Scandinavian names...

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-30-2005
Scandinavian names...
13
Mon, 11-14-2005 - 5:08pm

We are trying to add a few names to our list and any help would be greatly appreciated. We are looking for boy and girl names since we do not know which we will need.
We like unusual names for the U.S.A. Grandparents speak Norwegian so we have to balance that with the English version.

boys mn could be Olaf or Per (both family names)
as for girls we are a bit stuck, mn could be Nissa (this is on our fn list at this time)

Thank you for your response. This is my first post to your board. I really enjoy reading the posts on this board.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 12-16-2004
Mon, 11-14-2005 - 6:29pm

I'm Swedish so I someting about Norweigain names:


Sören isn't pronounced

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-14-2005
Mon, 11-14-2005 - 7:58pm

When I was pregnant I wanted to name our kid Kjell. It's pronounced cu (like cup) gel (the j sounds almost like and sh, or like jete if you ever took ballet or speak French.)

I also liked Elling until my mother pointed out that people might think the name was Ellen.
I think they both work for either sex. I like them for girls but they are traditionally boy names I believe. Good Luck!

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-11-2005
Mon, 11-14-2005 - 9:49pm

I like Anders a LOT for a boy. It is the Scandinovian form of Andrew meaning manly and courageous.

GIRLS
Birgitta- Scandinavian "strong, spirited"
Kirsten- Scandinavian "follower of Christ"
Mia- Scandinavian "star of the sea"

BOYS
Thore- Scandinavian

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-27-2005
Tue, 11-15-2005 - 2:21am

Scandinavian names that are both uncommon and fairly easily pronounced in North America:

Boys:

