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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aryck | Aryck: a modern, unique variation of the classic name Eric. | Old Norse | Boy | |
| Asbiom | Asbiom means "God's tree" in Old Norse; it's unique. | Old Norse | Unisex | |
| Asgard | Asgard: Norse mythological realm symbolizing strength, power, and wisdom. | Old Norse, Scandinavian | Unisex | |
| Asgrimr | Asgrimr: rare masculine name meaning "god's mask" with Norse roots. | Old Norse | Boy | |
| Ashild | Ashild: Unique Old Norse name meaning "God-fighting," symbolizing strength. | Old Norse | Girl | |
| Askold | Askold: rare male name meaning "divine wolf" from Old Norse. | Old Norse | Boy | |
| Aslak | Aslak means "God's protection"; originates from Old Norse heritage. | Nordic, Norwegian, Old Norse | Boy | |
| Ásmundr | Ásmundr: Old Norse name meaning "divine protection," masculine, unique. | Old Norse | Boy | |
| Ásmundur | Ásmundur: masculine name meaning divine protection from Old Norse origins. | Old Norse | Boy | |
| Astridr | Astridr: a unique, meaningful name with Norse heritage and strength. | Old Norse | Girl | |
| Astryd | Astryd is an Old Norse name meaning "divine strength" or "beautiful." | Old Norse | Girl | |
| Astyr | Astyr means "star" in Greek; has Old Norse origins too. | Old Norse | Unisex | |
| Asvard | Asvard means "God's protector" in Old Norse, reflecting mythology. | Old Norse | Boy | |
| Attli | Attli: Unique Old Norse name meaning "father of the wolf." | Old Norse | Unisex | |
| Audhilde | Audhilde: Scandinavian name meaning "wealthy warrior woman," historically significant. | Old Norse, Scandinavian | Girl | |
| Audhildr | Audhildr: Rare Old Norse name meaning "wealth" and "battle prosperity." | Old Norse | Girl | |
| Audrys | Audrys: Lithuanian masculine name meaning "noble strength," with Norse roots. | Lithuanian, Old Norse | Boy | |
| Audun | Audun means "noble friend," originating from Old Norse roots. | Old Norse, Scandinavian | Boy | |
| Auduna | Auduna: Scandinavian unisex name meaning "deserted" or "solitary." Rare. | Old Norse, Scandinavian | Unisex | |
| Auryck | Auryck: Unique name, possibly derived from Eric and Aurelius meanings. | Old Norse | Unisex | |
| Axel | Axel means "father of peace," originating from Scandinavian roots. | Germanic, Old Norse, Scandinavian | Boy | |
| Axle | Axle: a strong, masculine name with Old Norse origins. | Old Norse | Boy | |
| Bardarik | Bardarik: unique name meaning "ruler of warriors" with historical significance. | Germanic, Old Norse | Boy | |
| Baug | Baug: Norse name meaning "ring," symbolizing wealth, power, and uniqueness. | Old Norse | Unisex | |
| Bek | Bek is a unisex name meaning "stream" with Norse origins. | Old Norse | Unisex | |
| Bergelmir | Bergelmir: Norse giant's name symbolizing strength, resilience, and survival. | Old Norse, Scandinavian | Boy | |
| Bergthor | Bergthor means "thunder on the mountain," rooted in Norse mythology. | Old Norse, Scandinavian | Boy | |
| Berit | Berit: Scandinavian name meaning "bright," popular for girls since 19th century. | Old Norse, Scandinavian | Girl | |
| Berringar | Berringar: Unique Old Norse name meaning "bear spear," symbolizes strength. | Old Norse | Boy | |
| Bestla | Bestla: Unique Norse name, mother of Odin, symbolizes wisdom and history. | 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.
