Norse Baby Names
Explore 591 norse names, each with its own meaning, history, and pronunciation. Find one that carries the stories you want your child to grow up with.
Norse names are short, strong, and elementally rooted. They draw on the Old Norse pantheon (Thor, Freya, Odin), on the sagas (Ragnar, Sigrid), and on a landscape of mountains, wolves, ravens, and sea.
A short history
Norse naming developed in Iceland, Norway, Denmark, and Sweden from the 8th century onwards. Many Old Norse names were kennings (compound names with poetic meaning): Sigrid ('beautiful victory'), Astrid ('divinely beautiful'), Thorbjorn ('Thor's bear').
Naming traditions
Icelandic naming still uses the patronymic system: a child's surname is the father's first name plus '-son' or '-dottir'. Norway and Sweden retain family heirloom names across generations. The Old Norse pantheon has re-entered active naming over the last twenty years as parents reach for heritage-rich picks.
Sound and style
Norse names tend to be short, stressed on the first syllable, and rich in hard consonants. The Scandinavian languages have smoothed many Old Norse sounds, but the essential rhythm remains: Freya, Odin, Thor, Ingrid, Astrid, Leif, Bjorn.
Bergljot
“Mountain light”
Bergljot blends the Old Norse 'berg' meaning mountain or rock with 'ljot' derived from 'ljot' meaning light or brightness. The name conjures the image of sunlight breaking over a rocky summit, combining the enduring strength of stone with the warmth and clarity of light.
Bergmund
“Mountain protector”
Bergmund pairs the Old Norse 'berg' meaning mountain or rock with 'mundr' meaning protector or guardian. The name presents an image of steadfast, rocklike protection, a man as immovable and reliable as the mountains of Scandinavia.
Bergrun
“Mountain secret or mountain mystery”
Bergrun combines 'berg' meaning mountain or rock with 'run' derived from Old Norse 'run' meaning secret, mystery, or rune. The name suggests a woman who holds deep, hidden wisdom, as ancient and inscrutable as the mountains themselves.
Bergstein
“Mountain stone”
Bergstein joins 'berg' meaning mountain with 'stein' meaning stone, creating a doubly emphatic name rooted in the geology of the Scandinavian landscape. The name projects extreme durability, solidity, and an almost elemental permanence.
Bergsvein
“Mountain boy or mountain youth”
Bergsvein pairs 'berg' meaning mountain with 'svein' meaning boy, lad, or young man. The name evokes an energetic young person shaped by the mountains, free-spirited yet anchored to the rugged Nordic landscape.
Bergthora
“Mountain Thor”
Bergthora fuses 'berg' meaning mountain with 'thora', the feminine form derived from Thor, the Norse god of thunder. The name honors the most powerful deity of the Norse pantheon while anchoring that power in the enduring imagery of the mountain landscape.
Bersi
“Bear”
Bersi is a short Old Norse name derived from 'bera' or 'bjorn', both meaning bear. As a standalone name it conveys all the qualities the Norse associated with the bear: raw strength, ferocity in defense of family, and imposing physical presence.
Birk
“Birch tree”
Birk derives from the Old Norse word for birch tree, one of the most symbolically important trees in Nordic culture, associated with new beginnings, purification, and the arrival of spring. The name was popularised by Astrid Lindgren's beloved character Birk Borkason in Ronja Rövardotter. Fresh, natural, and deeply connected to the Nordic landscape, Birk is a name that feels both rooted and alive.
Birna
“She-bear, fierce and protective”
Birna is an Old Norse feminine name derived from 'björn' meaning 'bear,' with the feminine suffix '-na' creating a female bear form. Bears held sacred status in Norse culture as symbols of strength, ferocity, and protection, and warriors known as berserkers were believed to take on the bear's spirit in battle. The name thus invokes powerful, protective feminine energy.
Bjarki
“Little bear”
Bjarki is a diminutive form of 'bjorn' meaning bear, with the diminutive suffix '-ki' giving it an affectionate, youthful quality. The name means little bear, conveying the playful strength of a young bear cub with the promise of the great bear's power to come.
Bjarne
“Bear”
Bjarne is the Scandinavian form of Bjorn, derived from Old Norse 'bjorn' meaning bear. The name has been in continuous use throughout the Norse-speaking world for over a thousand years and carries all the traditional associations of the bear: strength, courage, and commanding presence.
Bjarni
“Bear”
Bjarni is the Icelandic form of Bjarne, derived from Old Norse 'bjorn' meaning bear. It is the standard Icelandic spelling that preserves the original Norse phonology more faithfully than the mainland Scandinavian variants, and has been in continuous use in Iceland since the settlement era.
Bjorg
“Salvation or protection”
Bjorg derives from Old Norse 'bjorg' meaning salvation, deliverance, or protection. The name presents a woman as a saving force, someone whose presence brings safety and rescue to those around her, a deeply meaningful concept in the dangerous world of the Viking Age.
Bjorgolf
“Salvation wolf”
Bjorgolf combines 'bjorg' meaning salvation or protection with 'ulf' meaning wolf. The name presents a paradox of sorts: the wolf, associated with ferocity and wildness, paired with salvation and rescue, suggesting a protector who uses fierce strength in the service of those he defends.
