The Nordic names of the Vikings have a special charm and a deep meaning that continues to this day. These names reflect the culture, the closeness to nature and the mythology of the Vikings. Here are the 50 most beautiful Nordic (Viking) names that still fascinate today.
Male Viking Names
Male Viking names are fascinating and powerful. These names reflect the strength and courage of the Norse warriors. They are not only historically significant, but are still popular today.
Erik
Means "solely ruling" or "eternal ruler". Erik the Red was a famous Viking who discovered Greenland.
Erik the Red: Famous Viking and explorer of Greenland.
Erik XIV of Sweden: King of Sweden, known for his expansion and reforms in the 16th century.
Leif
Means "descendant" or "heir".
Leif Eriksson: Son of Erik the Red, considered the discoverer of America around the year 1000.
Leif Garrett: American singer and actor, known in the 1970s.
Bjorn
Means "bear". A powerful name that symbolizes strength and courage.
Bjorn Ironside: Legendary Viking hero and king, son of Ragnar Lodbrok.
Bjorn Borg: Swedish tennis player, multiple Grand Slam winner.
Ragnar
Means "advisor of the gods".
Ragnar Lodbrok: Legendary Viking hero and king, known from myths and legends.
Ragnar Frisch: Norwegian economist, Nobel Prize winner in Economics in 1969.
Harald
Means "commander".
Harald Fairhair: First King of Norway, united the country.
Harald V of Norway: Current King of Norway, in office since 1991.
Olaf
Means "descendant of the ancestor".
Olaf the Holy: King of Norway and saint, promoted Christianization.
Olaf II of Norway: Also known as Olaf the Fat, played an important role in the Christianization of Norway.
Sven
Means "young man" or "boy".
Sven Forkbeard: King of Denmark and England, founded the North Sea Empire.
Sven Hedin: Swedish explorer and geographer, known for his Asian expeditions.
Thor
Named after the thunder god Thor, symbol of strength and protection.
Thor Heyerdahl: Norwegian ethnologist and adventurer, known for the Kon-Tiki expedition.
Thor Hushovd: Norwegian cyclist, 2010 road race world champion.
Ulf
Means "wolf". A strong name that shows the connection to animals.
Ulf Einarsson: Viking chieftain, known from the Icelandic sagas.
Ulf Merbold: German physicist and astronaut, first West German astronaut in space.
Gunnar
Means "warrior." A name that reflects courage and bravery.
Gunnar Sønsteby: Norwegian resistance fighter in World War II.
Gunnar Myrdal: Swedish economist and Nobel Prize winner.
Ivar
Means "warrior with yew bow".
Ivar the Boneless: Famous Viking leader, son of Ragnar Lodbrok.
Ivar Kreuger: Swedish industrialist and financier, known as the "Match King".
Sigurd
Means "victorious guardian". Known from the Nibelungen saga.
Sigurd the Mighty: Earl of Orkney, one of the first Viking leaders in Scotland.
Sigurd Fåvnesbane: Legendary hero from Norse mythology and the sagas.
Hakon
Means "high son". Several Norwegian kings bore this name.
Hakon the Good: King of Norway, promoted Christianity.
Hakon VII of Norway: King of Norway during World War II.
Sten
Means "stone". Symbolizes permanence and strength.
Sten Sture the Elder: Regent of Sweden, played an important role in the fight against the Danes.
Sten Sture the Younger: Also Regent of Sweden, led the Sture party.
Einar
Means "lone fighter". A name for independent and strong personalities.
Einar Tambarskjelve: Famous Norwegian Viking and chieftain.
Einar Gerhardsen: Norwegian politician, long-time Prime Minister after the Second World War.
Arne
Means "eagle". A name associated with freedom and vision.
Arne Næss: Norwegian philosopher and founder of deep ecology.
Arne Jacobsen: Danish architect and designer, known for his modern designs.
Freyr
Named after the god of prosperity and fertility.
Freyr: God of fertility in Norse mythology.
Freyr Alexandersson: Icelandic football coach, known for his work with the women's national team.
Viggo
Means "fight". A name that represents courage and fighting spirit.
Viggo Mortensen: American actor, known from the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy.
Viggo Kampmann: Danish politician and former Prime Minister.
Ketill
Means "cauldron" or "helmet". A name that symbolizes both protection and everyday life.
Ketill Flatnose: Famous Viking and one of the first settlers in Iceland.
Ketill Björnsson: Also a famous Viking, known from the Icelandic sagas.
Torstein
Means "Thor's Stone". Combines the strength of the god Thor with constancy.
Torstein Knarresmed: A Viking mentioned in the sagas.
Torstein Horgar: Norwegian author, known for historical novels.
Anders
Means "manly" or "brave." A traditional name emphasizing masculinity.
Anders Celsius: Swedish astronomer and inventor of the Celsius temperature scale.
Anders Fogh Rasmussen: Former Danish Prime Minister and NATO Secretary General.
Sune
Means "son". A name that emphasizes family ties.
Sune Sik: Swedish prince from the 13th century.
Sune Bergström: Swedish biochemist and Nobel Prize winner.
Rolf
Means "famous wolf." A name that combines both strength and fame.
Rolf Krake: Legendary Danish king from Norse mythology.
Rolf Harris: Australian musician and entertainer.
Hemming
Means "relative." A name that emphasizes the importance of family.
Hemming Halfdansson: A Viking leader known from the sagas.
Hemming Gadh: Swedish bishop and diplomat from the 15th century.
Vidar
Means "warrior in the forest". Named after the silent but strong god Vidar.
Vidar: God of vengeance in Norse mythology.
Vidar Riseth: Norwegian football player, known for his career in the Norwegian national team.
Female Viking Names
Female Viking names are just as powerful and meaningful as their male counterparts. These names reflect the strength and courage of Norse women.
Astrid
Means "divine beauty". A name that symbolizes grace and beauty.
Astrid Lindgren: Swedish author, known for "Pippi Longstocking".
Astrid of Belgium: Belgian Princess and Queen of Belgium.
Sigrid
Means "beautiful winner". A name that combines victory and beauty.
Sigrid the Proud: Queen of Sweden and Poland, known for her political influence.
Sigrid Undset: Norwegian writer and Nobel Prize winner.
Freya
Named after the goddess of love and fertility. A very popular name.
Freya: Goddess of love and fertility in Norse mythology.
Freya Stark: British travel writer and explorer.
Ingrid
Means "beauty of the gods." A name that highlights divine grace.
Ingrid Bergman: Swedish actress, known for her roles in "Casablanca" and "Gaslight".
Ingrid Alexandra of Norway: Norwegian princess, heir to the throne.
Gudrun
Means "divine secret". Known from Nordic mythology.
Gudrun: Heroine from Norse mythology and the sagas.
Gudrun Ensslin: German terrorist, co-founder of the RAF.
Thyra
Means "battle maiden". A name for strong and independent women.
Thyra Danebod: Danish queen, wife of Gorm the Old.
Thyra of Denmark: Danish princess, known for her humanitarian work.
Helga
Means "the holy one." A name that expresses both purity and reverence.
Helga: Saint and Queen, wife of Olaf the Holy.
Helga Pedersen: Norwegian politician, former minister.
Liv
Means "life". A name that emphasizes the preciousness of life.
Liv Ullmann: Norwegian actress and director, known for her collaboration with Ingmar Bergman.
Liv Tyler: American actress, known from the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy.
Ylva
Means "she-wolf." A name that symbolizes strength and wildness.
Ylva Johansson: Swedish politician, EU Commissioner for Home Affairs.
Ylva Nowén: Swedish alpine ski racer and Olympic athlete.
Solveig
Means "Path of the Sun". A name that embodies light and warmth.
Solveig: Character in Henrik Ibsen's "Peer Gynt".
Solveig Dommartin: French actress, known from "Wings of Desire".
Ragna
Means "goddess". A name that expresses majesty and power.
Ragna Nielsen: Norwegian women’s rights activist and educator.
Ragna Schröder: German artist, known for her expressionist works.
Kari
Means "pure". A name that symbolizes purity and clarity.
Kari Traa: Norwegian freestyle skier and Olympic champion.
Kari Bremnes: Norwegian singer and songwriter.
Hilda
Means "fighter". A name that represents strength and assertiveness.
Hilda of Whitby: Saint and abbess, important figure of the early Christian church in England.
Hilda Doolittle: American poet, known as HD, a major figure in Imagism.
Gerda
Means "protector". A name that conveys protection and security.
Gerda Wegener: Danish painter, known for her portraits and husband, Lili Elbe.
Gerda Taro: German war photographer, known for her work in the Spanish Civil War.
Svanhild
Means "swan girl". A name that embodies grace and elegance.
Svanhild: Heroine from Norse mythology and the sagas.
Svanhild Andersen: Norwegian actress, known in the 1950s and 1960s.
Alfhild
Means "elf warrior". A name that shows the connection to mythology.
Alfhild: Warrior from the Nordic sagas.
Alfhild Agrell: Swedish writer and playwright of the 19th century.
Bodil
Means "woman of battle". A name for strong and courageous women.
Bodil Ipsen: Danish actress and director.
Bodil Malmsten: Swedish writer and poet.
Frida
Means "Princess of Peace". A name that symbolizes peace and harmony.
Frida Kahlo: Mexican painter, known for her self-portraits.
Frida Lyngstad: Swedish singer and member of the pop group ABBA.
Gunhild
Means "fight and battle." A name that shows double strength and assertiveness.
Gunhild: Queen of Norway and Denmark in the 10th century.
Gunhild Carling: Swedish jazz musician and multi-instrumentalist.
Embla
Named after the first woman in Norse mythology.
Embla: The first woman in Norse mythology.
Embla Wigum: Norwegian artist and illustrator.
Sif
Named after the goddess of fertility and marriage. Symbolizes prosperity and family.
Sif: Goddess of fertility and marriage, wife of Thor in Norse mythology.
Sif Ruud: Swedish actress, known for her theater and film roles.
Torah
Feminine form of Thor, meaning "thunder girl". A name that embodies power and strength.
Tora Berger: Norwegian biathlete and Olympic champion.
Tora Mosterstong: Legendary figure, mother of Håkon the Good.
Brynhild
Means "armed fighter". Known from the Völsunga saga.
Brynhild: Heroine from the Völsunga saga.
Brynhild Haugland: Norwegian-American politician, long-time member of the North Dakota House of Representatives.
Eira
Means "grace." A name that emphasizes gentleness and mercy.
Eira: Goddess of healing in Norse mythology.
Eira Thomas: Canadian geologist and businesswoman, known for her work in the diamond industry.
Inga
Means "daughter of the hero." A name that expresses heroism and family pride.
Inga of Varteig: mother of Håkon Håkonsson, King of Norway.
Inga Swenson: American actress, known from "Benson" and "Soap".
Meaning and Influence of Viking Names
Viking names not only have historical significance, but they also carry deep cultural and spiritual values. They are closely connected to Norse mythology and nature. Many of the names reflect the strength, bravery and wisdom that were highly valued in Viking culture.
Historical figures
Some of the names mentioned are associated with famous historical figures. Erik the Red and his son Leif Eriksson are well-known explorers who have had a significant impact on history. Ragnar Lodbrok and Ivar the Boneless are figures mentioned in numerous sagas and legends, and their stories still resonate today.
Mythological references
Many names, such as Thor, Freya and Vidar, are directly linked to Norse mythology. These names carry the stories of the gods and heroes who play a central role in Norse culture. The names reflect not only the characteristics of these mythological figures, but also the values that were important in the Viking Age.
Natural influences
The connection to nature is evident in many Nordic names. Names such as Bjorn (bear), Ulf (wolf) and Arne (eagle) show the Vikings' deep connection to the animal world. These names emphasize the strength and wildness found in nature, which were also valued in Viking culture.
Timeless appeal
Nordic (Viking) names have not lost their appeal to this day. They are popular not only because of their historical and cultural significance, but also because of their sonorous and powerful pronunciation. Many parents choose these names for their children to give them a connection to a rich and fascinating history.
The names of the Vikings carry stories that tell of courage, adventure and wisdom. They are not just names, but symbols of a bygone era that has remained alive to this day. Whether in literature, films or everyday life - the Viking names remain a lasting legacy that continues to excite and inspire.