Aksel, Axel - Danish form of Hebrew Absalom, meaning 'the father is peace'
Amund - Old Norse meaning 'awe' or 'edge' and 'protector'
Andor - Old Norse meaning 'Thor's eagle'
Annar (AN-nar) - Character in Norse mythology, means 'the second'
Arne (ARN-eh) - 'eagle'
Bernt - short form of Bernard, from Old High German meaning 'bold as a bear'
Bertil - Scandinavian from Germanic element meaning 'bright, famous'
Birger (beer-ger) - Swedish from Old Norse probably meaning 'to help'
Björn - Swedish from Old Norse meaning 'bear'
Christer, Krister, Risto - Scandinavian forms of Christian
Dellinger (dell-ING-er) - A character in Norse mythology, from Old Norse meaning 'dayspring'
Eilif (EYE-lif) - Norwegian meaning 'always alive' or 'immortal'
Einar (EYE-nar) - Old Norse meaning 'lone warrior' or 'one army'
Erlend (ERR-len, ERR-lend) - Old Norse meaning 'stranger'
Eskel, Eskil - Old Norse meaning 'God' and 'cauldron'
Eyvind (I-vin) - Old Norse meaning 'island of the Wend', a Slavic people
Frode (fro-deh) - Old Norse meaning 'wise, learned'
Garth - Old Norse meaning 'yard'
Göran, Jöran, Örjan - Swedish forms of George, Greek meaning 'farmer'
Gjord (yord) - Swedish from Old Norse meaning 'god of peace'
Gustav, Gustaf - Old Norse meaning 'staff of the Goths'
Haldor - Old Norse meaning 'Thor's rock'
Halfdan - Old Norse meaning 'half Danish'
Halsten - Swedish from Old Norse meaning 'rock-stone'
Halvard - Old Norse meaning 'guardian of the rock'
Hamund - From Norse mythology, meaning unknown
Heimdall (HIME-dahl) - Old Norse, from Norse mythology, meaning 'the white god', a son of Odin
Ingmar - Old Norse 'famous Ing' (a fertility god)
Ingvar - Old Norse 'Ing the warrior' (a fertility god)
Ivar (EE-vahr) - Old Norse meaning 'archers, bow warriors'
Jarl (yarl) - From Norse mythology, means 'nobleman'
Jesper - Danish form of Caspar or Gaspar, the name attached to one of the three wise men in the Nativity story in the 11th century
Kai, Kaj (kye) - Popular name of uncertain origin
Kalevi, Kelevi - Finnish, meaning 'hero'
Kennet (KANE-net) - Scanidavian form of Scottish Gaelic Kenneth, meaning 'handsome'
Klemens - Danish and Swedish form of Clement, from Latin meaning 'gentle, merciful'
Knut (k-NOOT) - Old Norse meaning 'knot', the name of a Danish king
Lars - Popular Scandinavian form of Laurence, meaning 'man from Laurentum'
Leif (layf) - From Old Norse meaning 'what is left, to leave' but often associated with Germanic word for 'love' and taken to mean 'beloved'
Lif (leef) - Old Norse meaning 'life'
Lorens, Laurens - Another Scandinavian form of Laurence
Magnus - Borrowed directly from Latin meaning 'great', born by many kings of Norway and Sweden. Becoming more frequent, though not yet really popular, in Britain and North America
Niels - Danish form of Nicholas, from Greek meaning 'victory of the people'
Njord (nyord) - Old Norse meaning 'north'
Olaf - From Old Norse name Anlaff, meaning 'ancestor's relic'
Ragnvald (RAGN-valt) - Old Norse meaning 'powerful judgement'
Regin (REE-ghin) - Old Norse meaning 'advice, judgement', a character from mythology
Roald (RO-ahl) - Norwegian meaning 'famous ruler'
Rurik (ROO-rik) - Scandinavian form of Roderick, from Old High German meaning 'famous ruler'
Sören (SORE-un) - Danish, possibly derived from Latin Severinus, meaning 'apart'
Stian (stee-an) - Old Norse meaning 'wanderer'
Sveinn, Sven, Svend - Old Norse meaning 'strong youth'
Swain (svane) - Old Viking name meaning 'strong, wise'
Tait, Teit (tite, tate) - Old Norse meaning 'cheerful'
Taneli - Finnish, meaning 'god is my judge'
Thorstein, Thorsten, Torsten - Danish and Swedish from Old Norse meaning 'Thor's stone'
Torkel, Torkil, Thorkel (Anglicized Torquil) - Swedish and Danish from Old Norse meaning 'Thor's cauldron'
Tyr (tir) - Oldest deity in Norse mythology, believed to mean 'sky father' or 'shining one'
Ulf - Old Norse meaning 'wolf'
Valdemar - From and Old German name meaning 'famous ruler', the name of four Danish kings
Vidar (vee-dahr) - Old Norse mythological name, meaning uncertain
Von - Old Norse meaning 'hope'

Girls:

