Scandinavian Names

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.

Bjorn is one of the most recognizable Scandinavian names, thanks in large part to tennis great Björn Borg, winner of five consecutive Wimbledon singles titles and six French opens and something of a rock star figure.

So airy, it's almost not there.

The kind of nouveau macho name favored by NRA-leaning parents. Killers' frontman Brandon Flowers gave it to his son in 2009. Gunnar is another spelling that makes the name a bit less militaristic.

An fearsome old Norse name with a long history in Scandinavia. It's gotten a boost in the States from popularity of the History Channel drama "Vikings," in which the protagonist is named Ragnar. Ragnar Lodbrok (meaning "shaggy pants") was a legendary warrior whose story was told in the Viking sagas. Ragnar also recalls name of the Norse Judgment Day, Ragnarök.

Ragnvald is a masculine Norse name with deep historical roots in Scandinavian culture. Derived from the Old Norse elements 'regin' meaning 'counsel' or 'the gods' and 'valdr' meaning 'ruler,' Ragnvald essentially translates to 'ruler advised by the gods' or 'divine ruler.' This powerful name was borne by several Norwegian kings and earls during the Viking Age, including Ragnvald Eysteinsson, a 9th-century Norwegian earl. Though uncommon outside of Norway and Sweden today, Ragnvald represents a connection to Norse heritage and carries connotations of leadership, strength, and divine wisdom. The name has retained its traditional usage in Scandinavia while remaining relatively rare globally, making it a distinctive choice for parents seeking a name with authentic Norse origins and historical significance.

This gentle Scandinavian name, soft and sensitive, is being discovered in a major way by parents in the US. It's most closely identified with the nineteenth century philosopher Soren Kierkegaard, but there have been modern fictional Sorens as well, in The Matrix Reloaded and the book series Guardians of Ga'Hoole, Charlie and Lola, and Underworld.