Scandinavian Names

Nickname-name that's all the rage in Scandinavia.

Dan with a little something extra.

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

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.

Well used in northern Europe, almost unknown here.

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

Nickname name that retains an Old Country feel.

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

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

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

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

Variation of Christian.

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

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

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

Vill always sound as if you're pronouncing Walter with an affected accent.

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.

Norse god who's the son of light plus historic diplomat Dag Hammarskjöld and author Dag Solstad combine to boost this Nordic name's appeal, but this could be difficult in English-speaking countries where the obvious tease will be "daggy Dag."