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Swedish Little Beauties

kkilgallon
By kkilgallon
Updated Thu May 25 2023
Since the father of our future children is half Swedish and "half everything else" as he says (somewhere on his father's side they severely lost track of their lineage) I want the name of at least one of my children to honor his Swedish heritage just as I would like to do with my own hertiage. Below is a list of Swedish names- either Swedish in origin or popular in Sweden or connected to Sweden in some other way. As Sweden is a Scandinavian country some of the names may be Scandinavian in origin. Other names may be of any heritage but have Swedish significance such as the names of the Swedish Royal Family or other prominent Swedish people.
  1. Adrian

    • Origin:

      Latin

    • Meaning:

      "man of Adria"

    • Description:

      Adrian is one of those names that’s easy to picture on all kinds of people. From an active and energetic five-year-old to your great grandpa, from the coolest, breeziest guy you know, to the quiet, serious one, it’s no wonder Adrian has always made the US Top 500 since the early 20th century.
  2. Ailana

    • Origin:

      Kazakh

    • Meaning:

      "moonlight"

    • Description:

      A pretty Kazakh name derived from Turkish ayla, meaning "moonlight". The Hawaiian name 'Ailana (with the 'okina mark) means "loving".
  3. Alice

    • Origin:

      German

    • Meaning:

      "noble"

    • Description:

      Alice is a classic literary name that's both strong and sweet, ranking in the US Top 100 and popular throughout the Western world. Alice is derived from the Old French name Aalis, a diminutive of Adelais that itself came from the Germanic name Adalhaidis, which is composed of the Proto-Germanic elements aþala, meaning "noble," and haidu, "kind, appearance, type."
  4. Alrik

    • Description:

      Alrik is a masculine name with strong Norse and Germanic roots, meaning 'ruler of all' or 'complete ruler'—derived from elements meaning 'all' and 'ruler' or 'king.' This powerful name appears in Norse mythology and Scandinavian history, representing strength and leadership. While relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries, Alrik maintains steady usage in Scandinavian nations, particularly Sweden. The name offers a distinctive alternative to more familiar Norse-derived names like Erik or Alaric. With its compact structure, strong consonants, and meaningful heritage, Alrik appeals to parents seeking a masculine name with historical depth and a commanding presence that remains relatively unique in contemporary settings.
  5. Ambrosius

    • Description:

      Ambrosius is a masculine name of Greek and Latin origin, derived from the Greek word "ambrosios," meaning "immortal" or "divine." It is the original Latin form of the more common Ambrose. The name carries significant historical weight, having been borne by Saint Ambrosius of Milan, an important 4th-century theologian and one of the four original doctors of the Catholic Church. Throughout European history, the name appeared among clergy, nobility, and scholars, maintaining associations with learning and spiritual devotion. While Ambrosius has never been widely popular in modern English-speaking countries, it retains appeal for parents drawn to names with classical roots and substantial historical significance. The name projects dignity and intellectual seriousness, with potential nicknames including Ambrose, Brose, or even Sio.

  6. Anders

    • Origin:

      Scandinavian variation of Andrew

    • Meaning:

      "strong and manly"

    • Description:

      Friendly, unusual, but a decidedly Old Country version of Andrew and one of the classic Scandinavian names. It made a brief appearance in the US Top 1000 in 2006 and then reentered in 2010. Its rising popularity could be attributed to the interest in Anderson, which has been gaining steadily over the last fifteen years.

      Trivia tidbits: The patronymic Andersson is the second most popular surname in Sweden, and in Denmark, Donald Duck is called Anders.

  7. Anderson

    • Origin:

      English from Scandinavian

    • Meaning:

      "son of Anders"

    • Description:

      Anderson shot up quite a bit on the popular names list in the 2000's, no doubt in large part due to the prominence of white-haired cable newsman Anderson Cooper. Perhaps surprisingly though, Anderson was even higher on the list in 1880. Actress Edie Falco named her son Anderson in 2005. Though there haven't been many first-named Anderson namesakes, there have been countless notables bearing the surname, including Hans Christian, Marian, Maxwell, Sherwood, Gillian, Laurie, and Pamela.
  8. Annalie

    • Origin:

      Nordic, German

    • Meaning:

      "grace"

    • Description:

