Bergthora as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Bergthora

What is the meaning of the name Bergthora ?

The baby name Bergthora is a Female name , 3 syllables long and is pronounced /ˈbɛrɡˌθoːra/ (approx. BERG-THOR-ah; 'th' as in 'thin').

Bergthora is Icelandic, Norse in Origin.

Bergthora is the Anglicized form of Icelandic Bergþóra (also written Bergthóra), from Old Norse berg “rock, mountain” + Þóra, a feminine name related to the thunder-god Þórr (Thor). The compound conveys the sense of “rock‑strong Þóra” or “Thor’s mountain,” evoking steadfastness and protection.

Attested in medieval Icelandic literature, it is most famously borne by Bergþóra Skarphéðinsdóttir in Njáls saga (13th‑century), a figure noted for courage and loyalty. The name persists in modern Iceland under traditional spelling, while abroad it appears as Bergthora without diacritics. Spelling variants include Bergþóra and Bergthóra; related given names are Þóra, Thora, and Tora. Usage outside Iceland is rare but recognizable to readers of the sagas and to Nordic‑name enthusiasts. In Old Norse poetry, berg also evokes cliffs and strongholds, reinforcing the name’s sturdy imagery.