Norse Names for Boys

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

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.

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

In Norse mythology, the son of the giant who ruled the wind and air; in modern America, recalls a 1970s girl's nickname name, à la Carrie and Keri.

Despite its brotherly meaning, sounds rather formal and cold.

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.

Original and straightforward, but with little appeal.

Popular in the Scandinavian countries, but in this country it would surely bring to mind the very feminine Halle Berry.

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

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

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

Found as a first name primarily in baseball books giving the stats on the late New York Yankee Thurman Munson.

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.

A strong, powerful choice, ancestor of the modern Superboy Names. Knut is the name of the patron saint of Denmark; Knute Rockne was a legendary Notre Dame football coach. Knute is the middle name of Jessica Simpson's son Ace, in honor of his paternal great-grandfather.

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.

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.

Ingmar is known here almost solely through Swedish director Ingmar Bergman. Ing was the powerful Norse god of fertility and peace, who lent his name to several mortal variations, more notably to English-speakers the female Ingrid.

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.

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