Scandinavian names for baby boys and girls come mainly from Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. These countries are most often considered the parts of Scandinavia and include cool Viking names. Whether you're of Scandinavian descent or fascinated by this strong culture, there's a perfect name for your baby.
Gender Neutral Scandinavian Names
Scandinavian cultures actually feature a large selection of gender neutral baby names used for both males and females throughout history. Many of these unisex names are short, cute, and strong making them perfect for cool kids.
Unisex Names From Scandinavia
These names have been used in Scandinavia for both boys and girls without strong preferences for one gender. Some translate as gender neutral in the U.S. while others might be more uncommon names for one gender in other countries.
- Ale (AH-leh): to defend
- Alex (A-lekhs): to defend
- Hanne (HAN-neh): Yahweh is gracious
- Inge (ING-eh): ancestor; from Germanic god Ing
- Kris (Kriz or Kriss): a Christian
- Manu (MAH-noo): God is with us
- Marie (mah-REE): unknown
- Mille (meel): rival
- Robin (RAWB-in): bright fame
- Storm: weather name
- Vanja (von-yah): Yahweh is gracious
- Vieno (VEE-eh-no): gentle
- Vivian (vi-vee-ahn): alive
Viking Words to Use As Unisex Names
Those captivated by Viking culture can pay homage by choosing a word with a great meaning that can serve as a unique baby name.
- Bjorn (bee-yoorn): bear
- Keld (kehld): spring
- Kirkja (kee-air-j-kah): church
- Orm: snake
- Rune (roon): secret
- Selby (sehl-bee): the Village with Willows
- Ulf (uhlf): wolf
- Whitby (whit-bee): white farm
Scandinavian Baby Girl Names
Choosing an amazing baby girl name can be difficult because there are so many options. Let different Scandinavian countries and cultures inspire your exotic baby name.
Top Girl Names in Norway
The top baby names in Norway in 2017 reflect both modern trends and traditional names.
- Aurora (OW-ro-rah): dawn
- Ella (ehl-lah): unknown
- Emelie (EHM-eh-lee): rival
- Emma (EHM-mah): whole/universal
- Ingrid (Ing-rid or Ing-ri): Ing (the god) is beautiful
- Maja (mah-yah): diminutive of Maria or Maia
- Nora (noh-rah): honor
- Olivia (Oh-lee-vee-ah): olive
- Sara (SAH-rah): lady/noblewoman
- Sophie (SO-fee-ah): wisdom
Beautiful and Strong Norwegian Names for Girls
Beautiful Norwegian baby names for girls tend to have hard, strong sounds and don't often end in a vowel.
- Ågot (aw-got): good
- Andrine (awn-dreen-ah): masculine
- Annbjorg (Awn-bYORG): eagle rescue
- Anniken (awn-ee-ken): grace
- Åshild (aws-hil): god battle
- Audhild (owd-il): fortune and battle
- Bergljot/Bergliot (bahr-glee-ot): protection and light
- Brit: exalted one
- Dagrun (d-eye-roon): day secret lore
- Guro (groo): god's secret lore
- Ingvild (ing-vil): god Ing battle
- Kari (kahr-ee): unknown
- Kine (keen-uh): a Christian
- Margrete (mar-greh-teh): pearl
- Marte (mar-teh): the lady
- Mathea (mah-tay-ah): gift of Yahweh
- Reidun (ree-ah-dun): billowing nest
- Sissel (sees-ehl): blind
- Solfrid (sohl-freed): beautiful sun
- Solvi (SOOL-vie): sun strength
- Sunniva (soo-neh-veh): sun gift
- Tiril (tee-rihl): unknown
- Trude (troo-duh): strength
- Unni (oo-nee): new love
- Veslemoy (vess-leh-mehy): little girl
Top Girl Names in Sweden
The most popular baby names in Sweden in 2018 feature lots of vowels and short, cute sounds.
