Youtube
Baby Names

145+ Scandinavian Boy Names: From Ancient Viking To Cool Modern Choices

Updated on
scandinavian boy names

 

Overview

Scandinavian lore is synonymous with Norse mythology. It isn’t surprising that Scandinavian boy names also have links with Old Norse, Nordic, Icelandic, Swedish, Danish, and Norwegian names.

Many came from the legendary stories of Vikings in Early Medieval Scandinavia. Others are modern takes on the vintage or classic boy names.

You’ll find plenty of mystical names with magical background stories of gods and their adventures.

While Thor, Loki, and Odin are among the most common god names from Norse and Scandinavian mythology, you can also find other mythical names on our list below. 

We’ve also added strong and tough boy names for Vikings or names with meanings like “fire,” “water,” or “strong.”

 

What’s The Difference Between Scandinavian And Old Norse Baby Names?

The terms “Scandinavian,” “Nordic,” and “Old Norse” are often used interchangeably. While they have differences, they share many historical, cultural, and language similarities. (1)(2)

  • Scandinavia – The region that includes Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and the Faroe Islands; “Scandinavian” relates to anything from this region
  • Nordic – The region that includes Scandinavia plus Finland, Iceland, and Aland (an autonomous region of Finland)
  • Old Norse – Anything that relates to the Nordic region during the Early Middle Ages (476-1000 AD) and Viking Age (793-1066 AD)

 

Aside from the bigger group (for Scandinavian and Nordic baby names), these regions are also home to different countries. So, we’ve also listed Swedish, Danish (from Denmark), Icelandic, Finnish (from Finland), and Norwegian names below.

 

Why Choose A Scandinavian Boy Name For Your Baby?

Many Scandinavian names have links to the Vikings, known as tough marauders or seafaring warriors. They raided many lands and created settlements across Europe and other areas, including Greenland, Newfoundland, Iceland, and modern-day Russia. (3)

While the prospect appears scary, Vikings are also known as powerful warriors. So, naming your child a Scandinavian name can also promote a strong and tough personality.

These names also have magical, mythical, and mystical themes. Wouldn’t it be fun to have these mysterious themes for your little one?

 

Like everywhere else, trends also vary in the Scandinavian and Nordic regions through the years. 

For example, names beginning with “V” and “W” have become more popular in Denmark in recent decades. (4)

Most Scandinavian boy names end in consonants, with many ending in “R” and “S.” However, recent trends have seen names ending in vowels, such as “Wade” (ranks #346) and “Dane” (ranks #875), based on SSA data (US Social Security Administration). (5)

We also use SSA data for the popularity ranks below.

 

Scandinavian Boy Names For Your Little One By Special Category

Anders

 

  • Origin/Gender: Scandinavian boy name
  • Meaning: “Brave” and “manly”
  • Pronunciation: “ahn-duhrs”
  • Popularity/Rank: #856
  • Namesakes/Description: Swedish doubles tennis player Anders Per Järryd

 

Boden

 

  • Origin/Gender: Scandinavian boy name
  • Meaning: “Shelter”
  • Pronunciation: “bow-den”
  • Popularity/Rank: #859
  • Namesakes/Description: Also a last name (such as Swedish javelin thrower Patrik Bodén) 
  • Variants: Bowden

 

Brandon

 

  • Origin/Gender: Scandinavian, Old English, Celtic, Old Welsh, and Irish boy name
  • Meaning: “Beacon hill,” “chieftain,” and “prince or king”
  • Pronunciation: “bran-duhn”
  • Popularity/Rank: #211
  • Namesakes/Description: American voice actor Brandon McInnis
  • Variants: Also a variation of the Irish given name “Breandán” or the Old Welsh name “Brân”

 

Oscar

 

  • Meaning: Mythical boy name that means “the spear of the gods” or “loving friend”
  • Pronunciation: “aas-kr”
  • Popularity/Rank: #201
  • Namesakes/Description: Colombian cyclist Óscar Álvarez
  • Variants: Osgar (Scottish Gaelic), Oskar, and Ásgeirr (Old Norse)

 

Osman

 

  • Meaning: “Tender youth,” “God’s protection,” “most powerful,” or “wise”
  • Pronunciation: “ohs-man”
  • Popularity/Rank: #972
  • Namesakes/Description: Turkish photo-journalist Osman Orsal
  • Variants: Osmann, Ousman, Ousmane, Ossman, Ousmann, and Usman

 

Ronald

 

  • Meaning: Powerful boy name that means “powerful ruler” or “counsel”
  • Pronunciation: “row-nald”
  • Popularity/Rank: #559
  • Namesakes: English actor Ronald Colman
  • Also a magical name after the fictional character Ronald Weasley, one of the powerful teenage wizards in the “Harry Potter” series

 

Wade

 

  • Origin/Gender: Anglo-Saxon English and Scandinavian boy name
  • Meaning: “By the river crossing” or “to go”
  • Pronunciation: “wayd”
  • Popularity/Rank: #346
  • Namesakes/Description: American actor Wade Andrew Williams
  • Also a last name (such as after American retired professional basketball player Dwyane Tyrone Wade Jr.)
  • Variants: Wayd

 

Uncommon & Rare Scandinavian Boy Names

Ingram

 

  • Origin/Gender: Scandinavian and Old English boy name
  • Meaning: “Raven of peace”
  • Pronunciation: “ing-gruhm”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: American composer Ingram Marshall 
  • Variants: Ingrram

 

Knute

 

  • Origin/Gender: Old Norse and Scandinavian boy name
  • Meaning: “Knot”
  • Pronunciation: “kah-noot”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: American football player and coach Knute Rockne
  • Also a unique middle name for boys, such as after celebrity kid Ace Knute Johnson (son of American actress and singer Jessica Simpson and football player Eric Johnson)
  • Variants: Knut

 

Scandinavian Warrior Names

Astor

 

  • Origin/Gender: Scandinavian and German boy name
  • Pronunciation: “ahs-tor”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: Argentine composer Astor Piazzolla
  • Also a last name (such as after American businessman and philanthropist Vincent Astor
  • Variants: Astorr and Aztor

 

Gunner

 

  • Origin/Gender: Scandinavian boy name
  • Meaning: “Warrior,” “bold warrior,” or “battler”
  • Pronunciation: “guh-nr”
  • Popularity/Rank: #387
  • Namesakes/Description: American football player Gunner Kiel and actor Gunner Wright 
  • Variants: Gunnie, Gunnor, and Gunnar

