397+ Nordic Names [With Meanings]

Nordic names typically have the following characteristics:

They are often composed of two parts, with the first part being the given name and the second part being a patronymic or matronymic surname indicating the name of the father or mother.
They often derive from Old Norse, the language spoken by the Vikings, and may have meanings related to nature, animals, or qualities such as strength and bravery.
They may contain specific letters, such as ø, æ, and å, which are unique to the Nordic languages.
They are often gender-specific, with some names being exclusively male or female.
They may be relatively simple in terms of pronunciation and spelling, with many names consisting of only a few syllables and common letter combinations.
They often have variations or different spellings depending on the country or region, such as variations of the name “Erik” in Sweden and Norway.
They may reflect cultural and historical influences, with many names being inspired by Nordic mythology or Christian traditions.

Let’s take a look at some lists:

Nordic Names – Male

Here is a list of popular Nordic male names:

Erik
Magnus
Ole
Anders
Lars
Jakob
Søren
Claus
Henrik
Benjamin
Alexander
Gustav
Johannes
Tobias
Felix
Emil
Martin
William
Christian
Daniel

These names are common in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland, and have roots in Old Norse, the language spoken by the Vikings.

Nordic Names – Female

Here are some examples of Nordic female names:

Freya – A name that means “lady” in Old Norse and is associated with the Norse goddess of love and fertility.
Astrid – A name that means “divine strength” in Old Norse and was popularized by the Swedish author Astrid Lindgren.
Ingrid – A name that means “beautiful” or “fair” in Old Norse and was the name of several Scandinavian queens.
Sigrid – A name that means “victory” or “beautiful victory” in Old Norse and was the name of several legendary Viking women.
Elin – A name that means “bright” or “shining” in Swedish and is a popular name in Norway and Sweden.
Greta – A name that means “pearl” in Swedish and is a popular diminutive of the name Margaret.
Johanna – A name that means “God is gracious” in Swedish and is a popular name in many Nordic countries.
Maja – A name that means “pearl” in Norwegian and is a diminutive of the name Maria.
Thora – A name that means “thunder” in Old Norse and was the name of several legendary Viking women.
Kari – A name that means “curly-haired” in Norwegian and is a popular name in Norway and Iceland.

Nordic Names Generator

A list of 64 Nordic names:

Anders
Anja
Annika
Arne
Asa
Astrid
Bjorn
Camilla
Carl
Dag
Einar
Elin
Elsa
Embla
Emil
Erik
Freya
Frida
Gabriel
Gerd
Greta
Gunnar
Gustav
Hans
Hedda
Helga
Henrik
Inga
Ingrid
Isak
Johanna
Jonas
Jorgen
Kari
Kirsten
Knut
Lars
Leif
Lene
Linnea
Liv
Magnus
Maja
Malin
Marcus
Matilda
Nils
Ola
Olga
Oscar
Peder
Petter
Ragnhild
Sanna
Sara
Sigrid
Siv
Sofia
Soren
Stig
Thora
Tove
Viggo
Ylva

Nordic Names and Meanings

Here is a list of popular Nordic names along with their meanings:

Erik – means “ever ruler” or “eternal ruler” in Old Norse.
Magnus – means “great” in Latin.
Ole – means “ancestor’s descendant” in Old Norse.
Anders – means “manly” or “warrior” in Old Norse.
Lars – a short form of the name Laurentius, which means “laurel” in Latin.
Jakob – the Scandinavian form of Jacob, which means “supplanter” in Hebrew.
Søren – means “stern” or “serious” in Old Norse.
Claus – a variant of Nicholas, which means “victory of the people” in Greek.
Henrik – the Scandinavian form of Henry, which means “ruler of the household” in Germanic.
Benjamin – means “son of the right hand” in Hebrew.
Alexander – means “defender of the people” in Greek.
Gustav – means “staff of the gods” in Old Norse.
Johannes – the Scandinavian form of John, which means “God is gracious” in Hebrew.
Tobias – means “the Lord is good” in Hebrew.
Felix – means “happy” or “fortunate” in Latin.
Emil – means “industrious” or “emulating” in Latin.
Martin – means “of Mars”, the Roman god of war, in Latin.
William – means “will helmet” or “protection” in Germanic.
Christian – means “follower of Christ” in Latin.
Daniel – means “God is my judge” in Hebrew.

These names have been popular for generations in the Nordic countries, and many have roots in Old Norse, Latin, Greek, and Hebrew.

The Most Common Names in the Nordic Countries

Scandinavian Names

Scandinavian names generally refer to names from the countries of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.

