278 Scandinavian Baby Names From Land Of The Midnight Sun
Nordic charm, timeless appeal - that's the beauty of Scandinavian baby names.
Norse gods, Vikings, dragons – Scandinavia, comprising Norway, Denmark, and Sweden, is fascinating in the truest sense. And it’s not just the history and mythology that attracts people to this wonderful nation. Scandinavian baby names are also enticing major interest from parents all over the world. These exquisite and unique baby names are symbolic of the rich history and culture of the country. Traditional Scandinavian names are derived from Old Norse, a Germanic language, which was spoken in the province until the 14th century. From Axl, meaning father of peace, to Ebbe, meaning brave as a boar, and Karalyn, meaning pure. These names can be robust and tough or delicate and light.
Until the 1850s, Scandinavian provinces used the patronymic naming system, where the child’s surname had the father’s name followed by the suffixes sen or sson for boys and datter or dotter for girls.
After this period, the naming system transformed, leading to the emergence of family names, ancestral names, and toponymic names. Irrespective of these changes, a common practice of given names was followed by almost all Scandinavians, allowing the same name to be repeated in different generations of the family as a memoir of their legacy. For example, the first child would be named after the father's parent and the second after the mother's parent, while the third and others were named after the parents, uncles, and aunts. Additionally, Scandinavians also had a unique practice of honoring the people who have had untimely demise. For instance, an infant born after the passing of the previous one would be given the name of the deceased child if they both had the same gender (1). However, in modern times, just like most European countries, the naming laws are very strict in Scandinavia, and they forbid the use of made-up or creative names. Hence, parents have to choose from a list of acceptable names released by the government authorities. So if you need help selecting an appropriate Scandinavian name for your little one, look at the list below. We have a comprehensive list of Scandinavian baby names, their meanings, and additional information.
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Name | Gender | Meaning | |
---|---|---|---|
| Boy | Sea; Keeper of the keys; Shell; Pier; From the sea | |
| Boy | Son of marsh dwellers; Descendant of Carra | |
| Girl | A noble woman | |
| Boy | White; Blessed; Sámi people from Finland | |
| Girl | Friend; Famous spear | |
| Boy | Eternal ruler | |
| Boy | Son of Jens; God is merciful; God is Gracious | |
| Girl | Flower; Hanging branch | |
| Boy | Lion; Eagle; Brave; Most holy; Sun-like; Visible; Generous; Chief; Superior | |
| Girl | Godly strength; Divine beauty | |
| Boy | Eternal ruler | |
| Boy | Residing by the sign of the cross; Shrine of the cross | |
| Boy | God is gracious | |
| Girl | Queen; Happy; Willing; Clean; Pure | |
| Boy | Father is peace | |
| Boy | Free man; Army | |
| Boy | A descendant; Heir | |
| Boy | Who is like God | |
| Girl | Sole ruler; Eternal ruler; Ever powerful; Heather | |
| Boy | To lock; The Trickster God | |
| Girl | Free man | |
| Girl | Beloved; Pure; Each of the two | |
| Boy | Stream; To tie | |
| Girl | Free man | |
| Boy | Brave; Manly; Wood clearing; Very rare | |
| Girl | Free man; Army | |
| Girl | Free man; Army | |
| Boy | Bow warrior; Army; Yew tree | |
| Boy | Horseman; Woodland clearing; From the rye hill | |
| Boy | He will add | |
| Boy | Hero; From the hall; Stony | |
| Boy | Victory of the people | |
| Boy | Advice; Counsel; Army | |
| Girl | Earth; Pure | |
| Unisex | Son of Iver; Yew tree; Bow; Army; Warrior | |
| Unisex | Holy thunder; Strength of Thor; Land of yew trees | |
| Girl | Follower of Christ; Anointed; A Christian | |
| Boy | Descendant of Caireallán; Free man | |
| Girl | Splendid; Mother; Great | |
| Girl | Battle | |
| Boy | Rich friend | |
| Boy | Son of Hans; God is gracious | |
| Boy | The son of Hans; Yahweh is gracious | |
| Girl | Star; Baby gazelle; Sky; Clear' Cloudless; Peaceful; Clear; Bright; Fair; Joyous; Calm | |
| Boy | Son of Erik; Ever ruler | |
| Boy | Love; Fortunate victor; Swift; Lively | |
| Girl | Exalted one; Mighty; Help; Strong | |
| Boy | Son of Jan | |
| Unisex | Unique; Adventurous; Charismatic | |
| Girl | Eagle; Power | |
| Boy | Who is like God; Enormous | |
| Girl | House owner; Lord of the manor | |
| Girl | Beautiful victory; Beloved victory | |
| Boy | Son of Lars; From Laurentum | |
| Boy | Heir; Chieftain; Descendant of the jarl | |
| Boy | The one under God's protection | |
| Unisex | Beautiful victory; Beloved victory | |
| Unisex | Descendant of Andrew | |
| Boy | Brave heart; High guardian | |
| Unisex | Alive; Lively; Vibrant | |
| Boy | A serious and stern person | |
| Boy | Victorious guardian | |
| Girl | New victory | |
| Boy | Son of Carl; Free man; Army | |
| Boy | Half Dane; From Denmark | |
| Boy | Noble; Powerful ruler; Ruler of all | |
| Boy | High Lofty; Exalted; Supreme; Soot; Rack | |
| Boy | Earth; Rejoice; Victory of the people | |
| Boy | Deciding warrior | |
| Boy | Wise warrior; Mighty army; Army counselor | |
| Boy | Little twig | |
| Boy | To take or capture | |
| Girl | Noble king; Ever ruler | |
| Girl | Pure; Each of the two; Echo; Earth | |
| Boy | A peasant, farmer, or landowner | |
| Girl | Nobility | |
| Boy | Who is like God; Enormous | |
| Unisex | From above; God of thunder | |
| Girl | War; Great-grandmother; Noble | |
| Boy | Free man | |
| Boy | Farmer; Loving boar | |
| Girl | Alive; Olive; Life; Protection; Envious; Blue | |
| Boy | God is gracious | |
| Girl | Lily; Lotus; Rose | |
| Girl | Ever ruler; Lake | |
| Boy | Son or Erik; Ruler of the people | |
| Girl | Beloved; Sea of bitterness; Rebelliousness; Wished for child; Powerful; Strength; Magic; Illusion; Brilliant star of the ocean | |
| Girl | Battle; Bright | |
| Girl | Knowledge; Wisdom; Lovable; Dark-skinned; Bee | |
| Boy | Dear; Friendly; A heir | |
| Girl | A free man | |
| Girl | Free man | |
| Unisex | Counsel of the wolf; Wise wolf | |
| Girl | From the Northern land or part | |
| Girl | God is gracious; God has given | |
| Girl | A ruler | |
| Girl | Pearl; Beyond; | |
| Girl | New victory | |
| Unisex | Arrow or warrior | |
| Girl | Follows Christ | |
The naming practices related to Scandinavian baby names offer a fascinating glimpse into the region's history, culture, and evolution. One of their most appreciative qualities is how they use naming traditions to honor their ancestry, respect their deceased, and stay connected to nature and family. Although these practices have evolved with changing times, they remain strongly connected to their origins. From ancient roots to modern trends, the above-given list covers a wide range of names that continue to hold onto their deep-seated values and meaningful identity.
Infographic: Splendid Scandinavian Baby Names With Meanings
Scandinavian names encompass several notable aspects, such as Viking history, Norse mythology, and the region's ancient traditions. While continuing to retain their cultural roots, these names have evolved to accommodate family, nature-oriented, and toponymic names. The following infographic presents a selection of such Scandinavian names you may consider for your baby.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How popular are Scandinavian baby names in other countries?
Popular culture has led to a coming together of many cultures, which is evident in the migration of given names. Scandinavian names have found their way to other countries, whether through films or books. Names like Bodie, Carson, Eric, Finn, Jense, and Sofia have been widely used in other countries.
2. What is the meaning behind the name "Sven"?
Sven is a masculine name with Old Norse origins. Taken from the byname Sveinn, it means 'boy' and was borne by many rulers of Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.
3. How do Scandinavian baby names reflect the region's culture and history?
Naming patterns in Scandinavian countries tell of the Viking origins and changes that have since taken place (2). The traditional naming patterns follow the patronymic style, where personal names are inherited from the father. For example, the first son would be named after his paternal grandfather, the second son would be named after his maternal grandfather, and the third son would be named after the father. For daughters, the first daughter would be named after her maternal grandmother, the second would be named after her paternal grandmother, and the third daughter would be named after her mother (3).
4. How are names chosen for newborns in modern-day Scandinavia?
Baby names in Scandinavia, specifically Sweden, are chosen and approved through the Swedish naming law. The law requires the government's approval for naming your child. A name should be submitted three months before birth, and the Swedish Tax Agency will administer the registration of names in Sweden (4).
References
- Scandinavian Naming Practices – Genealogy Research in Scandinavia.
1.https://www.swedishfinnhistoricalsociety.org/scandinavian-naming-practices-genealogy-research-in-scandinavia/ - Names in Sweden Throughout History
https://digitalcommons.augustana.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2049&context=swensonsag - Sweden Personal Names
https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Sweden_Personal_Names - Sweden: New Law Regulating Names Adopted
https://www.loc.gov/item/global-legal-monitor/2016-12-15/sweden-new-law-regulating-names-adopted/
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