200+ Norse Mythology Baby Names — Epic, Ancient, and Surprisingly Wearable

Norse mythology gives you names that have been worn by gods, frost giants, valkyries, and ravens — and somehow, against all odds, a lot of them still feel completely wearable in 2026. There’s something about Old Norse that lands soft and strong at the same time. Freya. Bjorn. Sigrid. They sound like they belong on a wool sweater and a toddler in equal measure.

When referencing popularity, I am referring to baby name data from Social Security Administration database in the United States for 2025, which is the most current year of data available.

Here’s what’s in store – 

This list goes much wider than the usual Freya-and-Thor shortlist. We’re pulling from the Eddas, the sagas, kennings (those gorgeous Old Norse compound metaphors — “whale-road” for sea, “battle-sweat” for blood), and the cosmological geography of the Nine Worlds. Some of these names will be familiar from Marvel and Vikings. Many won’t. A few are so obscure your kid will be the only one in their kindergarten — and possibly the only one in their state.

A small caveat before we dive in: Old Norse is a heavily inflected language, and most of these names appear in slightly different forms across Old Icelandic, Old Norwegian, modern Scandinavian languages, and English transliterations. We’ve gone with the most common modern spellings, with the Old Norse original in parentheses when it differs meaningfully. Pronunciations are approximate — if you’re committing to a saga-deep name, it’s worth listening to a native Icelandic speaker say it.

Pour yourself something warm. We’re heading north.

Names From the Æsir — The Major Gods and Goddesses

These are the headliners — the gods and goddesses who lived in Asgard and got the most ink in Snorri Sturluson’s Prose Edda. Some are instantly recognizable; others have been quietly waiting their turn.

– **Odin** (Óðinn) — “Frenzy” or “inspiration” (Old Norse). The Allfather himself — a heavy name with shaman-poet undertones, not just warlord ones.
– **Thor** (Þórr) — “Thunder” (Old Norse). Familiar enough to feel safe, strong enough to feel mythic — a top-50 name in modern Iceland.
– **Frey** (Freyr) — “Lord” (Old Norse). God of peace, harvest, and prosperity — and yes, a real Scandinavian first name today.
– **Freya** (Freyja) — “Lady” (Old Norse). Goddess of love, war, and seiðr magic — the Norse name with the broadest English-speaker appeal.

Baldr

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Brave” or “prince”
• Popularity: Rare

The beautiful, beloved god whose death sets Ragnarok in motion — quietly used in Iceland and Denmark.

Balder

• Origin: Anglicized Old Norse
• Meaning: “Bold”
• Popularity: Rare

The English-friendly spelling of Baldr, with a softer landing.

– **Tyr** (Týr) — “God” (Old Norse). The one-handed god of justice and single combat — three letters, big presence.

Bragi

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Poet”
• Popularity: Rare

God of poetry — a name that doubles as a vocation.

– **Idun** (Iðunn) — “Ever young” (Old Norse). Goddess of the golden apples that kept the gods immortal — gentle and luminous.

Sif

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Bride” or “kinship”
• Popularity: Rare

Thor’s wife, with the famous golden hair — short, ancient, and surprisingly modern.

Frigg

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Beloved”
• Popularity: Rare

Odin’s wife, queen of the Æsir — a name that’s stayed truly rare in English-speaking countries.

– **Heimdall** (Heimdallr) — “World-brightener” (Old Norse). The watchman of the Bifrost — a name with cosmic-guardian energy.

Loki

• Origin: Old Norse, disputed
• Meaning: Possibly “knot” or “tangle”
• Popularity: #1767

The trickster — modern parents love it, traditionalists still wince.

– **Vidar** (Víðarr) — “Wide ruler” (Old Norse). The silent god who avenges Odin at Ragnarok — strong-and-quiet personified.
– **Vali** (Váli) — “Chosen” (Old Norse). Odin’s son, born to avenge Baldr — short, sharp, underused.

Forseti

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “The presiding one”
• Popularity: Rare

God of justice and reconciliation — a name with diplomatic gravity.

– **Hodr** (Höðr) — “Warrior” (Old Norse). Baldr’s blind brother — tragic backstory, but a striking sound.
– **Ull** (Ullr) — “Glory” (Old Norse). God of skiing, archery, and winter — a one-syllable Scandinavian classic.
– **Njord** (Njörðr) — “Strong” (Old Norse). Sea god and father of Freyr and Freyja — weathered and sturdy.

Saga

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Seeress” or “story”
• Popularity: #6333

A goddess associated with history and Odin’s drinking companion — and yes, the literal word for the Icelandic prose epics.

Eir

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Mercy” or “help”
• Popularity: Rare

Goddess of healing — three letters, gentle but not soft.

