Authentic Old Norse/Viking girl names often relate to strength, nature, the gods, or beauty. Here are several examples based on historical records and sagas:
These powerful Viking female warriors names include Brynhildr, Gunnr, Herfjötur, Alruna and Gondul. Other names originate from female Viking goddess names. For example, lots of modern Nordic names are inspired by goddess names like Freyja, Idun, Frigg, Skadi, Sif, and Hel.
The names of Odin, Ulfur and Hydyr are visible. In the Viking Age many boys were named after the god Thor, like Toke and Thorsten. Animal names were also popular. It was not unusual to meet Vikings with names like Orm (Serpent), Ulf (Wolf) and Bjørn (Bear).
10 Norse Goddesses You Need to Know
Lagertha. Lagertha, according to legend, was a Viking ruler and shield-maiden from what is now Norway, and the onetime wife of the famous Viking Ragnar Lodbrok. Her tale was recorded by the chronicler Saxo in the 12th century.
Rare Norse boys names from Norway
Unmatched in skill or bravery, Lagertha was instrumental in the defeat of Frø. In awe of her prowess, bravery, and courage, Ragnar found himself entirely enamoured with Largertha. While he wished to make her his wife, she seemed far less interested in marriage.
Thurid. Thurid, also spelled Turid, is another name connected to the god Thor. It combines the name of the god with the Old Norse word fridr, meaning "beautiful."
1. Erik the Red. Erik the Red, also known as Erik the Great, is a figure who embodies the Vikings' bloodthirsty reputation more completely than most. Named Erik the Red due to the colour of his hair, Erik ended up founding Greenland, but that was only after he'd been banished from Iceland for murdering several men.
Viking Names and Their Meanings Viking names carried power and destiny — every child was given a name that reflected the family's hopes, the gods they trusted, or the battles they had survived. Female • Astrid – Divine strength • Freya – Goddess of love • Ingrid – Ing's beauty • Hilda – The fighter • Sigrid – ...
You can also look to the past for rarely used classics: There are Biblical options, like Zipporah, and mythological names, like Hera or Megara. Classic literature offers a treasure trove of beautiful, powerful and interesting names that are still uncommon, from Dulcinea to Rosalind.
Freyja was the daughter of Njörðr, and was Odin's concubine. Odin deeply loved Freyja, and she was "the fairest of woman of that day". Freyja had a beautiful bower, and when the door was shut no one could enter without Freyja's permission.
Brenda. From Old Norse, this girls' name comes from the name Brandr, meaning “fire,” “torch,” and “sword.”
Fierce Girl Names and Meanings
Marcella - This is a Latin name meaning “God of war”. Marcia - This is a Latin name meaning “martial”, “warlike”, or “brave”. Matilda - A German name meaning “battle maiden”, “strength”, and “strong in war”. Heddy - An Old English name meaning “hidden weapon”.
Lagertha. Thanks to Saxo Grammaticus' Gesta Danorum, we know of a legendary female Viking known as either Lagertha or Ladgerda. This incredible woman was part of a larger group of female warriors who volunteered to help renowned hero Ragnar Lothbrok avenge his grandfather's death.
Fierce Girl Names That Mean Warrior
Popular: Alexa, Brielle, Carla, Matilda, Sandra. Unique: Adira, Bellatrix, Malin, Olesia, Zelma. Biblical: Deborah, Jael, Lydia, Priscilla, Ruth. Mythological: Aife, Artemis, Athena, Diana, Enyo.
Scandinavia holds the highest percentage of Viking ancestry, with Sweden leading at up to 75% descent. In Denmark and Norway, about half the population traces back to Norse explorers, while Iceland boasts 65-85% Viking heritage. The Viking legacy lives on!
Freyja, (Old Norse: “Lady”), most renowned of the Norse goddesses, who was the sister and female counterpart of Freyr and was in charge of love, fertility, battle, and death. Her father was Njörd, the sea god.
Skål—pronounced skoal—is more than just “cheers.” In Scandinavian culture, it's a time-honored toast rooted in respect and shared joy. Whether raised in Denmark, Norway, or Sweden, a glass paired with a heartfelt “Skål!” carries centuries of meaning.
While the Vikings as a group are gone, their descendants live across Scandinavia and Europe. Some communities in Norway and Sweden maintain Viking heritage through re-enactments and reconstructed villages.
So, it's not surprising to learn that the name Brfxxccxxmnpcccclllmmnprxvclmnckssqlbb11116 was not approved. In 1996, a Swedish family chose this unusual, 43-character name for their son – to be pronounced, Albin – in protest after they were fined for not registering his name before his fifth birthday.