Are you looking for a strong Norse name for your baby girl? Are you having a little Shieldmaiden? Below is a list of Norse names from the Viking sagas and Norse mythology, with their meanings and connections to surviving people and stories.
Don’t forget that Viking men had the habit of taking the name of their father as their last name, therefore Freydis, the daughter of Erik, was Freydis Eriksdottir.
Aslaug
Aslaug means “god betrothed,” and it is the name of the daughter of the hero Sigurd and the Valkyrie Brynhild, who went on to marry Ragnar Lodbrok.
Astrid
Astrid means “divine strength.” It was the name of a Norwegian noblewoman who marries Ragnvald the Old and started a Swedish royal dynasty.
Brynhild
Brynhil means “bright battle,” and she is one of the most famous Valkyries in parge part thanks to her role in Wagner’s operas. She is punished by Odin for helping the wrong side to win in a battle and is cursed to marry a mortal man. She says that she will only marry the man capable of finding her in a dangerous mountain retreat.
Freydis
Freydis means “Freyja’s woman” and is famously the name of one of the daughters of Erik the Red. She travelled to the New World and scared a group of natives by fighting bare-chested while eight months pregnant.
Gunnhild
Gunnhild means “war battle.” According to the Icelandic sagas, she was the wife of Erik Bloodaxe, known as “mother of kings.” She is described as a witch and a very capable practitioner of Seidr magic.
Hildur
Hildur is another Valkyrie, whose name means “battle.” She reportedly had the power to revive the dead on the battlefield so that they could continue fighting.
Ingrid
Indrid means “beautiful goddess.” Several important members of the Swedish royal family in the 12th century were named Ingrid.
Lagertha
Lagertha means “shieldmaiden” or “protector of the law” in Old Norse. It was the name of a famous shieldmaiden who assisted Ragnar Lodbrok in several victories and was also his wife for a time. She later ruled as a Jarl in her own right.
Revna
Revna means “raven,” a bird that was sacred to Odin. He was accompanied by two ravens, Huginn (thought) and Muninn (memory, and it was a good omen to see ravens circling the battlefield.
Sigrun
Sigrun means “victory rune.” She is a princess promised to a man that she does not want to marry, and she puts a curse on the man after he kills her brother. After death, she comes back as a Valkyrie.
Thora
Thora means “of Thor,” and was the name of one of the wives of Ragnar Lodbrok. She owned a small dragon, which grew and encircled her tower. Ragnar had to defeat the dragon to win her hand.
Ylva
Ylva means “she wolf.” Wolves were considered powerful forces of nature by the Vikings, worthy of respect. The giantess Angrboda was considered the mother of wolves.
Divine Girl Names
Or maybe you want to name your daughter after one of the gods?
| Bestla (bark) | Mother of Odin |
| Eir (protection/mercy) | One of the Valkyrie |
| Freyja (lady) | Norse goddess of love and beauty |
| Frigg (beloved) | Wife of Odin and the matron goddess |
| Fulla (bountiful) | One of the handmaidens of Frigg who knew all her secrets |
| Gefjon (giving one) | The goddess who ploughed through Sweden to create Zealand |
| Gersemi (treasure/jewel) | One of the beautiful daughters of Freyja |
| Gullveig (gold intoxication) | The Vanir witch who almost singlehandedly took down the Aesir gods and came back to life three times |
| Hlin (protector/refuge) | Handmaiden of Frigg sent out as her protector |
| Hnoss (jewel/treasure) | Another daughter of Freyja |
| Idun (ever young/rejuvenator) | The goddess who cares for the fruits of Asgard that grant eternal youth |
| Nanna (daring/brave) | The wife of Balder, who sacrificed herself on her husband’s funeral pyre |
| Nerthus (vigorous) | The wife of Njord and an ancient Germanic goddess |
| Saga (story) | A drinking companion of Odin and a powerful clairvoyant |
| Sif (wife) | The wife of Thor with golden hair |
| Sigyn (victorious girlfriend) | The Aesir wife of Loki, who stays by his side during his imprisonment and torment |
| Skadi (harm/shadow) | Skadi was a giantess who came to Asgard to avenge the death of her father and later married Njord and joined the gods |
| Snotra (clever/wise) | Goddess of wisdom and prudence |
| Sol (sun) | The sun goddess who drives the sun chariot across the sky |
| Syn (refusal/denial) | Guards the doors of Freyja’s hall, Sessrumnir |
| Thrud (strength) | The daughter of Thor and Sif, who attracts the affections of the dwarf Alviss |
Other Ideas
Here are a few other names inspired by words in the Old Norse language and less common Norse names.
- Alva- elf
- Ama – eagle
- Arna – eagle
- Ase – a god
- Audr – wealth or fate
- Bara – wave or billow
- Bera – she-bear
- Brenna – sword or to burn
- Edda – rich
- Eldrid – fiery beauty
- Embla – elm tree (equivalent of Eve)
- Erica – mighty ruler
- Eydis – good fortune
- Frida – peaceful ruler
- Gertrud – spear strength
- Gyda – divine
- Halla – foundation stone
- Helga – blessed
- Hervor – army host
- Hilda – battle
- Inga – hero’s daughter
- Kelda – spring or fountain
- Kolga – cold wave
- Liv – protection or shelter
- Meya – beloved
- Noma – fate
- Olia – blessed
- Ragnhild – battle counsel
- Roskva – active
- Runa – secret or whisper
- Sassa – divine beauty
- Sigrid – victory bringer
- Siri – fair victory
- Solveig – strong house
- Sylvi – sun strength
- Thyr – helpful or Thor’s fight
- Torvi – goddess of thunder
- Ulrika – wealthy ruler
- Unn – she who is loved
- Verdandi – fate in the present
- Vigdis – war goddess
- Vivica – little woman or of the strong fortress
- Ylva – she-wolf
- Yrsa – she-bear
Find the Perfect Mjolnir Pendant
The Vikings wore Mjolnir pendants as symbols of divine protection, as Thor protected the people of Asgard and Midgard with his mighty hammer, Mjolnir. Have you thought about getting a Mjolnir pendant for your little one? Here are some of our top picks from the VKNG collection. These are all inspired by genuine Mjolnir pendants found during archaeological excavations.
