Swedish Names
- Tuva
Origin:
Swedish and Norwegian variation of ToveMeaning:
"beautiful"Description:
Tove is a modern variation of an Old Norse name, related to Thor. Tuva is a form of the name popular in modern Scandinavia.
- Valdemar
Origin:
Nordic variation of VladimirDescription:
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.
- Lovisa
- Britta
Origin:
Scandinavian, variation of Birgit or BrittMeaning:
"strength or exalted one"Description:
If you want a pan-Scandinavian name with energy and style that could have been a winner, if not for the sound-alike water filtration company Brita.
- Moa
Origin:
SwedishMeaning:
"mother"Description:
Moa is among the Top 100 Swedish baby names but virtually unknown in the US. Might Moa be a substitute for Mia or Maya? An intriguing idea. There is a Swedish author named Moa Martinson.
- Ambrosius
- Reinhold
- Filip
Origin:
Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Dutch, Czech, Slovak, Bulgarian, Polish, Croatian, Serbian, Slovene, Macedonian, Romanian, and Finnish variation of Philip, GreekMeaning:
"lover of horses"Description:
Streamlined spelling found all across Europe. The Spanish Filipo has extra zip.
- Adolphus
Origin:
LatinMeaning:
"noble wolf"Description:
This softer version of Adolf is sadly still off-limits due to the connotations with Hitler.
- Berit
Origin:
Scandinavian variation of BirgitDescription:
Well used in northern Europe, almost unknown here.
- Ulf
Origin:
ScandinavianMeaning:
"wolf"Description:
A common Scandinavian name, but hard to imagine being used elsewhere.
- Pelle
Origin:
Scandinavian variation of Peter, GreekMeaning:
"rock, stone"Description:
Pelle is one of several possible Peter-related Scandinavian choices. In Swedish or Norwegian, the name Pelle rhymes roughly with Ella.
- Sten
Origin:
SwedishMeaning:
"a stone"Description:
Once a short form of names containing this syllable, it is now used on its own, though we'd prefer Sven.
- Tindra
Origin:
SwedishMeaning:
"to twinkle or sparkle"Description:
Tindra is a new name in Sweden, used only since the 1980s, that has become enormously popular: It's in the Top 60 there. And while unknown in the US, Tindra certainly has possibilities as a substitute for the flagging Kendra.
- Paulo
Origin:
Portuguese, Swedish, and Hawaiian variation of PaulDescription:
Paulo suffers in comparison to the richer and more authentic-sounding Paolo.
- Kalle
- Brigitta
- Evert
Origin:
English, variation of Everett, from German EberhardMeaning:
"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.
- Sybilla
Origin:
GreekMeaning:
"seer, oracle"Description:
Sybilla and its near-identical twin Sibylla are dainty and demure names with a powerful namesake that also happen to be extremely rare -- no baby girls were given either name in the US last year.
- Majken
Origin:
Scandinavian version of Marie or MaryDescription:
Majken, which is related to Maiken and Maike, is a popular name in Sweden whose variations are used throughout Scandinavia as cooler forms of Mary. Majken is virtually unknown in the U.S. and probably not bound for emigration.