- Alice: noble type
- Alma (AL-mə): nourishing
- Astrid (o-stree)/Estrid: beautiful goddess
- Ebb (ehb): countercurrent/tide
- Elsa (EHL-sah): my God is an oath
- Lilly (LIL-ee): flower name
- Wilma (VIL-mah): desire protection
Cute and Meaningful Swedish Names for Girls
Swedish baby girl names often inspire memorable literary and film characters because they are pretty to say and to spell.
- Agneta (ang-NEH-ta): chaste
- Annelie (A-neh-lee): grace and God is an oath
- Aslög (aws-lug): betroathed woman)
- Barbro (BAR-bro): foreign
- Bengta (BENKT-ah): blessed
- Cajsa (KIE-sa): unknown
- Carita (cah-ree-tah): love
- Charlotta (sha-LO-ta): warrior
- Edit (EH-dit): fortune war
- Gittan (GIT-tahn): exalted one
- Hjördis (YUUR-dis): sword goddess
- Kai (KIE): unknown
- Kia (KEE-ah): a Christian
- Liselott (lees-ay-lodd): unknown
- Lova (loh-uh-vah): famous battle
- Merit (meh-reet): pearl
- Moa (MOO-ah): mother
- Ottilia (oot-TEE-lee-ah): fatherland wealth
- Pernilla (peh-NIL-la): unknown
- Sassa (sah-sah): diminutive of Astrid, Sarah, or Alexandra
- Svea (SVEH-ah): personification of Sweden
- Tessan (teh-sahn): unknown
- Ulrica (ool-ree-kah): wolf power
- Vendela (VEHN-deh-la): a vandal
Top Girl Names in Denmark
Many of the most popular baby names in Denmark in 2017 for girls are short and sound similar to other popular names around the world.
- Alba (ahl-bah): elf
- Eva (EH-va): to breathe
- Freja/Freya (: lady; Norse goddess of love, beauty, war, death
- Hannah (HA-na): grace
- Ida (EE-dah): work
- Mynte (mihn-deh): mint
- Vilma (VEEL-mah): desire protection
Adorable Danish Names for Girls
Danish girl names are typically short, cute, and feature double consonants.
- Abelone (ah-beh-loh-neh): strength
- Alvilda (ahl-veel-deh): elf battle
- Benthe (BEHN-teh): blessed
- Bine (BEE-nə): supplanter
- Cille (see-leh): blind
- Ditte (dee-teh): unknown
- Dorit (dor-wit): gift of God
- Gyda (gee-dah): beautiful god
- Lissi (liss-iy): my God is an oath
- Lykke (lyoo-keh): happiness
- Rikke (REEK-keh): peaceful ruler
- Vigga (VEE-ah): war
Top Girl Names in Finland and Iceland
Sometimes Finland and Iceland are also considered as part of Scandinavia. Check out the most popular names in Finland in 2018 and the top baby names in Iceland in 2018 for even more Scandinavian girl name choices.
- Aino (IE-no): the only one
- Aada (ah-dah): adornment
- Alexandra (a-leh-KSAN-drah): defending men
- Anna (AHN-nah): grace
- Bríet (bree-et): exalted one
- Eevi (EH-vee): to breathe
- Ellen (EH-lən): unknown
- Embla (EHM-blah): elm; first human woman created by the Norse gods
- Hekla (HEHH-kla): cloak
- Júlía (YOO-lee-ah): downy-bearded
- Linné (lin-NEH): flower name
- Saga (SA-gha): seeing one; Norse goddess of poetry/history
Ancient Scandinavian Names for Girls
Medieval and ancient Scandinavian names were documented from about the 1300s to the 1600s and feature Old High German elements.
