At a Glance
- Meaning
- Brave, bold — linked to Proto-Germanic *Baldraz ('hero, prince')
- Origin
- Old Norse / Proto-Germanic
- Gender
- Boy
- Pronunciation
- BAHL-der
Baldr is an Old Norse / Proto-Germanic boy's name meaning “Brave, bold — linked to Proto-Germanic *Baldraz ('hero, prince')”. It appears in 3 of our baby name lists.
Meaning & Origin of Baldr
Meaning: Brave, bold — linked to Proto-Germanic *Baldraz ('hero, prince').
Origin: Old Norse / Proto-Germanic.
A common claim: Often described as meaning 'bright' or 'shining,' reflecting the Norse god Baldr's mythological beauty. Actually: The 'bright/shining' gloss reflects Baldr's mythological character rather than the name's actual etymology, which traces to a Germanic word for 'brave/bold,' not 'bright.'
Source: Wiktionary.
How to Pronounce Baldr
BAHL-derIPA /ˈbɑːl.dər/
Popularity of Baldr
Baldr doesn’t appear in U.S. Social Security birth records, which include every name given to at least five babies in a year — so it’s rare in the U.S.
Lists That Include Baldr
- 200+ Gothic Boy Names for the Dark, Dramatic Soul
- 100+ Norse Mythology Baby Names — Epic, Ancient, and Surprisingly Wearable
- Mountain Baby Names With Granite Strength
Similar Names
Fenrir · Nemesis · Odin · Sigurd · Sif · Frigg
