Norse Names for Boys

Attractive British place-name with a sense of humor. Fun fact: John Wayne played five characters with the first or second name of Kirby.

Mythological son of Odin, powerful and mute.

Despite its brotherly meaning, sounds rather formal and cold.

Olaf, though sainted and regal in Norway, is slightly oafish here. It is one of those names that has become completely familiar in the U.S. without ever becoming assimilated. Now that he's a comical character in Disney's Frozen, he might get some more attention.

Original and straightforward, but with little appeal.

This poor lad will spend his life saying, "No, it's Aric, not Eric. Aaric, Arick, Arik Arric, Arrick.

A name that took on a pronounced country twang via Nashville megastar Garth (born Troyal) Brooks.

The name of Sarah Palin's youngest son might also be good for the child of a mathematician. Trig Palin's middle name is Paxson, after a popular snowmobiling area in Alaska.

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.

This old Norse name is still used in contemporary Scandinavia. An ancient hero's name, Sigurd got a modern boost from a heroic figure in television's The Vikings.

This common name in Finland, which is also a diminutive for Jan in Sweden, might feel a bit feminine in the English-speaking world, too close to girls' names Jan and Jane.

Popular in Norway, an interesting choice for anyone with northern European roots.

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

An ancient name that's been used by the Norwegian royal family; still popular there but not likely to appeal to many American parents.

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.

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

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!).

The K is silent in this royal but common Scandinavian name that is, in this country, linked to a single figure -- Notre Dame football coach Knute Rockne. Could easily be confused with Newt.