- Alfhildr (al-fihl-der): elf battle; legendary maiden who disguised herself as a warrior to avoid a marriage
- Åse (AW-sah): god
- Ásdis (aws-dees): goddess
- Brynja (PRIN-ya): armor
- Cecelia (seh-SEEL-yah): blind
- Cristina (kree-STEE-na): a Christian
- Dagny (DAHNG-nuy): new day
- Edda (eh-dah): great-grandmother
- Eydis (Ay-dees): island goddess
- Gulla (goo-lah): god
- Guðlaug/Gudlaug (gewl-thuh): god betroathed woman
- Guðríðr/Gordidr (gew-three-th): beautiful god
- Hallþóra (hall-thaw-rah): Thor's rock
- Helena (heh-LEH-nah): torch
- Ingeborg (ING-ə-bawrk): the god Ing saves
- Ingegerd (ING-eh-yehrd): the god Ing enclosure
- Ingunn (een-goon): love the god Ing
- Katarina (ka-ta-REE-na): unknown
- Ketil (kyeh-teel): cauldron
- Margareta (MAHR-gah-reh-tah): pearl
- Ragna (rahg-nah): counsel
- Ragnfrid (rahn-free): beautiful advice
- Pone (pah-neh): new Thor
- Þórdís (thor-dees): Thor's goddess
- Þýri (thyoor-ih): holy Thor
- Tófa (toh-vuh): beautiful Thor
- Unnr (oo-ner): to love
- Valdís (vahl-dees): the dead goddess
- Vígdís (vihg-diss): war goddess
Norse Mythology Name for Girls
Stories and legends from Norse mythology features tons of amazing characters with unique names you can use for your little girl. Unlike many other mythologies, Norse mythology celebrates and includes women almost as much as men.
- Borghild (borg-hihl): fortification battle; wife of Sigmund
- Eir (ay-rh): mercy; Norse goddess of healing/medicine
- Frigg: beloved; goddess of the earth and wife to Odin
- Gerd (YAD): enclosure; frost giant fertility goddess
- Grid: peace; frost giantess with son by Odin
- Gudrun (gah-droon): god's secret lore; wife of Sigurd who killed her second husband
- Hel (hay-el): to conceal; daughter of Loki and ruler of underworld
- Hulda (hewl-dah): secrecy; Norse myth sorceress
- Iðunn/Idun (ee-thuhn): to love again; goddess of spring
- Siv (seev): bride; wife of Thor
- Skaði/Skadi (skah-thee): harm; mountain giantess associated with skiing
- Urd (oord): fate; goddess of destiny responsible for the past
- Verdandi (vair-dahn-dee): becoming; goddess of destiny responsible for present
Viking Warrior Names for Girls
If you've got a strong, adventurous little girl you should give her a name to match like those of actual female Vikings.
- Arnora (ahr-nah-rah): Thor and eagle
- Aud (ah-ood): one of first settlers in Iceland
- Bodil (boh-dihlh): penance and fight
- Brinhild (bree-en-heeld): chainmail fighter
- Fastvi (vahst-vee): unknown
- Freydis (fray-ee-DIS): fertility goddess
- Frida (free-duh): peace
- Gunhild (goon-eel): fight
- Halldis (hawl-dihs): rock goddess
- Inga (een-ya): of the god Inge
- Kolfinna (kahl-finn): unknown
- Liv (leev): of life
- Ragnhild (rawng-lee): council fight
- Sigrid (sig-ee-ree): beautiful woman victory
- Thora (toor-ILL): mighty Thor beautiful woman
- Thurid (tor-id): Thor and peace
- Thyre (tyoor-eh): unknown
- Tola (tah-lah): unknown
- Tove (TOO-veh): dove
- Viborg (vih-bahrg): unknown
Scandinavian Baby Boy Names
If you're after strong baby boy names, Scandinavian names provide the ultimate masculine name options. You can expect to see a lot of variety in Scandinavian boy names from hard sounds to soft sounds and almost every letter of the alphabet.
Top Boy Names in Norway
The most popular baby boy names in Norway as of 2018 include trends from around the world and nods to traditional Norse culture.
