Scandinavian Names for Boys

Far more friendly and open than similar one-syllable names like Kent, Kurt, and Karl, it's been associated for more than half a century with actor Kirk Douglas, whose birth name was Issur Danielovitch Demsky.

Perfect name for TV Frasier's effete brother. In the 2020 film Palm Springs, Andy Samberg plays a character with the updated spelling Nyles.

Mythological son of Odin, powerful and mute.

Too tied to those well-publicized twins.

Popular in the Scandinavian countries, but in this country it would surely bring to mind the very feminine Halle Berry.

Short but substantial Nordic name that travels well -- although it runs the risk of being confused with all the feminine Jen names.

Works better as a full name than Arnie does as a nickname.

Sander is a more conventional form of Zander or Xander, heard frequently on its own in Europe. It is now a Top 20 name in Norway, and is also popular in Denmark, Belgium and the Netherlands. 

Idiosyncratic Icelandic singer Bjork chose this name from Norse mythology for her son. It's also an Indian place name.

Ten years ago we would have advised people to steer clear of this name (and maybe choose the similar sounding Walter instead); but with the rise of other Nordic and Eastern European names like Viggo and Casimir, maybe its time to re-thing Valdemar. It's a big name, but with enough penache, it could be pulled off. Valdemar was introduced to Scandinavia in the 12th Century by a Danish king named for his Ukrainian grandfather, and is currently in the Danish Top 20.

An ancient name that's been used by the Norwegian royal family; still popular there but not likely to appeal to many American parents.

Folke - which has two syllables - is a Top 100 name in its native Sweden, but rarely heard elsewhere. A related alternative is Fulk, popular with the Normans but little-used now.

Olaf, though sainted and regal in Norway, is slightly oafish here. It is one of those names that has become completely familiar in the U.S. without ever becoming assimilated. Now that he's a comical character in Disney's Frozen, he might get some more attention.

Lothar is cloddish, till you add a dashing io to the end...

Fewer letters does not always mean easier—the traditional spelling is the one most people will recognize.

A name that took on a pronounced country twang via Nashville megastar Garth (born Troyal) Brooks.

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

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.

Shades of Thurston Howell, the effete millionaire castaway on Gilligan's Island.