Old Norse names offer a fascinating glimpse into the language, mythology, culture, and history of medieval Scandinavia. Used across areas that included parts of modern Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Iceland, and the wider Norse world, these names often connect to gods, warriors, animals, nature, family, strength, protection, and legendary figures.

If you’re searching for Viking names, Norse names, ancient Scandinavian names, Old Norse baby names, Norse mythology names, Viking girl names, Viking boy names, or rare Nordic names, this guide brings together hundreds of ideas.

Familiar choices such as Erik, Leif, Freyja, Astrid, Sigrid, and Harald have strong Scandinavian associations, while less familiar options such as Eir, Gudrun, Brynhildr, Hjalmar, Skadi, and Eysteinn offer a more ancient feel.

You can also explore names connected with Norse gods and goddesses, legendary warriors, animals, nature, royalty, mythology, Viking history, and Old Norse literature.

Historical note: Old Norse was a historical North Germanic language. Modern Scandinavian names do not always have exactly the same forms or spellings as their medieval counterparts, so this guide includes both historically attested forms and familiar Scandinavian forms commonly associated with the Norse tradition.

Old Norse Names for Boys

These masculine choices range from famous Viking-era names to less common names associated with Scandinavian history and literature.

• Agnar
• Alfar
• Alfgeirr
• Alrik
• Anund
• Arnfinn
• Arngeirr
• Arni
• Asbjorn
• Asgeirr
• Atli
• Audun
• Bardi
• Bardr
• Bergthor
• Bjarni
• Bjorn
• Brandr
• Brynjar
• Eilif
• Einar
• Eirikr
• Eysteinn
• Finnr
• Floki
• Freyr
• Frosti
• Geirmundr
• Gisli
• Gormr
• Gunnar
• Gunnarr
• Gunther
• Halfdan
• Hallvardr
• Harald
• Hakon
• Helgi
• Hjalmar
• Hrafn
• Ingvar
• Ivar
• Ketill
• Knutr
• Leifr
• Magnus
• Njal
• Ragnar
• Ragnarr
• Sigurd

These Viking boy names work especially well for historical characters, fantasy warriors, Scandinavian-inspired stories, and families looking for a distinctive Nordic heritage choice.

Old Norse Names for Girls

Many feminine choices from the Norse tradition have connections with mythology, family, beauty, protection, victory, and nature.

• Aesa
• Asta
• Astrid
• Aud
• Audhild
• Bergljot
• Bergthora
• Birgit
• Bodil
• Brynhildr
• Dagny
• Edda
• Eir
• Freyja
• Frida
• Freydis
• Geirdis
• Gerd
• Gudrun
• Gunnhildr
• Gunvor
• Halla
• Hallbera
• Hallfrid
• Helga
• Hildr
• Hlif
• Ingibjorg
• Ingigerd
• Ingrid
• Ingeborg
• Jorunn
• Jorid
• Kari
• Katla
• Ragnhildr
• Rannveig
• Sigrid
• Sigrun
• Signy
• Sif
• Skadi
• Solveig
• Thora
• Thordis
• Thyra
• Torhild
• Unnr
• Valgerd
• Vigdis

These Norse girl names can suit babies, fictional heroines, historical characters, fantasy stories, and anyone drawn to ancient Scandinavian culture.

Viking Names

The term “Viking” describes people associated with Viking activity rather than a single naming system. Still, many names from medieval Scandinavian sources are strongly associated with the Viking Age.

• Ragnar
• Rollo
• Bjorn
• Erik
• Leif
• Ivar
• Harald
• Hakon
• Halfdan
• Sigurd
• Einar
• Gunnar
• Floki
• Knut
• Olaf
• Sven
• Canute
• Thorkell
• Torsten
• Styrbjorn
• Ulf
• Hjalmar
• Arne
• Bjarni
• Gudbrand
• Ingvar
• Ketil
• Magnus
• Njal
• Odd
• Orm
• Ragnvald
• Roar
• Skarde
• Toki
• Trygve
• Ulfar
• Vagn
• Vidar
• Asbjorn
• Audun
• Eysteinn
• Geirmund
• Gorm
• Hallvard
• Ingolf
• Stein
• Thorvald
• Torbjorn
• Torgrim

For female characters, options such as Freyja, Astrid, Sigrid, Gudrun, Ragnhildr, Freydis, Gunnhildr, Sigrun, Signy, and Thora create a strong Viking-era atmosphere.