      Melodious and unusual form of a name with an uncountable number of variations. Many will understand it as the more down-to-earth Annalee.
  9. Anneka

    • Description:

      Anneka is a feminine name with Scandinavian and Dutch origins, primarily functioning as a variant of Anna or Annika. In Dutch, it's a diminutive form of Anna, while in Swedish and Finnish contexts, it's closely related to Annika. The name ultimately derives from the Hebrew Hannah, meaning 'grace.' Anneka gained international recognition in the UK and beyond through Swedish television presenter Anneka Rice, who hosted popular challenge programs in the 1980s and 1990s. The name combines traditional roots with a fresh, slightly exotic sound, making it appealing to parents seeking something familiar yet distinctive. While never extremely common, Anneka has maintained steady usage, particularly in Northern European countries and among English speakers looking for alternatives to more common Ann-derived names.

  10. Arvid

    • Origin:

      Swedish, Norwegian, Danish

    • Meaning:

      "eagle-tree"

    • Description:

      Arvid, a Scandinavian name that's virtually unknown in the US, is one of the top baby names in Sweden. It might make a handsome, unusual choice for a parent in search of an original yet traditional A name.
  11. 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."
  12. Axl

    • Origin:

      Variation of Axel, Scandinavian version of Absalom

    • Meaning:

      "father of peace"

    • Description:

      Guns 'n' Roses musician Axl (born William) Rose created this name by dropping a vowel, a la Barbra Streisand. The traditional Axel is more popular, though celebrity parents Fergie and Josh Duhamel deliberately chose the Axl spelling to honor her rock hero.
  13. Antonetta
    • Bas

      • Origin:

        Dutch, diminutive of Bastiaan and Sebastian

      • Meaning:

        "person from the city of Sebastia"

      • Description:

        Bas is a fashionable name in its own right in the Netherlands, where it's been in the Top 10. Used throughout Europe, it may have a future here as a straightforward-but-charming nickname name. Baz is another, similar and more appealing possibility.
    • Bastiaan

      • Origin:

        Dutch short form of Sebastian, Latin from Greek

      • Meaning:

        "man of Sebastia"

      • Description:

        Bastiaan is a common Dutch form of Bastian, a short form of Sebastian that stands on its own. While the double A is not intuitive for English speakers, the name is widely used in the Netherlands.
    • Beata

      • Origin:

        Swedish, German, Italian, from Latin

      • Meaning:

        "blessed"

      • Description:

        Beata, a Latinate saint's name, has been widely used primarily by Roman Catholics in several European countries, but is rarely heard in English-speaking countries. Playground alert: could be mispronounced Beeta.
    • Beatrix

      • Origin:

        Latin

      • Meaning:

        "she who brings happiness; blessed"

      • Description:

        Beatrix has a solid history of its own apart from Beatrice, with that final x adding a playful, animated note to the name's imposing history and stately vibe.
    • Bendik

      • Description:

        Bendik is a masculine name of Scandinavian origin, particularly popular in Norway. It derives from the Latin name Benedict, meaning 'blessed.' This Nordic variation maintains the meaningful essence of its root while offering a distinctly Scandinavian character. Bendik has been used in Norway for centuries, representing the regional adaptation of the widespread Christian name. The name combines traditional roots with a crisp, modern sound that works well internationally while still honoring Nordic heritage. In Norway, it has experienced periods of popularity and remains an established choice that isn't overly common. The name's straightforward pronunciation and spelling make it accessible despite its relative rarity outside Scandinavia. Bendik offers a compelling option for parents seeking a name with historical depth, positive meaning, and a touch of Scandinavian character.
    • Bente

      • Origin:

        Danish feminine form of Benedict

      • Meaning:

        "blessed"

      • Description:

        Bente, pronounced ben-tah, is a popular girls' name in both The Netherlands and Denmark though largely unknown in the English-speaking world. It suffers by being a near-homonym of the English word bent, not the best dictionary equivalent for a first name. Still, if you're looking for a girls' name that equates to Ben or Benjamin or Benedict, this may be one of your best bets.
    • Birgitta

      • Origin:

        Scandinavian variation of Bridget, Gaelic

      • Meaning:

        "strength or exalted one"

      • Description:

        Classic Scandinavian form of Bridget. Saint Birgitta of Sweden is the patron saint of Europe.