Abelone (ah-beh-LO-neh) - Danish form of Greek Apollonia, from the sun god Apollo
Agata, Agda - Swedish forms of Agatha, Greek meaning 'kind, good'
Agna, Angeta - Swedish forms of Anges, Greek meaning 'pure, sacred'
Amma - A character in Norse mythology, means 'grandmother'
Anitra - Coined by Norwegian playwright for his work 'Peer Gynt'
Annfrid (AHN-freed, AHN-frid) - Norwegian meaning 'beautiful eagle'
Audny - Old Norse meaning 'prosperity'
Bente (BEN-teh) - Danish short form of Benedicta, from Latin meaning 'blessed'
Birgit, Berit, Birgitta, Britta - Scandinavian forms of Irish Gaelic Brighid, meaning 'strength'
Bodil, Botilda - Primarily Danish from Old Norse meaning 'compensation for battle'
Dagmar - Danish meaning 'day maid' or 'spendid day'
Dagna, Dagny - Old Norse meaning 'new day'
Disa (deesa) - Latinized from Old Norse meaning 'goddess'
Ebba - Borrowed from German, meaning 'strong as a wild boar'
Einmyria (ine-mee-ree-ah) and Eisa (EYE-sah) - Daughters of Loki in Norse mythology
Eira (EYE-rah) - Goddess of medicine in Norse mythology
Fenia, Fenja (FEN-ee-ah, FEEN-ee-ah) - A giantess in Norse mythology
Freya (frey-ah) - The primary fertility goddess in Norse mythology, means 'lady, mistress'. Becoming trendy in Britain, this name is still quite rare in North America
Fulla - A fertility goddess in Norse mythology
Gala - Scandinavian name derived from Old French via Middle Dutch, meaning 'enjoyment' or 'wealth'
Gersemi (geer-see-me) - A beautiful daughter of Freya and Od in Norse mythology, meaning 'jewel, treasure'
Gunilla, Gunnhild - Old Norse meaning 'battle maid'
Hansine - Danish feminine diminutive form of Hans, ultimately a form of John, meaning 'God is gracious' in Hebrew
Hedvig, Hedda - Scandinavian and pet forms of Germanic Hedwig, meaning 'strife'
Helsa - A Danish form of Elizabeth, Hebrew meaning 'consecrated to God'
Hillevi (hil-lee-vee) - Danish from Germanic meaning 'safe in battle'
Hjördis (hyor-dis) - Old Norse meaning 'goddess of the sword'
Hlín (hleen) - Ancient name from Norse mythology, meaning unknown
Hulda - 18th-century Swedish, meaning 'sweet, lovable'
Idony - Goddess of spring and immortality in Norse mythology, probably meaning 'again', a popular medieval name
Jannike (YAHN-nee-keh) - Scandinavian diminutive of French Jeanne, ultimately a feminine form of John, meaning 'God is gracious' in Hebrew
Járnsaxa (YAHRN-sax-ah) - A giantess in Norse mythology, meaning unknown
Jensine (YEN-see-neh, YEN-seen) - Feminine form of Jens, a Scandinavian form of John meaning 'God is gracious' in Hebrew
Kajsa, Kaysa - Swedish pet forms of Katherine, arguably meaning 'pure' in Greek
Kelda, Kilde - Old Norse meaning 'a spring'
Laufeia (lau-fee-eh) - A giantess in Norse mythology, mother of Loki, means 'leafy island'
Lidwina - From the male Germanic name Lidwin meaning 'friend of the people', a saint's name
Linnéa - After the famous Swedish botanist Karl von Linné (Carolus Linnaeus)
Liv - Old Norse meaning 'life'
Lovisa, Lovise - Scandinavian forms of Louise, from Germanic meaning 'famous in battle'
Lusa - Finnish form of Elizabeth, meaning 'consecrated to God' in Hebrew
Malene - Danish form of Magdalene, from Greek meaning 'from Magdala'
Marna - Swedish form of Marina, from Latin meaning 'of the sea'
Menia (mehn-yah) - A giantess in Norse mythology, meaning unknown
Mielikki - Finnish meaning 'pleasing'
Nilsine - Swedish feminine form of Nils, ultimately a form of Nicholas, from Greek meaning 'victory of the people'
Oddveig (ODD-vay) - Viking name meaning 'spear woman'
Ovia - Danish, meaning unknown
Petrine - A feminine pet form of the Scandinavian form of Peter, meaning 'stone' in Greek
Pia - Scandinavian name from Latin 'pious, affectionate'
Ragna (RAH-nah) - Old Norse meaning 'advice'
Ranveig (RON-vay) - Norwegian meaning 'woman of the house'
Rinda (reen-dah) - Third wife of Odin in Norse mythology, meaning unknown
Sanna (SAH-nah) - A short form of Susanna, meaning 'lily' in Hebrew, it has come to be associated with the Scandinavian word sann meaning 'true'
Signy, Signe - Old Norse meaning 'new victory'
Sigrid - Old Norse meaning 'beautiful victory'
Silja (SIL-yah) - Finnish form of Cecilia, from Latin meaning 'blind'
Sjöfn (syoh-fn) - Old Norse meaning 'love'
Solveig (SOL-vay) - Norwegian meaning 'house of strength'
Sunniva - Scandinavian form of an Old English name meaning 'gift of the sun', a saint's name
Svanni - A character in Norse mythology, means 'slender'
Svea - A 19th-century Swedish patriotic name
Thora, Tora - Feminine form of Thor, meaning 'thunder', the Norse god of strength and thunder. Like Freya, Thora is growing more common in Britain
Tilda, Tilde - Danish diminutives of Matilda, from German meaning 'battle might'
Tordis (TOR-dees) - Old Norse meaning 'Thor's goddess'
Tova, Tofa - Swedish from Old Norse meaning 'beautiful Thor'
Ulla - From Old Norse meaning 'determination'
Vára - A figure in Norse mythology, meaning unknown

