Female names of Scandinavian origin. Scandinavian female names and their meaning Female Norwegian

Modern names different countries differ in origin, cultural and historical heritage, influence of various religions. In countries such as Denmark and Norway, Sweden and Iceland, as well as Finland, children are called modern names, however more these names originate from ancient Scandinavia. Some of which go back to legends and myths, some are a reflection of Germanic and biblical names. Rich story reflected in the variety of female and male Scandinavian names.

Features of Scandinavian group names

The names of the Scandinavian group, like those of other peoples, reflected the characteristics of a person's character, described his remarkable sides. But an interesting fact is that the name was not given to a person for life, but could change throughout life, even more than once. The reason for changing the name could be an act that left an imprint on the attitude towards its bearer, or the emergence of new qualities as a result of growing up.

History has left its mark on the Scandinavian female names where warlike events of the rich past are reflected. It is noteworthy that the interpretation and meaning of female and male names are almost the same. The character traits of the conqueror were passed down from generation to generation, and the strength and courage, bravery and courage revered at all times were embodied in the names of the girls. For example, Vigdis is the “goddess of war”, Goodhild is a “good battle”, Swanhild is a “battle of swans”, Brynhild is a “militant woman”.

It is also noteworthy that two-part Scandinavian names feminine, and their meaning is intended to define objects and abstract concepts, to reflect distinctive features appearance and character traits: “peaceful ruler” - Fredrik, “battle of defenders” - Ragnhild.

How was the name given in the Scandinavian family in antiquity?

In naming, the peoples of Scandinavia had their own traditions, followed by everyone without exception.

Only the father gave the name to the girl and the boy. This was equated to the acquisition by the baby of the right to life, because the head of the family could accept or reject a new member. When naming a child, tribute was paid to glorious ancestors who were to be reborn in a new body when choosing a name for a descendant. Scandinavian female names were given to girls in honor of deceased relatives. These names were intended to strengthen the strength of the clan, which came from all the ancestors who bore this name.

Ancient Scandinavian names and modern ones. What is the difference?

The culture of glorious wars and battles left its mark on the names of girls in Scandinavia. There were no special differences in antiquity between the male and female names. Girls were named after military events and battles, patrons of war and battles, peace and victories. Popular in the old days were the names of heroes sung in legends and epic works. The names of the goddesses and heroines of the legends were called girls.

IN modern world The choice is made in a different way. They now prefer beautiful Scandinavian female names, which are the embodiment of femininity, tenderness, are distinguished by the beauty of sound and grace, they sing best qualities and virtues of the representatives of the beautiful half of humanity. For example: Ingrid - "beautiful" and Inga - "the only one", Christina - "follower of Christ" and Letizia - "happy", Sonya - "wise" and Henrika - "housekeeper", Eidin - "slender" and Katarina - "clean" .

Mythological roots of Scandinavian names

The mythology of the Angles and Normans, Danes and Saxons, formed before the adoption of Christianity, from the 5th century BC. BC, is reflected in the names of the Scandinavian countries. German-Scandinavian mythology basically represented the worship of the forces of nature, so a number of names corresponded to the names of animals that were especially revered by the Vikings.

The female names of Scandinavian mythology are represented by such options as "Bear" - Ulf or "god of fertility" - Freir. The names of sacred ravens were also popular, which were especially revered by the Vikings and personified military luck: “thought, soul” - