112 Female and Male Viking Names of Warriors and Nordic Gods and Their Meaning
Discover the most fascinating names from Nordic mythology, as well as their divine and heroic origins!
21/01/2020 12:00h
The growing interest in Nordic mythology, the admiration towards the Viking warriors and the fascination with the Nordic gods have created some of the most interesting names that we have ever heard. Discover their origin and meaning, often linked to the exploits of the Viking heroes or the exploits of the main Nordic gods.
The most beautiful female Viking names
Scandinavian mythology is full of deities, warriors and Nordic queens whose meaning has been maintained in many cases and are still some of the most popular Viking names. In our country, some of these names are extremely popular.
1. Alfhild
In the ancestral Nordic language, this Viking girl name means "battle of the elves" and is rooted in the belief of the magical beings of the forest. It was the name of the beautiful maiden daughter of the Swedish king, which according to the Nordic chronicles was committed to the hierarchy of Viking Alf.
2. Adalborj
This name is composed by the words of the ancestral Nordic Adal (noble) and Borj (save), common in several families of the Viking nobility.
3. Aslaug
The fans of the series Vikings will immediately think of the character of the second wife of the protagonist, the warrior Ragnar Lodbrok. She was, indeed, a Viking queen, and the name comes from the words As (God) and Laug (betrothed).
4. Astrid
One of the most widespread female Viking names in Norse culture is Astrid, which etymologically comes from As (God) and Frid (beloved). It was also the name of several queens of the main Nordic sagas.
5. Bjorg
This was also a very popular name in ancient Nordic civilizations, and has survived to this day as a woman’s name in Sweden, Norway and Iceland. It means "salvation."
6. Brenda
Literally "sword", it was a name between the sacred and the pagan, normally used to name daughters of warriors.
7. Brynia
In Old Norse it meant "love" and it was a very inspiring name for girls, but also, in warlike environments, it gave name to a chain mail made of silver.
8. Dahlia
This name was present in many Nordic chronicles, although usually appears in Viking stories from times of peace. It literally means "valley."
9. Droplaug
This name remains even to this day very popular in some northern countries and comes from the words drop (pronounce) and laug (oath).
10. Elin
A very inspiring name of the old Nordic sagas that, besides being pleasant to the ear, has a very special meaning: what shines.
11. Engla
This word is rooted in the old religious beliefs of the Nordic peoples, as well as being a woman's name, it meant "angel".
12. Erika
This name meant, in Old Norse, in the "Arika" version of the language, "ruler of all". Over the years it evolved to Erika, a very extended name that means ‘unique princess’.
13. Eyra
Famous name in the Nordic mythology that represents one of the Valkyries, the maidens selected by the god Odin to take the dead warriors to Valhalla. Etymologically it means "euphoria".
14. Fulla
This particular name is in fact the nickname of a goddess in Norse mythology who attended the goddess Frigg, wife of Odin. Fullr, in Nordic, means "complete".
15. Gerda
One of the most popular names in many northern European countries, which has its origins in the ancient Nordic language: it refers to fertility.
16. Gná
Gná was a celestial messenger, part of the entourage of Frigg, Odin's wife. Over the years it became popular among girls.
17. Gunilda
The Scandinavian chronicles have several episodes featuring Nordic queens with this name. It appeals to war and battle.
18. Gudrun
A very important character of the Norse mythology and the Scandinavian sagas, because Gudrun was the wife of king Sigurd and was famous by her remarkable beauty. In Old Norse it means "word of God".
19. Helga
Name widely used in England before the Norman conquest, and reintroduced centuries later in its adapted form ‘Olga’.
20. Helmi
Name increasingly widespread in the Baltic and Finnish areas, from the word "pearl". In 2007 it appeared as the 10th most popular name in Finland.
21. Idun
In Nordic mythology, Idun is a divinity related to apples and charged with maintaining eternal youth. It was a very loved and respected name.
22. Ingrid
This is one of the Nordic origin name widely spread to the rest of the world. It means daughter of Ing, a divinity of the Scandinavian pantheon.
23. Kaira
This name is still used in Finland, Norway and Sweden, and originally means "peaceful", but also refers to female passion.
