Norse Names for Girls

Siri is a charming and lively Scandinavian name that is no longer on the table given the ubiquity of Apple's digital Siri. Too bad, because Siri -- along with variations Syrie and Cyrie -- is unique, enchanting, and adorable. But now taken.

A favorite in Near Eastern cultures, with a charming meaning.

As an Arabic name, Rania is a variation of Raniya, ultimately derived from the Arabic word ranā meaning "to gaze" or "side look". Other descendants of this root include Ranya and Rana itself. Familiar in the UK, Spain, the Netherlands and France, Rania is currently borne by Rania Al Abdullah, Queen of Jordan.

This is a Scandinavian variant of Margaret, and is pronounced MEH-teh or MET, rhyming with jet.

So airy, it's almost not there.

Related to Frida but with a softer sound, this name is Old Norse for "fair, beautiful"

Popular Scandinavian name -- first bestowed in honor of Swedish botanist Carl von Linné, a classifier of plants and animals -- that could make an engaging choice.

An unknown, strong Scandinavian name related to Tor/Thor, the Norse god of thunder, that would fit in perfectly here.

Heidrun, which is occasionally used in modern Europe, was the name of a mythological goat who nibbled from the tree of life, transforming her milk into mead. You might think of Heidrun as a cross between Heidi and Gudrun, but there's a good reason this one's never caught on in the US: It's still stuck on that mythical Norse hillside.

The Old Norse and modern Norwegian word name Fjord, which refers to a passage in the sea, could work for children of both genders.

One of the Valkyries, still clad in heavy armor.

One of the few K names that sounds middle-aged.

At the very least, shorten it to Hilda.

Tordis left Norway's popularity charts in 1948, placing it among the old lady name that could soon be up for revival.