Scandinavian Names for Boys

Despite its brotherly meaning, sounds rather formal and cold.

Popular in Norway, an interesting choice for anyone with northern European roots.

The name of Sarah Palin's youngest son might also be good for the child of a mathematician. Trig Palin's middle name is Paxson, after a popular snowmobiling area in Alaska.

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

Original and straightforward, but with little appeal.

Related to the Russian name Nikolai, this is a fresh and worldly form of a popular favorite.

This common Scandinavian name, also spelled Osmund, is only occasionally heard in this country.

In Norse mythology, the son of the giant who ruled the wind and air; in modern America, recalls a 1970s girl's nickname name, à la Carrie and Keri.

This poor lad will spend his life saying, "No, it's Aric, not Eric. Aaric, Arick, Arik Arric, Arrick.

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.

More familiar and melodic to the American ear than either Hans or Hansen, and some might attach it to the three-brother pop-rock band called Hanson.

If you fit this definition, this might be a clever choice, especially as a middle name.

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

The raven was a holy bird in Norse mythology, giving this choice some resonance beyond other Bart variations.

Ingmar is known here almost solely through Swedish director Ingmar Bergman. Ing was the powerful Norse god of fertility and peace, who lent his name to several mortal variations, more notably to English-speakers the female Ingrid.

A very Christmas-y Christmas baby name, that may avoid the Santa image by instead adopting the alternative spelling Klaus.

The K is silent in this royal but common Scandinavian name that is, in this country, linked to a single figure -- Notre Dame football coach Knute Rockne. Could easily be confused with Newt.