Scandinavian Names for Boys

Dan with a little something extra.

The name of several legendary Danish kings, including one who declared universal peace.

Ericson, also spelled Erickson and Erikson (and with -sen endings too), is a Nordic surname that makes a strong choice. Ericson may continue the trend Harrison, Jefferson and Jackson started.

Outmoded comic book choice.

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."

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.

Virtually never heard in this country, with a quirky quality.

Old Norse name that lives on more appealingly in modern times as Jalmari, short form Jari.

A locational surname turned rare first name, which would likely be misheard as the much more familiar Ray.

The American child given this name of four kings of Denmark, not to mention one so similar to that of the Harry Potter archvillain Lord Voldemort, might have to pay a large emotional import tax.

More familiar in its K forms, where it's associated with football legend Knute Rockne, Canute has a tough, macho image.

This familiar surname with a surprising meaning could be added to your list of undiscovered 'last names first' names.

Pronounced to rhyme with fjord, the Norse god of the sea's name, this would make an unorthodox choice for sea-lovers and fishermen.

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

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

Variation of Christian.

A strong, powerful choice, ancestor of the modern Superboy Names. Knut is the name of the patron saint of Denmark; Knute Rockne was a legendary Notre Dame football coach. Knute is the middle name of Jessica Simpson's son Ace, in honor of his paternal great-grandfather.

Melker, a modern phonetic spelling of ancient Three Wise Men name Melchior, is in the Swedish Top 100 though not used in the US, where it would be heard as "milker." Nickname Mel is not exactly a fashionable choice at the moment either.