– **Var** (Vár) — “Pledge” (Old Norse). Goddess who witnesses oaths between lovers — a beautiful one-syllable choice.

Lofn

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Permission” or “comfort”
• Popularity: Rare

Goddess who arranges marriages between forbidden lovers — niche but lovely.

Syn

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Refusal”
• Popularity: Rare

Goddess who guards the door of the hall — short, modern-sounding, deeply old.

Snotra

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Clever” or “wise”
• Popularity: Rare

Goddess of wisdom and prudence — unusual in English, gorgeous in Icelandic.

– **Sjofn** (Sjöfn) — “Love” (Old Norse). Goddess who turns minds toward love — soft, breathy, distinctive.

Gefjon

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Giver”
• Popularity: Rare

A goddess associated with virginity, ploughing, and prophecy — anchored Copenhagen onto the map in legend.

Nanna

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Brave” or “daring”
• Popularity: #15005

Baldr’s wife, who died of grief — also a sweet, accessible name in modern Scandinavia.

Fulla

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Bountiful”
• Popularity: Rare

Frigg’s handmaiden — round-sounding and warm.

– **Hlin** (Hlín) — “Protectress” (Old Norse). One of Frigg’s attendants — single-syllable and stately.

Names From the Vanir — The Older, Earthier Gods

The Vanir are the fertility-and-fortune branch of the Norse pantheon — older, more associated with the land and sea than with battle. These names tend to feel softer and more elemental than the Æsir’s.

Kvasir

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Strong drink”
• Popularity: Rare

The wisest being ever made, born from the gods’ spit — esoteric and unforgettable.

– **Gerd** (Gerðr) — “Enclosure” or “field” (Old Norse). A frost-giantess who became Freyr’s wife — a real, current Scandinavian name.
– **Skadi** (Skaði) — “Shadow” or “harm” (Old Norse). Giantess and goddess of winter, mountains, and skiing — fierce and frosty.

Skuld

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Debt” or “that which is owed”
• Popularity: Rare

One of the three Norns, governing the future — sharp and direct.

– **Urd** (Urðr) — “Fate” or “wyrd” (Old Norse). The eldest Norn, weaver of the past — feels mythic and grounded at once.
– **Verdandi** (Verðandi) — “Becoming” (Old Norse). The Norn of the present — rhythmic and philosophical.

Hnoss

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Treasure”
• Popularity: Rare

Daughter of Freyja, so beautiful her name became a synonym for jewels.

Gersemi

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Precious thing”
• Popularity: Rare

Hnoss’s sister — equally beloved, equally rare.

Beyla

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Bee” or possibly “cow”
• Popularity: #9010

A Vanir servant — small, sweet, unusual.

Byggvir

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Barley”
• Popularity: Rare

Freyr’s servant, associated with grain and brewing — an earthy farmer-poet name.

– **Sol** (Sól) — “Sun” (Old Norse). The personified sun who rides through the sky — three letters of pure light.

Sunna

• Origin: Old High German/Old Norse
• Meaning: “Sun”
• Popularity: Rare

An alternate name for Sol — soft and sunny.

– **Mani** (Máni) — “Moon” (Old Norse). Sol’s brother, the personified moon — quietly perfect for a sibling pair.
– **Nott** (Nótt) — “Night” (Old Norse). The personified night, mother of Day — short and atmospheric.
– **Dag** (Dagr) — “Day” (Old Norse). Nott’s son, the personified day — a common name in Norway today.
– **Delling** (Dellingr) — “Shining one” (Old Norse). Dag’s father — a rare-but-warm choice.

Valkyrie Names — Choosers of the Slain

The valkyries served Odin by selecting which fallen warriors went to Valhalla. Their names are mostly Old Norse compounds of battle-related words plus suffixes meaning “fight,” “spear,” “swan,” or “war.” Almost all are wearable; some are stunning.

Brynhild

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Armor battle”
• Popularity: Rare

The most famous valkyrie, central to the Volsung saga and Wagner’s Ring — a name that carries opera.

Brunhilde

• Origin: Old Germanic variant
• Meaning: “Armored warrior”
• Popularity: Rare

The Germanized form, slightly softer in English.

Hilda

• Origin: Old Norse, from *hildr*
• Meaning: “Battle”
• Popularity: #3053

The short form of countless valkyrie names — a vintage classic ripe for revival.

– **Sigrun** (Sigrún) — “Victory rune” (Old Norse). A valkyrie who fell in love with the hero Helgi — romantic and crisp.
– **Sigrid** (Sigríðr) — “Beautiful victory” (Old Norse). A common medieval Scandinavian name still used today.
– **Gudrun** (Guðrún) — “God’s secret lore” (Old Norse). A legendary heroine and valkyrie name — earthy, mature, beautiful.
– **Hervor** (Hervör) — “Army-aware” (Old Norse). A legendary shieldmaiden who wielded the cursed sword Tyrfing — fierce and rare.

