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Awesome Norwegian Names

  1. Marta

    • Origin:

      Italian, Spanish, Scandinavian, Slavic

    • Meaning:

      "lady"

    • Description:

      Sharper and steelier than Martha, but with the same underused vintage appeal.
  2. Siri

    • Origin:

      Norse, diminutive of Sigrid

    • Meaning:

      "fair victory"

    • Description:

      Siri is a charming and lively Scandinavian name that is no longer on the table given the ubiquity of Apple's digital Siri. Too bad, because Siri -- along with variations Syrie and Cyrie -- is unique, enchanting, and adorable. But now taken.
  3. Helene

    • Origin:

      French variation of Helen

    • Meaning:

      "bright, shining one"

    • Description:

      Whether it's pronounced with an "een" or an "aine" or an "enn" sound at the end, Helene doesn't feel as current the more forthright Helen or the airier Helena. Helene reached a high of Number 228 in the US in 1916, when ene, ine and een names were all the fashion, and stayed in the Top 500 until 1962, making a final exit in 1970. It still ranks well in its native France, and even more in Norway (#70). Model Heidi Klum's daughter 'Leni' has Helene on her birth certificate.
  4. Maja

    • Origin:

      German, Slovene, and Scandinavian form of Maya; also, Arabic

    • Meaning:

      "splendid"

    • Description:

      Whether you pronounce it my-a, ma-zha or ma-ha, Maja is an intriguing choice. Sometimes associated with Goya's famous painting "The Naked Maja." As a cognate of Maya, it's a Top 10 name in Slovenia and Sweden and is also popular in Germany and Norway.
  5. Cai

    • Description:

      Cai is a name with rich multicultural origins. In Welsh, it means 'rejoice' and is a form of the Arthurian knight Sir Kay. In Chinese, Cai (蔡) is a respected surname and can also be a given name meaning 'talent' or 'ability.' The name has gained modest popularity in Western countries as parents seek short, distinctive names with cross-cultural appeal. In Scotland and Ireland, it may be a shortened form of Cailan or related Celtic names. Cai's simplicity and strong sound make it an increasingly attractive choice for boys, especially among parents looking for names that are brief yet meaningful and easy to pronounce across languages.
  6. Andor

    • Origin:

      Norwegian; Swedish; Hungarian

    • Meaning:

      "eagle; manly"

    • Description:

      Unusual but accessible multi-cultural choice.
  7. Signy

    • Origin:

      Scandinavian

    • Meaning:

      "new victory"

    • Description:

      Signy — also spelled Signe — would make another distinctively offbeat alternative to Sydney. Signy appears in Norse mythology as the twin sister of Sigmund.
  8. Sander

    • Origin:

      Dutch and Scandinavian, diminutive of Alexander

    • Meaning:

      "defending men"

    • Description:

      Sander is a more conventional form of Zander or Xander, heard frequently on its own in Europe. It is now a Top 20 name in Norway, and is also popular in Denmark, Belgium and the Netherlands.
  9. Katarina

    • Origin:

      Slovak; Swedish; Serbian; Croatian; Slovenian, variation of Katherine

    • Meaning:

      "pure"

    • Description:

      The Russian version of Katherine is usually Ekaterina, but this form is used throughout Eastern Europe and may be more friendly to the American ear.
  10. Sandra

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Alessandra, Italian from Greek

    • Meaning:

      "defending men"

    • Description:

      2012's Hurricane Sandy blew away whatever style currency Sandra retained from its 1960s Sandra Dee heyday. While in recent years it's been associated with Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, as a baby name Sandra is sinking beneath the waves.
  11. Milly

    • Origin:

      Variation of Millie, English diminutive of Mildred or Millicent

    • Meaning:

      "gentle strength; strong in work"

    • Description:

      Milly and her more popular sister Millie are adorable Old Lady nickname-names springing back to life. Nearly 100 baby girls were named Milly, just Milly, last year, and Millie is in the US Top 500. Milly is the Molly of the new generation.
  12. 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.
  13. Kasper

    • Origin:

      Polish variation of Casper, form of Jasper, Persian

    • Meaning:

      "bringer of treasure"

    • Description:

      Jasper and its many international variations, from Kasper to Casper to Gaspard, is finding new popularity.
  14. Vivi

    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Viv- names

    • Meaning:

      "life"

    • Description:

      Vivi is a short form of all the Vivian and Viveca forms that is sure to get a lot more attention now that a little Jolie-Pitt girl has been named Vivienne.
  15. Else

    • Description:

      Else is a feminine name with Germanic origins, functioning as both a standalone name and a short form of names containing the element 'Elis' such as Elisabeth or Elise. In German and Scandinavian cultures, Else has been used independently for centuries. The name carries a simple, clean elegance with its compact four-letter formation. In Danish and Norwegian, it's pronounced 'EL-seh,' while German speakers may say 'EL-zuh.' Despite its European popularity, Else remains relatively uncommon in English-speaking countries, giving it a distinctive quality. The name experienced modest popularity in the early 20th century but became less common after the 1940s. Today, it may appeal to parents seeking a minimalist yet classic name with European flair.

  16. Emilie

    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Emily; German and Scandinavian feminine form of Aemilius

    • Description:

      Unlike most creative spellings, this one isn't overly trendy or overdone—in fact, it's quite delicate and pretty. However, it is clearly suffering from the plethora of similar names that are flowing around right now (Emelie, Emilia, Emily, Emilee, Amelie, Amelia) and has fallen more than 300 spots since 2013. It might be time for Emilie and her sisters to be left alone for a while.
  17. Katja

    • Origin:

      German; Scandinavian; Finnish; Dutch; Slovene; Croatian, from Greek

    • Meaning:

      "pure"

    • Description:

      A sweet and international short form of Catherine, pronounced like Katya and used in various European languages.
  18. Karl

    • Origin:

      German and Scandinavian variation of Charles

    • Description:

      Manly almost to the point of macho.
  19. Gustav

    • Origin:

      Teutonic

    • Meaning:

      "staff of the Goths"

    • Description:

      Gray-bearded name heard primarily in Sweden and Germany.
  20. 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.