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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hylldy | Hylldy: Unique, modern name; unclear origin, possibly derived from Hilda. | Old Norse | Girl | |
| Hyndla | Hyndla: Old Norse name meaning "she-wolf," symbolizing wisdom and strength. | Old Norse | Girl | |
| Hyrrokkin | Hyrrokkin: Norse giantess name meaning "fire-smoked," unique and powerful. | Old Norse, Scandinavian | Girl | |
| Idana | Idana: Unique name from Norse mythology, meaning rejuvenation and renewal. | Germanic, Mythology, Old Norse | Girl | |
| Idony | Idony is a unique name from Norse mythology, meaning rejuvenation. | Old Norse, Scandinavian | Girl | |
| In Norwegian: Yngvild | Yngvild means "warrior woman," symbolizing strength and resilience. | Old Norse | Girl | |
| In Old Norse: Yngvildr | Yngvildr: rare female name meaning "battle wolf" from Old Norse. | Old Norse | Girl | |
| In Swedish: Yngvild | Yngvild: Old Norse name meaning "warrior's battle," symbolizes strength. | Old Norse | Girl | |
| Ingalls | Ingalls: English surname, Norse origin, linked to pioneering American history. | Old Norse | Unisex | |
| Ingaret | Ingaret: Unique Scottish name meaning "protected by Ing," rich history. | Old Norse, Scottish | Girl | |
| Ingeborgh | Ingeborgh: Old Norse name meaning "protected by Ing," feminine charm. | Old Norse | Girl | |
| Ingela | Ingela means "protected by Ing," a significant Scandinavian feminine name. | Germanic, Old Norse, Scandinavian | Girl | |
| Ingeleif | Ingeleif: Rare Old Norse name meaning "heir of Ing," unique charm. | Old Norse | Girl | |
| Ingemund | Ingemund: Rare Old Norse name meaning "protector of the heritage." | Old Norse | Boy | |
| Ingerborg | Ingerborg: Old Norse name meaning "protected by god Ing," unique. | Old Norse | Girl | |
| Ingharr | Ingharr means "god's army," reflecting strength and Viking heritage. | Old Norse | Boy | |
| Ingiald | Ingiald: Rare Old Norse name meaning "son of Ing," unique heritage. | Old Norse | Boy | |
| Ingibjorg | Ingibjorg is an Icelandic name meaning "Ing's protection" and "earth." | Old Norse, Scandinavian | Girl | |
| Ingimund | Ingimund means "protected by Ing," rooted in Norse mythology. | Old Norse, Scandinavian | Boy | |
| Ingimundr | Ingimundr: Rare Old Norse name meaning "protector of Ing." | Old Norse | Boy | |
| Ingjaldr | Ingjaldr: Rare Old Norse name meaning "ruler," reflecting strength and leadership. | Old Norse | Boy | |
| Ingjeld | Ingjeld: Rare Old Norse name meaning "Ing's sacrifice" or "protection." | Old Norse | Boy | |
| Ingrem | Ingrem: a rare masculine name rooted in Norse mythology and prosperity. | Old Norse | Boy | |
| Ingrida | Ingrida: Scandinavian female name derived from Old Norse Ingr. | Old Norse, Scandinavian | Girl | |
| Ingrit | Ingrit is a female name derived from Old Norse Ingr. | Old Norse | Girl | |
| Ingrym | Ingrym: Unique name of Old Norse origin, symbolizing strength and determination. | Old Norse | Unisex | |
| Ingvi | Ingvi: Rare masculine name from Norse mythology, meaning "belonging to Ing." | Old Norse | Boy | |
| Irmhildr | Irmhildr: Rare Old Norse name meaning "whole battle," symbolizes strength. | Old Norse | Girl | |
| Isleif | Isleif means "ice heir" in Scandinavian, combining two elements. | Old Norse, Scandinavian | Boy | |
| Iterikah | Iterikah is a unique name, possibly derived from Erica. | Old Norse, Scandinavian | Girl |
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.