These names often share similar linguistic and cultural roots, and are influenced by the countries’ shared history and language.

Here are some examples of Scandinavian names:

Aksel – A Danish name meaning “father of peace.”
Amalie – A Danish and Norwegian name meaning “hardworking.”
Bjørn – A Norwegian and Danish name meaning “bear.”
Ebba – A Swedish name meaning “strength of an animal.”
Emil – A Scandinavian name meaning “rival.”
Erika – A Scandinavian name meaning “ruler” or “eternal ruler.”
Freja – A Scandinavian name meaning “lady” or “mistress.”
Gudrun – A Scandinavian name meaning “god’s secret lore.”
Henrik – A Scandinavian name meaning “ruler of the home.”
Ida – A Danish and Swedish name meaning “industrious one.”
Inge – A Scandinavian name meaning “protected by Yngvi.”
Johanna – A Scandinavian name meaning “God is gracious.”
Kajsa – A Swedish name meaning “pure” or “holy.”
Kristian – A Scandinavian name meaning “follower of Christ.”
Linnea – A Scandinavian name meaning “twinflower.”
Magnus – A Scandinavian name meaning “great.”
Nils – A Scandinavian name meaning “victorious people.”
Oskar – A Scandinavian name meaning “divine spear.”
Pernille – A Danish name meaning “rock” or “stone.”
Ragnar – A Scandinavian name meaning “advice of the gods.”
Selma – A Swedish name meaning “fair.”
Soren – A Scandinavian name meaning “stern” or “strict.”
Thea – A Scandinavian name meaning “goddess.”
Tora – A Scandinavian name meaning “thunder.”
Viggo – A Scandinavian name meaning “war.”

Nord Names

Nord is a term used to describe the people of the Nordic countries, including Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland.

Here is a list of popular Nordic names:

Erik
Magnus
Ole
Anders
Lars
Jakob
Søren
Claus
Henrik
Benjamin
Alexander
Gustav
Johannes
Tobias
Felix
Emil
Martin
William
Christian
Daniel

These names are common in the Nordic countries, and have roots in Old Norse, the language spoken by the Vikings, as well as Latin, Greek, and Hebrew.

Nordic Names for Dogs

Some Nordic names that would be great for dogs:

Loki – Named after the mischievous Norse god.
Odin – Named after the Norse god of war and wisdom.
Thor – Named after the Norse god of thunder.
Freya – Named after the Norse goddess of love and fertility.
Njord – Named after the Norse god of the sea.
Skadi – Named after the Norse goddess of winter and hunting.
Saga – A Norse goddess who is associated with storytelling and history.
Balder – A Norse god associated with light and purity.
Hugin – Named after one of Odin’s two ravens in Norse mythology, who represents thought and wisdom.
Mjolnir – Named after Thor’s hammer, which he used to defend Asgard in Norse mythology.
Garm – Named after the monstrous wolf in Norse mythology who guards the gates of Hel.
Ulf – Means “wolf” in Old Norse.
Vidar – A Norse god associated with silence and revenge.
Runa – Means “secret lore” in Old Norse.
Fenrir – A giant wolf in Norse mythology who is bound until the end of the world.
Hel – Named after the Norse goddess of the underworld.
Ymir – Named after the giant from whose body the world was created according to Norse mythology.
Freki – One of Odin’s two wolves in Norse mythology.
Hella – Named after the goddess of the underworld in Norse mythology.
Vali – A son of Odin in Norse mythology who is associated with vengeance.

Nordic Names for Cats

Below are some names that would be fitting for a Nordic-inspired cat:

Freya
Odin
Thor
Loki
Sif
Ragnar
Valhalla
Sol
Frost
Snow
Ice
Bergen
Fjord
Nordic
Odin’s Eye
Asgard
Hel
Ylva
Astrid
Ingrid

These names are inspired by Nordic mythology, as well as the natural beauty and geography of the Nordic countries.

Nordic Names for Wolves

Wolves have been an important cultural symbol in Nordic folklore and mythology, and as a result, there are many names that have been given to them.

Here are some Nordic names for wolves:

Ulv: This is the Danish and Norwegian word for wolf.
Varg: This is the Swedish word for wolf.
Fenrir: This is the name of a monstrous wolf from Norse mythology.
Sköll and Hati: These are the names of two wolves from Norse mythology that chase the sun and the moon.
Freki and Geri: These are the names of two wolves from Norse mythology that accompany the god Odin.
Garmr: This is the name of a dog or wolf from Norse mythology that guards the gates of the underworld.
Kari: This is the name of a wolf from Finnish mythology that is said to have created the northern lights by running through the sky.
Tala: This is the name of a wolf from Swedish folklore that is said to be able to mimic human speech.