 

Iver

 

  • Origin/Gender: Scandinavian boy name
  • Meaning: “Archer”
  • Pronunciation: “eye-vur”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: Danish engineer and Arctic explorer Iver P. Iversen 
  • Variants: Ívarr and Iverr

 

Royal & Elegant Scandinavian Boy Names

Erling

 

  • Origin/Gender: Scandinavian, Old Norse, and Old English boy name
  • Meaning: A royal name that means “descendant of an earl” or “the firstborn son of the earl” 
  • Pronunciation: “er-ling”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: American contemporary composer Erling Wold
  • Variants: Eerling and Erlling

 

Hereward

 

  • Origin/Gender: Scandinavian and Old English boy name
  • Meaning: “High guardian”
  • Pronunciation: “heh-ruh-ward”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: Early English King Hereward the Wake
  • Variants: Herewward and Harward

 

Jarl

 

  • Meaning: “Warrior-king” or “nobleman”
  • Pronunciation: “jaarl”
  • Length: 4 letters, 1 syllable
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: Swedish actor and director Jarl Kulle 
  • Also a mystical name after Jarl, the Old Norse god and ancestor of the race of warriors
  • Variants: Jarle and Jarlh

 

Modern & Trendy Scandinavian Boy Names

Casper

 

  • Origin/Gender: Dutch, Persian, Scandinavian, and German name for boys
  • Meaning: “Bringer of treasure”
  • Pronunciation: “kahs-pur”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: Danish handball player Casper Ulrich Mortensen 
  • Also an adorable ghost name after Casper, the friendly ghost in the movie “Casper”
  • Variants: Caspar, Kaspar, Kasper, and Gaspar

 

Dane

 

  • Origin/Gender: Scandinavian and Old English boy name
  • Meaning: “From Denmark,” “dweller in the valley,” or “God is my judge”
  • Pronunciation: “dayn”
  • Popularity/Rank: #875
  • Namesakes/Description: American basketball coach Dane Fischer
  • Variants: Dene, Dayn, and Dean

 

Hans

 

  • Origin/Gender: Scandinavian boy name
  • Meaning: “God is gracious”
  • Pronunciation: “hans”
  • Length: 4 letters, 1 syllable
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000
  • Namesakes/Description: Danish author Hans Christian Andersen 

 

Tate

 

  • Origin:/Gender Old English, Norse, and Scandinavian boy name
  • Meaning: “Cheerful”
  • Pronunciation: “tayt”
  • Popularity/Rank: #234
  • Namesakes/Description: American stock car racer Tate Fogleman and basketball player Tate Armstrong
  • Variants: None

 

Boy Names From Norse Mythology

Aegir

 

  • Origin: Old Norse, Scandinavian, and Norwegian name for boys
  • Meaning: “Sea” or “ocean”
  • Pronunciation: “ay-gr”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: After Aegir, the Norse god of the sea and ancient ruler of the underwater world
  • Also an anime boy name after the fictional character Aegir Hardlett in the “Oukoku e Tsuzuku Michi” novel
  • Variants: Aeggir and Aegirr

 

Loki

 

  • Origin/Gender: Scandinavian, Old Norse, and Norwegian boy name
  • Meaning: “Airy”
  • Pronunciation: “low-kee”
  • Length: 4 letters, 2 syllables
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: After Loki, the Norse god of magic, mischief, and fire
  • Modern namesakes include Samoan rugby player Loki Crichton
  • Variants: Lokki

 

Odin

 

  • Origin: Old Norse and Scandinavian boy name
  • Meaning: “Raging” or “frenzied” 
  • Pronunciation: “ow-dn”
  • Popularity/Rank: #330
  • Namesakes/Description: After Odin, the Norse god of mystery, wisdom, magic, and death
  • Variants: Oddin

 

Thor

 

  • Origin: Old Norse and Scandinavian boy name
  • Meaning: Mystical boy name that means “thunder”
  • Pronunciation: “thor”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes: After Thor, the Norse god of thunder 
  • Modern namesakes include Icelandic writer Thor Vilhjálmsson
  • Variants: Thorr

 

Vintage & Ancient Scandinavian Boy Names

Garth

 

  • Origin/Gender: Middle English, Scandinavian, Old Norse, and Anglo-Saxon boy name
  • Meaning: “Enclosed quadrangle or yard” or “keeper of the garden”
  • Pronunciation: “gaarth”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: English nature writer Garth Christian
  • Variants: Garit and Garrth

 

Ludvig

 

  • Origin/Gender: Scandinavian boy name
  • Meaning: “Renowned fighter,” “famous warrior,” or “glorious in the battle”
  • Pronunciation: “lood-vuhg”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: Danish lyric poet Ludvig Bødtcher 
  • Variants: Ludwig (German)

 

Harold

 

  • Origin/Gender: Scandinavian and Old English boy name
  • Meaning: “Ruler of an army,” “army leader,” or “army commander”
  • Pronunciation: “her-uhld”
  • Popularity/Rank: #925
  • Namesakes/Description: American actor, stunt performer, and comedian Harold Clayton Lloyd, Sr. and poet Harold Norse
  • Variants: Harald, Haroldo (Spanish boy name), Haraldur (Icelandic), and Hereweald (Old English name)

 

Ráðúlfr

 

  • Origin/Gender: Scandinavian boy name
  • Meaning: “Wolf counsel”
  • Pronunciation: “rahw-luh-fr”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: East Kingdom Viking Ráðúlfr Grímólfsson 
  • Variations: Raul (Spanish boy name) and Ralph

 

Viking Names For Your Tough Little One

There were tens of thousands of Vikings, yet the most popular names relate to the most fearsome leaders. They led raids on merchant ships and expanded Viking territory on land. (6)

The following are powerful boy names that may not be popular in recent years but are marked in Viking history: (6)(7)(8)

 

Erik

 

  • Meaning: “Ever or eternal ruler” or “absolute ruler”
  • Pronunciation: “eh-reek”
  • Popularity/Rank: #432
  • Namesakes: After Erik the Red (aka Erik the Great), who built the first Viking settlement in Greenland
  • Modern namesakes include Chilean basketball player Erik Carrasco and American crossword solver, editor, and constructor Erik Agard 
  • Variants: Eric, Erick, and Errik

 

Harald

 

  • Origin/Gender: Scandinavian, Old Norse, and German boy name
  • Meaning: Warrior name that means “war chief” or “army ruler”
  • Pronunciation: “hah-rahld”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: After Harald Gormsson, King of Denmark and Norway, who was also known as “Blåtand”; he had fearsome looks, especially with his blue tooth
  • Variations: Harrald and Haraldur

 

Leif

 

  • Origin/Gender: Scandinavian and Old Norse boy name
  • Meaning: “Heir” or “descendant”
  • Pronunciation: “leef”
  • Popularity/Rank: #841
  • Namesakes/Description: After Leif Erikson, a calm leader who created Vinland (believed to be L’Anse aux Meadows in northern Newfoundland)
  • Modern namesakes include American actor and singer Leif Garrett and Omegle founder Leif K-Brooks
  • Variations: Leiff

 

What Are Cool Boy Viking Names?

