Discover and Shortlist Your Perfect Baby Names!
Old Norse names are rooted in Viking history and mythology, reflecting strength, bravery, and connection to the natural world. Names like Thor (thunder) and Sigrid (victory) carry meanings tied to Norse gods and legendary sagas. These names preserve the spirit of Scandinavian heritage and ancient traditions.
| Name | Meaning | Origins | Gender | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adalsten | Adalsten: rare masculine name meaning "noble stone" from Old Norse. | Old Norse | Boy | |
| Aegileif | Aegileif: Scandinavian name meaning "lucky heir," rooted in Viking culture. | Old Norse, Scandinavian | Unisex | |
| Aegir | Aegir: Norse sea god name symbolizing strength, ocean, and brewing. | Old Norse, Scandinavian | Boy | |
| Agda | Agda: Scandinavian name meaning "good," popular for strong women. | Greek, Old Norse, Scandinavian | Girl | |
| Aksell | Aksell: Scandinavian name meaning "father of peace," variant of Axel. | Old Norse, Scandinavian | Unisex | |
| Alf | Alf, an Old Norse name meaning "elf," is rare today. | Old Norse | Boy | |
| Alfarin | Alfarin means "elf warrior," symbolizing strength, courage, and nature. | Old Norse | Boy | |
| Alfarinn | Alfarinn: Unique Old Norse name meaning "elf eagle," predominantly Icelandic. | Old Norse | Boy | |
| Alfhilda | Alfhilda: Unique Old Norse name meaning "elf battle," female heritage. | Old Norse | Girl | |
| Allis | Allis: Scandinavian name meaning "elf battle," popular for girls. | Old Norse | Unisex | |
| Almida | Almida: Unique female name meaning "ambitious" with Viking roots. | Old Norse | Girl | |
| Alse | Alse: Unique name meaning "elf victory," rooted in Old Norse. | Old Norse | Unisex | |
| Alvhild | Alvhild means "elf battle," originating from Old Norse roots. | Old Norse, Scandinavian | Girl | |
| Alwis | Alwis: rare Old Norse name meaning "all wise," associated with males. | Old Norse | Boy | |
| Ambur | Ambur: Unique name meaning "amber," associated with creativity and kindness. | Old Norse | Unisex | |
| Anbjarn | Anbjarn: Unique Old Norse name meaning "bear" and "eagle." | Old Norse | Boy | |
| Andvaranaut | Andvaranaut: Unique Norse name meaning "careful one" and "ship." | Old Norse | Unisex | |
| Angerboda | Angerboda means "bringer of grief," associated with Norse mythology. | Old Norse, Scandinavian | Girl | |
| Angerbotha | Angerbotha: Unique Norse name meaning "bringer of grief and sorrow." | Old Norse, Scandinavian | Girl | |
| Anglesey | Anglesey: Welsh island name, derived from Old Norse, meaning "hook island." | Old Norse | Unisex | |
| Ankerita | Ankerita: Unique female name meaning "written anchor" with Viking roots. | Old Norse | Girl | |
| Annar | Annar: Unique Norse name meaning "second man," unisex but masculine. | Old Norse, Scandinavian | Unisex | |
| Annore | Annore: a rare name meaning "graceful honor" with Norse roots. | Old Norse | Girl | |
| Ansgarius | Ansgarius: Rare Old Norse name meaning "spear of the gods." | Old Norse | Boy | |
| Anskar | Anskar: Rare Old Norse name meaning "God's helmet" or protection. | Old Norse | Boy | |
| Arla | Arla: Unique feminine name meaning "eagle," symbolizing strength and courage. | Old Norse | Girl | |
| Arn | Arn is a rare, strong name meaning "eagle" in Norse. | Old Norse | Boy | |
| Arnthor | Arnthor: Rare masculine name meaning "eagle of Thor" in Norse. | Old Norse | Boy | |
| Arvakl | Arvakl: Unique Norse name meaning "early wakeful," linked to mythology. | Old Norse, Scandinavian | Unisex | |
| Arve | Arve means "eagle" in Old Norse; Scandinavian origin, nature-related. | Old Norse, Scandinavian | Boy |
Old Norse refers to the ancient language of the Norse people. It was spoken in Scandinavia during the Viking Age and has since evolved into the modern Scandinavian languages. Old Norse is a North Germanic language that has left a significant historical and literary legacy.
The Old Norse language was predominantly spoken from the 8th to the 14th century. It was the language of the Vikings and was used in their sagas, eddas, and runes. After the 14th century, it began to develop into the various Scandinavian languages we know today.
Old Norse was originally used in Scandinavia and the regions influenced by the Vikings. This includes present-day Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, and parts of the British Isles and Greenland. The language spread with Viking exploration and trade.
Old Norse is not spoken as a living language today. It is studied as a historical language by scholars and enthusiasts. However, its descendant languages, such as Icelandic, retain many features of Old Norse.
Old Norse had a significant influence on the English language, especially during the Viking Age. Many English words, particularly those related to governance and daily life, have Old Norse roots. The impact is most evident in dialects of English spoken in areas of Viking settlement, like the North of England.
Famous literary works written in Old Norse include the Poetic Edda and the Prose Edda, as well as numerous sagas like the Saga of the Volsungs. These texts are crucial sources for understanding Norse mythology and Viking history. They were composed in Iceland during the 12th to 14th centuries and have been preserved in medieval manuscripts.
Yes, it is possible to learn Old Norse today through various academic and online resources. Universities with strong programs in medieval studies often offer courses in Old Norse. Additionally, there are textbooks, online courses, and language groups dedicated to the study of Old Norse.
Old Norse is the direct ancestor of the modern Scandinavian languages, including Icelandic, Faroese, Norwegian, Danish, and Swedish. While Icelandic and Faroese have retained many features of Old Norse, Norwegian, Danish, and Swedish have diverged more significantly. The mutual intelligibility between these languages and Old Norse varies accordingly.
In Iceland, Old Norse, often referred to as Old Icelandic, is part of the national curriculum. Icelandic students learn about the language and its literature as part of their cultural heritage. In other Scandinavian countries, Old Norse may be offered in higher education rather than in compulsory schooling.
The runic alphabet associated with Old Norse is called the Younger Futhark. It was used for writing in Scandinavia during the Viking Age and is a reduced form of the earlier Elder Futhark. Runes were used for inscriptions on stone, wood, metal, and other materials.
