Scandinavian Names for Girls

Actress Kirstie Alley popularized this short form that's been off the popularity register for a decade.

One of the few K names that sounds middle-aged.

Pronounced ROOT in its native land, but in a rut here.

The Steen, Steena, and Stina nicknames for Christina are much more common in Scandinavia than in the English-speaking world, which prefers the Chris variations.

While Americans may be more familiar with the male form of this name, thanks to actor Viggo Mortensen, Vigga is a popular name in contemporary Denmark and prime for wider export. It's a name with a a lot of vigor.

At the very least, shorten it to Hilda.

When the Danish author Karen Blixen chose Isak Dinesen as her male pseudonym, she set a precedent that could well be followed today.

Kind of a Kristen/Christine compromise name that makes less of either choice.