Birger

 

  • Origin/Gender: Scandinavian and Old Norse boy name
  • Meaning: “To protect,” “to save,” or “to help”
  • Pronunciation: “beer-juhr”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: Norwegian military officer Birger Eriksen
  • Variations: Birrger and Birgger

 

Frode

 

  • Origin/Gender: Scandinavian and Old Norse boy name
  • Meaning: “Wise and clever”
  • Pronunciation: “froh-duh”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: Belgian musical artist Frode Vassel
  • Variations: Can also be a variation of “Frodo,” a mystical name popularized by “The Lord Of The Rings” franchise

 

Rollo

 

  • Origin/Gender: Old Norse and Scandinavian boy name
  • Meaning: “Famed wolf”
  • Pronunciation: “roll-oh”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: After the Viking first ruler of Normandy 
  • Variations: Also another form of Rolfr and Hrolfr

 

Strong & Tough Viking Boy Names

Bjorn

 

  • Origin/Gender: Scandinavian, Dutch, Icelandic, Swedish, and Old Norse boy name
  • Meaning: “Bear”
  • Pronunciation: “bee-yorn”
  • Popularity/Rank: #776
  • Namesakes/Description: After Swedish king and legendary Viking ruler Björn Ironside
  • Variations: Björn (with the accent)

 

Magnus

 

  • Origin/Gender: Latin and Scandinavian boy name
  • Meaning: “The greatest”
  • Pronunciation: “mahg-nooz”
  • Popularity/Rank: #780
  • Namesakes/Description: Norwegian chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen and Swedish hockey player Magnus Pääjärvi-Svensson
  • Variants: Magnum

 

Ragnar

 

  • Origin/Gender: Scandinavian, Danish, and Old Norse boy name
  • Meaning: “Judgment” or “warrior”
  • Pronunciation: “rahg-nahr”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: 9th-Century Viking leader Ragnar Lothbrok and an early Swedish and Danish king
  • Variations: Raggnar and Ragnarr

 

Torsten

 

  • Origin/Gender: Old Norse and Scandinavian boy name
  • Meaning: Magical name that means “Thor’s stone”
  • Pronunciation: “tohrs-uhn”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: German football striker Torsten Gütschow and Swedish athlete and journalist Torsten Tegnér
  • Variations: Torstein and Thorstein

 

Traditional Viking Boy Names

Gorm

 

  • Origin/Gender: Scandinavian and Danish boy name
  • Meaning: “Honor God,” “respect,” or “he who worships God”
  • Pronunciation: “gorm”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: After the Viking leader Gorm the Old, the father of Harald Gormsson (or Harald Bluetooth)
  • Variations: Gormm

 

Hastein

 

  • Origin/Gender: Norse and Scandinavian boy name
  • Meaning: “Son of Atli”
  • Pronunciation: “hahs-steen”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: After the fierce and mighty 9th Viking leader Hastein
  • Variations: Hasteen

 

Herlaug

 

  • Meaning: “Army leader”
  • Pronunciation: “hahr-lugh”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: After King Herlaug of Central Norway’s ancient Namdalen district
  • Variations: Herrlaug

 

Viking Word Names

Halfdan

 

  • Origin/Gender: Scandinavian and Old Norse boy name
  • Meaning: “Half-Danish”
  • Pronunciation: “haf-dahn”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: After the 9th century King of Dublin and Viking leader Halfdan Ragnarsson 
  • Variations: Haffdan

 

Kirkja

 

  • Origin/Gender: Scandinavian and Old Norse boy name
  • Meaning: “Church”
  • Pronunciation: “kirk-uh”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: Also a place name after some islands in Iceland and the Faroe Islands
  • Variations: Old Norse version of the aesthetic boy name “Kirk”

 

Rune

 

  • Meaning: “Secret” or “happy”
  • Pronunciation: “roon”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: Also the name of a popular video game series
  • Variations: Runne

 

Scandinavian Boy Names With Powerful & Beautiful Meanings

Scandinavian Boy Names That Mean “Fire”

Brandr 

 

  • Origin/Gender: Ancient Scandinavian and Old Norse boy name 
  • Meaning: “Fire” or “firebrand”
  • Pronunciation: “bran-dr”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: Also a strong name for your baby
  • Variants: Brander

 

Eldir

 

  • Origin/Gender: Norwegian, Scandinavian, and Old Norse boy name
  • Meaning: “Fire-starter” or “fire stoker”
  • Pronunciation: “ehl-dr”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: Mystical name after Eldir, Loki’s first verbal opponent in Norse mythology
  • Variations: Elddir

 

Eldrid

 

  • Origin/Gender: Norwegian, Scandinavian, and Old English unisex name
  • Meaning: “Beautiful fire” or “old counsel”
  • Also an Anglo-Saxon name that means “wise advisor”
  • Pronunciation: “ehl-drd”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: After the fictional character Darth Eldrid, a Sith Lord in the third galactic war in the “Star Wars” franchise
  • Variations: Elddrid

 

Scandinavian Boy Names That Mean “Water”

Aaberg

 

  • Origin/Gender: Norwegian, Danish, and Scandinavian boy name
  • Meaning: “River”
  • Pronunciation: “aah-burg”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: Also a last name (including American jazz pianist Philip Aaberg and Swedish ice hockey player Pontus Åberg)
  • Variants: Åberg

 

Bo

 

  • Meaning: “Wave”
  • Pronunciation: “bow”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: Swedish poet Bo Bergman and American football player Bo Bowling
  • Variants: Also a short form or nickname of longer “Bo-” names like “Bonito” and “Beauregard”

 

Kallan

 

  • Origin/Gender: Scandinavian boy name
  • Meaning: “Flowing water”
  • Pronunciation: “kah-lahn”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: After the fictional character Kallan in the webtoon “The Ember Knight” 
  • Variants: Callan

 

Maxwell

 

  • Origin: Scandinavian, Old English, and Scottish boy name
  • Meaning: “Great,” “great stream,” or “Mack’s stream”
  • Pronunciation: “mak-swel”
  • Popularity/Rank: #173
  • Namesakes: American professional wrestler Maxwell Jacob Friedman and R&B and neo-soul singer Maxwell (real name Gerald Maxwell Rivera)
  • Variants: Maxwel, Mackswell, and Mackwell

 

What Scandinavian Boy Name Means “Strong”?

