First names are essential to our identity, even if we don’t realize it. They tell us where we come from and what others think of us.
And how we see ourselves as members of our societies. The Vikings had their naming conventions, so it’s worth looking at how they were assigned, why they chose specific names for their children and the meanings behind them.
Hopefully, by the end of this article, you’ll know the most famous Viking boy names. And what do they mean?
1. Aren
Aren is one of the most accessible Viking boy names to adopt if you’re in the Western world because it sounds very similar to Aaron.
The title reflects royalty and strength, which sometimes means “Eagle,” too.
2. Harald
Harald is the old Norse version of the name Harold. It is Made up of the terms Valder (leader) and Har (Army).
Essentially, the term means the leader of a mighty army or group. Harald peaked in popularity in Norway.
Thanks to Harald, the King of Norway, who took the throne in 1991.
3. Bjorn
If you’re familiar with Swedish history and pop culture, then you probably know the name Bjorn already.
This is the name of the guitarist from ABBA. Bjorn is one of the most common Viking boy names for men today, meaning “Bear.”
It began to gain more popularity again in the 2010s, with plenty of people rediscovering the name.
4. Birger
This name comes from an Old Norse word for “to help.
5. Andor
In Norse, this name means “Thor’s eagle.
6. Ake
Ake is a Swedish and Viking name from the word “ancestor .” Usually, this name pays homage to an essential forebear in the family and may be a way to show respect to your ancestors. The term “Ake” sometimes converts to “Aki,” too.
7. Asger
Asger is composed of the Old Norse elements for “god” and “spear.”
8. Egil
This fierce Scandinavian name translates to “edge of a sword.
9. Njal
This rare Norse name means “champion.
10. Asmund
This Nordic name means “God is my protector.”
11. Havelock
Havelock is a bit of an odd name for Viking boy names. It translates to “sea competition.”
So this means that this name often appeared to describe children whose families were connected to the sea through exploration and fishing.
12. Dusty
Dusty is an informal version of the quickly anglicized Norse name Dustin. It means “brave warrior.”
13. Kol
A little creepy compared to some of the other Viking boy names we’ve covered. Kol often references the dark.
However, the term can also mean “victory of the people” or victory through dark times. Kol also has the common spelling variations of Kole and Cole.
So you may have seen it in different forms around the world.
14. Torsten
Torsten is an offshoot of the Norse name Thurston. It means “Thor’s stone.”
15. Frode
This popular Norse name means “clever, wise.” It is pronounced similarly to The Lord of the Rings’ Frodo.
16. Kettil
Ketil comes from the Old Norse word for “kettle, cauldron.”
17. Toke
This masculine Danish name means “mad, raging.”
18. Elof
Elof means “sole heir.” This Norse name is perfect for an only child.
19. Gustav
One of the more powerful Viking boy names on this list. Gustav or Gustaf is a male name that’s Swedish and Viking in descent.
This name means the Goths, Geats, or weapons of the Gods.
Also, it’s a title common enough today that you’ve probably heard of it before now. But it’s more common in Nordic countries.
20. Bo
Interestingly, the name Bo doesn’t come from a traditional Viking forename so much as a nickname, which meant “to live.”
This nickname referenced people who got the most out of life, or it could be a reference to someone who stayed in one place throughout their lives rather than traveling and exploring.
The name became popular again in the early 2000s, with the rise of people like Bo Burnam and Bo Jackson.
21. Garth
This humbling Old Norse name means “enclosed yard.
22. Sune
Sune is among traditional Viking boy names meaning “son.”
23. Heirleif
Heirleif is derived from the Old Norse word for “descendent, heir.”
24. Ulf
In the Viking age, many people named their sons Ulf. It translates to “wolf.”
25. Leif
This an appealing option for those interested in Nordic male names. Leif is a title and one of the Viking boy names that usually means heir or successor.
Moreover, this title has been around for some time, both in the US and in history books.
Because of Leif Ericson, who some people believe discovered America before Christopher Columbus.
26. Thor
Thor is probably the best-known of all the Viking boy names – for a good reason.
He was coming from the Norse term “Thunder .”Thor was the god of strength, storms, and thunder and was the son of Odin.
Similarly, this mighty name has been gaining more popularity in recent years due to its presence in popular culture.
27. Hagen
This charming Danish name means “protected place.”
28. Oliver
This is probably a name you haven’t always associated with the Vikings and is usually derived from words like Olivier and Olaf.
Oliver is a common title that means descendant or warrior of the elves.
More so, the title is still trendy around the world today. However, most people aren’t familiar with its Scandinavian roots.
29. Einar
Einar is an Old Norse name that means “one who fights on his own .”This fierce moniker is perfect for the little warrior in your life.
30. Alva
Alva is an offshoot of the typical Norwegian name Halvar. It means “flat stone.”
31. Sven
Sven is a well-known Danish name. It means “young warrior.”
32. Soren
Coming from Danish origin, with Old Norse heritage, Soren usually means severe or stern.
Soren is pretty standard in Scandinavia, a title that’s often gentler than you’d expect. But it doesn’t have a massive base in the Western world yet.
33. Gunne
Gunne is a derivative of the Old Norse Gunnar. The name translates to “brave warrior.”
34. Erik
Perhaps the name with the most sovereignty on this list, Erik, stands for “eternal ruler .”We see more than the standard “Eric” in other parts of the world.
