Swedish Names for Boys

Swedish names for boys can be a severe lot to the American ear, with only a few choices such as Stellan outside of Stockholm. The most popular names for boys in Sweden are a pan-European lot, dominated by Oscar, Lucas, William, Liam, and Oliver, all also popular in the UK, the US, Australia, Germany, the Netherlands, and other countries throughout Europe and the English-speaking world. A few more exotic choices from the top of the Swedish boys' list are Ludvig, Axel, Nils, and Arvid, though not all of these originate in the Swedish language. Melvin is a popular name for boys in Sweden, as are Gustav, Viggo, Sixten, and Love.

Browse all the Swedish names for boys on Nameberry here. The top names below rank among the current US Top 1000 Baby Names and are ordered by popularity. Unique names rank below the Top 1000 and are listed alphabetically.
  1. Stellan
    • Origin:

      Swedish, meaning unknown, possibly "calm"
    • Meaning:

      "calm"
    • Description:

      Stellan is a strong, attractive, Scandinavian possible up-and-comer, known through actor Stellan Skarsgard, and his namesake, the son of Jennifer Connelly and Paul Bettany. Its trendy 'an' ending and the similarity in sound to the popular Kellen/Kellan make it all the more accessible.
  2. Olin
    • Origin:

      Swedish, Norwegian, English
    • Meaning:

      "ancestor, to inherit, legacy; from the low-lying land"
    • Description:

      Distinctive yet familiar, Olin is both a Scandinavian name and an English surname. Currently a rare choice, yet reminiscent of popular options, like Oliver, Orion, and Colin.
  3. Lukas
    • Origin:

      German variation of Lucas
    • Meaning:

      "man from Lucanus"
    • Description:

      Highly popular in Germany, Norway, Lithuania, and Austria, Lukas is a spelling variation of the also extremely popular Lucas. The "K" spelling gives it extra kick and a more international, globe-trotter feel.
  4. Bjorn
    • Origin:

      Swedish, Icelandic, German
    • Meaning:

      "bear"
    • Description:

      Bjorn is one of the most recognizable Scandinavian names, thanks in large part to tennis great Björn Borg, winner of five consecutive Wimbledon singles titles and six French opens and something of a rock star figure.
  5. Arvid
    • Origin:

      Swedish, Norwegian, Danish
    • Meaning:

      "eagle-tree"
    • Description:

      Arvid, a Scandinavian name that's virtually unknown in the US, is one of the top baby names in Sweden. It might make a handsome, unusual choice for a parent in search of an original yet traditional A name.
  6. Valdemar
    • Origin:

      Nordic variation of Vladimir
    • Description:

      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.
  7. Ambrosius
    • Description:

      Ambrosius is a masculine name of Greek and Latin origin, derived from the Greek word "ambrosios," meaning "immortal" or "divine." It is the original Latin form of the more common Ambrose. The name carries significant historical weight, having been borne by Saint Ambrosius of Milan, an important 4th-century theologian and one of the four original doctors of the Catholic Church. Throughout European history, the name appeared among clergy, nobility, and scholars, maintaining associations with learning and spiritual devotion. While Ambrosius has never been widely popular in modern English-speaking countries, it retains appeal for parents drawn to names with classical roots and substantial historical significance. The name projects dignity and intellectual seriousness, with potential nicknames including Ambrose, Brose, or even Sio.

  8. Sten
    • Origin:

      Swedish
    • Meaning:

      "a stone"
    • Description:

      Once a short form of names containing this syllable, it is now used on its own, though we'd prefer Sven.
  9. Filip
    • Origin:

      Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Dutch, Czech, Slovak, Bulgarian, Polish, Croatian, Serbian, Slovene, Macedonian, Romanian, and Finnish variation of Philip, Greek
    • Meaning:

      "lover of horses"
    • Description:

      Streamlined spelling found all across Europe. The Spanish Filipo has extra zip.
  10. Stig
    • Origin:

      Swedish
    • Meaning:

      "wanderer"
    • Description:

      Like Stian, a more manageable short form of the unwieldy Srigandr, but with a less euphonic sound. Stig Larsson is a successful Swedish novelist, not to be confused with the even more successful late Swedish novelist Stieg Larsson (born Karl Stig-Erland LArsson), author of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo</>..
  11. Pelle
    • Origin:

      Scandinavian variation of Peter, Greek
    • Meaning:

      "rock, stone"
    • Description:

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

      Swedish
    • Meaning:

      "mountain twig"
    • Description:

      Few Scandinavian names make the journey to America...and this one shows you why. Still, names such as Freya and Odin are making an unlikely comeback, so we wouldn't count any of the Scandinavian baby names out forever.
  13. Adolphus
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "noble wolf"
    • Description:

      This softer version of Adolf is sadly still off-limits due to the connotations with Hitler.
  14. Barthelemy
    • Origin:

      French form of Bartholomew
    • Description:

      While Barthelemy does not garner much attention these days, it has a storied history in French-speaking countries. Notable bearers include geologist and explorer Barthélemy Faujas de Saint-Fond, philosopher Jules Barthélemy-Saint-Hilaire, and historian and writer Jean-Barthélemy Hauréau, to name a few.
  15. Melker
    • Origin:

      Modern Swedish variation of Melchior
    • Meaning:

      "city of the king; king of light"
    • Description:

      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.
  16. Ernst
    • Origin:

      German variation of Ernest
    • Description:

      Concise and clipped European version of the earnest Ernest.
  17. Reinhold
    • Description:

      Reinhold is a masculine name of Germanic origin meaning 'wise ruler' or 'counsel ruler,' derived from the elements 'ragin' (counsel) and 'wald' (rule). This traditional name has deep historical roots in German-speaking countries and Scandinavia, where it has been used since medieval times. While Reinhold enjoyed considerable popularity throughout Europe in earlier centuries, particularly during the 18th and 19th centuries, its usage has declined in modern times. Today, it's considered a classic but somewhat uncommon name that carries an air of dignity and old-world charm. The name remains more prevalent in Germanic countries and communities with strong German heritage, where traditional naming patterns are still valued.

  18. Ulf
    • Origin:

      Scandinavian
    • Meaning:

      "wolf"
    • Description:

      A common Scandinavian name, but hard to imagine being used elsewhere.
  19. Paulo
    • Origin:

      Portuguese, Swedish, and Hawaiian variation of Paul
    • Description:

      Paulo suffers in comparison to the richer and more authentic-sounding Paolo.
  20. Evert
    • Origin:

      English, variation of Everett, from German Eberhard
    • Meaning:

      "brave boar"
    • Description:

      Though you might have been a fan of tennis star Chris Evert, stick with EVERETT, which everyone will think you're saying anyway.