Awesome Norwegian Names

  1. Tuva
    • Origin:

      Swedish and Norwegian variation of Tove
    • Meaning:

      "beautiful"
    • Description:

      Tove is a modern variation of an Old Norse name, related to Thor. Tuva is a form of the name popular in modern Scandinavia.
  2. 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.
  3. Ina
    • Origin:

      Latin, feminine suffix
    • Description:

      This suffix is used as an independent name, but doesn't your little girl deserve more?
  4. Viktor
    • Origin:

      Scandinavian, Russian, and Eastern European variation of Victor
    • Description:

      The Viktor form of this classic name is widely used throughout Europe and is rising in the US as well.
  5. 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.
  6. Gunnar
    • Origin:

      Scandinavian variation of Gunther
    • Meaning:

      "bold warrior"
    • Description:

      A key figure in Norse legend and a traditional Scandinavian favorite making inroads here.
  7. 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.
  8. Ulla
    • Origin:

      Scandinavian
    • Meaning:

      "will, determination"
    • Description:

      Ulla, the beautiful Swedish secretary in The Producers (played by Uma Thurman in the movie) who purrs, "Ven you got it, flaunt it," has changed the image of this name forever. Ulla may stand on its own or be an abbreviation of Ursula or Ulrika; Ula may be seen as another spelling.
  9. Gerda
    • Origin:

      Scandinavian, Norse, German, Dutch
    • Meaning:

      "enclosure, stronghold; brave, hardy spear"
    • Description:

      Gerda is one of two things: a modern, Latinized form of the Old Norse name Gerd or a feminine form of the masculine German name, also Gerd. Not currently in style, it has a strong, ancient sounding feeling.
  10. 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.
  11. Marta
    • Origin:

      Italian, Spanish, Scandinavian, Slavic
    • Meaning:

      "lady"
    • Description:

      Sharper and steelier than Martha, but with the same underused vintage appeal.
  12. Stefan
    • Origin:

      German, Scandinavian, Polish, and Russian variation of Stephen
    • Description:

      An elegant, continental name for the post-Steve era. It debuted on the US Top 1000 in 1949 and has been on the list every year since except for a year off in 2008.
  13. Milla
    • Origin:

      Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, Finnish, Hungarian
    • Meaning:

      "young ceremonial attendant, gracious people"
    • Description:

      Milla originated as a diminutive of names like Camilla and Ludmilla, but has since become well established as a name in its own right in several European countries. Milla Jovovich is a Ukrainian-born actress and supermodel, while Milla is also used for a character in the novel and musical adaptation, Wicked.
  14. Erika
    • Origin:

      English and Scandinavian variation of Erica, Norse feminization of Eric or Italian word name
    • Meaning:

      "eternal ruler; heather"
    • Description:

      This is a more spunky and Nordic looking variant of Erica, but the k also makes the connection to the beautiful flower less apparent.
  15. Mikael
    • Origin:

      Scandinavian, Finnish, and Breton form of Michael
    • Meaning:

      "who is like God?"
    • Description:

      This variation of Michael is very popular in Iceland and Puerto Rico, but has only made the cut for the US Top 1000 two separate years —2016 and 2023. Angel-esque boy names ending in L trended upwards last year, meaning we may see some more little Mikaels around soon.
  16. Mikaela
    • Origin:

      Swedish and Finnish variation of Michaela, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "who is like God"
    • Description:

      Variation of Michaela often used in Scandinavian countries. Oscar-winning actress Mikey Madison's formal name is Mkaela, spelled this way. Mikaela is a Top 20 name in Puerto Rico.
  17. Tea
    • Origin:

      Short form of Dorotea or Mattea
    • Meaning:

      "gift of God"
    • Description:

      As Theo and Thea get more popular, so do Teo and Tea, short forms of the Latinate variations of Theodore and Matthew -- which include Dorotea and Mattea. But like Theo and Thea, Tea can stand perfectly well on its own and blends seamlessly into any Anglophone or European culture, if that is your aim. Some may argue that the Tea version is the prettiest and it's certainly the sleekest.
  18. 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.
  19. 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.
  20. Britt
    • Origin:

      Swedish, contracted form of Birgit
    • Meaning:

      "high goddess"
    • Description:

      Brisk but rather brittle. Britt Eklund was a Bond Girl in the 1974 The Man with the Golden Gun. Britt is a contracted form of Birgit, but be aware that it does come with the strong possibility of being confused with Bret/Brett—or as a shortening of Brittany.

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