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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hildaagarde | Hildaagarde: Female name derived from Old Norse Hildig, meaning battle. | Old Norse | Girl | |
| Hildah | Hildah: a unique name meaning "battle woman" with Viking roots. | Old Norse | Girl | |
| Hildigunnr | Hildigunnr: Rare feminine name meaning "battle war" from Old Norse. | Old Norse | Girl | |
| Hildr | Hildr means "battle," is a unique female name from Norse mythology. | Old Norse | Girl | |
| Hjalmarr | Hjalmarr means "helmeted warrior," reflecting strength and Norse heritage. | Old Norse | Boy | |
| Hjorvar | Hjorvar: rare Old Norse name meaning "sword guardian," primarily male. | Old Norse | Boy | |
| Hlif | Hlif: Unique Old Norse name meaning "life," associated with vitality. | Nordic, Old Norse | Girl | |
| Hoder | Hoder: Norse name meaning "warrior," associated with winter and darkness. | Old Norse, Scandinavian | Boy | |
| Hodur | Hodur means "warrior," linked to Norse mythology and winter darkness. | Old Norse | Boy | |
| Hofud | Hofud: Unique Norse name meaning "head," associated with strength and wisdom. | Old Norse | Boy | |
| Holmen | Holmen: Scandinavian name meaning "island," historically used as surname. | Old Norse | Unisex | |
| Hrafnkel | Hrafnkel: rare masculine name meaning "raven cauldron" in Norse. | Old Norse | Boy | |
| Hrani | Hrani is a unique Old Norse name meaning "crane," uncommon today. | Old Norse | Unisex | |
| Hrefna | Hrefna: Unique Icelandic name meaning "raven," symbolizing wisdom and independence. | Old Norse, Scandinavian | Girl | |
| Hreidmar | Hreidmar: Old Norse name meaning "trembling sea," linked to mythology. | Old Norse | Boy | |
| Hrimfaxi | Hrimfaxi means "frost mane," rooted in Norse mythology's moon chariot. | Old Norse, Scandinavian | Boy | |
| Hrodgeir | Hrodgeir: Old Norse name meaning "famous spear," symbolizing strength. | Old Norse | Boy | |
| Hrosskel | Hrosskel: Unique Icelandic name meaning "horse cauldron" with cultural significance. | Old Norse | Boy | |
| Hrothgar | Hrothgar: Old Norse name meaning "famous spear," rich historical significance. | Old Norse | Boy | |
| Hrothrekr | Hrothrekr: masculine Old Norse name meaning "famous ruler" or "king." | Old Norse | Boy | |
| Hrut | Hrut is a unique Old Norse name meaning "ram" or "male." | Old Norse | Boy | |
| Hunbogi | Hunbogi: Rare Old Norse name meaning "giant bow," predominantly masculine. | Old Norse | Boy | |
| Hunfriðr | Hunfriðr: rare masculine name meaning "peaceful warrior" from Old Norse. | Old Norse | Boy | |
| Huntly | Huntly: Scottish name meaning "hound's field," with historical significance. | English, Old Norse, Scottish | Unisex | |
| Hvergelmir | Hvergelmir: Norse mythological name meaning "boiling roaring," symbolizing origins. | Old Norse, Scandinavian | Unisex | |
| Hyldey | Hyldey: Unique unisex name from Old Norse, meaning "shelf" or "board." | Old Norse | Unisex | |
| Hyldi | Hyldi: Unique name meaning "battle," symbolizing strength and courage. | Old Norse | Unisex | |
| Hylldey | Hylldey means "covered island," rooted in Norse mythology and fertility. | Old Norse | Girl | |
| Hylldi | Hylldi: Unique name meaning "battle," rooted in Old Norse heritage. | Old Norse | Unisex | |
| Hylldie | Hylldie: Unique, modern name; likely variation of Hilda, gender-neutral. | Old Norse | Unisex |
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.