Norse Mythology Names

Norse mythology provides some of the most recognizable names in the Scandinavian tradition. These choices are particularly useful for mythology enthusiasts, fantasy writers, and character creators.

• Odin
• Thor
• Freyr
• Freyja
• Frigg
• Baldr
• Loki
• Tyr
• Heimdallr
• Hodr
• Vidar
• Vali
• Bragi
• Forseti
• Njord
• Ullr
• Aegir
• Ran
• Sif
• Skadi
• Idunn
• Hel
• Nanna
• Gefjon
• Eir
• Syn
• Fulla
• Gna
• Sol
• Mani
• Jord
• Ymir
• Buri
• Bor
• Bestla
• Angrboda
• Fenrir
• Jormungandr
• Sleipnir
• Huginn
• Muninn
• Ratatoskr
• Audumbla
• Nidhogg
• Gullveig
• Sigyn
• Laufey
• Mimir
• Kvasir
• Ask

Some of these are deities, giants, mythical creatures, legendary beings, or mythological figures rather than conventional human names. That makes them especially interesting for fictional naming.

Strong Norse Names

If you want a name that sounds bold, powerful, or warrior-like, these options have a particularly strong Scandinavian character.

• Thor
• Odin
• Tyr
• Vidar
• Vali
• Freyr
• Bjorn
• Gunnar
• Ragnar
• Sigurd
• Harald
• Hakon
• Einar
• Ivar
• Halfdan
• Ragnvald
• Torsten
• Torbjorn
• Thorvald
• Thorkell
• Styrbjorn
• Brynjar
• Brandr
• Hjalmar
• Hallvard
• Geirmund
• Ingvar
• Ulf
• Arnfinn
• Asbjorn
• Eysteinn
• Erikr
• Ketill
• Knutr
• Leifr
• Magnus
• Olaf
• Sven
• Trygve
• Vidkun
• Stein
• Sten
• Orm
• Odd
• Vagn
• Toki
• Skarde
• Gudbrand
• Arne
• Hrafn

For feminine options with a similarly powerful feel, consider Sigrid, Sigrun, Brynhildr, Ragnhildr, Gunnhildr, Freydis, Skadi, Thora, Torhild, and Vigdis.

Rare Old Norse Names

If you want something less familiar, these names can provide a more unusual historical or mythological feeling.

• Alfgeirr
• Arngeirr
• Audun
• Bardi
• Bergljot
• Bergthora
• Eilif
• Eysteinn
• Freydis
• Geirmundr
• Gudbrand
• Hallbera
• Hallfrid
• Hallvardr
• Ingigerd
• Jorunn
• Jorid
• Katla
• Rannveig
• Ragnvald
• Ragnhildr
• Skarde
• Signy
• Solveig
• Thordis
• Torhild
• Unnr
• Valgerd
• Vigdis
• Asdis
• Aslaug
• Astrid
• Audhild
• Brynhildr
• Dagny
• Eir
• Eydis
• Geirdis
• Gunvor
• Hlif
• Ingibjorg
• Ingunn
• Oddny
• Ragnfrid
• Sigrun
• Thora
• Thurid
• Ulfhild
• Yngvild
• Yrsa

Rare historical choices can be especially useful when you want to avoid modern names that appear frequently on baby-name lists.

Norse Names Inspired by Animals

Animals played an important role in Norse mythology, symbolism, storytelling, and everyday Scandinavian culture.

• Bjorn
• Ulf
• Hrafn
• Arn
• Orn
• Ulfr
• Bjarki
• Hauk
• Haukr
• Falk
• Svan
• Varg
• Fenrir
• Sleipnir
• Geri
• Freki
• Huginn
• Muninn
• Nidhogg
• Jormungandr
• Ratatoskr
• Fenja
• Menja
• Audumbla
• Gullinbursti
• Hildisvini
• Heidrun
• Skinfaxi
• Hrimfaxi
• Gulltoppr
• Arvakr
• Alsvidr
• Fafnir
• Nari
• Narfi
• Jotunn
• Skoll
• Hati
• Garmr
• Grani
• Svadilfari
• Saehrimnir
• Eikthyrnir
• Vedrfolnir
• Hrungnir
• Fafnir
• Gullin
• Varg
• Bjarki
• Hrafn

For a pet, gaming character, or fantasy creature, animal-inspired Nordic names can create a particularly memorable identity.