Bjorgvin
“Salvation meadow or rescue meadow”
Bjorgvin pairs 'bjorg' meaning salvation or protection with 'vin' meaning meadow or pasture, an Old Norse word for a fertile, settled place. The name evokes a place of safety and abundance, a sheltered meadow that offers rescue and sustenance to those who find it.
Bjorn
“Bear”
Bjorn comes directly from the Old Norse word for bear, one of the most revered animals in Norse mythology. It conveys strength, courage, and a deep connection to nature.
Bjornolf
“Bear wolf”
Bjornolf combines 'bjorn' meaning bear with 'ulf' meaning wolf, uniting the two most powerful predatory symbols of the Norse animal world. The name projects an image of absolute ferocity and animal power, ideal for a warrior in the Viking Age tradition.
Bodil
“Remedy and battle”
Bodil derives from Old Norse 'bot' meaning remedy, improvement, or compensation combined with 'hildr' meaning battle. The name presents a striking duality: a woman who both fights and heals, embodying the Norse ideal of strength paired with the wisdom to repair what conflict breaks.
Borghild
“Fortified battle”
Borghild derives from the Old Norse elements 'borg' meaning fortress or stronghold, and 'hildr' meaning battle. Together the name evokes a woman of fortified, defensive strength. In Norse mythology, Borghild appears in the Volsunga Saga as the wife of Sigmund, a queen of fierce resolve. The name belongs to a tradition of Norse feminine names built from warrior vocabulary, celebrating courage and protection rather than fragility.
Borgny
“New fortress”
Borgny is an Old Norse compound name formed from borg, meaning fortress, castle, or stronghold, and ny, meaning new. Together the elements create the meaning new fortress or newly built stronghold, suggesting a place of fresh strength and protection. The name evokes the imagery of the Norse world, where fortified settlements represented security, community, and resilience against the elements and adversaries alike.
Bothild
“Remedy battle”
Bothild derives from the Old Norse elements 'bot' meaning remedy or compensation and 'hildr' meaning battle. The combination suggests a healer who works through conflict, or one who brings resolution after strife. The name appears carved on several Viking-age runestones, confirming its use among real Norse women. It carries the fierce yet nurturing duality typical of Old Norse feminine names.
Botolf
“Remedy wolf”
Botolf pairs 'bot' meaning remedy, repair, or compensation with 'ulf' meaning wolf. The name combines the restorative quality of healing and reconciliation with the fierce, protective power of the wolf, describing a man who can both defend aggressively and restore peace.
Brage
“God of poetry and eloquence”
Brage is the Norse form of Bragi, the name of the god of poetry, music, and eloquence in Norse mythology. As a given name it invokes one of the most intellectually revered deities of the Norse pantheon, suggesting a child blessed with the gifts of language, creativity, and the power of the spoken and written word.
Bragi
“Poet, first”
Bragi is a striking Norse name rooted in the world of poetry, eloquence, and creative mastery. In Old Norse mythology, Bragi is the god of poetry, a figure who welcomed fallen heroes to Valhalla with elaborate verses and song. The name likely derives from the Old Norse word 'bragr', meaning poetry or the foremost, lending it a dual sense of artistic brilliance and primacy. For parents drawn to mythology and the power of language, Bragi is a name that honours the ancient Norse reverence for storytelling and the spoken word.
Brand
“Sword, firebrand”
Brand comes from the Old Norse word brandr, meaning sword or firebrand. It was a common Viking-age name, evoking the twin images of a blade and a burning torch. The name is direct, powerful, and uncompromising, with the clipped, sharp sound of a name that means business. It also resonates with Ibsen's dramatic philosophical hero Brand, one of the most towering figures in Scandinavian literature.
Brandt
“Sword or fire brand”
Brandt derives from Old Norse 'brandr' meaning a sword or a burning piece of wood, a fire brand. The name evokes both the gleaming weapon of a Norse warrior and the dramatic image of fire, combining martial power with the primal energy of flame.
Bryn
“armour or protection”
Bryn derives from the Old Norse word 'brynja,' meaning a coat of mail or armour, and evokes the image of a battle-ready figure standing firm against adversity. The name is associated in Norse mythology with the Valkyrie Brynhildr, one of the most dramatic and powerful female figures in the entire mythological canon. It carries an inherent duality of toughness and beauty that makes it compelling for any child, regardless of gender.
Brynhild
“Armoured battle maiden”
Brynhild combines the Old Norse words for 'armour' or 'chainmail' and 'battle', creating a name that evokes a warrior woman clad for combat.
Brynja
“Armour”
Brynja comes from the Old Norse word brynja, meaning a coat of mail or suit of armour. In Viking-age Scandinavia, armour was not merely a physical object but a symbol of divine protection, martial honour, and the favour of the gods. The name suggests a child who is shielded and strong, carrying the protective quality of armour as an inherent characteristic. Brynja is used in Iceland today as a modern given name and has found a niche of admirers internationally among parents drawn to Norse mythology and Viking heritage. It pairs great strength with unmistakably feminine sound.
Brynjar
“Armor warrior”
Brynjar combines 'bryn' from Old Norse 'brynja' meaning armor or coat of mail with 'jar' from 'herr' or a related warrior element, meaning warrior or fighter. The name describes a fully equipped, battle-ready warrior, someone whose very identity is defined by readiness for combat.
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