My faves: Boys: Amund, Erlend, Eyvind, Gustav, Halstan, Halvard, Jesper, Kai, Lorens, Niels, Stian, Torsten, and especially Sören; Girls: Eira, Gersemi, Hansine, Helsa, Hillevi, Idony, Jensine, Kelda, Liv, Lovisa, Nilsine, Signe, Silja, Solveig, Sunniva and Tilda.

Hope that helps, Good Luck!

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-16-2005
Tue, 11-15-2005 - 8:27am

I love the name Nissa! :) :)

Lizzie

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-13-2005
Tue, 11-15-2005 - 10:38am

oooh, fun- Scandinavian names are so neat. Nissa's cute!

Boys
Dag (Dag Olaf?)
Knut (K'noot)
Leif (the only Leif I know pronounces it 'life')
Karl
Otto
Halvdan
Roald (though Roald Dahl possibly owns this one in the English-speaking world...)
Harald (nn Harry? Hal?)
Eirik, Erik
Henrik
Jorgen (the o is crossed and it's pronounced YIR-gen)
Gunnar
Rasmus
Haakon
Johan (YO-han)
Joakim

Girls-
Astrid (one of my favourites, nn Asta?)
Sigrid (nn Siri?)
Ingrid (another favourite..., Inga's a cute nn)
Tora/Thora
Freya, Freja (fairly popular in UK, seen a few here recently)
Viola
Tekla/Tecla/Thekla
Hedda
Alva
Ulla
Klara
Erika
Henrika (nn Rika?)
Dagmar
Dagny, Dagne
Signy, Signe
Karen, Karin
Elin, Helena, etc
Susanna nn Sanna, or just Sanna, Sanne
Annelie, Anneli
Greta, Grethe, Marit, Meta, Margareta, Margrethe
Liv
Sunniva (just came across this...it's awesome! nn Sunny, Niv, Niva? not sure whether the i is 'ih' or 'ee' or 'eye,'- any help anyone?)

Nissa Elin, Nissa Dagmar, Nissa Karin, Nissa Sigrid?
Dag Olaf, Erik Per, Rasmus Per, Gunnar Olaf?

Just in my head my favourites are Dag, Gunnar, Rasmus, Jorgen and Johan for the boys and
Astrid, Freya/Freja, Sanna/Sanne, Marit and Sunniva for the girls.

Hope that helps :P
-Si

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-16-2004
Tue, 11-15-2005 - 12:17pm

Sorry but

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-27-2005
Tue, 11-15-2005 - 2:31pm

Wow! I've been studying names for many years, but Scandinavian ones are not my specialty and obviously I don't speak any of the languages. The sources I consulted are usually pretty reliable (print sources, not behindthename.com, perhaps I should have checked them there), but I guess not so much in this case. I think I'll actually write in your comments next to the entries in my books. They are appreciated, and I'm not offended.