Norse Names Inspired by Nature

The Scandinavian landscape of mountains, forests, snow, rivers, oceans, and winter strongly complements the Norse naming tradition.

• Bjorn
• Hrafn
• Ulf
• Eir
• Skadi
• Sol
• Mani
• Jord
• Frosti
• Stein
• Berg
• Fjall
• Dalr
• Vindr
• Stormr
• Eldr
• Is
• Snjor
• Snaer
• Aska
• Fonn
• Skog
• Lund
• Haugr
• Holmr
• Nes
• Vik
• Fjord
• Straumr
• Foss
• Vatn
• Hav
• Sjo
• Sandr
• Ey
• Osk
• Lind
• Ask
• Eik
• Bjork
• Fura
• Runa
• Solrun
• Sigrun
• Dagny
• Dag
• Nott
• Mani
• Sol
• Vind

Some of these are ordinary Old Norse words or nature concepts rather than established personal names, so they work particularly well as fantasy names, usernames, character names, and creative naming ideas.

Old Norse Names for Warriors

Warrior-inspired choices can give a character an imposing Viking-era identity.

• Ragnar
• Sigurd
• Gunnar
• Einar
• Bjorn
• Ivar
• Harald
• Hakon
• Halfdan
• Ragnvald
• Styrbjorn
• Brynjar
• Torsten
• Thorkell
• Thorvald
• Torbjorn
• Hjalmar
• Hallvard
• Geirmund
• Ingvar
• Ulf
• Arnfinn
• Asbjorn
• Brandr
• Eirikr
• Erikr
• Gormr
• Gudbrand
• Ketill
• Knutr
• Leifr
• Olaf
• Orm
• Odd
• Roar
• Stein
• Sven
• Toki
• Trygve
• Vagn
• Vidar
• Tyr
• Thor
• Odin
• Freyr
• Vidkun
• Skarde
• Ulfar
• Arne
• Audun

Norse Names for Girls Inspired by Mythology

These feminine choices are especially suitable for stories, fantasy characters, mythology projects, or families interested in ancient Scandinavian traditions.

• Freyja
• Frigg
• Sif
• Skadi
• Idunn
• Eir
• Hel
• Nanna
• Ran
• Gefjon
• Fulla
• Gna
• Syn
• Sol
• Jord
• Angrboda
• Sigyn
• Gullveig
• Brynhildr
• Gudrun
• Ragnhildr
• Sigrun
• Signy
• Freydis
• Aslaug
• Astrid
• Sigrid
• Solveig
• Thora
• Thordis
• Torhild
• Vigdis
• Gunnhildr
• Gunvor
• Hallfrid
• Bergljot
• Bergthora
• Audhild
• Eydis
• Geirdis
• Ingigerd
• Ingibjorg
• Jorunn
• Jorid
• Rannveig
• Valgerd
• Unnr
• Yngvild
• Asdis
• Katla

Norse Names for Boys Inspired by Mythology

For male characters, mythology offers gods, legendary figures, and names connected with the wider Norse literary tradition.

• Odin
• Thor
• Tyr
• Freyr
• Baldr
• Loki
• Vidar
• Vali
• Bragi
• Forseti
• Njord
• Ullr
• Heimdallr
• Hodr
• Mimir
• Ymir
• Buri
• Bor
• Ask
• Kvasir
• Odin
• Thor
• Freyr
• Vidar
• Vali
• Baldr
• Tyr
• Bragi
• Forseti
• Njord
• Ullr
• Heimdallr
• Hodr
• Mimir
• Yngvi
• Sigurd
• Ragnar
• Beowulf
• Starkad
• Wayland
• Volundr
• Gunnar
• Helgi
• Njal
• Egill
• Grettir
• Gisli
• Hrolfr
• Eirikr
• Leifr

Viking Royal & Noble Names

Scandinavian history includes kings, rulers, jarls, legendary leaders, and dynastic figures whose names remain recognizable today.

• Harald
• Hakon
• Ragnar
• Sigurd
• Olaf
• Erik
• Eirikr
• Sven
• Knut
• Canute
• Magnus
• Haakon
• Halfdan
• Ragnvald
• Gormr
• Ivar
• Bjorn
• Eysteinn
• Anund
• Inge
• Stenkil
• Sverre
• Sigurd
• Hakon
• Olaf
• Erik
• Harald
• Magnus
• Valdemar
• Birger
• Karl
• Gustaf
• Christian
• Frederik
• Olof
• Emund
• Edmund
• Ingvar
• Ingjald
• Yngvi
• Frodi
• Hrolfr
• Rollo
• Godfred
• Horik
• Hemming
• Sigtrygg
• Svein
• Thorkell
• Ulf

Old Norse Names for Fantasy Characters

Norse-inspired naming works particularly well for fantasy because the language and mythology already evoke warriors, gods, dragons, giants, magic, and legendary kingdoms.

