

  17. Berte

    • Description:

      Berte is a feminine name with Germanic origins, representing an older variant spelling of Bertha, which means 'bright' or 'famous.' This medieval form of the name was once common throughout Europe, particularly in the Middle Ages and Renaissance period. While Bertha has declined in popularity since the early 20th century, the Berte spelling maintains a connection to historical European naming traditions. The name carries associations with strength and nobility from its Germanic roots. Though rare in contemporary usage, Berte offers parents a chance to choose a name with historical depth and a slightly softer sound than its more familiar variant. Its brevity and straightforward pronunciation add to its appeal.
  18. Rane

    • Description:

      Rane is a gender-neutral name that leans feminine in this context. It has multiple possible origins: it may be derived from Scandinavian roots meaning 'mighty' or 'strong,' connect to the Old English word for 'rain,' or represent a variant spelling of Reign or Rayne. With its concise four-letter structure and simple pronunciation, Rane combines brevity with distinctiveness. The name has never been common in English-speaking countries but has seen occasional use in Nordic regions. Its nature association gives it an elemental, refreshing quality, while its Scandinavian roots lend strength and character. Rane works particularly well for parents seeking a short, contemporary name with subtle depth.

  19. Fjord

    • Origin:

      Norwegian nature name

    • Description:

      The Old Norse and modern Norwegian word name Fjord, which refers to a passage in the sea, could work for children of both genders.
  20. Helge

    • Origin:

      Scandinavian

    • Meaning:

      "holy"

    • Description:

      Form of Helga