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Common Danish Names I Would Name My Daughter

Annaleag
By Annaleag
Updated Sun May 14 2023
  1. Agnethe

    • Description:

      Agnethe is a feminine name of Scandinavian origin, primarily used in Denmark and Norway. It represents a Nordic variation of Agnes, which derives from the Greek word 'hagnos' meaning 'pure' or 'holy.' The Scandinavian spelling gives this classic name a distinctive northern European character. While not commonly used outside Nordic countries, Agnethe carries the same associations with purity and virtue as Agnes, with a unique cultural twist. The pronunciation (typically AG-net-uh or ag-NEE-tuh) varies regionally. This name might appeal to parents with Scandinavian heritage or those seeking an uncommon name with classical roots. Agnethe has connections to Saint Agnes, an early Christian martyr, giving it religious significance in addition to its cultural heritage.

  2. Alexandra

    • Origin:

      Greek, feminine form of Alexander

    • Meaning:

      "defending men"

    • Description:

      Alexandra fell out of the Top 100 for the first time since 1983 in 2015 but is still a popular choice. Strong, tasteful, and elegant, Alexandra remains a chic modern classic with a solid historic pedigree.
  3. Asta

    • Origin:

      Norwegian

    • Meaning:

      "divine strength"

    • Description:

      This Scandinavian name was made famous in English-speaking countries as the name of the dog in the "Thin Man" series. Danish actress Asta Nielsen was another famous bearer. Asta can be considered as a short form of Astrid or Augusta.
  4. Augusta

    • Origin:

      Feminine variation of Augustus, Latin

    • Meaning:

      "great, magnificent"

    • Description:

      Augusta is a dignified name reminiscent of wealthy great-aunts and stately homes, but with the fashion for both August and Gus for boys, and the renewed interest in clunky classics like Gwendolyn and Winifred for girls, Augusta might just appeal to contemporary parents.
  5. Alvilda
    • Beate

      • Description:

        Beate is a feminine name with German and Scandinavian origins. It derives from the Latin name Beata, meaning "blessed" or "happy." Throughout European history, Beate has been associated with qualities of joy and blessedness. The name gained popularity in Germanic countries during the medieval period, often connected to religious connotations of divine blessing. While not widely used in English-speaking countries, Beate remains a classic choice in Germany, Austria, and Scandinavian nations. The name's pronunciation varies slightly by region, commonly as "bay-AH-tuh" in German or "bay-AH-teh" in Scandinavian countries.
    • Benedikte
      • Celina

        • Origin:

          Greek, French

        • Meaning:

          "moon or heavenly"

        • Description:

          A light and pretty pan-cultural name which can be considered a variant of either the Greek name Selene or Selena, meaning "moon", or of the French Celine, meaning "heavenly". An attractive choice that is surprisingly rare in the US: out of the Top 1000 since 2006.
      • Clara

        • Origin:

          Latin

        • Meaning:

          "bright, clear"

        • Description:

          Clara is a strong, lovely girls' name that's always ranked among the US Top 1000 girl names but has been climbing since the turn of this century. It now ranks right at Number 78, making it a modern classic that's neither too popular nor unfamiliar.
      • Cirkeline
        • Dagmar

          • Origin:

            Norse

          • Meaning:

            "Day maiden"

          • Description:

            This royal Danish name has long been used across Scandinavia, Germany and Slavic countries and somewhat in the US around the turn of the last century --it was #622 in 1888. There were two notable silent screen stars named Dagmar, one with Polish, the other with Danish roots.
        • Edith

          • Origin:

            English

          • Meaning:

            "prosperous in war"

          • Description:

            Edith was a hugely popular name a hundred years ago that's being revived among stylish parents in Stockholm and London. It's currently beginning to gain traction in the US among those with a taste for old-fashioned names with a soft but strong image.
        • Filippa

          • Description:

            Filippa is the feminine form of Philip, derived from the Greek name Philippos meaning 'lover of horses.' This elegant name has been used throughout Europe for centuries, particularly in Scandinavian countries, Italy, and Greece. While less common than the masculine Philip or feminine Philippa in English-speaking regions, Filippa offers a softer, more distinctly feminine sound with its ending in 'a.' The name carries connotations of nobility and classical heritage, as it has been borne by various historical figures and royalty across Europe. Filippa represents a beautiful option for parents seeking a name with historical depth and international recognition that still remains relatively uncommon and distinctive in many Western countries.
        • Flora

          • Origin:

            Latin

          • Meaning:

            "flower"

          • Description:

            Flora, the name of the Roman goddess of flowers and spring, who enjoyed eternal youth, is one of the gently old-fashioned girls' flower names we think is due for a comeback— alongside cousins Cora and Dora. Florence, Fiorella, Fleur, and Flower are translations, but we like Flora best of all.
        • 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.
        • Isolde

          • Origin:

            Welsh, German

          • Meaning:

            "ice ruler"

          • Description:

            Now that Tristan has been rediscovered, maybe it's time for his fabled lover in the Arthurian romances and Wagnerian opera, a beautiful Irish princess, to be brought back into the light as well.
        • Josephine

          • Origin:

            French feminine variation of Joseph, Hebrew

          • Meaning:

            "Jehovah increases"

          • Description:

            Josephine, with its large measure of class and character and a gently offbeat quality, has been on a gentle uphill climb in the US for over 30 years, now ranking in the Top 100. With an intriguing number of vivacious nicknames, from Jo to Josie to Fifi to Posy, Josephine is a Nameberry favorite.
        • Lilja

          • Origin:

            Icelandic, Faroese, and Finnish variation of Lily; "lily"

          • Meaning:

            "lily"

          • Description:

            Cute and quirky Lily alternative.
        • Lucca

          • Origin:

            Spelling variation of Luca; Italian place name

          • Description:

            This spelling is more unisex than either Luca or Luka, perhaps because it is also an Italian city name. However, it fell for both genders in 2021, as the Disney movie Luca sent that spelling skyrocketing.
        • Martha

          • Origin:

            Aramaic

          • Meaning:

            "lady"

          • Description:

            The name of our first First Lady still has something of a prim and proper image, academic and efficient. That quiet, traditional, and tasteful gestalt is exactly what makes Martha appealing to some parents today.