Viking names for girls

Be inspired by these beautiful, strong and independent nordic names worn by women during the Viking era.
  1. Alva
    • Origin:

      English form of Irish Ailbhe, Swedish and Norwegian feminine form of Alf
    • Meaning:

      "white; elf"
    • Description:

      While the male Alva or Alvah relates directly to the minor Biblical character, the female version is more likely an Anglicized form of the Irish name Ailbhe, or a feminine form the name Alf (and Alf- beginning names), popular in its native Sweden and Norway. Best known as Thomas Edison's middle name, Alva has true unisex roots.
  2. Astrid
    • Origin:

      Scandinavian
    • Meaning:

      "divinely beautiful"
    • Description:

      Astrid has been a Scandinavian royal name since the tenth century, and many people associated it with the Swedish author of the Pippi Longstocking stories, Astrid Lindgren. Astrid is derived from the name Ástríðr, which is made up of the Old Norse elements that mean "god" and "beautiful."
  3. Disa
    • Edda
      • Origin:

        Norse
      • Meaning:

        "poetry"
      • Description:

        This Old Norse girl name has a lovely meaning and a familiar yet distinctive sound.
    • Eira
      • Origin:

        Welsh
      • Meaning:

        "snow"
      • Description:

        This Welsh nature name that can be pronounced exactly like the male Ira. Or, to avoid confusion, you could just name her Snow.
    • Embla
      • Origin:

        Norse
      • Meaning:

        "elm"
      • Description:

        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.
    • Erica
      • Origin:

        Norse, feminine form of Eric
      • Meaning:

        "eternal ruler"
      • Description:

        The straightforward Erica is a Norse feminization that was long associated with the complex, mega-popular character Erica Kane, played by Susan Lucci for decades on the soap opera All My Children. Used in Scandinavia since the early eighteenth century, where it was usually spelled Erika, it was in the Top 50 girls' list in the USA in the 1970s and eighties.
    • Freya
      • Origin:

        Norse
      • Meaning:

        "a noble woman"
      • Description:

        Freya has long been popular in the U.K. but has only taken off in the US in the last decade, along with the entire category of mythological names. Derived from the Old Norse name Freyja, meaning "Lady, noble woman", Freya is the name of the Norse goddess of love, beauty, and fertility.
    • Frida
      • Origin:

        German
      • Meaning:

        "peace"
      • Description:

        The dynamic personality and paintings of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo have inspired growing numbers of parents to resurrect this form of the name. It does much better in certain European countries, especially in Denmark and Norway. The Frieda and Freida spellings were more popular in the US until the middle of the 20th century.
    • Hilda
      • Origin:

        German
      • Meaning:

        "battle woman"
      • Description:

        Short for Brunhilda, the operatic Valkyrie of Teutonic legend, Hilda still has not quite shaken off that image that image. Though with the resurgence of Matilda, she might just have a bit of a comeback.
    • Idun
      • Origin:

        Norse
      • Meaning:

        "ever young"
      • Description:

        Idun is a modern transcription of Iðunn, the name of the goddess of apples — possibly representing fertility — and youth in Norse mythology. The similarity in pronunciation to Eden could add some points in favor of Idun or perhaps add some confusion.
    • Ingrid
      • Origin:

        Norse
      • Meaning:

        "fair; Ing is beautiful"
      • Description:

        The luminous Ingrid Bergman's appeal was strong enough to lend universal charisma to this classic Scandinavian name, which has been somewhat neglected in the US. Even today, a child named Ingrid would be assumed to be of Scandinavian ancestry, signaling the name has never been fully integrated into the English lexicon the way other European choices from the same era like Danielle or Kathleen have.
    • Liv
      • Origin:

        Diminutive of Olivia, English, Norse
      • Meaning:

        "olive tree; life, protection"
      • Description:

        Liv combines the succinct charm of a nickname—people might assume it's short for Olivia—with the solidity of being a classic stand-alone Scandinavian name with a life-force meaning. It was brought into the public eye (in the English speaking world that is) due to the fame of actress and Aerosmith daughter Liv Tyler.
    • Saga
      • Origin:

        Swedish word name
      • Meaning:

        "story; seeress"
      • Description:

        Apt name for a little drama queen with a long future ahead of her. Saga is a Top 30 girls' name in Sweden.
    • Signe
      • Origin:

        Scandinavian
      • Meaning:

        "new victory"
      • Description:

        Signe could make an offbeat, more unusual alternative to Sydney or Sigrid. In Norse mythology, Signe was the twin sister of Sigmund. Can also be spelled Signy.
    • Tyra
      • Origin:

        Scandinavian, feminine variation of Tyr, an ancient Indo-European god
      • Description:

        High profile supermodel/entrepreneur Tyra Banks has put this name in the spotlight, endowing it with her confident, superattractive image.
    • Ylva
      • Origin:

        Feminine variation of Ulf, Scandinavian
      • Meaning:

        "wolf"
      • Description:

        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.