Nordic Names That Mean Wolf

Here are some Nordic names that mean wolf:

Ulf – meaning “wolf” in Old Norse
Wulfric – meaning “powerful wolf”
Vargeir – meaning “promise of the wolf”
Grimbjorn – meaning “bear-wolf”
Wolfred – meaning “peaceful wolf”
Skeggi – meaning “beard-wolf”
Vargr – Old Norse for “wolf” or “outlaw”

Nordic Names – Skyrim

Here are some popular Nordic-inspired names from the video game “The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim“:

Ulfric
Tullius
Galmar
Jarl
Elenwen
General Tullius
Hadvar
Alduin
Esbern
Delphine
Paarthurnax
Mirmulnir
Aldicar
Durnehviir
Jorn
Alvor
Balgruuf
Olfrid
Golldir
Ralof

These names are based on the Nordic-inspired culture and language of the game, which takes place in the world of Tamriel.

Beautiful Nordic Names

Here are some beautiful Nordic names that are inspired by the cultures of Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Finland:

Astrid
Ingrid
Dagny
Sigrid
Freya
Signe
Solveig
Hedda
Aino
Tove
Gunnar
Erik
Soren
Leif
Anders
Rune
Kai
Oskar

These names are known for their simple, yet elegant sound and are perfect for parents who are looking for unique names for their children.

Additionally, many of these names have strong cultural roots and historical significance, making them a great choice for parents who want to give their child a name that is rich in meaning and heritage.

Unique Nordic Names

Some unique Nordic names:

Freyja: This is the name of a goddess in Norse mythology associated with love, fertility, war, and death.
Arvid: This is a Swedish name that means “eagle tree”.
Eirik: This is a Norwegian name that means “eternal ruler”.
Ingrid: This is a Swedish name that means “beautiful” or “beloved”.
Leif: This is a Norwegian name that means “heir” or “descendant”.
Sigrid: This is a Norwegian and Swedish name that means “victory” and “beautiful”.
Torstein: This is a Norwegian name that means “Thor’s stone”.
Vilhelmina: This is a Swedish name that is a variation of the name Wilhelmina and means “resolute protector”.

Popular Nordic Names

Here are some popular Nordic names:

Astrid: This is a Norwegian and Swedish name that means “divinely beautiful”.
Erik: This is a Danish, Norwegian and Swedish name that means “eternal ruler”.
Ingrid: This is a Norwegian and Swedish name that means “beautiful” or “beloved”.
Lars: This is a Danish, Norwegian and Swedish name that means “crowned with laurel”.
Magnus: This is a Danish, Norwegian and Swedish name that means “great” or “mighty”.
Sofia: This is a Swedish name that means “wisdom”.
Søren: This is a Danish name that means “stern” or “severe”.
Viggo: This is a Danish and Norwegian name that means “war”.

Old Norse Names

Old Norse, also known as Old Icelandic, was the language spoken by the Vikings and other Scandinavian people from about the 8th to the 11th centuries.

Here are some Old Norse names that have survived the centuries and are still used today:

Bjorn
Erik
Gunnar
Haldor
Ivar
Leif
Magnus
Olaf
Ragnar
Thor
Ulf
Valdemar
Yngve
Astrid
Ingrid
Sigrid
Freya
Signe

These names are known for their strength and masculinity, reflecting the adventurous and powerful spirit of the Vikings.

They also have a unique, timeless quality that makes them popular choices for parents today.

Whether you are of Nordic heritage or simply admire the culture and history of the Vikings, these names are a great way to honor your roots and connect with the past.

Norse Names and Meanings

Here are some Norse names and their meanings:

Odin: This is the name of the chief god in Norse mythology, associated with wisdom, war, and death.
Thor: This is the name of the god of thunder in Norse mythology, associated with strength, protection, and fertility.
Freyja: This is the name of a goddess in Norse mythology associated with love, fertility, war, and death.
Loki: This is the name of a trickster god in Norse mythology, associated with mischief and chaos.
Baldur: This is the name of a god in Norse mythology associated with light, beauty, and happiness.
Frigg: This is the name of a goddess in Norse mythology associated with marriage, motherhood, and wisdom.
Gunnar: This is a Norse name that means “warrior”.
Sigrid: This is a Norse name that means “victory” and “beautiful”.