Eira

• Origin: Old Norse, also Welsh “snow”
• Meaning: “Mercy”
• Popularity: #2385

A valkyrie-adjacent healing name — short, lyrical, multicultural.

– **Geirahod** (Geirahöð) — “Spear battle” (Old Norse). A deep-cut valkyrie name — mostly of interest for the meaning.
– **Goll** (Göll) — “Tumult” or “battle cry” (Old Norse). Short and percussive.

Hrist

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “The shaker”
• Popularity: Rare

A valkyrie who serves drinks in Valhalla — striking and minimal.

Mist

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Cloud”
• Popularity: Rare

Yes, an actual valkyrie’s name — and a real first name in modern Iceland.

– **Skogul** (Skögul) — “Shaker” or “battle” (Old Norse). A high-ranking valkyrie — unusual but beautiful when said aloud.
– **Geirskogul** (Geirskögul) — “Spear-shaker” (Old Norse). For parents who want something nobody else will have.

Hildr

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Battle”
• Popularity: Rare

The root behind dozens of names — short and ancient on its own.

– **Thrud** (Þrúðr) — “Strength” (Old Norse). Thor’s daughter and a valkyrie — small, sturdy, three-letter punch.

Reginleif

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Heritage of the gods”
• Popularity: Rare

A valkyrie name with deep ceremonial weight.

– **Rota** (Róta) — “She who causes turmoil” (Old Norse). A valkyrie of disorder — short and unexpectedly sweet.
– **Sangrida** (Sangríðr) — “Very violent” (Old Norse). Beautiful sound, intense meaning — choose accordingly.
– **Svava** (Sváva) — “Sleep-maker” (Old Norse). A valkyrie from the *Helgakviða* — soft, dreamy, underused.
– **Kara** (Kára) — “Curly” or “the wild, stormy one” (Old Norse). A valkyrie’s name and a familiar modern one — a rare overlap.
– **Olrun** (Ölrún) — “Ale-rune” (Old Norse). A swan-maiden valkyrie — lyrical and obscure.

Herja

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Devastate”
• Popularity: Rare

Short, sharp, and not for the faint of heart.

– **Gunn** (Gunnr) — “War” (Old Norse). A valkyrie name and the root of Gunnar, Gunhilda, etc. — a one-syllable family-name backbone.

Eir

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Mercy”
• Popularity: Rare

Listed earlier as a goddess, but also counted among the valkyrie healers.

Heroes, Kings, and Saga Names

Beyond the gods, the Norse left us a treasury of legendary humans, semi-divine ancestors, and royal lines whose names show up across the Volsunga, Hervarar, and Njáls sagas. These are the most “wearable in 2026” names on the list.

– **Sigurd** (Sigurðr) — “Victory guardian” (Old Norse). The dragon-slayer of the Volsung saga — heroic without being pompous.

Siegfried

• Origin: Old Germanic cognate
• Meaning: “Peaceful victory”
• Popularity: #8842

The German Sigurd — operatic, formal, distinctive.

Ragnar

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Warrior” or “judgment army”
• Popularity: #2272

The legendary king of the *Vikings* TV show — rugged and instantly recognizable.

– **Bjorn** (Björn) — “Bear” (Old Norse). A medieval king name and an evergreen Scandinavian classic.
– **Erik** (Eiríkr) — “Eternal ruler” (Old Norse). The discoverer of Greenland — clean, sturdy, universally usable.
– **Leif** (Leifr) — “Heir” or “descendant” (Old Norse). Leif Erikson reached North America around 1000 AD — historical heft, easy sound.

Harald

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Army ruler”
• Popularity: #6573

The name of the king who unified Norway — current Norwegian royalty still use it.

Gunnar

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Warrior”
• Popularity: #600

A hero of the Volsung saga — soft on the ear, strong on the page.

– **Ivar** (Ívarr) — “Yew warrior” or “archer” (Old Norse). The Boneless himself — sharp and short.
– **Olaf** (Óláfr) — “Ancestor’s descendant” (Old Norse). Worn by saints, kings, and one famous snowman — versatile.

Magnus

• Origin: Latin via Old Norse
• Meaning: “Great”
• Popularity: #749

Adopted into Norse royal lines after Charlemagne — formal but warm.

– **Knut** (Knútr) — “Knot” (Old Norse). King Cnut of England, Denmark, and Norway — short and historically loaded.
– **Soren** (Sören) — “Stern” or “severe” (Danish via Latin). A modern Scandinavian staple with saga-era roots.