24. Karen
Nordic name referring to purity (literally meaning "immaculate") and was extended to other parts of the world and especially to the Spanish-speaking countries.
25. Kaysa
Scandinavian variant of Katherine, Ekaterina or Catalina, which in its original Nordic root meant "purity".
26. Krista
This word is the result of the Christian presence in the Scandinavian area and it means "follower of Christ".
27. Lena
It is the abbreviated form of the name Helena, imported from other cultures with which the Viking conquerors were mixed, and which for the Nordic peoples had as meaning "radiant, luminous, ardent".
28. Liv
It comes from the old Nordic Hilf (protection) and over the years has evolved to other names like Hilfa, Hilfrid or Hilfried.
29. Lofn
This was a very special divinity because Odin and Frigg had given her the ability to unite people in marriage, and in many Nordic peoples giving this name to a new-born girl meant blessing her with that gift.
29. Ludmila
Its meaning, "the beloved of the people", made it a very common name in the various queens of the main Scandinavian dynasties. In some areas she was even a saint.
30. Nanna
Wife of god Balder who died of grief when her husband was murdered. In its origin this word meant "daring".
31. Nilsa
It means ‘victory’ and was a fairly widespread name, especially in the towns accustomed to war.
32. Ondina
A beautiful name with an idyllic mythological inspiration: it was the name of the aquatic nymphs of great beauty that lived in the ponds and lakes.
33. Ragna
Homonymous of the masculine name Ragnar whose etymological root comes from reign (council), referring to power.
40. Saga
This was the name of the Nordic goddess of divination to which all seers appealed, and as a sacred name, it used to be used when a baby was the fruit of an omen.
41. Seren
In Old Norse it means "star". In some cases, it was used as a girl's name to symbolize success, and in other cases with astrological nuances.
42. Sigrid De Sigr
Sigrid De Sigr (victory) and Fridr (beautiful, fair), this name was one of the most widespread among the princesses and queens of the Scandinavian chronicles.
43. Sif
Wife of Thor and goddess of fertility, Sif began to be also one of the names given to the girls who were born in those times.
44. Solveig
Very popular name in the villages of Denmark, Norway and Iceland, which literally means "strength of the sun".
45. Torhild
The origin of this feminine Viking name is in the Nordic god of lightning and storm, Thor, and literally means "daughter of Thor".
46. Tyra
It was one of the most widespread names in many areas of the ancient Nordic peoples and referred to the female version of Tyr, god of battle.
47. Urd
It means "destiny" in Old Norse and was one of the three Norns (female spirits that control the destiny of men) of Norse mythology.
48. Valkyrie
Name that has fallen into disuse but that in antiquity had its heyday. It refers to the maidens selected by Odin to take the warriors killed in the battle to the hall of paradise, the Valhalla.
49. Vilborg
This name is still very popular, especially in Iceland. She is a character in Icelandic mythology and named after a writer and poet from Iceland (Vilborg Davidsdottir) who sets her literary works in the Viking age.
Some male Viking names and their meaning
The main male Viking names, some of which are still being used today and inspire names in many countries, come either from the Norse warrior tradition or from its divine and sacred origin.
50. Aila
For many centuries this male Nordic name was given to children to bless them with a good and long life. It literally meant "holy, blessed."
51. Alf
Name several kings and warriors of the Nordic sagas had that in their original language referred to the elves, the mythological beings.
52. Aren
Because of its sound it may look like a woman's name, but it is one of the most popular male Viking names that meant "he who reigns like an eagle".
53. Arnbjorn
Name of one of the most famous Viking warriors that appears in several chronicles of the heroic sagas. It is still used in Iceland and Sweden.
54. Arngerdur
This is one of the oldest male Viking names, and it appears in the main chronicles and sagas of Norse mythology.
55. Ax
Several northern warlike tribes began to use this name as a masculine appellation from the diminutive Axel, which means "the father of peace".
56. Baggi
This name is no longer used but it had its peak moment, especially in the Viking tribes that used to fight. It means "bag, bag."
57. Bjorn
One of the most popular male Viking names, used by several kings and Nordic warriors, it was also given to the son of the famous Ragnar Lothbrok.
