Scandinavian Names

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.

Dan with a little something extra.

Nickname name that retains an Old Country feel.

Well used in northern Europe, almost unknown here.

Christine was one of the first megapopular C-to-K baby names, from Scandinavian variations such as Kristine and Kirsten to Kris, Kristy, and Kristy. While Kristine retains its krisply lovely sound, it's lost much of its kool.

A common Scandinavian name, but hard to imagine being used elsewhere.

Found as a first name primarily in baseball books giving the stats on the late New York Yankee Thurman Munson.

Variation of Christian.

Pelle is one of several possible Peter-related Scandinavian choices. In Swedish or Norwegian, the name Pelle rhymes roughly with Ella.

An unknown, strong Scandinavian name related to Tor/Thor, the Norse god of thunder, that would fit in perfectly here.

With its upbeat Slavic/Scandinavian air, it has the most potential of all the Jan names.

Older form of Helge, and a masculine form of Helga.

Difficult name familiar here mainly via D. H. Lawrence's Women in Love.

So simple, yet so unique: a prime candidate for export. Pronunciation is like the English pair or pear.

Nanna is a name from Norse mythology that is among the Top 30 names in contemporary Denmark. Popular in Norway in the 19th century, Nanna may also be considered a short form of a range of names, from Anna to Johanna to Marianne. As widespread as it is in Scandinavia, though, it's hard to imagine Nanna making a mark as a girl's name in modern day America, given its use as a name for grandmothers.

It may surprise Americans to hear that Ulrik is a fashionable choice elsewhere in the world, as U is the least-used letter for given names in the US. In recent years, Ulrik has been one of the fastest-rising names in Norway.

Russian Uncle Vanya becomes niece Vanja in Sweden: an intriguing switch.

Unusual name associated with gorgeous Swedish-Norwegian single-named model.

Heidrun, which is occasionally used in modern Europe, was the name of a mythological goat who nibbled from the tree of life, transforming her milk into mead. You might think of Heidrun as a cross between Heidi and Gudrun, but there's a good reason this one's never caught on in the US: It's still stuck on that mythical Norse hillside.