Sven

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Young man”
• Popularity: #2620

A medieval kingly name still widely used in Sweden.

Halvor

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Rock guardian”
• Popularity: Rare

A Norwegian classic with a satisfying weight.

Torsten

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Thor’s stone”
• Popularity: #5408

Strong and rooted, with a built-in tribute to the thunder god.

– **Hakon** (Hákon) — “High son” (Old Norse). The name of Norway’s first Christian king — formal but accessible.

Egil

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Awe” or “edge of a sword”
• Popularity: Rare

The titular poet-warrior of *Egil’s Saga* — angular and underused.

– **Skarphedin** (Skarpheðinn) — “Sharp pelt” (Old Norse). A central character of *Njál’s Saga* — saga deep cut.
– **Njal** (Njáll) — “Champion” (Old Norse/Gaelic blend). The wise farmer of *Njál’s Saga* — a name with literary gravity.
– **Hrolf** (Hrólfr) — “Famous wolf” (Old Norse). The original Rollo, founder of Normandy — older and earthier than the modern version.

Rollo

• Origin: Latinized Old Norse
• Meaning: “Famous wolf”
• Popularity: #7614

The duke of Normandy himself — recently revived thanks to *Vikings*.

– **Floki** (Flóki) — “Tuft” or “lock of hair” (Old Norse). The legendary boatbuilder who discovered Iceland — quirky and current.
– **Bo** (Bó) — “To live” (Old Norse). Tiny, modern, ancient.

Arne

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Eagle”
• Popularity: #11018

Two letters from a four-letter sound — clean and Norwegian.

Hagen

• Origin: Old Norse/Old Germanic
• Meaning: “Enclosure”
• Popularity: #2153

The dark hero of the Nibelungenlied — wagging between Norse and German.

– **Gudmund** (Guðmundr) — “God’s protection” (Old Norse). A saga name with serious weight.

Brand

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Sword” or “fire”
• Popularity: #9085

A short, modern-sounding name with a Viking edge.

Karl

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Free man”
• Popularity: #1688

The proto-Germanic word for a freeborn farmer — and yes, a saga-era name.

Erland

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Foreigner” or “stranger”
• Popularity: #5200

A name often given to children whose fathers had traveled.

– **Hroar** (Hróarr) — “Famous spear” (Old Norse). A legendary Danish king — uncommon and noble.

Heroines, Queens, and Shieldmaidens

The female saga names hold up incredibly well in modern English. Many never went out of style in Scandinavia, and a few are quietly climbing English-speaking charts.

Astrid

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Divinely beautiful”
• Popularity: #383

A medieval queen name and a current top-100 favorite in Norway and Sweden.

Ingrid

• Origin: Old Norse, referencing Freyr
• Meaning: “Beloved of Ing”
• Popularity: #1092

Beautiful, vintage, instantly recognizable.

Solveig

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Strong house” or “sun path”
• Popularity: #5569

A character in Ibsen’s *Peer Gynt* — luminous and literary.

– **Aud** (Auðr) — “Wealth” or “destiny” (Old Norse). Worn by Aud the Deep-Minded, one of Iceland’s founding settlers.
– **Gudny** (Guðný) — “New god” or “fresh divine” (Old Norse). Common in medieval Iceland, rarer now.
– **Hjordis** (Hjördís) — “Sword goddess” (Old Norse). Sigurd’s mother in the Volsung saga — formidable and rare.

Hilde

• Origin: Old Norse short form
• Meaning: “Battle”
• Popularity: #7712

The cozy short form of all those -hild names.

Ragnhild

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Wise battle”
• Popularity: Rare

Worn by Harald Fairhair’s wife — stately and rare in English.

Asta

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Love”
• Popularity: #2946

A medieval Norwegian name and a current trendy short-form.

Liv

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Life”
• Popularity: #874

Three letters, three thousand years, completely current.

Tove

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Beautiful Thor” or “dove”
• Popularity: #7891

Common in Scandinavia and rising in the US — soft, modern, ancient.

Inga

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Of Ing”
• Popularity: #8618

Short for many longer names — sweet and brisk.

Bodil

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Atonement” or “remedy”
• Popularity: Rare

An unusual but beautiful saga-era name.

Helga

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Holy” or “blessed”
• Popularity: #15995

Wears its age confidently — feels like a name a librarian or a witch could share.

– **Thora** (Þóra) — “Thor” (Old Norse). The feminine form of Thor — punchy and elegant.
– **Thyra** (Þyri) — “Thor” or “useful” (Old Norse). A medieval Danish queen — distinct and royal.

Yrsa

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “She-bear”
• Popularity: Rare

A legendary queen of Denmark — rare, fierce, lovely.

