What comes to your mind when you hear or read about Old Norse? Norse mythology would be the answer for most of you. But there’s a lot to Old Norse language apart from mythology – unique names being one of them. Old Norse names, dominant in the Scandinavian and Viking history range from strong, robust, and tough to delicate and lovely. Parents often named their children after their deceased hero or relative with the hope that they will inherit the same traits, virtues, or personality of the ones whose names they bore. If a relative died when the child was in the womb, it was mandatory to give the child the name of that particular relative. If the honored relative or ancestor had a common name, then the ancestor's nickname or by-name would also be attached to the name. Hence, names remained almost the same in the families for long periods of time. Names of Norse gods and goddesses were also common as first names. And there was no system of surnames in ancient times. A patronymic or metronymic system was used. From the language of Norse Sagas, mythology, and Viking Age, MomJunction brings you an extensive collection of Old Norse names with meanings. Most of these names are still used in Scandinavia, but in anglicized form and with a different pronunciation. Keep scrolling!
Name | Gender | Meaning | |
---|---|---|---|
Jerker | Boy | 老也不se - Ever Ruling; Island Ruler; Ever Ruler; A variant of Eric | |
Kalfr | Boy | 年轻的牛在冰岛语。 | |
Kleppr | Boy | A large stone. | |
Kolbrun | Girl | Coal or eyebrow. | |
Kolli | Boy | One who is bald. | |
Kolskeggr | Boy | One who has a black beard. | |
Leif | Boy | A descendant, a person who is going to inherit | |
Leifr | Boy | A variant of Leifur, meaning heir. | |
Leifur | Boy | Heir or successor. | |
Live | Girl | A protector and defender of life | |
Lyall | Boy | A Scottish surname derived from the Old Norse given name Liulfr which means wolf | |
Mikkael | Boy | Icelandic version of Michael, meaning who is like God. | |
Narfi | Boy | Thin | |
Odan | Boy | 老也不se - Fury; Inspiration; To blow; Owner; Proprietor; A variant is Odin | |
Piper | Girl | A pipe player | |
Pipere | Girl | One who plays the pipe | |
Raghnall | Boy | 老也不se - Well advised Ruler; Wise and Powerful; An Irish variant transcription of the name Reynold | |
Ragnild | Girl | 老也不se - Goddess or Warrior; All-knowing Power | |
Ralfs | Boy | A variant of Ralph. It means wolf counsel. | |
Rannveig | Girl | 老也不se - A house woman; A variant of Ranveig | |
Raud | Boy | The father of the wolves | |
Refr | Boy | A fox in Icelandic language. | |
Reinaldo | Boy | Germanic - Well-advised ruler; A variant of the name Reynold | |
Renaldo | Boy | Germanic - Well-advised ruler; A variant of the name Reynold | |
Ronna | Girl | 古老的希腊——胜利的持票人;真正的形象;老也不se - Well advised ruler; A variant of Rhonda; Derived From Veronica | |
Sagga | Girl | The seeing one | |
Sakki | Boy | The God remembers all | |
Shelba | Girl | A settlement of willows | |
Sherica | Boy | One who rules them all | |
Sigourney | Girl | Victorious conqueror | |
Skeggr | Boy | Thin | |
Solveiga | Girl | Strength or the sun. | |
Steinunn | Girl | Stone or wave. | |
Styrr | Boy | Battle | |
Svala | Girl | Icelandic word for Swallow, the bird. | |
Svartur | Boy | The color black | |
Trausti | Boy | One who is dependable. | |
Uggi | Boy | Fear of something, phobia, fear | |
Ulfhrafn | Boy | 一个联合nation of the words wolf and raven. | |
Ulfr | Boy | Wolf | |
Vagn | Boy | A carriage in Icelandic language. | |
Valdimar | Boy | Ruler of the ocean. | |
Vigharthur | Boy | One who is fearless in war. | |
Ylfa | Girl | A female wolf. |