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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mithgarthr | Mithgarthr: Unique masculine name from Norse mythology meaning "middle enclosure." | Old Norse | Boy | |
| Mjolnir | Mjolnir, Thor's hammer, symbolizes strength, power, and Norse mythology. | Old Norse | Boy | |
| Nagelfar | Nagelfar: Norse mythological ship of nails, symbolizing end times journey. | Old Norse, Scandinavian | Boy | |
| Narfi | Narfi, a masculine Norse name, means "corpse" and symbolizes mythology. | Old Norse, Scandinavian | Boy | |
| Nidhogg | Nidhogg: Norse dragon symbolizing chaos, destruction, and unique name choice. | Old Norse, Scandinavian | Boy | |
| Nidhug | Nidhug: Unique Norse name meaning "malice striker," associated with strength. | Old Norse, Scandinavian | Boy | |
| Niels | Niels: Scandinavian name meaning "victorious people," popular in royalty. | Old Norse, Scandinavian | Boy | |
| Nithhogg | Nithhogg: Norse dragon name symbolizing malice, destruction, and chaos. | Old Norse, Scandinavian | Boy | |
| Njal | Njal: Old Norse name meaning "champion," popular in Icelandic culture. | Old Norse | Unisex | |
| Njorthrbiartr | Njorthrbiartr means "bright north," rooted in Norse mythology significance. | Old Norse, Scandinavian | Boy | |
| Norn | Norn, from Norse mythology, symbolizes fate and destiny; unique name. | Old Norse, Scandinavian | Unisex | |
| Odd | Odd is a Scandinavian name meaning "point of a sword." | Mythology, Old Norse, Scandinavian | Unisex | |
| Oddetta | Oddetta: Unique feminine name from Old Norse meaning "point of sword." | Old Norse | Girl | |
| Oddgeir | Oddgeir: Unique masculine name meaning "spear warrior" from Old Norse. | Old Norse | Boy | |
| Oddny | Oddny: Unique Old Norse name meaning "new point," associated with females. | Old Norse | Girl | |
| Oddrún | Oddrún: Unique female name meaning "pointed secret" from Old Norse. | Old Norse | Girl | |
| Oddver | Oddver is a unique Norwegian name meaning "point of the spear." | Norwegian, Old Norse | Boy | |
| Odolfe | Odolfe is a rare Old Norse name meaning "wealthy wolf." | Old Norse | Boy | |
| Ogelsby | Ogelsby is an English surname derived from Old Norse "Ulfkell." | Old Norse | Unisex | |
| Oglesbi | Oglesbi: Rare surname from England, meaning "awe-inspiring dwelling place." | Old Norse | Unisex | |
| Olaf | Olaf means "ancestor's relic," originating from Old Norse heritage. | Norse, Old Norse, Scandinavian | Boy | |
| Oli | Oli is a unisex name meaning "descendant" and "olive tree." | Latin, Old Norse | Unisex | |
| Olien | Olien: Unique Scandinavian name derived from Old Norse origins. | Old Norse, Scandinavian | Unisex | |
| Oline | Oline: Scandinavian name meaning "ancestor's descendant," linked to Olaf. | Old Norse, Scandinavian | Unisex | |
| Olof | Olof: Scandinavian name meaning "ancestor's relic," popular in Scandinavia. | Old Norse, Scandinavian | Unisex | |
| Olop | Olop: rare Scandinavian name, possibly derived from Olaf, meaning uncertain. | Norwegian, Old Norse | Boy | |
| Oluf | Oluf means "ancestor's descendant" in Old Norse; Scandinavian origin. | Danish, Old Norse | Boy | |
| Olva | Olva: Unique Scandinavian name meaning "ancestor's relic," symbolizing strength. | Mythology, Old Norse, Scandinavian | Unisex | |
| Olvir | Olvir: Scandinavian name meaning "ancestor's relic" and "guardian." | Old Norse, Scandinavian, Viking | Boy | |
| Ornolf can be spelled as Arnolf | Ornolf: Rare Old Norse name meaning "eagle wolf," culturally significant. | 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.