– **Asa** (Åsa) — “Goddess” (Old Norse). A current name in Sweden and Norway — luminous and simple.

Borghild

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Fortified battle”
• Popularity: Rare

The first wife of Sigmund in the Volsung saga.

Estrid

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “God’s beauty”
• Popularity: Rare

A queen of Denmark — softer than Astrid but in the same family.

Idony

• Origin: Anglicized from Iðunn
• Meaning: “Renewal”
• Popularity: Rare

The English medieval form of Idun.

Gunnhild

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Battle warrior”
• Popularity: Rare

A famously cunning queen of Norway — striking and powerful.

Aslaug

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Engaged to god”
• Popularity: Rare

Daughter of Sigurd and Brynhild, later a queen — gorgeous and underused.

Halla

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Half-grown” or “rock”
• Popularity: #14015

Short and rocky in the best way.

– **Runa** (Rúna) — “Secret lore” (Old Norse). Modern Scandinavian and increasingly used in English.
– **Signy** (Signý) — “New victory” (Old Norse). A heroine of the Volsung saga — bright and brave.
– **Hilda** — Listed earlier — included again here because she’s both a valkyrie name and a recurring saga heroine.

The Nine Worlds, Yggdrasil, and Cosmological Names

Norse cosmology is full of named places, animals, and forces — and many of them make beautiful, unusual baby names if you don’t mind explaining the etymology occasionally.

Yggdrasil

• Origin: Old Norse, a kenning for the gallows-tree
• Meaning: “Odin’s horse”
• Popularity: Rare

The world tree itself — too much for a first name, but a gorgeous middle for the brave.

– **Asgard** (Ásgarðr) — “Enclosure of the Æsir” (Old Norse). A place-name as a name — works best as a middle.
– **Midgard** (Miðgarðr) — “Middle enclosure” (Old Norse). The world of humans — another middle-name candidate.
– **Vanaheim** (Vanaheimr) — “Home of the Vanir” (Old Norse). Place of the older gods.
– **Alfheim** (Álfheimr) — “Elf home” (Old Norse). Land of the light elves — luminous and lyrical.

Hel

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Hidden”
• Popularity: Rare

Loki’s daughter and the underworld she rules — short, controversial, real.

– **Nidhogg** (Níðhöggr) — “Striker in the dark” (Old Norse). The dragon gnawing Yggdrasil’s roots — strictly for the brave.
– **Ratatosk** (Ratatoskr) — “Drill-tooth” (Old Norse). The squirrel who runs gossip up and down Yggdrasil — a deeply quirky pick.
– **Bifrost** (Bifröst) — “Trembling path” (Old Norse). The rainbow bridge — atmospheric and rare.

Mimir

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “The wise one”
• Popularity: Rare

The severed head Odin consults — knowledge personified.

Gungnir

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Swaying one”
• Popularity: Rare

Odin’s spear — better as a dog name, but it’s here for completeness.

– **Mjolnir** (Mjölnir) — “Lightning” or “grinder” (Old Norse). Thor’s hammer — middle-name territory.

Draupnir

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “The dripper”
• Popularity: Rare

Odin’s self-replicating gold ring — for the deepest mythology nerds.

Sleipnir

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Slipper”
• Popularity: Rare

Odin’s eight-legged horse — distinctive and storybook-ready.

– **Hugin** (Huginn) — “Thought” (Old Norse). One of Odin’s two ravens — short, sharp, and gorgeously meaningful.
– **Munin** (Muninn) — “Memory” (Old Norse). The other raven — pair them for twins if you dare.

Geri

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Greedy”
• Popularity: #12934

One of Odin’s two wolves — small and fierce.

Freki

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Ravenous”
• Popularity: Rare

The other wolf — yes, a real word, yes, used in metal bands, yes, still a name.

– **Garm** (Garmr) — “Howl” (Old Norse). The dog who guards Hel — for parents who want a name with bark.

Fenrir

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Fen-dweller”
• Popularity: #5499

The monstrous wolf bound until Ragnarok — chosen by some metalhead parents, not many others.

– **Jormungandr** (Jörmungandr) — “Huge monster” (Old Norse). The world serpent — almost certainly too much for a first name, but unforgettable.
– **Audhumla** (Auðhumla) — “Hornless cow rich in milk” (Old Norse). The primordial cow who licked the first god into being — for the bravest namers among us.

Ymir

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Twin” or “screamer”
• Popularity: Rare

The first frost giant, from whose body the world was made — primordial and short.

– **Bor** (Borr) — “Born” (Old Norse). Odin’s father — three letters of ancestry.
– **Buri** (Búri) — “Producer” (Old Norse). Odin’s grandfather, the first of the Æsir — a primordial bookend.

