300+ Viking Names

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.

One of the top baby names in Sweden, Tage is virtually unknown outside Scandinavia.

Even is a popular boys' name in Norway, derived from the Old Norse Eivindr. Another popular variation is Eivind, which is pronounced like Ivan.

Ing was a powerful Norse god whose name inspired several modern variations -- though Inga has become a caricatured Scandinavian choice.

This is a more spunky and Nordic looking variant of Erica, but the k also makes the connection to the beautiful flower less apparent.

This Old Norse girl name has a lovely meaning and a familiar yet distinctive sound.

Tora is the female version of Tor or Thor, the name of the Norse god of thunder. Actress Jeanne Tripplehorn chose it for her daughter.

In Norse mythology, Embla is the equivalent of the Bible's Eve. With a lovely nature meaning, and a soft but distinctive sound, Embla is one of the most popular girl names in Iceland.

Skadi is an anglicized spelling of Skaði, a Scandinavian goddess associated with winter, skiing, bowhunting and mountains. This mythological choice is enjoying the limelight of names like Odin and Thor: it first appeared in the US charts in 2017 and is given to a few more girls each year.

Signy — also spelled Signe — would make another distinctively offbeat alternative to Sydney. Signy appears in Norse mythology as the twin sister of Sigmund.

This particular spelling was chosen by Will Ferrell for his son, brother to Magnus. These names are both popular in Sweden, birthplace of their mother, Viveca Paulin.

Kal is a concise, powerful masculine name with diverse cultural roots. In Norse mythology, Kal relates to 'cold' or 'frost,' while in Sanskrit it can mean 'time' or 'black.' The name also appears as a diminutive of Kalman or Kaleb in some traditions, and resonates with Superman fans as the birth name of the superhero (Kal-El). This cross-cultural versatility gives Kal a global appeal while maintaining a strong, distinctive sound. The name's brevity makes it punchy and memorable, following the modern trend toward shorter masculine names. Despite its ancient roots, Kal feels contemporary and has gained modest popularity in recent decades. Its simplicity makes it work well internationally while its varied cultural connections give it depth and character.

Isak is a Scandinavian and Eastern European variant of Isaac, a name with ancient Hebrew origins meaning 'he will laugh' or 'he will rejoice.' This spelling is particularly common in Sweden, Norway, Finland, and parts of Eastern Europe. The Biblical Isaac was the son of Abraham and Sarah, giving the name deep religious significance in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions. Isak has maintained steady popularity in Scandinavian countries, appreciating its clean, simple sound. In recent years, the name has gained international appeal as parents seek distinctive alternatives to more common biblical names. Notable bearers include Swedish writer Isak Dinesen (pen name of Karen Blixen) and various European athletes and artists.

Often stands alone in Israel, but rarely here.

Björn is a pervasive Swedish name that can be found on popularity charts throughout Northern Europe and now in the US as well. There are too many renowned Björns (and Bjørns and Bjorns) to list them all here, but an early bearer is Björn Ironside, Viking chief and king of Sweden. Modern associations include tennis great Björn Borg, who helped popularize his name in the 1970s, and Björn Ulvaeus, one-quarter of the Swedish band ABBA.

Sefi is a compact masculine name with multiple cultural origins. In Hebrew, it can be a diminutive of Joseph or Yosef, meaning 'God will add.' In Nordic contexts, it might connect to names meaning 'victory' or 'triumphant.' Its brevity makes it practical across language boundaries while maintaining a friendly, approachable quality. Sefi has remained relatively uncommon in most Western countries, giving it a distinctive character. The name's short length and easy pronunciation make it accessible globally while still feeling unique. It carries a modern sensibility while potentially connecting to ancient naming traditions. For parents seeking a concise name with cross-cultural appeal and a friendly sound, Sefi offers simplicity with underlying depth of meaning.

The connection to Freud is a strong one, but this German name has a strong and interesting sound and great nickname potential: Ziggy, Iggy, Sim, Sid...

Once popular (and still familiar) in Norway, Stian could make an interesting choice for anyone with northern European roots. It is a modern form of the Norse Stígandr, with its appealing, wanderer meaning.

Scandinavian names are fashionable these days, and Torsten is one that is used only occasionally: About 20 baby boys were named Torsten in the US last year.