The term “Scandinavian” typically refers to the countries of Norway, Denmark, and Sweden. These three countries are close geographically, and extremely similar linguistically. In some cases, people may use the term to cover countries like Iceland (a territory of Denmark) and Finland as well, but these areas have different language systems. These northern European countries suffer from long, harsh winters, but often rank as some of the happiest countries in the world. Their Viking heritage lives on in some of their names.
Many names are popular across all three Scandinavian countries since their language are so similar. Some Scandinavian names have English counterparts, such as the boys’ name Casper. This is the Nordic version of Jasper, a Biblical name meaning treasurer. Rakel is a popular girl’s name that comes from the Hebrew-origin English name, Rachel, meaning “ewe.”
Some Scandinavian names are steeped in the cultural history and traditions of the region. The feminine name Edda is still used today, though its roots are in ancient Scandinavian. A 13th-century Icelandic collection of stories and poems was called The Edda. Freya, the Norse goddess of love and fertility, is still a popular character to name your daughter after today.
Østen is a traditional boy’s name that comes from Old Norse. The root meanings of the syllables roughly translate to “good fortune” and “stone.” There are several different spellings and variations of the name that are used throughout the region. Leif is a Scandinavian name meaning heir or beloved. Many people relate the name to the famous Norse explorer Leif Erikson, believed to be the first European to visit North America.
Aaren
Meaning: Lofty or inspired
Origin: Scandinavian
Gender: Boy
Ake
Meaning: Ancestor
Origin: Scandinavian
Gender: Boy
Alarik
Meaning: Leader of all
Origin: Scandinavian
Gender: Boy
Algot
Meaning: Surname
Origin: Scandinavian
Gender: Boy
Alvis
Meaning: All-wise
Origin: Scandinavian
Gender: Boy
Ame
Meaning: The eagle rules
Origin: Scandinavian
Gender: Boy
Andor
Meaning: Thor’s eagle
Origin: Scandinavian
Gender: Boy
Anitra
Meaning: Variant of Anne
Origin: Scandinavian
Gender: Girl
Anker
Meaning: He who harvests; harvester
Origin: Scandinavian
Gender: Boy
Apsel
Meaning: Father of peace
Origin: Scandinavian
Gender: Boy
Astrid
Meaning: Godly strength
Origin: Scandinavian
Gender: Girl
Balder
Meaning: Prince
Origin: Scandinavian
Gender: Boy
Barend
Meaning: Firm bear
Origin: Scandinavian
Gender: Boy
Bergen
Meaning: Mountain dweller
Origin: Scandinavian
Gender: Boy
Bern
Meaning: Strong as a bear
Origin: Scandinavian
Gender: Boy
Birger
Meaning: Helping
Origin: Scandinavian
Gender: Boy
Boden
Meaning: A shelter
Origin: Scandinavian
Gender: Boy
Borc
Meaning: Castle
Origin: Scandinavian
Gender: Boy
Brede
Meaning: Glacier
Origin: Scandinavian
Gender: Boy
Brigida
Meaning: Strength. Mythological Celtic goddess of fire and poetry
Origin: Scandinavian
Gender: Girl
Broderic
Meaning: Brother
Origin: Scandinavian
Gender: Boy
Callan
Meaning: Flowing water
Origin: Scandinavian
Gender: Girl
Carrson
Meaning: Son of Carr
Origin: Scandinavian
Gender: Boy
Dag
Meaning: Day
Origin: Scandinavian
Gender: Boy
Dana
Meaning: From Denmark
Origin: Scandinavian
Gender: Girl
Edda
Meaning: Grandmother
Origin: Norse
Gender: Girl
Edzard
Meaning: Strong edge
Origin: Scandinavian
Gender: Boy
Else
Meaning: Abbreviation of Elisabeth
Origin: Scandinavian
Gender: Girl
Eric/Erica
Meaning: Ever kingly
Origin: Scandinavian
Gender: Boy/Girl
Fenris
Meaning: Figure in Scandinavian mythology
Origin: Scandinavian
Gender: Boy
Floris
Meaning: In blossom
Origin: Scandinavian
Gender: Boy
Folke
Meaning: People
Origin: Scandinavian
Gender: Boy
Freya
Meaning: Lady. Freya was the goddess of love and fertility
Origin: Norse
Gender: Girl
Frederik
Meaning: Peaceful ruler
Origin: Scandinavian
Gender: Boy
Garth
Meaning: Garden
Origin: Scandinavian
Gender: Boy
Gerda
Meaning: Guardian. Peace. Fertility. Famous bearer: Gerda was the beautiful mythological Scandinavian wife of Frey (Freyr)
Origin: Scandinavian
Gender: Girl
Greta
Meaning: Pearl. Abbreviation of Margaret
Origin: Scandinavian
Gender: Girl
Gunnar
Meaning: Battler; warrior
Origin: Scandinavian
Gender: Boy
Helga
Meaning: Holy; devout
Origin: Scandinavian
Gender: Girl
Howard
Meaning: Noble watchman. Surname of one of the great houses of English nobility
Origin: Scandinavian
Gender: Boy
Hulda
Meaning: Muffled or covered
Origin: Scandinavian
Gender: Girl
Igor
Meaning: Hero
Origin: Scandinavian
Gender: Boy
Inga
Meaning: Diminutive of lngeborg: Ing’s protection (Ing was the Norse god of peace and fertility). Hero’s daughter
Origin: Scandinavian
Gender: Girl
Jakob
Meaning: Supplanter
Origin: Scandinavian
Gender: Boy
Jasper
Meaning: Treasure keeper
Origin: Persian
Gender: Boy
Jena
Meaning: God is gracious
Origin: Scandinavian
Gender: Boy
Karl
Meaning: Man; manly
Origin: Scandinavian
Gender: Boy
Leif
Meaning: Heir; loved
Origin: Scandinavian
Gender: Boy
Østen
Meaning: Magnificient
Origin: Latin
Gender: Boy
Rakel
Meaning: Ewe, female sheep
Origin: Hebrew
Gender: Girl