Ballard

 

  • Origin/Gender: Germanic, Middle English, and Scandinavian boy name
  • Meaning: Boy name that means “strong,” “brave,” or “bald-headed man”
  • Pronunciation: “bahl-aard”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: Also a last name (such as American songwriter and record producer Glen Ballard and professional bowler Del Ballard Jr.)
  • Variants: Balard

 

Njord 

 

  • Origin/Gender: Scandinavian boy name
  • Meaning: “North,” “vigorous,” “strong,” or “north nurture”
  • Pronunciation: “nyord”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: Also a mythical name after Njord, the Norse god of the sea, sailing, fishing, and fertility 
  • Also a cute boy name after the dolphin Njord in Madeleine L’Engle’s “A Ring of Endless Light” film
  • Variants: ​​Also a form of the Old Norse name “Njǫrðr” 

 

Scandinavian Boy Names That Mean “Darkness”

Colby

 

  • Origin/Gender: Scandinavian, Old Norse, and Irish boy name
  • Meaning: “Darkness” or “someone who lives in a coal town” (also a black boy name)
  • Pronunciation: “kohl-bee”
  • Popularity/Rank:#597
  • Namesakes/Description: American football player Colby Bockwoldt and Canadian ice hockey player Colby Barlow
  • Variations: Kolby

 

Hodur

 

  • Origin/Gender: Romanian, Slovak, and Scandinavian boy name
  • Meaning: “Darkness” or “beaver”
  • Pronunciation: “hoh-dr”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: After Hodur, the blind son of Odin and the Norse god of darkness and the night
  • Variations: Hoder, Hodr, and Hod

 

Hymir

 

  • Origin/Gender: Scandinavian and Old Norse boy name
  • Meaning: “Darkening one”
  • Pronunciation: “hy-mr”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: After Hymir, the Norse god of ale who has a huge cauldron that can brew the drink for all the gods
  • Variations: Hymirr

 

Scandinavian Boy Names That Mean “Light”

Dag

 

  • Origin/Gender: Scandinavian boy name
  • Meaning: “Daylight”
  • Pronunciation: “dahg”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: Swedish economist and Former Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN) Dag Hammarskjöld
  • Variations: Dagg

 

Dagur

 

  • Origin/Gender: Icelandic and Scandinavian boy name
  • Meaning: “Day” or “daylight”
  • Pronunciation: “dahg-uhr”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: Icelandic retired football defender Steinar Dagur Adolfsson and basketball player Dagur Kár Jónsson 
  • Variations: Daggur and Daggr

 

Celebrity & Other Famous Scandinavian Boy Names

Elvis

 

  • Origin: Scandinavian boy name
  • Meaning: “All-wise”
  • Pronunciation: “ehl-vuhs”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes: Bosnian-American mixed martial artist Elvis Mutapčić and the late American singer and actor Elvis Presley
  • Variants: Alviss (Old Norse) and Elviss

 

Evander

 

  • Meaning: “Strong man” or “warrior”

  • Pronunciation: “eeh-van-dr”

  • Popularity/Rank: #823

  • Namesakes: American retired professional boxer Evander Holyfield and Canadian ice hockey player Evander Frank Kane

  • Variants: Evandder, Evvander, and Evandyr

 

Scandinavian Boy Names From Literature & Pop Culture

Dustin 

 

  • Origin/Gender: Old Norse, Scandinavian, and English boy name
  • Meaning: Best boy name that means “Thor’s stone” or a warrior name that means “brave warrior”
  • Pronunciation: “dust-ihn”
  • Popularity/Rank: #632
  • Namesakes/Description: Tough boy name after the fictional character Dustin Henderson in “Stranger Things”
  • Other modern namesames include American country music singer and songwriter Dustin Lynch and actor Dustin Hoffman
  • Variants: Dusten, Dusttinn, Dustyn, and Duston; also a variant of the Old Norse and Norwegian name “Torsten”

 

Hansel

 

  • ​​Origin: Scandinavian, Hebrew, and German boy name
  • Meaning: “God is gracious”
  • Pronunciation: “han-sl”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes: Dominican baseball player Hansel Robles and Colombian footballer Hansel Zapata
  • Also a cute boy name after the fairytale character Hansel, one of the protagonists in the children’s story “Hansel and Gretel”
  • Variants: Hanzel

 

Spock

 

  • Origin: Scandinavian boy name
  • Meaning: “Maker of spokes or wheels”
  • Pronunciation: “spohk”
  • Length: 5 letters, 1 syllable
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes: After the character “Star Trek” character Spock (real name S’Chn T’Gai Spock in sci-fi series)
  • Variants: Spok

 

Scandinavian Boy Names By Origin

Boy Names From Iceland & Finland

Brjánn

 

  • Origin/Gender: Icelandic and Scandinavian boy name
  • Meaning: “Someone who is from a high and noble birth”
  • Pronunciation: “bree-uhn”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: Swiss researcher Brjánn Ljótsson and Thunderful Group CEO Brjánn Sigurgeirsson
  • Variations: Icelandic version of the Old English and Irish boy name “Brian”

 

Haraldur

 

  • Origin/Gender: Icelandic and Scandinavian boy name
  • Meaning: “Ruler of an army,” “army commander,” or “army leader”
  • Pronunciation: “hah-rahl-dr”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: Icelandic entrepreneur, philanthropist, businessman, and musician Haraldur Ingi “Halli” Þorleifsson and musician Haraldur Thorleifsson
  • Variations: Icelandic form of the Old English name “Harold”

 

Reykur

 

  • Origin/Gender: Icelandic and Scandinavian boy name
  • Meaning: “Smoke”
  • Pronunciation: “ray-kur”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: Also a name that means “fire”
  • Variants: Rekyr (Old Norse and Norwegian name)

 

Boy Names From Denmark

Hygge 

 