- Filip (FEE-leep): friend of horses
- Håkon (hoh-kon): a prominent family
- Isak (EE-sak): he will rejoice
- Jakob (YAH-kawp): supplanter
- Lukas (LOO-kas): from Lucania
- Mohammed (moo-hah-mehd): praised
- Noah (NO-ə): motion
- Oskar (AWS-kar): deer friend
Strong Norwegian Names for Boys
Norwegian boy names are steeped in deep and strong meaning. Check out these names that have a powerful meaning and sound.
- Andor (ahn-dor): eagle and Thor
- Arild (ahr-ihld): army leader
- Arnfinn (arn-feen): eagle and person from Finland
- Asgeir (ow-ss-gehr): god spear
- Atle (aht-leh): little father; Norwegian name for Atilla the Hun
- Bendik (ben-deek): blessed
- Eindride (eye-n-dree-deh): to ride alone
- Even (eh-ven): island victor
- Gaute (goh-teh): great
Top Boy Names in Sweden
Popular baby boy names in Sweden feature Biblical names and trendy short names from around the world.
- Adam: man
- Alexander (A-lehk-san-tehr): defending men
- Elias (EH-lee-ahs): my God is Yahweh
- Hugo (HOO-goh): heart/spirit
- Liam (lee-em): desire protection
- Oliver (O-lee-vehr): ancestor's descendant
- William: desire protection
Short Swedish Names for Boys
Names for boys with Swedish origins favor and ending "n" sound and average about only six letters in length.
- Bengt (BENKT): blessed
- Börje (BUR-yeh): help/rescue
- Bosse (boh-seh): to live
- Claes (KLAHS): victory of the people
- Elov (EH-lov): always descendent
- Gösta (YUUS-ta): unknown
- Greger (gray-eh-gehr): watchful
- Halsten (hahl-stehn): rock stone
- Jörgen (yor-gehn): farmer
- Krister (KRIS-tehr): a Christian
- Lelle (leh-leh): brave lion
- Love (LOO-veh): famous battle
- Melker (mehl-kyehr): king light
- Olof (OO-lawf): ancestor's descendant
- Östen (awston):island stone
- Pelle (PEHL-leh): stone
- Roffe (roh-feh): fame wolf
- Sixten (siks-ton): victory stone
- Stellan (steh-lahn): calm
- Torgny (torgnee): Thor's noise
- Viking (VEE-king): bay raider
Top Boy Names in Denmark
The most popular baby boy names in Denmark are similar to many other Scandinavian countries. These names represent both the top names in Denmark in 2018 and old stand-bys.
- Agner (ow-nah): terror warrior
- Bent: blessed
- Bjark (beeyark): bear
- Ejvind (eye-vin): island victor
- Flemming: from Flanders
- Hagen (hah-gin): high son
- Jannik (yah-neek): Yahweh is gracious
- Keld: cauldron
- Lauge (l-ow-geh): fellow
- Milas (mee-lah): popular in 2018
- Mogens (mohns): great
- Nels: victory of the people
- Sigurd (SEE-gurd): victory guardian; popular in 2018
- Steen (stee-en): stone
- Thor (tor): thunder; popular in 2018
- Villum (vee-luhm): desire protection; popular in 2018
Top Boy Names in Finland and Iceland
If you consider Finland and Iceland part of Scandinavia, as some experts do, these popular names from both countries are great options.
- Aron (AH-rawn): unknown
- Brynjar (breen-yar): armor warrior
- Daniel (DAH-ni-yəl): God is my judge
- Eino (AY-no): unknown
- Emil (EH-mil): rival
- Edvin (EHD-veen): rich friend
- Elliot (EHL-ee-ət): my God is Yahweh
- Guðmundur (gawth-moon-door): god protection
- Ilmari (EEL-mah-ree): air; Finnish mythology creator of sky and magic
- Johannes (yo-HAN-əs): Yahweh is gracious
- Jökull (yo-kool): glacier
- Leo (LEH-o): lion
- Onni (ON-nee): happiness
- Väinö (VIE-nuu): wide and slow river
Ancient Scandinavian Names for Boys
Old High German and medieval naming practices are the inspiration behind these ancient Scandinavian boy names. Many have been modified throughout history and some are still popular in different parts of the world.
