300+ Viking Names
- Brynjar
Origin:
Old NorseMeaning:
"warrior armor"Description:
An attractive Nordic name most common in Iceland. It was derived from the Old Norse elements bryn, meaning "armor," and her, "warrior" or "army."
- 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.
- Holger
Origin:
Nordic and GermanMeaning:
"island spear"Description:
Derived from the Old Norse elements holmr "island" and geirr "spear". This is a widespread name in Scandinavia, and belonged to a legendary Danish hero, Holger Danske (Ogier the Dane). According to legend, Holger Danske was a fearsome warrior under Charlemagne, who never died but sleeps in the cellar of Kronborg Castle at Elsinore, ready to rise again if Denmark is ever in danger.
- Birk
Description:
Birk is a masculine name with Germanic and Scandinavian roots. It derives from the Old Norse 'björk' or German 'birke,' both meaning 'birch tree.' In Nordic countries, the birch symbolizes new beginnings, resilience, and growth, lending these positive associations to the name. Short and strong with just one syllable, Birk projects a rugged, outdoorsy character while remaining approachable. Though relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries, it enjoys some usage in Scandinavian nations where nature-inspired names have traditional appeal. The name's botanical connection also places it within the modern trend of nature names while its Norse heritage gives it historical depth. For parents seeking a brief, distinctive name with natural symbolism and Nordic flavor, Birk offers an understated yet meaningful choice.
- Dag
Origin:
ScandinavianMeaning:
"daylight"Description:
Norse god who's the son of light plus historic diplomat Dag Hammarskjöld and author Dag Solstad combine to boost this Nordic name's appeal, but this could be difficult in English-speaking countries where the obvious tease will be "daggy Dag."
- Toke
Origin:
Danish and GermanMeaning:
"Thor's spear"Description:
Danish form of the Old Norse Þórgeirr — Thorger is another variation.
- Yrsa
Origin:
Old Norse, Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, Icelandic, and Faroese, meaning unknownDescription:
The exact meaning of Yrsa has been lost to history, but theorists have come up with two possible explanations. The first, more likely option, is that Yrsa is a younger variant of the name Ýrr, meaning "mad" or "furious" or "wild". The other theory is based on Yrsa's similarities to Ursa, Latin for "bear", and suggests Yrsa comes from an Old Norse word that means "she-bear".
- Henning
Description:
Henning is a masculine name with Scandinavian and Germanic origins, particularly popular in Denmark, Norway, and northern Germany. It likely developed as a diminutive of Heinrich (Henry), derived from Germanic elements meaning 'home ruler.' With a history dating back to medieval times, Henning has maintained steady usage in Nordic countries while remaining uncommon in English-speaking regions. The name has a strong, crisp sound with its double 'n' and straightforward pronunciation. Notable bearers include various Scandinavian athletes, authors, and historical figures. Henning conveys a sense of reliability and Nordic heritage, appealing to parents looking for a name with cultural roots and a distinctive yet accessible quality.
- Magni
Origin:
NordicMeaning:
"great"Description:
Magni is a powerful name from Norse mythology: he’s the son of Thor and the giant Járnsaxa. A more modern variant is Magne, which is currently climbing fast in Denmark.
- Sif
Origin:
NorseMeaning:
"bride"Description:
Sif, or sometimes Siv, was the name of Thor's wife and is popular in modern Scandinavia. In Norse mythology, Sif was the goddess of fertility and agriculture.
- Ulf
Origin:
ScandinavianMeaning:
"wolf"Description:
A common Scandinavian name, but hard to imagine being used elsewhere.
- Kári
Origin:
Variation of Kárr, Old NorseMeaning:
"curly hair"Description:
A name with Old Norse roots that at one time existed alongside the name Kárr, although Kári is the dominant form today. In recent years, it's been common in Iceland and the Faroe Islands.
- Åse
Origin:
Norwegian, Swedish, and DanishMeaning:
"god"
- Vana
Description:
Vana is a feminine name with multiple cultural origins. In Sanskrit, it means 'forest' or 'woodland,' connecting the bearer to nature. In Persian, it relates to 'fair' or 'beautiful.' The name also appears in Greek mythology as a minor goddess. Vana possesses a melodic quality with its flowing vowel sounds, giving it a gentle yet distinctive character. The name's brevity makes it easy to pronounce across languages and cultures. While not widely used in English-speaking countries, Vana enjoys some popularity in parts of Eastern Europe and India. Its international versatility and natural associations make it appealing to parents seeking a simple yet meaningful name with cross-cultural potential.
- Katla
Origin:
Feminization of Ketil, NorwegianMeaning:
"kettle; cauldron; helmet"Description:
A Top 10 name in Iceland, where it is also the name of an active volcano.
- Njal
Description:
Njal is a masculine name of Norse origin, particularly associated with Iceland and Norway. The name comes from Old Norse 'Njáll,' and gained historical significance through the medieval Icelandic saga 'Njáls saga,' where the protagonist Njal Thorgeirsson is portrayed as a wise and respected lawyer. The name is pronounced 'nyahl' in its original form, with a soft 'j' sound. Historically, Njal represented wisdom, justice, and thoughtful counsel. Though rare outside of Scandinavian countries, it carries strong cultural connections to Norse heritage and Viking history. For those with Scandinavian ancestry or interest in Norse culture, Njal offers a distinctive yet authentic option with historical depth and meaningful literary connections.
- Oleg
Origin:
RussianMeaning:
"holy"Description:
This common Russian name has a somewhat effete pencil-thin-moustached image here.
- Tekla
Description:
Tekla is a feminine name of Greek origin, derived from 'Thekla,' which comes from 'theocleia' meaning 'glory of God.' It gained prominence through Saint Thecla, a follower of Saint Paul in early Christian tradition and one of the earliest female saints. The Tekla spelling variation is particularly common in Poland, Sweden, Finland, and other Northern and Eastern European countries. While never extremely common in English-speaking countries, the name maintains steady usage in its regions of origin. Tekla carries a sense of ancient dignity and religious significance while offering a distinctive sound. The name appeals to parents seeking something with historical depth, cross-cultural presence, and a slightly exotic quality that remains relatively straightforward to pronounce.
- Randi
Description:
Randi as a masculine name has Scandinavian origins, derived from the Old Norse 'Randr' meaning 'shield' or 'rim of a shield.' In countries like Norway, it serves as a diminutive of Randolf or Randulf, compound names containing elements meaning 'shield' and 'wolf.' While Randi is predominantly feminine in the United States, it maintains masculine usage in Nordic countries. The name's popularity for boys peaked in the mid-20th century but has since declined. It features a straightforward pronunciation and friendly sound, with the '-i' ending giving it an approachable quality. Randi exemplifies the interesting phenomenon of gender-fluid names that carry different gender associations across cultures. For male bearers, it offers both strength in its meaning and the uniqueness of being less common for boys in many Western countries.
- Hjörtur
Origin:
IcelandicMeaning:
"deer"Description:
A handsome Icelandic nature name also used in very small numbers in Sweden and Denmark.