  • Origin: Danish, Scandinavian, and Norwegian unisex name
  • Meaning: “Comfort”
  • Pronunciation: “hyoo-guh”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: Also part of book titles, including Marie Tourell Søderberg’s “Hygge: The Danish Art of Happiness”
  • Variants: Hygg

 

Malthe

 

  • Origin/Gender: Danish and Scandinavian boy name
  • Meaning: “Rule” or “power”
  • Pronunciation: “mahl-tuh”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes: Danish professional road racing cyclist Malthe Thomsen
  • Variants: Maltthe and Malte

 

Mikkel

 

  • Origin: German, Norse, Danish, and Scandinavian boy name
  • Meaning: “Who is like God?” or “enormous”
  • Pronunciation: “may-kel”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes: Award-winning American photographer Mikkel Aaland and Danish professional football midfielder Mikkel Vendelbo

 

Soren

 

  • Origin: Scandinavian and Danish boy name
  • Meaning: “Severe,” “strict,” or “stern”
  • Pronunciation: “saw-rehn”
  • Popularity/Rank: #530
  • Namesakes/Description: Swedish ice hockey player Sören Johansson and Danish football player Søren Berg 
  • Variants: Suren and Sorren

 

Boy Names From Sweden

Afton

 

  • Origin/Gender: Swedish, Old English, Scandinavian, and Scottish unisex name
  • Meaning: “From the Afton river,” “afternoon,” or “evening”
  • Pronunciation: “af-tuhn”
  • Length: 5 letters, 2 syllables
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: Also a place name after some towns and cities in the US, the United Kingdom, and Canada
  • Variants: Affton and Aftton

 

Malin

 

  • Origin: Swedish, Sanskrit, Finnish, Old English, and Scandinavian unisex name 

  • Meaning: “Strong little warrior”

  • Pronunciation: “may-leen”

  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

  • Namesakes/Description: None for boys; nicknames can include Mall, Mal, and Mali 

  • Variants: Mallin and Mahlin 

 

Boy Names From Scandinavia

Edvard

 

  • Origin/Gender: Scandinavian and Old English boy name
  • Meaning: “Wealthy guardian”
  • Pronunciation: “ehd-vahrd”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: Norwegian painter Edvard Munch and composer and pianist Edvard Grieg
  • Variations: Also a form of the Old English and Anglo-Saxon name Edward

 

Njal

 

  • Origin/Gender: Scandinavian and Norwegian boy name
  • Meaning: “Cloud” or “champion”
  • Pronunciation: “nyuhl”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: Canada-based researcher and assistant professor Njal Rollinson 
  • Variations: Njall and Njjal

 

Boy Names From Norway

Filip

 

  • Origin/Gender: Slavic, Scandinavian, Norwegian, and Greek name for boys
  • Meaning: “Friend of horses”
  • Pronunciation: “fee-lip”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: Serbian tennis player Filip Krajinović and Slovak tennis player Filip Polášek
  • Variants: Also a variation of the prince name “Phillip” or “Philip”

 

Ole

 

  • Origin/Gender: Old Norse, Danish, Scandinavian, and Norwegian boy name
  • Meaning: “Rich and powerful heritage” or “ancestor’s descendant” 
  • Pronunciation: “oh-leh”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: Danish film director Ole Bornedal and Norwegian hedge fund manager Ole Andreas Halvorsen 
  • Variants: Olle, Ola, Oluf, Olof, and Olav

 

Scandinavian Boy Names By Length

Short Scandinavian Boy Names

Britt

 

  • Origin/Gender: Swedish, Scandinavian, and Irish Gaelic unisex name 
  • Meaning: “High god/goddess,” “exalted,” “bright,” “glorious,” or “from Brittany or Britain”
  • Pronunciation: “breet”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: Also a last name (e.g., American sportscaster Jim Britt and football player Kenny Britt)
  • Variants: Brit

 

Kai

 

  • Meaning: “Fire,” “sea,” or “keeper of the keys and earth” 
  • Pronunciation: “kai”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: American soccer player Kai Greene and English rugby union footballer Kai Horstmann
  • Variants: Kaii, Kaih, and Cai

 

Kirk

 

  • Origin/Gender: Old Norse, German, and Scandinavian boy name
  • Meaning: Cute boy name that means “church” or “someone who lives near a church”
  • Pronunciation: “kurk”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: American musician and Metallica lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and Canadian ice hockey player Kirk Maltby
  • Variants: Kyrk, Kirke, and Kerk

 

Long Scandinavian Boy Names

Arnfinn

 

  • Origin/Gender: Norwegian and Old Norse boy name
  • Meaning: “Person from Finland” and “eagle”
  • Pronunciation: “ahrn-fn”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: Norwegian judge Arnfinn Bårdsen and children’s writer Arnfinn Kolerud
  • Variations: Arnfin, Arnnfin, and Arnnfinn

 

Eindride

 

  • Origin/Gender: Scandinavian and Norwegian boy name
  • Meaning: “To ride alone”
  • Pronunciation: “ehl-dryd”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: Norwegian actor Eindride Eidsvold
  • Variations: Einddride

 

Scandinavian Boy Names From A To Z

Scandinavian Boy Names Starting With A

Andor

 

  • Origin/Gender: Norse, Latin, and Scandinavian boy name
  • Meaning: “Brave” or “eagle”

  • Pronunciation: “ahd-dr”

  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

  • Description: Also another name given for Thor, the Norse god of war and fertility
  • Variations: Also a form of Andrew, Arn, and Andrei

 

Arturek

 

  • Meaning: “Courageous,” “bear man,” “a follower of Thor,” or “noble,”

  • Pronunciation: “ahr-toor-ehk”

  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

  • Namesakes/Description: None

 

Scandinavian Boy Names Starting With B

Barnes

 

  • Origin: Old English, Scandinavian, and Old Norse boy name
  • Meaning: “Barn” or “one living near the barns”
  • Pronunciation: “barnz”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: Irish Gaelic footballer Barnes Murphy and English scientist, engineer, and inventor Barnes Wallis
  • Also a superhero name as a last name after Bucky Barnes, the “Winter Soldier” in Marvel Comics
  • Variants: Barns

 

Beck 

 

  • Origin: Old Norse, Scandinavian, and English boy name

  • Meaning: “Brook” (a name that means “water”) or “living beside a small stream”

  • Pronunciation: “bek”

  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

  • Namesakes/Description: American singer, record producer, songwriter, and musician Beck David Hansen (real name Bek David Campbell) and actor and comedian Beck Bennett 