About history, this Viking spelling describes a Viking explorer with tremendous bravery and strength.
The name often harks back to renowned Viking leader Erik the Red.
35. Erland
Erland is one of the most elegant Viking boy names, with various meanings and origins.
Most people believe that the name Erland comes from “Erland, ” meaning foreigner.
However, Proto-Norse words could indicate that “Erland” also stands for importance. And dedication.
36. Finn
Finn usually means white or fair and was often used in Viking boy names. To refer to someone with light skin and hair.
Finn is also more popular in the Western world, where it has various spellings, including Fynn.
37. Hackett
Hackett is a rare European name with Nordic roots. It means “little hewer of the woods.”
38. Gunnar
This ragged Old Norse name means “soldier.”
39. Odin
Odin was the father of the Norse gods and ruler of war and wisdom. This impressive Scandinavian name is a bold and beautiful choice for any baby boy.
40. Jari
Jari means “God will rise.”
41. Troels
The Viking name means “Thor’s arrow.
42. Bragi
In Norse mythology, Bragi is the god of poetry.
43. Freyr
Freyr is part of the important Viking boy names. It means “lord.”
44. Sigurd
Sigurd is commonly used throughout Norway. It translates to “guardian of victory.”
45. Rune
Rune is an Old Norse word meaning secret.
46. Ingolf
This name translates to “Ing’s wolf.”
47. Egill
Egil stems from ancient Scandinavia. It means “awe, terror.”
48. Dag
Dag is a Norwegian name and one of the Viking boy names that mean “day.” Some lucrative alternatives with the same meaning include Dagf, Dagr, and Dagur.
49. Baggi
This ancient Scandinavian name means “bag.”
50. Sten
In the Viking age, it was considered one of the Viking boy names. Many men went by the name Sten. It translates to “stone.”
51. Ask
Ask was the first man created by the Norse gods. He and his wife, Embla, are the Norse equivalents to Adam and Eve. Ask means “ash tree.”
52. Brokkr
Brokkr means “badger.”
53. Fenrir
Fenrir means “marsh fern.”
54. Roar
This intense Viking moniker means “fame” and “spear.”
55. Alvis
Alvis comes from the Old Norse word for “all-wise.” Alvis is also a character from Norse mythology. He is the dwarf that marries Thor’s daughter.
56. Loki
Loki is a name that most people already feel familiar with due to the Marvel movies. And plenty of great literature.
The term for the god of mischief and destruction in Norse, Loki, refers to a trickster.
But it’s part of popular Viking boy names worldwide, particularly now that it’s so common in pop culture.
57. Osmond
The Scandinavian name means “God’s protection.”
58. Elvis
This well-known Norse name was made famous by singer Elvis Presley.
59. Kåre
Kåre is a Viking name that’s ideal for any curly-haired babe.
60. Njal
This is one of the rugged Viking boy names. It means “giant.”
61. Thorsen
Thorsen is a more formal-sounding alternative to Thor.
62. Holmes
The Nordic name means both “island” and “low-lying place.”
63. Vernon
Vernon is a surname from the Gaul word for “alder trees.”
64. Freyre
Name your kiddo after the Norse god of weather.
65. Welch
Welch is also a part of the Viking Boy names. It means “foreign.”
66. Aric
Aric is an exciting variant of Erik. It’s a simple and common name with rich Norse roots.
67. Bosse
This casual offshoot of the name Bo would be perfect for any modern babe. It means “to live.”
68. Brant
Brant is an Old Norse surname that doubles as a masculine given name.
69. Beckett
Beckett is a typical English surname with Norse roots. It means “brook” or “stream.”
70. Skarde
This is another one of the rugged Viking boy names meaning “one with a cleft chin.”
71. Alf
This name is derived from the Old Norse word for “elf.”
72. Begbie
Begbie is a place name derived from the Old Norse word for “farm, settlement.”
73. Arnfinn
This lovely Norse name comes from the elements “eagle” and “person from Finland.” It could easily be shortened to Finn or Arni.
74. Balder
Balder is the immortal son of the Norse gods Odin and Frigg. He is said to reside between heaven and earth.
75. Midgard
In Norse mythology, Midgard is the name of the place where humans reside.
76. Vale
Vale was the son of Odin.
77. Vidar
This nature-inspired Scandinavian name means “Forest battler.”
78. Halfdan
This intriguing Scandinavian name is among Viking boy names meaning “half Dane.”
79. Canute
Canute is an anglicized version of the Scandinavian name Knut. It means “knot.”
80. Darby
The name is derived from the Old Norse words for “deer” and “settlement.”
81. Colborn
Colborn means “cold stream.”
82. Kory
Kory is a Norse variant of the Norse name Kori. Its meaning is unknown.
83. Ove
This ancient Scandinavian name and one of the Viking boy names means “brave.”
84. Manning
Manning is derived from the Old Norse word for “bravery.”
85. Aghi
Aghi is the Old Norse form of the Scandinavian name Ove. It means “terror at the edge of a sword.”
86. Magni
This name means “mighty” in Old Norse. Magni was the name of one of Thor’s sons.
87. Magnus
Magnus is a Latin name that gained popularity in Norway after the reign of King Magnus I.
88. Hemdall
Hemdall was a shiny, white god and son of Odin.
89. Olaf
This Old Norse name means “ancestor’s descendant.” It’s among excellent Viking boy names with ancestral roots in Norway.