58. Bergljot
Compound male Viking name that comes from Berg (protection) and Ljot (light), very used in the main sagas of Nordic warriors.
59. Bo
This simple name translates as "life". Originally it was a masculine name, although eventually it could also be feminine.
60. Bodil
Name of Danish origin and with warlike reminiscences, because in original Nordic language it meant "commander".
61. Dag
This term meant "day" and was, also, the divinity related to the day. It was also widely used as a male Viking name.
62. Daven
The name Daven, which literally meant "beloved," was also widespread. It is one of those that is still in fashion among parents these days.
63. Dustin
Another name of Nordic origin that has survived in the main languages of the peoples of northern Europe. It comes from the word Dorstein, which referred to the "stone of Thor".
64. Egil
Typical Scandinavian name very popular in the Viking era because it had a sacred origin: he was the keeper of Thor's flock.
65. Einar
It was a word with a warlike meaning, "warrior chief", and it was also the name of a popular Viking military leader.
66. Eindride
Etymologically it comes from the words ein (one) and ride (ride) and was related to the importance of the horse in the way of life of the Vikings.
67. Elvis
In the Scandinavian ancestral language, Alvia meant "wisdom", and evolved into Elvis being a very name in the ancient Nordic peoples, and very widespread even today.
68. Erik
This name is already popular in many parts of the world and it originally comes from Eirikr: combination of ei (always) and rikr (governor). It was the name of kings and warlords.
69. Esben
This name has been consolidated over the centuries as one of the most popular in the northern towns. It is the Danish variant of Asbjorn: as (god) and bjorn (bear).
70. Gerd
Male version of the female Viking name Gerda, referring to fertility. It is still used for boys in Germany and Finland.
71. Gisli
Name of several Viking warriors that was quite successful for its epic meaning: "ray of light".
72. Haakon
Norwegian dynastic name that since ancient times has been transmitted until today, because it gives name to the current heir to the throne. It means "right-handed, useful."
73. Hallr
It was, at its root, the denominator of the "rock" that later gave rise to many other names such as, for example, Hallstein.
74. Halstein
It comes from hallr (rock) and stein (stone) and was a very common name among the reigning dynasties because of their meaning of hardness.
75. Halvar
Another name derived from hallr is Halvar, which in this case combines hallr (rock) with var (guardian) and gave name to several warriors and kings.
76. Holger
This is also a compound name that combines hólmr (island) and geirr (spear). He gave a name, for example, to a Danish noble who held the position of general under Charlemagne.
77. Helge
This popular Viking name, which still survives in several Nordic countries, is formed from the root helling (saint).
78. Harald
Name of a famous king of Norway of the ninth century and of a long saga of monarchs of that region, where that name is still very popular.
79. Inge
Unisex name, which can be either female or male, although in girls it usually takes the form of Ingeborg.
80. Ivar
Viking masculine name very popular, among other things, for having given name to the son of Viking leader Ragnar Lothbrok Ivar, who in turn was also a courageous warrior known as Ivar the Boneless.
81. Jensen
Name of Scandinavian origin that today is one of the most widespread in many Nordic countries. Its origin is Finnish and means "son of Johansen".
82. Jorgen
Scandinavian name that is often used as the namesake of the Anglo-Saxon George. It is a very popular name in Nordic countries and has been used by kings and rulers.
83. Knut
This name will also be familiar to ‘Vikings’ fans because it is one of the key characters of the first season. It comes from knútr (knot). Historically it gave name to the Danish prince who defeated to the king of England in century XI.
84. Lars
In German-speaking countries it is a very widespread name that has its roots in the dawn of the Nordic peoples. It was the diminutive of Laurentius (laurel).
85. Leif
In aristocratic circles and military Vikings, it was a widespread name because of what it meant: ‘heir’.
86. Niels
This literally translated the name Nicolás in ancient Danish language, and had as meaning "the triumph of the people"
87. Odd
One of the favourite names of the Viking warriors to give to their children, because this word meant "the edge of the sword".
88. Olaf
Its origin is the Old Norse word Anleifr, which conjugates the words anu (ancestor) and leifr (heir). It was named after kings, like Olaf the Great, of Norway.