  • Variants: Bek and Bekk

 

Buggi

 

  • Origin: Old Norse and Scandinavian boy name

  • Meaning: “Powerful man”

  • Pronunciation: “buh-gee”

  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

  • Namesakes/Description: Fictional character after Buggi, a playable character in the game “Andaron Saga”

  • Variants: Buggy

 

Scandinavian Boy Names Starting With C

Callan

 

  • Origin/Gender: Scandinavian boy name
  • Meaning: “Flowing water” or “powerful in battle”
  • Pronunciation: “kah-lan”
  • Popularity/Rank: #353
  • Namesakes/Description: Australian rules footballer Callan Beasy and American Olympic snowboarder Callan Chythlook-Sifsof 
  • Variants: Kallan, Calan, Callen, and Calhan

 

Colborn

 

  • Origin/Gender: Scandinavian and English boy name
  • Meaning: “Burning coals” or “cool stream”
  • Pronunciation: “kohl-born”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: Museum of Crypto Art founder Colborn Bell
  • Variations: Collborn and Colburn

 

Scandinavian Boy Names Starting With D

Daube

 

  • Origin/Gender: Scandinavian and Dutch boy name
  • Pronunciation: “dow-buh”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: Also a food name after a French slow-cooked stew
  • Variations: Daubbe

 

Daved

 

  • Origin/Gender: Scandinavian boy name
  • Pronunciation: “dah-vd”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: American former professional football player Daved Benefield and drummer Daved Hild
  • Variations: Also a form of the biblical boy name “David”

 

Scandinavian Boy Names Starting With E

Einarr

 

  • Origin/Gender: Scandinavian and Old Norse boy name
  • Meaning: “Warrior,” “battle leader,” or “one warrior”
  • Pronunciation: “ay-nahr”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes: Icelandic writer Einarr Hafliðason (from the 1300s) and poet Einarr Skúlason
  • Variants: Einar and Einnar

 

Eyre

 

  • Origin/Gender: Latin, English, Norse, and Scandinavian unisex name
  • Meaning: “Friend of the sea” or “gravel bank river”
  • Pronunciation: “ehr”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: Irish soldier Eyre Coote (from the 1700s) and British author and painter Eyre Crowe
  • Variants: Eyers, Eyres, Ayre, Ayres, Ier, Ires, and Eir

 

Scandinavian Boy Names Starting With F

Fisk

 

  • Origin/Gender: Old Norse, Scandinavian, and Norwegian name for boys

  • Meaning: “Fisherman”

  • Pronunciation: “fisk”

  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

  • Namesakes/Description: Also a last name (such as British journalist and author Robert Fisk)

  • Variants: Fissk and Fiskk

 

Fridtjof

 

  • Origin/Gender: Scandinavian and Old Norse boy name
  • Meaning: “Fighter” or “prince of peace”
  • Pronunciation: “frit-yof”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: Norwegian Nobel Peace Prize laureate and polymath Fridtjof Wedel-Jarlsberg Nansen 
  • Variations: Frittjof

 

Scandinavian Boy Names Starting With G

Galt

 

  • Origin/Gender: Scandinavian, Old English, and Scottish boy name
  • Meaning: “Steep wooded land”
  • Pronunciation: “galt”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: Also a place name after the city of Galt in California 
  • Variations: Galtt

 

Guenther

 

  • Origin/Gender: Old Norse, Scandinavian, and Germanic boy name

  • Meaning: “A good leader,” “battler,” or “warrior”

  • Pronunciation: “goon-thr”

  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

  • Namesakes/Description: Italian–American motorsport engineer and former Haas Formula One Team manager Guenther Steiner

  • Variants: Gunther and Gunter

 

Scandinavian Boy Names Starting With H

Herold

 

  • Origin/Gender: Scandinavian and German boy name
  • Meaning: “Be a warrior” or “to rule”
  • Pronunciation: “hr-old”
  • Popularity/Rank: #1,000+
  • Description: Filipino High Court official Herold G. Ubalde
  • Variations: Harald

 

Howard

 

  • Origin: Scandinavian and Old English boy name
  • Meaning: “Chief guardian,” “high guardian,” “army guard,” “high defender,” or “braveheart”
  • Pronunciation: “how-urd”
  • Popularity/Rank: #1,000+
  • Famous Namesakes/Description: British novelist and journalist Howard Jacobson and American fine art photographer Howard Schatz
  • Variants: Hereward and Howward

 

Hraun

 

  • Origin/Gender: Icelandic, Germanic, Scandinavian, and Old Norse boy name
  • Meaning: “Lava”
  • Pronunciation: “h-roon”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: Also a place name in Iceland
  • Variants: Hraunn

 

Scandinavian Boy Names Starting With I

Igor

 

  • Origin: Old Norse, Scandinavian, and Russian name for boys

  • Meaning: “Ancestral warrior”

  • Pronunciation: “eeh-gohr”

  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

  • Namesakes/Description: French science fiction author Igor Bogdanoff and Russian tennis player Igor Andreev 

  • Variants: Iggor, Igorr, Ihor, Ihar, Yegor, and Ygor

 

Ivar

 

  • Origin/Gender: Scandinavian and Old Norse boy name
  • Meaning: “Bow warrior” or “archer”; also a nature name that means “yew wood”
  • Pronunciation: “eeh-vahr”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: After Ivar the Boneless, called so because of his super flexible body and seemingly “lack of bones”
  • Variations: Ivvar and Ivarr

 

Scandinavian Boy Names Starting With J

Jakob

 

  • Origin/Gender: Old Norse and Scandinavian boy name
  • Meaning: “He who supplants”
  • Pronunciation: “jay-kob”
  • Popularity/Rank: #988
  • Namesakes/Description: Swedish ice hockey player Jakob Silfverberg and American singer and songwriter Jakob Dylan

 

Jens

 

  • Origin/Gender: Scandinavian boy name
  • Meaning: “God is gracious”
  • Pronunciation: “jens”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: American mixed martial artist Jens Pulver

 

Scandinavian Boy Names Starting With K

Kye

 

  • Origin/Gender: American, Welsh, Scandinavian, Gaelic, and Greek boy name

  • Meaning: 1 syllable boy name that means “keeper of the keys,” “narrow,” “straight,” “Earth” (earthy name), or “ocean”

  • Pronunciation: “kai”

  • Popularity/Rank: #866

  • Namesakes/Description: American singer and songwriter Kye Fleming and Canadian football player Kye Stewart