Embla

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Elm”
• Popularity: Rare

The first woman, created from a tree — botanical, mythic, and gaining traction.

– **Ask** (Askr) — “Ash tree” (Old Norse). The first man — a tiny, treelike name.
– **Vidblain** (Víðbláinn) — “Wide blue” (Old Norse). The highest of the Norse heavens — a stunning middle name.

Ginnungagap

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Yawning void”
• Popularity: Rare

The primordial nothingness — purely for naming inspiration, not a child.

Niflheim

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Mist home”
• Popularity: Rare

The world of ice and fog — atmospheric and dramatic.

– **Muspell** (Múspellsheimr) — “Land of fire” (Old Norse). The fire world from which the world was forged.

Kenning-Inspired and Nature Names

Old Norse poetry runs on kennings — compact metaphors that describe one thing by referencing another. “Whale-road” for the sea. “Battle-sweat” for blood. “Wave-horse” for a ship. Many kenning components make gorgeous, unexpected names on their own.

– **Aren** (Ǫrn) — “Eagle” (Old Norse). A Norwegian and Swedish name that’s quietly poetic.
– **Ulf** (Úlfr) — “Wolf” (Old Norse). A bare-bones name with a serious presence.

Ylva

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “She-wolf”
• Popularity: Rare

The feminine of Ulf — increasingly popular in Sweden.

Hjalmar

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Helmeted warrior”
• Popularity: Rare

Heroic and formal, with a gentle landing.

Hrafn

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Raven”
• Popularity: Rare

One syllable, one bird, big mythology.

Lind

• Origin: Old Norse, since shields were made of linden wood
• Meaning: “Linden tree” or “shield”
• Popularity: #9013

A tree and a weapon in one.

– **Birk** (Birki) — “Birch” (Old Norse). Tiny and arboreal.

Stein

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Stone”
• Popularity: #12072

The root of dozens of Norwegian names — simple, rooted, current.

Storm

• Origin: Old Norse, also modern English
• Meaning: “Storm”
• Popularity: #1621

A modern weather name with Viking origins.

Vinter

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Winter”
• Popularity: Rare

Seasonal naming with a Scandinavian backbone.

Vetr

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Winter”
• Popularity: Rare

The older form — more obviously archaic.

Skye

• Origin: Old Norse roots via Scotland
• Meaning: “Cloud” or related to “sky”
• Popularity: #480

A nature name with light Norse adjacency.

– **Floki** — Listed earlier — also belongs here as a “tuft of wool” nature word.

Reyna

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “To enjoy” or “to try”
• Popularity: #562

Soft, current, and lyrical.

– **Mjoll** (Mjöll) — “Fresh, powdery snow” (Old Norse). A real Icelandic name — gorgeous and weather-specific.
– **Hreggvid** (Hreggviðr) — “Storm wood” (Old Norse). For the storm-and-forest pairing.

Eyvind

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Island wanderer”
• Popularity: Rare

A common medieval name with a built-in story.

– **Solbjorg** (Solbjørg) — “Sun rescue” (Old Norse). Two of the most evocative Norse roots in one name.

Sigfast

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Firm victory”
• Popularity: Rare

Old-fashioned but solid.

Vebjorn

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Sacred bear”
• Popularity: Rare

A deep-cut name combining sanctity and strength.

Asbjorn

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Divine bear”
• Popularity: Rare

Less rare than Vebjorn, equally striking.

Torbjorn

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Thor’s bear”
• Popularity: Rare

Thor + bear — peak Norse compound naming.

Aslak

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Divine play”
• Popularity: Rare

A medieval Norwegian name with a softer edge.

Vidkun

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Wise” or “experienced”
• Popularity: Rare

Compact and steady.

Eldgrim

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Fire mask”
• Popularity: Rare

For the dramatic.

– **Solveig** — Listed earlier — also fits here as “sun path.”

Skarp

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Sharp”
• Popularity: Rare

A standalone name and a common prefix.

Hugleik

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Mind play”
• Popularity: Rare

Quirky, gentle, distinct.

Geir

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Spear”
• Popularity: Rare

One of the most common Norse name roots — small and pointed.

Geirmund

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Spear protection”
• Popularity: Rare

Sturdy and saga-ready.

Vigdis

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “War goddess”
• Popularity: Rare

Worn by a former president of Iceland — fierce and elegant.

Lesser-Known Giants, Dwarves, and Spirits

The Norse cosmos was crowded with jotnar (giants), dvergar (dwarves), and other beings. Many of their names are surprisingly beautiful, and almost all are vanishingly rare.

– **Aegir** (Ægir) — “Sea” (Old Norse). The giant lord of the ocean — a real Scandinavian name today.
– **Ran** (Rán) — “Robbery” (Old Norse). Aegir’s wife, who drags sailors into the depths — striking and short.

