Not-so-attractive short form of a lovely name.

More Scandinavian names are making their way into English-speaking homes. If Sven and Freya are useable, why not Svea? With a similar sound to Ava, it is associated with Mother Svea, a national personification of Sweden.

Siv, or sometimes Sif, was the name of Thor's wife and is popular in modern Scandinavia. In Norse mythology, Siv was the goddess of fertility and agriculture.

Thilda is a feminine name with Germanic origins, functioning as a diminutive or variant of Matilda or Hilda. The name Matilda means 'strength in battle,' while Hilda means 'battle woman' or 'warrior,' giving Thilda strong, powerful undertones despite its soft sound. Popular in Scandinavian countries, particularly Sweden, Thilda combines traditional roots with a distinctive character. The name experienced moderate popularity in Nordic countries during the early 20th century before declining, though it has seen some revival in recent decades as parents rediscover traditional names. Thilda strikes a balance between familiarity and uniqueness, offering a slightly uncommon alternative to more widely used names while maintaining historical connections.

Thilde is a feminine name of Germanic origin, functioning primarily as a diminutive of Mathilde or Matilda. The name carries the meaning 'strength in battle' from its Germanic roots 'maht' (might, strength) and 'hild' (battle). Popular in Scandinavian countries and parts of Germany, Thilde offers a softer, more intimate variation of the formal Mathilde. The name combines traditional heritage with a certain delicate quality in its pronunciation. In Denmark and Sweden, it sometimes appears as an independent given name rather than just a nickname. Thilde projects both sweetness and underlying strength, making it versatile across age groups. While relatively uncommon internationally, the name's straightforward pronunciation and spelling give it potential appeal beyond Germanic regions, especially for parents seeking a name with European character and historical depth.

Tindra is a new name in Sweden, used only since the 1980s, that has become enormously popular: It's in the Top 100 there. And while unknown in the US, Tindra certainly has possibilities as a substitute for the flagging Kendra.

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.

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

Another astral name, this one relating to one of the largest and brightest stars in the heavens, is popular in Scandinavia and Spain, where it ranks among the Top 50 girls' names. Although still very rare in the US, we think it has serious potential to follow the likes of Luna and Lyra up the charts.

An unusual name associated with the gorgeous Swedish-Norwegian model, actress, and TV host, Vendela is possibly a feminine form of Wendell.

Ylva may look like it belongs with the Eva family of names, but it actually derives from Ulf, a name meaning "wolf." It's not a very intuitive name to English-speakers, and likely won't get picked up in the US anytime soon. At last count, it was only given to five American baby girls.