Danish Names for Girls

  1. Karen
    • Origin:

      Danish variation of Katherine
    • Meaning:

      "pure"
    • Description:

      Karen is a Danish diminutive of Katherine, an English name derived from the Greek Aikaterine. The etymology of Aikaterine is contested, but generally considered to have arisen from the Greek root katharos, meaning "pure." Kaja is a related name, as it is another Danish variation of Katherine.
  2. Juni
    • Origin:

      Scandinavian
    • Meaning:

      "June"
    • Description:

      Juni is the Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, and Finnish form of the month name June. While Juni feels cute and fresh, most Americans would assume it was a nickname or a Joni variation. We prefer Juna or the English June.
  3. Kristen
    • Origin:

      Danish and Norwegian variation of Christine
    • Meaning:

      "a Christian"
    • Description:

      Kristen may be somewhat past its fashion high point, but it remains forever crystalline clear. Possible problem: confusion with the similar Scandinavian names Kristin, Kirsten, Kirstie, et al.
  4. Lise
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Elisabeth, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "pledged to God"
    • Description:

      Lise is most often found in the U.S. as the second half of the hybrid name Annalise. Canadian journalist Lyse Doucet bears a pretty alternative spelling, pronounced LEESE.
  5. Bente
    • Origin:

      Danish feminine form of Benedict
    • Meaning:

      "blessed"
    • Description:

      Bente, pronounced ben-tah, is a popular girls' name in both The Netherlands and Denmark though largely unknown in the English-speaking world. It suffers by being a near-homonym of the English word bent, not the best dictionary equivalent for a first name. Still, if you're looking for a girls' name that equates to Ben or Benjamin or Benedict, this may be one of your best bets.
  6. Silje
    • Origin:

      Danish
    • Meaning:

      "variation of Celia"
    • Description:

      This Danish variation of Celia / Cecilia is quite popular in Denmark in recent years.
  7. Janne
    • Origin:

      Danish and Norwegian diminutive of Johanna
    • Meaning:

      "God is gracious"
    • Description:

      This common name for both boys and girls in Scandinavia would definitely work better as a feminine name in the U.S.
  8. Caryn
    • Origin:

      Spelling variation of Karen, Danish variation of Katherine
    • Meaning:

      "pure"
    • Description:

      Modernized spelling not enough to revive Karen.
  9. Vibeke
    • Petrea
      • Jonna
        • Origin:

          Scandinavian variation of Johanna
        • Meaning:

          "God is gracious"
        • Description:

          A Scandinavian short form of Johanna, properly pronounced with a Y sound at the start, but would likely be read as the more prosaic "John-a" in an English-speaking context.
      • Jensine
        • Origin:

          Danish
        • Meaning:

          "God is gracious"
        • Description:

          Sure to be mispronounced.
      • Ane
        • Malene
          • Abelone
            • Origin:

              Danish form of Apollonia
            • Meaning:

              "destroyer, strength, father of light"
            • Description:

              A Danish name relating back to the Greek Apollo.
          • Helsa
            • Origin:

              Danish
            • Meaning:

              "god is my oath"
            • Description:

              This Danish diminutive of Elizabeth could be a sweet, less-Frozen alternative to Elsa.
          • Johanne
            • Jonella
              • Helje
                • Joina