Scandinavian Names for Boys

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.

A literary surname that's short, to the point, and very rare. It combines several origins: Scandinavian meaning "high ground", Scottish meaning "stranger", and English meaning "wild boar" (hello, secret animal name!).

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

Tate would be much more user-friendly in this country.

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

Norwegian city name heard much more often as a last name than a first.

One of the more unfamiliar Nordic choices, a perfect set-up for the nickname Brody.

Peder? You mean Peter? You'll have to do a lot of spelling and explaining of this one.

Torvald, not to be confused with Torvill of skating fame, is a Norse name which might be of interest to parents looking for Thor-related options. Torvald is most familiar in the English-speaking world as the infuriatingly sexist husband of Nora in Ibsen's play A Doll's House, which may account for its low usage. However, Linus Torvalds, inventor of Linux , might put the name into a more positive light, especially in Silicon Valley.

Thurston Howell was the snooty millionaire on Gilligan's Island, but these days such surname names don't have the same elitist air.

This Scandinavian spin on Christopher gives that enduring classic a lighter, more individual twist, though many may see it as simply a kree8iv spelling.

Intriguing way to honor an ancestral John.