  • Variants: Kai and Kie

 

Kristopher

 

  • Origin/Gender: Greek and Scandinavian boy name

  • Meaning: Bearing Christ

  • Pronunciation: “kai”

  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

  • Namesakes/Description: American R&B singer Kristopher James

  • Variations: Christopher, Cristopher, and Kristoffer; also comes from the Greek name “Khristophoros”

 

Scandinavian Boy Names Starting With L

Lark

 

  • Meaning: Nature name that means “playful, lighthearted songbird”
  • Pronunciation: “lark”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: Also a last name (such as after American comics artist Michael Lark and biologist K. Gordon Lark)
  • Variants: Larkk

 

Lamonte

 

  • Origin/Gender: African American, Old Norse, Gaelic, and Scandinavian boy name
  • Meaning: “Man of law”

  • Pronunciation: “lah-mohnt”

  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

  • Namesakes/Description: American baseball outfielder LaMonte Wade Jr. and vocalist and composer Lamonte McLemore
  • Variations: Lamant and Lamont

 

Scandinavian Boy Names Starting With M

Magni 

 

  • Origin/Gender: Old Norse and Scandinavian unisex name 

  • Meaning: “Mighty and strong” or “wrath”

  • Pronunciation: “mahg-nee”

  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

  • Namesakes/Description: Icelandic musician, “Rock Star: Supernova” (a CBS show) contestant, and singer Magni Ásgeirsson 

  • Also after the fictional character Magni in Marvel Comics

  • Variants: Maggni and Magnee

 

Mimir

 

  • Origin/Gender: Scandinavian and Old Norse boy name
  • Meaning: Unique name that means “he who remembers”
  • Pronunciation: “mee-mr”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: After Mimir, the Norse god of wisdom and knowledge
  • Variations: Mimmir and Mimr

 

Scandinavian Boy Names Starting with N

Nanne

 

  • Origin/Gender: Scandinavian boy name
  • Pronunciation: “nahn”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: Dutch architect Nanne de Ru
  • Variations: Nann

 

Nels

 

  • Origin/Gender: Scandinavian baby boy name
  • Meaning: “Victory of the people”
  • Pronunciation: “nels”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: American archaeologist Nels C. Nelson
  • Variations: Also a form of “Neil” or “Niel”

 

Scandinavian Boy Names Starting With O

Oliver

 

  • Pronunciation: “ol-eeh-ver”

  • Length: 6 letters, 3 syllables

  • Popularity/Rank: #3

  • Namesakes/Description: Twin boy name after English actor Oliver Martyn John Phelps (with James Phelps); they portrayed the “Harry Potter” twins George and Fred Weasley in the movies

  • Variants: Olivier, Oliviero, and Olívio

 

Olaf

 

  • Origin/Gender: Scandinavian, Old Norse, and Norwegian name for boys
  • Meaning: “Ancestor’s relic”
  • Pronunciation: “oh-laf”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: English actor Olaf Pooley and Polish actor Olaf Lubaszenko
  • Also a Disney name after the adorable snowman Olaf in “Frozen”
  • Variations: Olav and Olaff

 

Scandinavian Boy Names Starting With P

Peer

 

  • Origin/Gender: Scandinavian boy name
  • Meaning: “Rock”
  • Pronunciation: “peer”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: Swedish composer and lyricist Peer Åström

 

Pelle

 

  • Origin/Gender: Scandinavian boy name
  • Meaning: “Small”
  • Pronunciation: “pehl”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: None
  • Variations: Also a form of the biblical name “Paul”

 

Scandinavian Boy Name Starting With Q

Quimby

 

  • Origin/Gender: Scandinavian unisex name
  • Meaning: “Queen’s settlement”
  • Pronunciation: “kwim-bee”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: Also a place name after the city of Quimby in Iowa
  • Variations: Quimbbee and Quimbby

 

Scandinavian Boy Names Starting With R

Rainier

 

  • Origin/Gender: Old Norse, Scandinavian, and French name for boys

  • Meaning: “Army,” “advice,” or “judgment warrior”

  • Pronunciation: “ray-nee-uhr”

  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

  • Namesakes/Description: Powerful boy name after the fictional action hero star Rainier Wolfcastle in “The Simpsons” series

  • Variants: Raynier, Renier, Rainer, and Raynor

 

Randy

 

  • Origin/Gender: Scandinavian and Old Norse boy name

  • Meaning: “Wolf” or “shield”

  • Pronunciation: “ran-dee”

  • Popularity/Rank: #913

  • Namesakes/Description: American retired professional football player Randy Gene Moss

  • Also a nickname for “Randall” (such as American guitarist Randall William Rhoads and musician Randall Darius “Randy” Jackson) and similar names

  • Variants: Randi, Ranndy, and Randdy

 

Roscoe

 

  • Meaning: “Deer wood” or “small woods or forest”

  • Pronunciation: “rohs-koh”

  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

  • Namesakes/Description: American rapper Roscoe Dash

  • Variations/Synonyms: Roskoe, Roskoh, and Roscoh

 

Scandinavian Boy Names Starting With S

Salomon

 

  • Origin: Norwegian, Hebrew, Finnish, Danish, Scandinavian, and French boy name

  • Meaning: “Peace”

  • Pronunciation: “sah-low-mohn”

  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

  • Namesakes/Description: Also an Australian shoe brand

  • Variants: Also a variation of the biblical boy name “Solomon”

 

Sibbi

 

  • Origin/Gender: Danish and Scandinavian boy name

  • Meaning: “Victorious hero” or “the warrior who won”

  • Pronunciation: “see-bee”

  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

  • Namesakes/Description: Icelandic professor and violin performer Sibbi Bernhardsson

  • Variants: Siby and Sibi

 

Scandinavian Boy Names Starting With T

Tore

 

  • Origin: Scandinavian boy name
  • Meaning: “Thor’s warrior” or “the thunder warrior”
  • Pronunciation: “tor”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: Swedish track and field athlete and Olympian Tore Blom and Norwegian skeet shooter Tore Brovold 
  • Variants: Torr

 

Turstin

 

  • Origin/Gender: Old Norse, Scandinavian, and Norwegian boy name

  • Meaning: “Thor’s stone”

  • Pronunciation: “turs-tn”

  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

  • Namesakes/Description: After historical figures such as Norman conqueror Turstin FitzRolf and Turstin, the Count of Avranchin

  • Variants: Thorsten, Torsten, Thurston, and Turston

 

