Norse isn’t just about mythology, replete with gods, goddesses, and heroes. It also comes with a bevy of charming and beautiful names with historical and symbolic meanings. Norse names are no longer restricted to Scandinavia. They spread all over the world, either through migration or invasion. The latest television series, on Rathnar Lothbrock, can also be credited for its popularity. Norse baby names run a gamut from rough and tough names like Solveig and Dag to tender and delicate names like Liv and Elin. These names are either composed of compounds referring to gods or warfare or are inspired directly from nature or religion. As for the surname, every child is known by his father’s surname, followed by the suffix –dottir or son. From the lands of Vikings, MomJunction presents you the best Norse baby names. You can check out the full list and shortlist your favorites for later viewing.
Name | Gender | Meaning | |
---|---|---|---|
Aegileif | Girl | Daughter of Hrolf Helgason. | |
Aegir | Boy | A water giant, of a sea monster | |
Aeldiet | Boy | One who is of fire | |
Aeldit | Boy | Who belongs to he fire | |
Aelfdane | Girl | One who earn or deserve elf powers | |
Aelfdene | Girl | From the valley of mystical powers | |
Aelffled | Girl | One who escaped from mystical powers | |
Aelffrith | Boy | Peace or protection from elf powers | |
Aelfgar | Boy | A spear of the supernatural power | |
Aelfgeat | Girl | A nymph from Gotland or Gothia | |
Aelfgiest | Girl | A goat with mystical powers | |
Aelfgifu | Girl | A gift of supernatural powers | |
Aelfgiuee | Girl | A guide of mystical powers | |
Aelfgiva | Girl | A mountain or hill of fairies | |
Aelfgyd | Girl | A war of mystical powers | |
Aelfgyth | Girl | A body with supernatural powers | |
Aelfheah | Girl | The high mystical powers | |
Aelfhelm | Girl | A mystical power from the shelter of animals | |
Aelfhere | Boy | The army of mystical powers | |
Aelfhun | Unisex | A mystical favour from God | |
Aelflead | Boy | A mystical leader | |
Aelfled | Boy | led by the mystical powers | |
Aelfleda | Girl | One who is led by the supernatural powers | |
Aelfmaer | Girl | A little mystical nymph | |
Aelfnoth | Girl | A mystical distress or need | |
Aelfraed | Boy | a mystical counsellor or advisor | |
Aelfred | Boy | A wise mystical person, advisor | |
Aelfsi | Girl | One who is like an elf, or like nymph | |
Aeric | Boy | One who is an eternal ruler | |
Aesir | Boy | Of the Gods. | |
Aevar | Boy | Name of Ketil’s son. | |
Alfarin | Boy | Name of Hlif’s son. | |
Alfgeir | Boy | Elfin’s spear | |
Alfrothul | Boy | Of the sun. | |
Alvis | Boy | An all knowing wise person who is brilliant in every way possible and have strong emotional desires | |
Amund | Boy | A bridal gift. | |
Andvaranaut | Boy | Brunhild’s ring | |
Andvari | Boy | Name of a mythical treasure guardian. | |
Angerboda | Girl | A giant. | |
Angerbotha | Girl | One who is giant. | |
Annar | Boy | Father of the world. | |
Anrid | Girl | Wife of Ketil Fjorleifarson. | |
Arkyn | Boy | Eternal king’s son. | |
Armod | Boy | Name of Geirleif’s blood brother. | |
Aros | Boy | From the river’s mouth. | |
Arvakl | Boy | Name of a mythical horse. | |
Asbiom | Boy | A divine bear. | |
Asgard | Boy | Name of city of the gods in Norse mythology. | |
Asgaut | Boy | Name of a mythical divine goth. | |
Askel | Boy | A term used for divine cauldron. | |
Aslak | Boy | A divine sport. | |
Aslaug | Girl | One who is solely devoted to God | |
Astred | Girl | An impulsive Girl with a divine strength | |
Astrid | Girl | A Girl who is divinely beautiful | |
Asvor | Girl | Wife of Asrod. | |
Asvoria | Girl | One who is divinely prudent. | |
Audhilda | Girl | Rich warrior woman. | |
Audhumbla | Girl | Name of a giant cow that nursed Ymir. | |
Aulay | Boy | Someone of the ancestral heritage | |
Bakli | Boy | Name of Blaeng’s son. | |
Balder | Boy | Means ' prince' or brave warrior or 'Son of Odin' | |
Baldr | Boy | It means to be bold and brave. It also symbolizes a prince or a lord. | |
