Scandinavian Names for Girls

Simple, friendly, distinctive name heard in several cultures. The a ending may feel more feminine in the US than Ole, though both variations are acceptable in Scandinavia.

Karin was a fairly popular spelling variation of Karen in the US but fell off the Top 1000 in the late 80s, as Karen's popularity wained. Today, the Karen meme interferes with the otherwise appealing sound of this name.

Christine was one of the first megapopular C-to-K baby names, from Scandinavian variations such as Kristine and Kirsten to Kris, Kristy, and Kristy. While Kristine retains its krisply lovely sound, it's lost much of its kool.

Well used in northern Europe, almost unknown here.

Nickname name that retains an Old Country feel.

Difficult name familiar here mainly via D. H. Lawrence's Women in Love.

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

With its upbeat Slavic/Scandinavian air, it has the most potential of all the Jan names.

Unusual name associated with gorgeous Swedish-Norwegian single-named model.

Russian Uncle Vanya becomes niece Vanja in Sweden: an intriguing switch.

Nanna is a name from Norse mythology that is among the Top 30 names in contemporary Denmark. Popular in Norway in the 19th century, Nanna may also be considered a short form of a range of names, from Anna to Johanna to Marianne. As widespread as it is in Scandinavia, though, it's hard to imagine Nanna making a mark as a girl's name in modern day America, given its use as a name for grandmothers.

Kiersten is the version of Kirsten you use if you really really really don't want anyone to mispronounce it as ker-sten or kris-ten. But they probably still will.

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.

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

Birgit is pronounced with a hard 'g' and is one of the many international versions of the Irish Bridget. Birgit Nilsson was a celebrated Swedish operatic soprano.

Modernized spelling not enough to revive Karen.

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