Norwegian Names for Boys

Arvid

Swedish, Norwegian, Danish

"eagle-tree"

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…

Nils

Scandinavian variation of Nicholas

"people of victory"

Like Lars, Sven, Niels, and Nels, an unjustly neglected straightforward Scandinavian name. Surname Nilsson or the anglicized Nelson derives from Nils.

Salomon

Salomon is a masculine name of Hebrew origin, representing a variant spelling of Solomon. Derived from 'shalom' meaning 'peace,' it carries the beautiful meaning of 'peaceful one.' This form of the…

Nels

Norwegian and Swedish variation of Nicholas

"people of victory"

One of those simple Norse names, like Lars, that is definitely worth thinking about.

Ole

Ole is a masculine name with strong Scandinavian roots, functioning as the Danish and Norwegian form of Olaf. Derived from the Old Norse name Óláfr, comprised of 'anu' meaning 'ancestor' and 'leifr'…

Eirik

Eirik is a masculine name of Old Norse origin and is a traditional Scandinavian variant of Erik or Eric. The name derives from the elements 'ei' (ever, always) and 'ríkr' (ruler, king, mighty), thus…

Gregor

Scottish form of Gregory

"vigilant, a watchman"

Two prominent literary namesakes make Gregor a somewhat risky choice. On the highbrow side, there's Gregor Samsa, the Kafka character who woke up one day to find himself turned into a cockroach. And…

Havard

Norwegian

"protector"

An unusual yet accessible Scandinavian choice, though it might be confused with Harvard.

Matteus

Matteus is a masculine name that represents a variation of Matthew, which derives from the Hebrew name Matityahu, meaning 'gift of God' or 'gift from God.' This form of the name is particularly…

Mats

Scandinavian diminutive of Matthias, Aramaic

"gift of God"

If you're looking for a Euro-chic alternative to Max, Mats is a strong possibility. It's a fading classic in Norway, but is popular in the Netherlands and Belgium, where short names are the height of…

Odo

German

"wealthy"

Odo is an ancient Germanic masculine name with rich historical connections. The more modern form is the new fashionable Otto. Most famously associated with Odo of Bayeux, the medieval bishop who…

Olay

Olay is a masculine name with multiple cultural origins. In Scandinavian contexts, it's a variant of Olaf or Olav, derived from Old Norse elements meaning 'ancestor's relic.' In Spanish-speaking…

Olav

Olav is a masculine Scandinavian name, particularly popular in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. It derives from the Old Norse name Óláfr, composed of the elements 'ancestor' and 'heir' or 'descendant,'…

Audr

Audr is a masculine name with Norse origins. It is a variant of the Old Norse name Auðr, which means 'wealth' or 'prosperity.' In Norse mythology and Viking culture, wealth was highly valued, making…

Pelle

Scandinavian variation of Peter, Greek

"rock, stone"

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

Roald

Norwegian

"famous ruler"

This intriguing Scandinavian name is associated with Roald Dahl, author of the juvenile classics James and the Giant Peach and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory . You can honor an ancestral Ronald…

Roar

Norwegian cognate of Roger

"famous warrior; famous spear"

While this may look like an animal related word name to those unfamiliar with it, Roar is a Norwegian name derived from the Old Norse element hróðr meaning "fame". combined with either herr meaning…

Stein

German

"Stone"

Theodrekr

Theodrekr is an ancient Norse name combining elements that roughly translate to 'people' or 'folk' (theod) and 'ruler' or 'powerful' (rekr/rikr), essentially meaning 'ruler of the people.' This name…

Timoteus

Timoteus is a masculine name representing the Latin form of Timothy, which ultimately derives from the Greek name Timotheos meaning 'honoring God' or 'honored by God.' This variant is particularly…