Male Fantasy Names

• Ragnar
• Bjorn
• Eirikr
• Hakon
• Sigurd
• Gunnar
• Ivar
• Brynjar
• Hjalmar
• Ragnvald
• Torsten
• Thorvald
• Geirmund
• Asbjorn
• Hallvard
• Ingvar
• Ulf
• Hrafn
• Eysteinn
• Gudbrand
• Ketill
• Knutr
• Leifr
• Orm
• Odd

Female Fantasy Names

• Freyja
• Sigrun
• Astrid
• Gudrun
• Brynhildr
• Ragnhildr
• Freydis
• Skadi
• Eir
• Sigrid
• Signy
• Solveig
• Aslaug
• Thora
• Gunnhildr
• Vigdis
• Rannveig
• Jorunn
• Eydis
• Valgerd
• Audhild
• Bergljot
• Ingibjorg
• Hallfrid
• Yngvild

Old Norse Names With Strong Meanings

If the meaning matters as much as the sound, consider the themes behind these traditional choices. Exact historical interpretations can vary by source and linguistic reconstruction.

NameCommonly Associated MeaningBjornBearUlfWolfHrafnRavenEinarOne warrior / lone warriorGunnarWarrior or battle-associated nameSigurdVictory + protectionHaraldArmy + rulerHakonHigh son / noble lineageLeifrHeir or descendantFreyrLordFreyjaLadyAstridDivine beauty / divine strengthSigridBeautiful victorySigrunVictory runeGudrunGod + rune/secrecyBrynhildrArmor + battleEirMercy / protection-associated goddessSkadiName of a giantess/goddessVidarA mythological godThorThunder-associated deityOdinChief god in Norse mythologyTyrGod associated with war and justiceBaldrMythological godFriggNorse goddessIdunnGoddess associated with youth and applesRagnhildrCounsel + battleGunnhildrBattle + battleThoraFeminine form associated with ThorEirlysNot Old Norse; a later Welsh nameSolveigLater Scandinavian name with debated interpretation

Short Norse Names

Short names are easy to pronounce and can work particularly well for babies, usernames, fictional characters, and pets.

• Thor
• Odin
• Tyr
• Ulf
• Arn
• Ask
• Odd
• Orm
• Leif
• Erik
• Ivar
• Sven
• Knut
• Olaf
• Bjorn
• Arne
• Njal
• Frey
• Eir
• Sif
• Hel
• Ran
• Sol
• Dag
• Liv
• Aud
• Edda
• Gerd
• Gna
• Ymir
• Vali
• Loki
• Freyr
• Njord
• Hakon
• Roar
• Stein
• Gorm
• Hrafn
• Berg
• Skadi
• Sigrid
• Astrid
• Frida
• Asta
• Thora
• Signy
• Eydis
• Yrsa
• Katla

Rare Scandinavian Names

If you want a broader Nordic feeling rather than strictly medieval Old Norse forms, these Scandinavian choices offer additional inspiration.

• Aase
• Asta
• Astrid
• Birgit
• Dagny
• Edda
• Frida
• Freja
• Ingrid
• Ingeborg
• Liv
• Sigrid
• Solveig
• Thyra
• Tora
• Ylva
• Yrsa
• Ebba
• Alva
• Elin
• Linnea
• Maja
• Saga
• Tuva
• Ronja
• Signe
• Runa
• Selma
• Stina
• Tove
• Arvid
• Axel
• Bjorn
• Erik
• Gustav
• Henrik
• Leif
• Nils
• Oskar
• Sven
• Stellan
• Stig
• Tage
• Tor
• Torsten
• Valdemar
• Viggo
• Einar
• Soren
• Anders

How to Choose an Old Norse Name

Choosing a historical Scandinavian name becomes easier when you decide what kind of feeling you want.

