Norwegian Names for Boys
You'll find all of our cool Norwegian baby names for boys 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.
- Oslo
Origin:
Norwegian place name, Old NorseMeaning:
"meadow at the foot of a hill"Description:
Oslo, the capital city of Norway, makes for an intriguing new place name, especially with its bookended O's, as in Otto and leads to cool nickname Ozzie. One Berry has already used it and we predict others will follow; in fact, stats suggest it is used eight times more often than it was a decade ago.
- Aksel
Origin:
Danish, version of Hebrew AbsalomMeaning:
"the father is peace"Description:
Most American parents would choose to use the more commonly seen variant, Axel, but .this form is preferred in Denmark and Norway, and also ranks in the French Top 400.
- Nils
Origin:
Scandinavian variation of NicholasMeaning:
"people of victory"Description:
Like Lars, Sven, Niels, and Nels, an unjustly neglected straightforward Scandinavian name. Surname Nilsson or the anglicized Nelson derives from Nils.
- Gregor
Origin:
Scottish form of GregoryMeaning:
"vigilant, a watchman"Description:
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 then there's Gregor Clegane, one of the most feared and purely evil characters in the world of Game of Thrones.
- Nels
Origin:
Norwegian and Swedish variation of NicholasMeaning:
"people of victory"Description:
One of those simple Norse names, like Lars, that is definitely worth thinking about.
- Pelle
Origin:
Scandinavian variation of Peter, GreekMeaning:
"rock, stone"Description:
Pelle is one of several possible Peter-related Scandinavian choices. In Swedish or Norwegian, the name Pelle rhymes roughly with Ella.
- Arvid
Origin:
Swedish, Norwegian, DanishMeaning:
"eagle-tree"Description:
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 A name.
- Roald
Origin:
NorwegianMeaning:
"famous ruler"Description:
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 just by dropping that middle 'n'.
- Mats
Origin:
Scandinavian diminutive of Matthias, AramaicMeaning:
"gift of God"Description:
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 style.
- Stein
Origin:
GermanMeaning:
"Stone"
- Salomon
Description:
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 name is particularly common in French, Spanish, and German-speaking countries, while Solomon is more prevalent in English-speaking regions. The name references the biblical King Solomon, renowned for his wisdom and wealth. Salomon has maintained steady though modest popularity across various cultures throughout history. Parents might choose this spelling for its slightly more international feel while still connecting to the rich biblical heritage and connotations of wisdom associated with the name.
- Ole
Description:
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' meaning 'heir' or 'descendant.' Traditionally pronounced 'OH-leh' in Scandinavian countries, the name has gained different pronunciations in other regions. Ole has maintained steady popularity in Norway, Denmark, and parts of northern Germany, while in the United States it has historically been associated with Scandinavian-American communities, particularly in the Upper Midwest. The name carries connotations of heritage and tradition while remaining simple and accessible. Ole's compact form gives it a friendly, approachable quality while still honoring Nordic naming traditions and cultural connections.
- Roar
Origin:
Norwegian cognate of RogerMeaning:
"famous warrior; famous spear"Description:
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 "warrior" or "geirr meaning "spear". It can also be spelled as Hroar.
- Svein
Description:
Svein is a masculine Norse name with ancient Scandinavian roots, traditionally spelled Sveinn in Old Norse. The name means 'boy,' 'young man,' or 'servant' and has been used throughout Nordic countries for centuries. Historically significant, Svein was borne by several medieval Scandinavian kings and nobles, including Svein Forkbeard, who was King of Denmark and England in the late 10th and early 11th centuries. While maintaining steady popularity in Norway, Iceland, and other Nordic countries, the name remains uncommon in English-speaking regions. Svein carries strong associations with Viking heritage and Nordic culture, appealing to parents seeking a name with historical depth and a distinctive, masculine sound that connects to Scandinavian roots.
- Matteus
Description:
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 common in Scandinavian countries, parts of Eastern Europe, and Brazil. Matteus carries the same biblical significance as Matthew, who was one of Jesus's twelve apostles and author of the first Gospel in the New Testament. The name combines traditional religious meaning with an international flair. While less common in English-speaking countries than the standard Matthew, Matteus has gained popularity among parents seeking a distinctive yet recognizable name with strong historical and spiritual connections.
- Olay
Description:
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 regions, it may be a variation of Olallo, with distinct etymological roots. The name's brevity and international versatility give it modern appeal, while its heritage connects to ancient Nordic traditions. Though not widely used in English-speaking countries, Olay has a contemporary feel with historical depth. The name's streamlined simplicity works well cross-culturally and avoids pronunciation difficulties. For parents seeking a short, distinctive name with northern European character that travels well internationally, Olay offers an uncommon yet accessible option.
- Eirik
Description:
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 meaning 'eternal ruler' or 'ever powerful.' Particularly common in Norway, this spelling preserves the authentic Nordic heritage of the name. Eirik was borne by several Norwegian kings and figures in Norse sagas, including Eirik Bloodaxe. While less common internationally than Erik, this spelling offers cultural authenticity appealing to those with Scandinavian heritage or those seeking a strong name with historical depth and a slightly distinctive spelling.
- Theodrekr
Description:
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 represents the Old Norse form that eventually evolved into the modern name Theodoric or Derek. It was borne by several historical figures in early medieval Scandinavia and Germanic regions. Theodrekr remained primarily confined to Norse territories during the Viking Age and early medieval period, eventually falling out of common use as Christianity spread through Scandinavia. Today, it's extremely rare, primarily chosen by parents seeking an authentic connection to Norse heritage or history enthusiasts interested in reviving ancient Nordic names.
- Olav
Description:
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,' essentially meaning 'ancestor's descendant.' This name has deep historical significance in Scandinavia, having been borne by several Norwegian kings, including Saint Olav (Olav II), who helped Christianize Norway in the 11th century. While traditional in Nordic countries, Olav remains relatively uncommon in English-speaking regions. The name carries connotations of strength, heritage, and leadership. Alternative spellings include Olaf, Olof, and Olave, with Olav being the modern Norwegian form.
- Timoteus
Description:
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 common in Scandinavian countries, parts of Eastern Europe, and Finland. While less familiar in English-speaking regions than Timothy, Timoteus offers a classical, scholarly impression with its complete Latin ending. The name carries biblical significance through Saint Timothy, an early Christian leader and companion of Paul. Timoteus projects dignity and tradition while maintaining a certain international flexibility. Parents might choose this variant for its distinctive character while still connecting to the widespread Timothy tradition. Though uncommon globally, it remains in use particularly in Lutheran countries where classical and biblical names have maintained popularity.
Introducing the Nameberry App

- Swipe through thousands of names with your partner
- Names you match on are saved to your shared list
- Get personalized recommendations that learn based on your and your partner's preferences
- Partner with friends and family to find names you all love
- Backed by Nameberry's 20 years of data around name preferences.