Scandinavian Boy Names Starting With U

Ulf

 

  • Meaning: “Wolf”
  • Pronunciation: “oolf”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: Swedish chess player Ulf Andersson and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson
  • Variations: Ulff

 

Ulrik

 

  • Origin/Gender: Scandinavian and German boy name
  • Meaning: “Rich and powerful”
  • Pronunciation: “ool-rk”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: Norwegian actor Ulrik William Græsli 
  • Variations: Ulrich

 

Scandinavian Boy Names Starting With V

Vidar

 

  • Origin/Gender: Scandinavian boy name
  • Meaning: “Warrior of the woods,” “the quiet god,” or “forest warrior”
  • Pronunciation: “vee-dar”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: Norwegian former professional footballer Vidar Riseth and politician Vidar Sveinung Kleppe
  • Variants: Vidarr and Viddar 

 

Vigita

 

  • Origin: Lithuanian, Old Norse, and Scandinavian unisex name
  • Meaning: “War” or “battle”
  • Pronunciation: “vee-gee-tah”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: None
  • Variants: Vegeta

 

Viggo

 

  • Origin: Old Norse and Scandinavian boy name
  • Meaning: “War” or “battle”
  • Pronunciation: “vee-gow”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: Danish–American actor Viggo Mortensen (in “The Lord of the Rings”) and Danish painter Viggo Johansen
  • Variants: Vöggur (Icelandic boy name) and Wiggo
  • Nicknames: None

 

Villads

 

  • Origin: Danish, Old English, Anglo-Saxon, and Scandinavian unisex name
  • Meaning: “Desiring battle”
  • Pronunciation: “vee-lads”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: Danish actor Villads Boye and award-winning creative director and executive producer Villads Spangsberg
  • Variants: Villas and Vyllads

 

Viljami

 

  • Origin/Gender: Scandinavian boy name
  • Meaning: “With gilded helmet”
  • Pronunciation: “veel-yah-mee”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: Finnish soccer player Viljami Sinisalo
  • Variations: Also a form of “William”

 

Scandinavian Boy Names Starting With W

Warner 

 

  • Origin/Gender: German, Scandinavian, Old Norse, Norman French, and English boy name

  • Meaning: “Army,” “protector of the people,” or “defending warrior”

  • Pronunciation: “war-nur”

  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

  • Namesakes/Description: American actor Warner Leroy Baxter and sportscaster Warner William Wolf 

  • Variants: Werner (German boy name) and Warrner

 

Woldemar

 

  • Origin/Gender: Old High German and Scandinavian boy name
  • Meaning: “Renowned ruler”
  • Pronunciation: “wold-uh-mahr”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: German composer and conductor Woldemar Bargiel
  • Variations: Also a form of “Valdimar”

 

Scandinavian Boy Name Starting With X

Xaver

 

  • Origin/Gender: Basque and Scandinavian boy name
  • Meaning: “New house”
  • Pronunciation: “xay-vr”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: German pianist and composer Xaver Scharwenka
  • Variations: Also a form of “Xavier”

 

Scandinavian Boy Names Starting With Y

Yngvar

 

  • Origin/Gender: Old Norse, Germanic, and Scandinavian boy name
  • Meaning: “Army” and “warrior”
  • Pronunciation: “eeng-vr”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: Norwegian singer and actor Yngvar Numme
  • Variations: Yngvr

 

Yorick

 

  • Origin/Gender: Scandinavian boy name
  • Meaning: “Farmer”
  • Pronunciation: “yoh-reek”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: Character in Shakespeare’s play “Hamlet”
  • Variations: Yorrick

 

Scandinavian Boy Name Starting With Z

Zealand

 

  • Origin/Gender: Dutch and Scandinavian unisex name
  • Meaning: “From the sealand”
  • Pronunciation: “zee-land”
  • Popularity/Rank: 1,000+
  • Namesakes/Description: Also a place name after an island in Denmark
  • Variations: Zeeland

 

Gender-Neutral & Nonbinary Scandinavian Names

  • Bodie
  • Lars

 

Favorite Scandinavian Middle Names For Boys

  • Axel
  • Hannes
  • Sigurd
  • Sven
  • Syver
  • Von

 

Scandinavian Pet Names For Boys

  • Balder
  • Max
  • Viking
  • Zorro

 

Bonus: Scandinavian Names For Girls

  • Axelle
  • Brunhilde
  • Frida
  • Thora

 

FAQs: Choosing A Scandinavian Name For Your Baby

Can Anyone Use Scandinavian Names?

  • Yes

 

Are There Common Suffixes Used In Scandinavian Baby Names?

  • For boys: -sen (Norwegian) or -sson (Swedish)
  • For girls: -datter (Norwegian) or -dotter (Swedish)

 

How Are Names Picked In Scandinavia?

  • Honoring parents or grandparents
  • Modern trends

 

How To Use Exotic Names From Scandinavian Culture?

  • Check their spellings and meanings
  • Check pronunciations
  • Use by itself or as a middle name

 

 

You can also find ideas from the top 15 baby name generators.

 

Baby Name Lists By Letter

 

Other Resources For Pregnant Moms

 

Other Baby Name Meanings

 

Pet Names To Try

 

 

 

References

(1) https://www.scandinaviastandard.com/where-is-scandinavia-a-guide-to-the-scandinavian-countries/

(2) https://www.norden.org/en/information/facts-about-nordic-countries

(3) https://www.history.com/topics/exploration/vikings-history

(4) https://www.nordicsocioonomastics.org/naming-trends-in-denmark/

(5) https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/

(6) https://www.ancient-origins.net/history-famous-people/famous-vikings-0011901

(7) https://www.history.com/news/6-viking-leaders-you-should-know

(8) https://historycooperative.org/famous-vikings/

 

– Motherhood Community is reader supported. When you buy through links on our site we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn More

Related Posts

girl names meaning strong 1
Baby Names

275+ Girl Names Meaning Strong: Powerful & Beautiful Choices For Your Warrior Princess

aesthetic boy names 2
Baby Names

270+ Aesthetic Boy Names With Cool & Beautiful Meanings

boy names with strong meanings 3
Baby Names

685+ Boy Names With Strong Meanings: Powerful, Cool, Unique, Or Popular Choices

boy disney names 4
Baby Names

390+ Boy Disney Names: The Ultimate List Of Princes, Heroes, Sidekicks, & Magical Characters

unique unisex names 5
Baby Names

230+ Unique Unisex Names: Vintage & Modern Choices To Consider