• For strength: Try Thor, Tyr, Bjorn, Gunnar, Sigurd, or Ragnar.
• For mythology: Consider Odin, Freyja, Loki, Sif, Skadi, or Baldr.
• For nature: Explore Bjorn, Ulf, Hrafn, Sol, Ask, or Eik.
• For a warrior: Look at Einar, Hjalmar, Brynjar, Ragnvald, or Brynhildr.
• For a girl: Consider Astrid, Sigrid, Freyja, Gudrun, or Sigrun.
• For a boy: Try Leif, Erik, Ivar, Harald, Hakon, or Einar.
• For a rare choice: Explore Eysteinn, Audun, Rannveig, Valgerd, or Geirdis.
• For fantasy: Combine historical inspiration with mythology, such as Ragnar, Skadi, Hrafn, or Brynhildr.
• Check pronunciation: Historical spellings can look very different from modern Scandinavian forms.
• Research the source: If historical accuracy matters, verify whether the form is actually Old Norse, Old Danish, Old Swedish, Old Icelandic, or a later Scandinavian form.

FAQs About Old Norse Names

What are some famous Old Norse names?

Familiar examples include Ragnar, Bjorn, Erik, Leif, Ivar, Harald, Sigurd, Freyja, Astrid, Sigrid, Gudrun, and Brynhildr.

What are popular Viking boy names?

Strong choices include Ragnar, Bjorn, Erik, Ivar, Leif, Harald, Hakon, Gunnar, Sigurd, Einar, and Halfdan.

What are popular Viking girl names?

Consider Freyja, Astrid, Sigrid, Gudrun, Freydis, Ragnhildr, Sigrun, Brynhildr, Solveig, and Thora.

What is the strongest Norse name?

There isn’t one objectively strongest choice. Names such as Thor, Tyr, Sigurd, Ragnar, Bjorn, and Brynjar have strong warrior or mythological associations.

What are rare Norse names?

Less familiar options include Alfgeirr, Arngeirr, Audun, Eysteinn, Geirmundr, Rannveig, Valgerd, Geirdis, Hallfrid, and Yngvild.

What are Norse mythology names?

Important mythological names include Odin, Thor, Freyja, Freyr, Frigg, Tyr, Loki, Baldr, Sif, Skadi, Idunn, Heimdallr, Njord, and Hel.

What Norse names mean wolf?

Ulf and Ulfr are associated with the Old Norse word for wolf. Fenrir is the famous monstrous wolf of Norse mythology rather than a conventional historical personal name.

What Norse names mean bear?

Bjorn comes from the Old Norse word associated with a bear and became a common personal name in Scandinavia.

What are good Norse names for a baby?

For girls, Astrid, Freyja, Sigrid, Gudrun, and Solveig are attractive choices. For boys, Leif, Erik, Bjorn, Ivar, and Einar offer a Scandinavian feel.

What are good Norse names for fantasy characters?

For male characters, try Ragnar, Sigurd, Hrafn, Brynjar, Hakon, or Ragnvald. For female characters, consider Skadi, Freyja, Brynhildr, Sigrun, Gudrun, or Ragnhildr.

Are Viking names the same as Old Norse names?

Not exactly. Old Norse refers to a historical North Germanic language and its dialects, while “Viking” refers to people involved in Viking activity. Many Viking-era personal names were recorded in Old Norse, but the terms are not interchangeable.

Are Norse names Scandinavian?

Yes. Old Norse developed in Scandinavia and became the ancestor of modern North Germanic languages, particularly Icelandic and Faroese, while also influencing the development of the other Scandinavian languages.

What are Old Norse names associated with nature?

Examples include Bjorn for bear, Ulf/Ulfr for wolf, Hrafn for raven, Sol for sun, Mani for moon, Frosti for frost, and Stein for stone.

Conclusion

Old Norse names offer much more than a Viking aesthetic. They reflect a rich Scandinavian tradition shaped by mythology, family, warfare, nature, royalty, storytelling, and ancient language. Whether you’re choosing a baby name, creating a fictional warrior, developing a fantasy world, researching genealogy, or simply exploring Norse history, these names provide plenty of inspiration.

For a strong masculine choice, names such as Bjorn, Ragnar, Sigurd, Einar, Harald, and Hakon stand out. For feminine options, Freyja, Astrid, Sigrid, Gudrun, Sigrun, and Brynhildr offer distinctive historical and mythological connections. If you want something unusual, explore Eysteinn, Rannveig, Geirdis, Alfgeirr, or Valgerd.

The most important step is to decide whether you want historical accuracy, mythological symbolism, a modern Scandinavian sound, or a fantasy-inspired atmosphere. Once you know that, finding the right name becomes much easier.