Scandinavian Names

Pronunciation problems overwhelm this name.

More familiar in its K forms, where it's associated with football legend Knute Rockne, Canute has a tough, macho image.

This mythological name of the Norse god of winter sounds, uh, ill.

Norwegian city name heard much more often as a last name than a first.

The son at the end of many Scandinavian names makes them more consistent with modern American name tastes. While Nilsson may be the proper Scandinavian form of the name, many English speakers will try to spell it Nilson or Nelson.

Karena modernizes middle-aged Karen but also creates pronunciation confusion. Is it ka-REN-a, ka-REEN-a, or just plain Karen with an a at the end? Spelled Karenna as in Gore goes partway toward clarifying things.