Popular in Denmark

  1. 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.
  2. Leonora
    • Origin:

      Italian diminutive of Eleonora or Eleanor, meaning unknown
    • Description:

      Its mellifluous sound makes Leonora--which has a rich history and a tie to the popular Leo names-- a keen possibility for revival. Though it's been hiding below the Top 1000 since the 1940s, Leonora is being rediscovered by stylish parents in the US and Europe.
  3. Emil
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "rival"
    • Description:

      Derived from the Latin word aemulus, Emil is a name with international appeal. Concise and sturdy but with the gentle Em sound, Emil is popular across Europe, from Azerbaijan to Finland, from Germany to Norway, and Denmark. Alternative spelling Emile also ranks highly in Belgium and Canada.
  4. Marius
    • Origin:

      Latin, from a Roman family name related to Mars, the god of war
    • Description:

      Marius, frequently heard in Germany and France, is a slightly fusty yet accessible name that has (Les Mis) to Anne Rice. With the rise in interest in such Latin names as Maximus and Atticus, Marius might start attracting more attention. Mario, the Italian, Spanish and Portuguese version of Marius, is much more widely used.
  5. Viggo
    • Origin:

      Scandinavian
    • Meaning:

      "war"
    • Description:

      Though to most Americans Viggo is a one-person name attached to intense actor Mortensen, it is actually an old Norse name dating back to the Vikings, and is currently the 32nd most popular appellation in Sweden. Viggo Mortensen is a Jr., sharing his name with his Danish father.
  6. Lark
    • Origin:

      English bird name
    • Description:

      Lark is getting some new and well-deserved attention as a post-Robin and Raven bird name. Although it was first recorded as a name in the 1830's, it has never appeared on the Social Security list.
  7. 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.
  8. Louie
    • Origin:

      Variation of Louis, German and French
    • Meaning:

      "renowned warrier"
    • Description:

      Celebrated in song—the rock 'n' roll classic "Louie, Louie"—this is a gregarious, friendly spelling of Louis not often used as a full first name. It reentered the US Top 1000 in 2015. It's a highly popular choice in England and Wales.
  9. Karl
    • Origin:

      German and Scandinavian variation of Charles
    • Description:

      Manly almost to the point of macho.
  10. 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.
  11. Mathilde
    • Origin:

      French; Norwegian; Danish; Dutch; German, variation of Matilda
    • Meaning:

      "battle-mighty"
    • Description:

      Mathilde is even more popular in France than Matilda, a hipster favorite thanks to Michelle Williams and Heath Ledger, is here. And the French pronunciation, while confusing to English speakers, makes it softer and prettier than the version we're more familiar with. It's also very popular in Denmark and Noway, pronounced closer to the English variant.
  12. 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.
  13. Aksel
    • Origin:

      Danish, version of Hebrew Absalom
    • Meaning:

      "the father is peace"
    • Description:

      Most American parents would choose to use the more commonly seen variant, Axel, but .this form is preferred in Denmark and Norway, and also ranks in the French Top 400.
  14. Karla
    • Origin:

      German variation of Carla
    • Description:

      Both Karla and Carla are sliding down the ranks, though Karla remains far more popular in the USA than Carla.
  15. Milas
    • Origin:

      Danish
    • Description:

      Currently in the Danish Top 50, Milas blends the trendiness of Silas with the old-school bookishness of Miles. Milas might derive from Latin roots, meaning soldier, or from Slavic roots meaning great/powerful.
  16. Konrad
    • Origin:

      German, Scandinavian, Polish
    • Meaning:

      "brave counsel"
    • Description:

      German, Scandinavian and Polish spelling of Konrad, borne by several German and Polish rulers throughout history, as well as the German chancellor Konrad Adenauer.
  17. Freja
    • Origin:

      Swedish and Danish
    • Meaning:

      "lady, noblewoman"
    • Description:

      One of the most popular names in Scandinavia, Freja--or Freyja--was a major deity of Norse paganism. Beautiful, blonde and blue-eyed, she was the goddess of love, beauty and fertility. In the US, the name is most likely spelled Freya.
  18. Merle
    • Origin:

      French
    • Meaning:

      "blackbird"
    • Description:

      A sleek, smooth, understated name off the grid in the US but among the Top 100 girl names in Germany. In the US, it is a unisex name, while in Germany and the Netherlands, it is predominantly feminine.
  19. Liva
    • Origin:

      Danish
    • Meaning:

      "variant of Lifa"
    • Description:

      In old Norse mythology Lifa/Liva is one of only two people that are destined to survive Ragnarok (Nordic armageddon) and will therefore be the parents of a new race of man.
  20. Pelle
    • Origin:

      Scandinavian variation of Peter, Greek
    • Meaning:

      "rock, stone"
    • Description:

      Pelle is one of several possible Peter-related Scandinavian choices. In Swedish or Norwegian, the name Pelle rhymes roughly with Ella.