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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bifrost | Bifrost: Norse name symbolizing strength, connection, and mythical significance. | Old Norse, Scandinavian | Unisex | |
| Birgitt | Birgitt: Scandinavian name meaning strength, linked to Bridget and mythology. | Gaelic, Old Norse, Scandinavian | Girl | |
| Bitten | Bitten is a Scandinavian name meaning "blessed" or "happy." | Old Norse, Scandinavian | Unisex | |
| Bjorg | Bjorg is a Scandinavian name meaning "bear protection" and strength. | Old Norse, Scandinavian | Unisex | |
| Bjorn | Bjorn means "bear" in Old Norse, symbolizing strength and courage. | Nordic, Old Norse, Scandinavian, Swedish | Boy | |
| Boi | Boi: Unique Old Norse name meaning "to live," associated with strength. | Old Norse | Boy | |
| Borje | Borje: Swedish name meaning "castle," symbolizing strength and protection. | Old Norse, Scandinavian, Swedish | Boy | |
| Bragi | Bragi: Norse god of poetry, symbolizing creativity and eloquence. | Old Norse, Scandinavian | Boy | |
| Branda | Branda: a unique feminine name meaning "sword" or "torch." | Old Norse | Girl | |
| Brandar | Brandar means "sword warrior," symbolizing strength and courage. | Old Norse | Boy | |
| Brande | Brande: Unisex name meaning "sword" or "firebrand," unique choice. | Old Norse | Unisex | |
| Brander | Brander: Scottish name meaning "fiery torch" or "sword"; unique. | Old Norse, Scottish | Boy | |
| Brandisa | Brandisa: Unique name meaning 'goddess with a sword'; symbolizes strength. | Old Norse | Girl | |
| Brandise | Brandise is a unique, feminine name of English origin. | Old Norse | Girl | |
| Brandt | Brandt means "firebrand" or "sword"; a strong, unisex name. | English, German, Old Norse | Unisex | |
| Breida | Breida: Unique Old Norse name meaning "broad," associated with females. | Old Norse | Girl | |
| Brena | Brena: Uncommon feminine name with uncertain origins, pronounced BREE-nuh. | Gaelic, Old Norse | Girl | |
| Brinnda | Brinnda: Unique American name meaning "feminine hill" or "sword." | American, Old Norse, Welsh | Girl | |
| Brinndah | Brinndah: unique name, uncertain origin, possibly derived from Brenda. | Old Norse | Unisex | |
| Brodrik | Brodrik: Old Norse name meaning "ruler with a spike." Unique. | Old Norse | Boy | |
| Brokk | Brokk: Scandinavian name meaning "badger," rooted in Norse mythology. | Old Norse, Scandinavian | Boy | |
| Brunnhilda | Brunnhilda means "armored warrior woman," combining armor and battle elements. | Germanic, Old Norse | Girl | |
| Brus | Brus is a Scottish name derived from the Old Norse Br. | Old Norse, Scottish | Boy | |
| Brynie | Brynie: Unique name meaning "armored warrior" with Old Norse origins. | Old Norse | Girl | |
| Brynjolf | Brynjolf: Scandinavian name meaning "armor wolf," symbolizing strength and courage. | Old Norse, Scandinavian | Boy | |
| Bryrr | Bryrr: Unique Norse name meaning "to break" or "to shatter." | Old Norse, Scandinavian | Unisex | |
| Burnee | Burnee: Unique unisex name meaning "bear" and "beloved stream." | Old Norse | Unisex | |
| Busby | Busby is an English surname with historical Norse and English origins. | Old Norse | Unisex | |
| Byrghir | Byrghir: Unique Old Norse name with unclear, possibly historical meaning. | Old Norse | Boy | |
| Byrgir | Byrgir: Unique Old Norse name meaning "fortress," symbolizing strength and resilience. | Old Norse | 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.