Baldur | Boy | It means prince. It is also the name of the Norse gor related to love and happiness. | |
Baldur | Boy | One who comes from Iceland | |
Balmung | Boy | Siegfried’s sword. | |
Baug | Boy | Son of Raud. | |
Beini | Boy | Name of a smith. | |
Bergliot | Girl | Helpful light | |
Bergljot | Girl | "Safe light", from Old Norse | |
Bergthor | Boy | Thor’s spirit | |
Bersi | Boy | Son of bakli. | |
Bifrost | Girl | 从地球到仙宫的桥梁。 | |
Bionbyr | Boy | Warrior’s estate | |
Biorn | Boy | Norwegian word for bear. | |
Birget | Girl | A protecting woman. | |
Biyn | Boy | One who is strong. | |
Bjame | Boy | Norwegian word for bear. | |
Bjolf | Boy | Name of lodmund’s blood brother. | |
Blesi | Boy | A blessed man | |
Bodile | Girl | A fighting woman. | |
Bodilla | Girl | Bodile的变种,这意味着一个战斗的女人。 | |
Bodmod | Boy | Name of Oleif’s son. | |
Borg | Boy | From the castle. | |
Borghilda | Girl | Wife of Sigmund. A variant of Borghild. | |
Bothi | Boy | Herald or begin. | |
Brisingamen | Girl | Freya’s necklace. | |
Broderick | Boy | To be like a brother to someone | |
Brondolf | Boy | Name of Naddodd’s son. | |
Brun | Boy | A man who is of brown hair | |
Bruni | Boy | Son of Earl Harek. | |
Brunnehilde | Girl | The armored and fighting woman. | |
Bryngerd | Girl | The mother of Tonguestein. | |
Brynhild | Girl | A fighter woman with an armor | |
Brynhilde | Girl | The armored fighting woman. | |
Buri | Boy | One who produces a son | |
Carr | Boy | One from the marsh | |
Clotuali | Boy | A cold one | |
Cnute | Boy | Norwegian word for knot. | |
Daggi | Girl | A maid | |
Dagrun | Girl | A secret lore | |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can Norse baby names be used for both boys and girls?
Gender-neutral Norse baby names like Aelfhun (A mystical favor from God), Raven (A black bird), Sky (The sky or clouds), and Tappen (The top of a hanging rock) can be used for both boys and girls.
2. Can I use a Norse baby name if I am not of Norse descent?
People often choose names from diverse cultures to embrace and honor their heritage, celebrate the richness of different traditions, or because they resonate with the values and meanings of the names. Thus, if the unique-sounding Norse names appeal to you, you may choose a name while respecting and considering the traditional customs.
3. What are specific customs or rituals associated with Norse baby naming?
In Norse tradition, a baby naming ceremony is held nine nights following the child's birth, signifying their viability. On the tenth day, the ceremony takes place, where the child receives a name. This act symbolized their legal belonging to the family and inheritance rights, emphasizing the importance of their identity and lineage within the Norse community.
4. How important is the meaning of a name in Norse culture?
在挪威的文化中,姓名significan携带重要ce as they are believed to influence the bearer's personality. Additionally, Norse names are considered to have protective qualities, especially the Viking age-inspired names that carry divine meanings of bravery, strength, and victory. Thus, choosing names that hold profound connotations in Norse culture is essential.
5. What are some gender-specific naming conventions in Norse culture?
In Norse culture, there were gender-specific naming conventions. Male names often used theophoric first element, referencing Gods or divine elements, such as Thor or Freyr. On the other hand, female names frequently had the second element of their names associated with pre-Christian religious practices (1).
6. How do Norse names work?
In Norse naming traditions, a patronymic system is commonly used throughout Scandinavia. This involves forming a family name by taking the father's first name and adding a gender-specific suffix. This naming practice emphasizes the significance of familial connections and allows for identifying a person's lineage through their father's name.
References:
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- Philip A. Shaw; 2011; The Role of Gender in Some Viking-Age Innovations in Personal Naming;https://www.jstor.org/stable/45019154