- Aghi (ahg-hee): edge of a sword
- Áki (OW-kyi): father
- Alfvin (ahl-veen) : elf friend
- Aðalsteinn/Athelstan (ah-thahl-stain): noble stone
- Brandr: sword/fire
- Egill (EH-gee): awe/terror
- Eysteinn (aystin): island stone
- Félagi (fee-ay-lahg): partner/fellow
- Hallbjǫrn (hal-bawrn): rock bear
- Hávarðr/Håvard (hoh-vahrd): high guardian
- Herleifr (hare-layf-er): army descendent
- Hróarr/Roger (hrahr): famed spear
- Hugleikr (hoo-lay-ker): heart/spirit play
- Jarl (YAHRL): chieftan/nobleman
- Mundi (moon-dee): protection
- Ragnvaldr/Reynold (ran-veld-er): powerful advice
- Snorri (snor-rree): attack
- Stigr/Stig (steeg-er): path
- Þórir (thoh-ree): Thor's warrior
- Vragi (vrah-gee): mooring post
Norse Mythology Names for Boys
Norse mythology and legends feature dozens of unique male characters with short, powerful names no one will ever forget.
- Alvis (ahl-vees): all wise; dwarf who Thor turned to stone
- Ask (ahsk): ash tree; first man created by the gods
- Balder (bahl-air): prince; son of Odin and Frigg
- Bragi (Brah-yee): first/poetry; Norse god of poetry
- Fenrir (fayn-reer): Odin's wolf
- Freyr (FRAYR): lord; Norse god of fertility, rain, and sunlight
- Loki (loh-kee): unknown meaning; evil trickster god
- Njord (nyor): strong; Norse god of the sea
- Oden/Odinn/Odin (oh-din): inspiration/frenzy; highest Norse god
- Orvar (or-vahr): arrow; legendary Norse hero
- Trym (treeim): noise; king of the giants who stole Thor's hammer
- Vidar (VEE-dahr): wide warrior; son of Odin who will avenge father's death at end of world
Viking Warrior Names for Boys
The ultimate symbol of masculinity for many were the courageous and strong Vikings. These real Viking names might be the right fit for your little tough guy.
- Ake (AH-ke): ancestor
- Anwend (ahn-wayn): unknown; a viking King
- Arne (ar-neh): eagle
- Aslak (ahs-lahk): god play
- Asgot (ahs-goht): great god goth
- Asvald (Ahs-vahld): god ruler
- Bjarni (byahr-nih): bear
- Bran: raven
- Cnut (kə-NYOOT): knot; name of many Danish kings
- Einar (AY-nahr): one warrior
- Eirik (eh-rik): the unique prince
- Floki (floh-kih); outspoken man; one of first settlers in Iceland
- Frodi (froh-idh): unknown; name of many Danish kings
- Gamli (gahm-lee): God is my reward
- Geirstein (gayr-stayn): spear stone
- Harald (hah-rahld): lord and ruler
- Hove (hoh-veh): temple
- Illugi (ig-loo-ih): evil/bad spirit/thought
- Ivar (ee-var): coniferous tree worrier
- Kjeld (Kehl): cauldron
- Knud (KNOODH): knot
- Leif (life): property/inheritance
- Olaf (oh-lahv): ancestor's descendant
- Ragnar (RAHNG-nahr): advice army
- Rolf (throhlf): honor wolf
- Sven (SVEHN): boy
- Toke (toh-keh): Thor and helmet
- Wulfstan (wohlv-stahn): wolf stone
Embrace Scandinavian Cultures
Selecting a baby name from Scandinavia includes understanding the meaning of the name, the spelling, and the pronunciation that's right for your family. Common baby name meanings from this culture include animals, status, and the gods. When you pick one of these Scandinavian baby names, you can choose to use the ancient spelling and pronunciation or a modern spelling and English pronunciation.