That said, it is very common for there to be a gap between the meanings and pronunucaitions of names in their countries of origin versus North America. This is frequently true with the Gaelic and Welsh names I know quite well. Caitlin in Irish Gaelic is a diminutive of Catherine and was once Anglicized as Kathleen. The 'correct' pronunciation is far more like Kathleen than like kate-lynn, but that is the way it is pronounced (together with many variations) as one of the most popular names in North America. If someone today wanted to name their daughter Kathleen and spell in Caitlin, it simply wouldn't work here, even though that would be linguistically accurate.

Similarly, many of the earliest 'Irish' names to be used by Irish-American parents, particularly in the 1970s and 1980s, were not common in Ireland at all. Shannon is the name of a river, Erin of course derives from the Gaelic name for Ireland, Eire, and Colleen means 'girl' and was used as a word, but not a name. Interestlingly, though, after being taken up as 'Irish' names by North American parents, many of these names began to be used more frequently in Ireland itself.

Another example is the Welsh Rhiannon, which according to many American sources means 'witch'. This is nonsense, the Welsh root word Rhian means 'maiden', but the character of Rhiannon from Welsh mythology is sometimes characterized as a witch (other times as a princess or goddess). And, like many other names from Welsh and Gaelic mythology, it was rarely used as a name for real people until the middle of the 20th century. It sounds as if this is true for a number of the Scandinavian names I listed as well, as you commented. Yet, many mythological names from Wales and Ireland were taken up by North American parents to honour their ancestry, and again, are now more commonly used in the British Isles as well. Also, most mythological names have meaning in more than one way, for example, if a character was goddess of peace but her name actually means, say, 'gentle' or 'quiet', many sources will give the meaning as 'peace'. This may not be linguistically accurate, but is not unreasonable if that is the overwhelming association people have.

My point is this: For North American parents, choosing a name to honour their heritage doesn't necessarily mean choosing a name currently in use in the country of their ancestors. It may mean choosing an otherwise or formerly obsolete mythological name, a vocabulary word with a positive meaning and pleasant sound in English, the name of a place in that country, or the name of a famous historical figure or literary character from that country, even if the name originated elsewhere. There is a difference, in other words, between choosing a Scandinavian name and choosing a name with ties to Scandinavia. Parents, however, should definitely make that choice knowingly, and the information you provided is invaluable in that respect. It would be unfortunate if parents thought they were choosing an authentic Scandinavian name when in fact it has only ever been used for a mythological character. However, if they fall in love with a mythological name and understand that it's not really given to Scandinavian babies, it can still be thought of as a way to honour their heritage. Many of the names you commented upon may not be a good idea for parents living in Scandinavia (or those who regularly travel there), but they may work in North America, as long as the parents are aware of the positive and negative aspects before they decide.

Either way, I would suggest that parents considering a name from another language and culture do take on a little first-hand research. They should ask for opinions on pronunciation, meaning and connotation from relatives or friends in that country, if possible, from other North Americans with that heritage, and from general North American friends as well. It's possible that Danish-Americans may tend to pronounce something differently from Danes in Denmark, that a negative connotation in Sweden is unknown to Swedish-Americans, or that the general North American population simply cannot pronounce a name that looks straightforward if you speak Norwegian. If a name is chosen for its meaning, regardless of the language, it should always be checked in multiple sources. And when considering a mythological or literary name, I think parents should always read the work in question, be it the Norse Eddas, the Kalevala, or Pippi Longstocking, to have a sense of the character who will be the child's namesake.




Edited 11/15/2005 2:39 pm ET by josiedove
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-16-2004
Tue, 11-15-2005 - 3:55pm

I Most get sad about that people doesn't understand that Ö, Ä:Å is real letters here and Örjan for example is hard to pronounced if you don't know how to pronounced Ö.


In Sweden we still sue a lot Viking names but there some that should be buried, Snorre was good name but today a well know slang worded for

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-15-2005
Tue, 11-15-2005 - 6:12pm
For a girls name I like Solvei (Solveig). It's normally spelled with a silent "g", but when my parents named me they did decide to drop the "g". (Pronounced Solvay). Means "way of the sun"

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