89. Olson
Appeal that refers to its meaning "son of Olaf", used to give the name to the descendants of a lineage headed by an Olaf.
90. Porir
Literally it means "the warrior of Thor" and it was common for a Viking warrior to give this name to a son in veneration to the god of thunder.
91. Ragnvall
This strange name is composed of the parts reign (council) and valdr (power) and is considered the precedent of the current Ronald.
92. Sigurd
He was one of the children of Ragnar Lothbrok, known as "Sigurd Eye of Serpent". It means "guardian of victory."
- You may be interested in: Ragnarök: The Battle of the End of the World in Norse Mythology
93. Sven
This name that is still very popular in some northern countries literally means "boy".
95. Viggo
Name that sounds familiar for being the name of the actor Viggo Mortensen, but actually comes from the ancient root vig (war).
Most important Nordic warriors’ and gods’ names
If all the above names have not seemed inspiring enough, you can find inspiration in the names of the main Nordic gods and Viking warriors. We offer you a list of the best known and most important names of those ancient times.
96. Loki
One of the most famous gods of the Nordic pantheon. In fact, Loki was not a god, but a giant welcomed by Odin as a son and who subsequently betrayed the gods Aesir on several occasions. That's why he always had the ability to deceive.
97. Odin
God of the gods, father of all divinities and revered as the supreme god by the Vikings. Among other things, he was the supreme governor of Valhalla, the hall of paradise where warriors that were killed in battle spent their eternity.
98. Thor
God of lightning and thunder, one of the most popular among the Nordic peoples that has reached our days thanks to comics and movies. He had the ability to send deadly rays with his Mjolnir hammer.
99. Balder
Son of Odin and brother of Thor, his role in the Nordic mythology acquires importance when he is assassinated by means of a deception of Loki. He is the god of peace, of light and of forgiveness.
100. Freyr
Often translated as Frey, he was the son of Njord and brother of Freya, considered in Nordic mythology as the god of fertility, rain and the rising sun.
101. Freyja
Goddess of Nordic mythology that represented love and beauty, invoked among other things to assist women in childbirth. It appears in the story of the loss of Thor's hammer, when the giant thief promises to return the hammer in exchange for marrying Freyja.
102. Frigg
The most important goddess for being the wife of the god of gods, Odin. Frigg was very revered as a divinity of love, fertility, home, marriage, motherhood and the arts.
103. Hela
Divinity of the underworld, and according to Nordic mythology she was a female figure half woman half corpse who ruled the place where souls went when they did not die heroically in battle.
104. Hodr
Blind God, the brother of Thor and Balder. He is in fact the one who shoots the arrow that ends the life of his brother.
105. Ull
Very curious name that means ‘the battle person to body’, symbol of the duels. It represents a root from which other names are formed.
106. Vali
God of Nordic mythology, son of Thor and the giantess Rind, which takes centre stage during the battle for the fate of the world, the Ragnarök.
107. Forseti
Very curious name that designates the god of truth and peace. In Old Norse this name has as meaning "the presider” and is used in modern Icelandic to designate the president.
108. Ragnar Lothbrok
The most famous Viking warrior rescued by the famous series ‘Vikings’ was, in fact, a Swedish and Danish king pioneer in the navigation towards the west and the conquest of English and French territories.
109. Yakun
A name given to the Nordic Hakon that was the name of a Viking military leader that arrived until Kiev expanding the barbarian borders towards the east.
110. Hagbard
Legendary Viking that is mentioned in several chronicles as the king of the sea. His existence becomes tragic when he is linked to a romance with Signy, daughter of King Sigar, which ended with the death of the two lovers.
111. Völundr
Master blacksmith and craftsman of the Nordic mythology protagonist of the "Ballad of Völundr" where he is described as a superhuman being of somewhat obscure origin.
112. Gorm
Gorm the Elder was a Danish king who, although a pagan, accepted a mission of religious scope who succeeded in Christianizing his wife, Tyra Danebod. Upon the death of his wife he erected the monument known as the ‘Jelling Stones’, where his remains also lie.
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