Cool Nordic Names

Here are some cool Nordic names:

Astrid
Freya
Ingrid
Gunnar
Erik
Sigrid
Ragnar
Hedda
Thor
Bjorn

These names are commonly used in Nordic countries such as Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland, and are known for their strong, traditional roots.

They are also becoming increasingly popular around the world due to the popularity of Nordic culture and mythology.

Fantasy Nordic Names

Some fantasy Nordic names:

Aelar: This is a name that means “song of the sun” in an invented Nordic language.
Alruna: This is a name that means “secret wisdom” in an invented Nordic language.
Eirwyn: This is a name that means “white snow” in an invented Nordic language.
Freyrin: This is a name that means “daughter of Freyja” in an invented Nordic language.
Haldor: This is a name that means “rock of Thor” in an invented Nordic language.
Kaelen: This is a name that means “keeper of the keys” in an invented Nordic language.
Runa: This is a name that means “secret” or “whisper” in an invented Nordic language.
Torgny: This is a name that means “thundering warrior” in an invented Nordic language.

Nordic Last Names

Here are some common Nordic last names:

Hansen
Jensen
Anderson
Johansson
Karlsson
Nilsson
Olsen
Pettersson
Svensson
Åström

These last names are typically found in Nordic countries such as Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland.

They are often derived from the father’s first name and follow a patronymic naming tradition, which was used in many cultures before the widespread adoption of hereditary family names.

Norse God Names

Here are some Norse god names and their meanings:

Odin: This is the name of the chief god in Norse mythology, associated with wisdom, war, and death.
Thor: This is the name of the god of thunder in Norse mythology, associated with strength, protection, and fertility.
Freyja: This is the name of a goddess in Norse mythology associated with love, fertility, war, and death.
Loki: This is the name of a trickster god in Norse mythology, associated with mischief and chaos.
Baldur: This is the name of a god in Norse mythology associated with light, beauty, and happiness.
Freyr: This is the name of a god in Norse mythology associated with fertility, prosperity, and sacral kingship.
Hel: This is the name of the goddess of the underworld in Norse mythology.
Tyr: This is the name of the god of law and justice in Norse mythology.

Nordic Warrior Names

Here are some Nordic warrior names that were inspired by the ancient Scandinavian culture and mythology:

Thorgrim
Hrolf
Ulfric
Gunnlaug
Ivar
Eirik
Hakon
Magnus
Sigmund
Gudbrand

These names are typically associated with strength, bravery, and heroism, and were commonly used by warriors and warriors-to-be in the Viking Age.

FAQs – Nordic Names

What are Viking sea names?

Viking sea names usually referred to a sailor’s skill or the sea-faring heritage of their family.

Common Viking sea names included “Skipper” and “Lofty,” which were given to experienced sailors.

Other Viking sea names such as “Wise” or “Learned” were given to those with knowledge of the ocean, and lastly, names such as “Oarsman” and “Rowdy” were given to those with experience in navigating vessels.

What is the Norse name for fire?

The Norse name for fire is “Agni,” which also refers to the god of fire in Norse mythology.

Agni was the son of two giantesses, and was known for his consuming nature, warmth, and for bringing life and light to Viking villages.

What is Angel in Norse?

The Norse mythology equivalents to angels are the “Valkyries.”

Valkyries were female warrior spirits who roamed the skies, guiding and protecting those on Earth.

They had the power to decide who would live and die in battle, and were known for their strength and beauty.

What is the Norse word for spirit?

The Norse word for spirit is “Álfr.”

Álfr was an ancient Nordic term used to describe a supernatural creature or being with the capability of affecting the lives and fortunes of humans.

They were often associated with good luck, protection, and learning.

Conclusion – Nordic Names

Norse names often contain references to the gods and goddesses of Norse mythology.

They also typically have meanings associated with strength, such as “Thor,” meaning thunder; “Odin,” meaning wild or furious; and “Freya,” referring to a goddess of love and beauty.

Norse names also often contain elements from nature, such as water, rocks, and animals.

Common endings for Norse names include “-son,” “-dottir,” “-heim,” and “-garde.” Viking sea names also often reference a sailor’s skill, heritage, or experience on the ocean.

Norse mythology equivalents to angels are the Valkyries, female warrior spirits who had the power to decide who would live and die in battle.

The Norse word for spirit is “Álfr,” an ancient Nordic term used to describe supernatural creatures with the ability to affect the lives of humans. Thus, Norse names remain popular today as a way of honoring ancient traditions and connecting with Viking culture and history.