Scandinavian Names
- Hjalmar
Origin:
ScandinavianMeaning:
"helmet protector"Description:
Old Norse name that lives on more appealingly in modern times as Jalmari, short form Jari.
- Olsen
Origin:
ScandinavianMeaning:
"Olaf's son"Description:
Too tied to those well-publicized twins.
- Lamont
Origin:
ScandinavianMeaning:
"man of law"Description:
Outmoded comic book choice.
- Jensen
Origin:
Spelling variation of Jenson and Danish surnameMeaning:
"son of Jens"Description:
The number one surname in Denmark could make a sophisticated and stylish girl's name. Jensen Huang is the (male) cofounder of AI giant Nvidia.
- Fritha
Origin:
NorseMeaning:
"fair, beautiful"Description:
Related to Frida but with a softer sound, this name is Old Norse for "fair, beautiful"
- Sigurd
Origin:
NorseMeaning:
"guardian of victory"Description:
This old Norse name is still used in contemporary Scandinavia. An ancient hero's name, Sigurd got a modern boost from a heroic figure in television's The Vikings.
- Ericson
Origin:
Old NorseMeaning:
"son of the eternal ruler"Description:
Ericson, also spelled Erickson and Erikson (and with -sen endings too), is a Nordic surname that makes a strong choice. Ericson may continue the trend Harrison, Jefferson and Jackson started.
- Bartram
Origin:
ScandinavianMeaning:
"glorious raven"Description:
The raven was a holy bird in Norse mythology, giving this choice some resonance beyond other Bart variations.
- Stian
Origin:
NorseMeaning:
"wanderer"Description:
Popular in Norway, an interesting choice for anyone with northern European roots.
- Janne
Origin:
Finnish variation of JohnMeaning:
"God is gracious"Description:
This common name in Finland, which is also a diminutive for Jan in Sweden, might feel a bit feminine in the English-speaking world, too close to girls' names Jan and Jane.
- Hedda
Origin:
Scandinavian, diminutive of HedvigDescription:
Hedda is a card-carrying member of the league of older, slightly bohemian urban names like Nedda, Andra, and Petra; also linked to Ibsen heroine Hedda Gabler, as well as being the basis of cruel joke names like Hedda Hare.
- Jeppe
Origin:
Scandinavian diminutive of JakobMeaning:
"supplanter"Description:
Nickname-name that's all the rage in Scandinavia.
- Frodi
Origin:
NorseMeaning:
"wise, learned"Description:
The name of several legendary Danish kings, including one who declared universal peace.
- Ludvig
Origin:
Scandinavian variation of Ludwig, GermanMeaning:
"famous warrior"Description:
Unlikely to catch on in the Anglophone world, where parent name Ludwig still conjures up images of Beethoven. But Ludvig actually ranks among the top boy names in Norway and Sweden, while German form Ludwig ranks among the Top 100 boy names in Germany and Ludovico is cool in Italty.
- Haakon
Origin:
NorseMeaning:
"chosen son"Description:
An ancient name that's been used by the Norwegian royal family; still popular there but not likely to appeal to many American parents.
- Nyle
- Wray
Origin:
Old NorseMeaning:
"dweller near the corner"Description:
A locational surname turned rare first name, which would likely be misheard as the much more familiar Ray.
- Linnéa
Origin:
NorseMeaning:
"lime tree, lime blossom"Description:
Popular Scandinavian name -- first bestowed in honor of Swedish botanist Carl von Linné, a classifier of plants and animals -- that could make an engaging choice.
- Ola
Origin:
Norwegian and Swedish form of OlafMeaning:
"ancestor's relic"Description:
Simple, friendly, distinctive name heard in several cultures. The a ending may feel more feminine in the US than Ole, though both variations are acceptable in Scandinavia.
- Oda
Origin:
Scandinavian, short form of OdeliaDescription:
Ada, yes. Ida, maybe. But Oda, a Scandinavian version of Odelia, not really. To English speakers, it sounds too much like "odor".