Sindri

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Sparkle”
• Popularity: Rare

One of the dwarves who forged Thor’s hammer — a real Icelandic name.

– **Brokk** (Brokkr) — “Badger” or “trotter” (Old Norse). Sindri’s brother — quirky and rugged.

Eitri

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Poison”
• Popularity: Rare

A master dwarf-smith — atmospheric, not for everyone.

Andvari

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Careful one”
• Popularity: Rare

The dwarf whose cursed ring inspired Wagner’s Ring cycle.

Dvalinn

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Dormant”
• Popularity: Rare

One of the four stags of Yggdrasil and a famed dwarf.

Durinn

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Sleepy”
• Popularity: Rare

A dwarf-king, and a name Tolkien borrowed wholesale.

Nori

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Tiny”
• Popularity: #1013

Listed in the *Dvergatal* (the catalog of dwarves) — and yes, in Tolkien too.

Ori

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “The furious one”
• Popularity: #1564

Another *Dvergatal* dwarf, popular in fantasy circles.

Dori

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Borer”
• Popularity: #8554

Same lineage — tiny, sturdy, Tolkien-adjacent.

Bombur

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “The fat one”
• Popularity: Rare

A real dwarf name, if you can get past the meaning.

Thorin

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Daring one”
• Popularity: #1361

A *Dvergatal* dwarf made famous as Tolkien’s king under the mountain.

Fjalar

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Hider”
• Popularity: Rare

A dwarf who, with his brother, killed Kvasir to make the mead of poetry.

Galar

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Screamer”
• Popularity: Rare

Fjalar’s brother — the rougher of the pair.

– **Surt** (Surtr) — “Black” (Old Norse). The fire giant who will burn the world at Ragnarok — heavy, but undeniably striking.

Hrungnir

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Brawler”
• Popularity: Rare

A famous giant Thor killed in a duel — saga deep cut.

– **Thjazi** (Þjazi) — “The eagle” (Old Norse). The giant who stole Idun’s apples.
– **Thrym** (Þrymr) — “Crash” (Old Norse). The giant who stole Thor’s hammer.
– **Vafthrudnir** (Vafþrúðnir) — “Mighty in riddles” (Old Norse). The wisest giant — try to top that as a baby name.

Bestla

• Origin: Old Norse, disputed
• Meaning: “Wife” or “bark”
• Popularity: Rare

Odin’s mother — feminine, fierce, ancient.

– **Angrboda** (Angrboða) — “She who brings grief” (Old Norse). Loki’s giantess wife and mother of Hel, Fenrir, and Jormungandr — for the dark-magic-leaning.

Sigyn

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Victorious girlfriend”
• Popularity: Rare

Loki’s faithful wife — softer, devoted, beautiful.

– **Jord** (Jörð) — “Earth” (Old Norse). Thor’s mother — three letters, one planet.

Laufey

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Leafy island”
• Popularity: Rare

Loki’s mother — soft and arboreal.

Farbauti

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Cruel striker”
• Popularity: Rare

Loki’s father — heavy meaning, distinctive sound.

– **Hrym** (Hrímnir) — “Frost-covered” (Old Norse). A frost giant — cold and clean.

Hyrrokkin

• Origin: Old Norse
• Meaning: “Withered by fire”
• Popularity: Rare

The giantess who launched Baldr’s funeral ship.

– **Skirnir** (Skírnir) — “Shining one” (Old Norse). Freyr’s messenger — luminous and rare.
– **Lif** (Líf) — “Life” (Old Norse). One of the two human survivors of Ragnarok — small and hopeful.
– **Lifthrasir** (Lífþrasir) — “Life’s lover” or “thriving in life” (Old Norse). Lif’s partner — together they repopulate the world.

How to Choose a Name From This List

Start by reading the names out loud, ideally in the same breath as your last name. Norse names range from one syllable to four, and they pair with surnames very differently — Bo Anderson lands like a stone in a pond; Sigrun Anderson lands like a saga title. Both are valid. You’re picking the texture you want next to your family name for the next ninety years.

Watch out for the dragon-and-wolf trap. Norse mythology is dense with monsters, and a name like Fenrir or Surt is unforgettable in the sagas — but it also describes a being whose primary function is “ends the world.” If the meaning is important to you, look it up properly. If only the sound matters, that’s fine too — but at least know what your kid will discover when they Google themselves at age twelve.

Consider what level of explanation you’re up for. Astrid and Bjorn require zero context in 2026. Sigrid and Magnus require a one-liner. Brynhild, Hervor, and Skadi will earn you a five-minute conversation roughly once a month for the rest of your child’s life. Lifthrasir will earn you a conversation every single time.

