280 Scandinavian Baby Names From Land Of The Midnight Sun

Nordic charm, timeless appeal - that's the beauty of Scandinavian baby names.

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Last Updated on Nov 13, 2024

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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.

Name	Gender	Meaning
Kai	Boy	Sea; Keeper of the keys; Shell; Pier; From the sea
Carson	Boy	Son of marsh dwellers; Descendant of Carra
Freya	Girl	A noble woman
Finn	Boy	White; Blessed; Sámi people from Finland
Ruth	Girl	Friend; Famous spear
Eric	Boy	Eternal ruler
Jensen	Boy	Son of Jens; God is merciful; God is Gracious
Dahlia	Girl	Flower; Hanging branch
Ari	Boy	Lion; Eagle; Brave; Most holy; Sun-like; Visible; Generous; Chief; Superior
Astrid	Girl	Godly strength; Divine beauty

Erik	Boy	Eternal ruler
Crosby	Boy	Residing by the sign of the cross; Shrine of the cross
Johan	Boy	God is gracious
Rayna	Girl	Queen; Happy; Willing; Clean; Pure
Axl	Boy	Father is peace
Carl	Boy	Free man; Army
Leif	Boy	A descendant; Heir
Mikael	Boy	Who is like God
Erika	Girl	Sole ruler; Eternal ruler; Ever powerful; Heather
Loki	Boy	To lock; The Trickster God

Carleigh	Girl	Free man
Carina	Girl	Beloved; Pure; Each of the two
Beck	Boy	Stream; To tie
Carlee	Girl	Free man
Ender	Boy	Brave; Manly; Wood clearing; Very rare
Carley	Girl	Free man; Army
Carli	Girl	Free man; Army
Ivar	Boy	Bow warrior; Army; Yew tree
Ryden	Boy	Horseman; Woodland clearing; From the rye hill
Josef	Boy	He will add

Halen	Boy	Hero; From the hall; Stony
Nilan	Boy	Victory of the people
Rainer	Boy	Advice; Counsel; Army
Kaiah	Girl	Earth; Pure
Iverson	Unisex	Son of Iver; Yew tree; Bow; Army; Warrior
Tyra	Unisex	Holy thunder; Strength of Thor; Land of yew trees
Kiersten	Girl	Follower of Christ; Anointed; A Christian
Carlin	Boy	Descendant of Caireallán; Free man
Maja	Girl	Splendid; Mother; Great
Hilda	Girl	Battle

Edvin	Boy	Rich friend
Hanson	Boy	Son of Hans; God is gracious
Hansen	Boy	The son of Hans; Yahweh is gracious
Seren	Girl	Star; Baby gazelle; Sky; Clear' Cloudless; Peaceful; Clear; Bright; Fair; Joyous; Calm
Erickson	Boy	Son of Erik; Ever ruler
Evin	Boy	Love; Fortunate victor; Swift; Lively
Britta	Girl	Exalted one; Mighty; Help; Strong
Janson	Boy	Son of Jan
Kamri	Unisex	Unique; Adventurous; Charismatic
Arna	Girl	Eagle; Power

Mikkel	Boy	Who is like God; Enormous
Henny	Girl	House owner; Lord of the manor
Sigrid	Girl	Beautiful victory; Beloved victory
Larsen	Boy	Son of Lars; From Laurentum
Erling	Boy	Heir; Chieftain; Descendant of the jarl
Osmin	Boy	The one under God's protection
Siri	Unisex	Beautiful victory; Beloved victory
Andersen	Unisex	Descendant of Andrew
Howie	Boy	Brave heart; High guardian
Vivi	Unisex	Alive; Lively; Vibrant

Severin	Boy	A serious and stern person
Sigurd	Boy	Victorious guardian
Signe	Girl	New victory
Carlson	Boy	Son of Carl; Free man; Army
Halden	Boy	Half Dane; From Denmark
Alrik	Boy	Noble; Powerful ruler; Ruler of all
Rahm	Boy	High Lofty; Exalted; Supreme; Soot; Rack
Kaj	Boy	Earth; Rejoice; Victory of the people
Rane	Boy	Deciding warrior
Raynor	Boy	Wise warrior; Mighty army; Army counselor

Spurgeon	Boy	Little twig
Tage	Boy	To take or capture
Aerik	Girl	Noble king; Ever ruler
Kaja	Girl	Pure; Each of the two; Echo; Earth
Bond	Boy	A peasant, farmer, or landowner
Allis	Girl	Nobility
Mickel	Boy	Who is like God; Enormous
Denney	Boy	Follower of Dionysius; The Dane's village
Thoryn	Unisex	From above; God of thunder
Edda	Girl	War; Great-grandmother; Noble

Carlie	Boy	Free man
Joren	Boy	Farmer; Loving boar
Livian	Girl	Alive; Olive; Life; Protection; Envious; Blue
Johaan	Boy	God is gracious
Susanne	Girl	Lily; Lotus; Rose
Erilyn	Girl	Ever ruler; Lake
Meya	Girl	Beloved; Sea of bitterness; Rebelliousness; Wished for child; Powerful; Strength; Magic; Illusion; Brilliant star of the ocean
Vivica	Girl	Battle; Bright
Minda	Girl	Knowledge; Wisdom; Lovable; Dark-skinned; Bee
Lief	Boy	Dear; Friendly; A heir

Carlene	Girl	A free man
Carleen	Girl	Free man
Raife	Unisex	Counsel of the wolf; Wise wolf
Norell	Girl	From the Northern land or part
Jonna	Girl	God is gracious; God has given
Meta	Girl	Pearl; Beyond;
Signy	Girl	New victory
Leaf	Boy	Heir
Larz	Boy	From Laurentum
Lundy	Boy	Marsh; Grove; Monday's child

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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.

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).

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.

sublime scandinavian names you must consider for your little one (infographic)

References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.

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/

Look Up For Many More Names

Do you have a name in mind and want to know more about it? Or want to find names belonging to a particular origin, religion, or having a specific meaning? Use our search tool below to explore more baby names with different combinations.