If you love a name but the spelling looks impossible, check whether there’s an Anglicized version that keeps the sound. Balder for Baldr. Idun for Iðunn. Sigurd for Sigurðr. The Anglicized forms are more accessible for English-speaking teachers, doctors, and DMV employees — and they’re still authentically Norse, just slightly polished.

And finally — don’t feel obligated to pick the deepest cut just because you found it. There’s a reason names like Freya and Astrid have stuck around for a thousand years. Wearability is a feature, not a compromise.

Name Art for Your Favorite

Love a name from this list? MinimalistMama offers custom Name Art prints — personalized, minimalist nursery art with the name you choose, designed to match your aesthetic. A perfect gift for baby showers or to hang above the crib.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Norse mythology names actually used today in Scandinavia?

Yes — and far more than most English speakers realize. Names like Thor, Freya, Astrid, Ingrid, Sigrid, Bjorn, Magnus, and Liv are all in active use across Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. Iceland in particular still uses many saga-era names that died out elsewhere, including Sigrun, Hjordis, and Yrsa. The Eddic and saga literature has stayed close to the surface of Scandinavian culture for a thousand years.

Is it weird to name my child Loki, Hela, or Thor?

It depends on where you live and how much Marvel exposure your social circle has. Thor is so widely used (and so old) that it carries its mythological weight more than its MCU weight. Loki is more polarizing — it’s a real name with real history, but it also reads as a deliberate pop-culture reference in 2026. Hela is rarer and more obviously associated with the films. None of these are wrong choices, but be ready for the comments.

What’s the difference between Old Norse, Old Icelandic, and modern Scandinavian forms of a name?

Old Norse is the umbrella term for the language spoken across the Viking world from roughly 700 to 1300 AD. Old Icelandic is the dialect preserved most fully in the sagas, which is why most “original” spellings come from there. Modern Icelandic, Norwegian, Swedish, and Danish have each evolved the names slightly differently — Sigurðr in Old Norse becomes Sigurd in Norwegian, Sigurður in Icelandic, and sometimes Siegfried in German. They’re all the same name, just dressed for different centuries.

How do you actually pronounce names like Sigrid, Brynhild, or Skadi?

Approximately: Sigrid is “SIG-rid” (hard g), Brynhild is “BRIN-hild,” and Skadi is “SKAH-dee” (closer to “Skathi” with the ð sound in Old Norse). The Old Norse letters Þ (thorn) and ð (eth) both make a “th” sound — Þórr is roughly “Thor” and Iðunn is roughly “Ith-unn.” If you’re committing to a deep-cut name, listen to a native Icelandic speaker on Forvo — the audio will save you from a lifetime of mispronunciation.

Are valkyrie names appropriate for a baby girl, given they were essentially battlefield spirits?

Yes — and historically, they were used. Valkyrie names like Hilda, Brynhild, Sigrun, and Gunnhild were given to noblewomen across the Viking world precisely because they evoked strength, decisiveness, and protection. The “chooser of the slain” job description is part of the mythology, but the names themselves were always understood as honorific. Modern parents tend to love them for the same reason: they sound powerful without sounding aggressive.

Can I use a Norse name if I’m not Scandinavian?

Norse mythology and Norse names are not closed cultural practices — they’re widely used and shared across the world today, and have been for centuries (Tolkien borrowed half of *The Hobbit*’s dwarf names from the *Dvergatal*). The main thing is to use them thoughtfully: learn the meaning, learn the pronunciation, and avoid names with explicitly negative connotations (Surt, Fenrir, Nidhogg) unless that’s truly what you want. Beyond that, names like Astrid, Freya, Bjorn, and Magnus belong to whoever loves them.

What are the most “wearable” Norse names for the US in 2026?

For girls: Freya, Astrid, Ingrid, Liv, Saga, Runa, Sigrid, Tove, Embla, Eira. For boys: Thor, Magnus, Erik, Leif, Bjorn, Bo, Soren, Ivar, Sven, Arne. These all pronounce intuitively in English, carry no major monster-or-trickster baggage, and have current usage in Scandinavia — so your child’s name will age with them rather than feeling like a costume.

Final Thoughts

A thousand years ago, somebody in a longhouse in Iceland was naming a baby Sigrid or Bjorn or Astrid — and somewhere, today, somebody just did it again. That’s the strange and lovely thing about Norse names: they’re some of the oldest names still in continuous use anywhere in the world. Whichever one you pick, you’re picking a name that’s already been worn well, by people who took naming seriously. Trust your ear. Trust your gut. And if you find yourself coming back to one name across three different scrolls of this list — that’s probably the one.

Read next;

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✨ Love these names? Create free printable nursery art for any name →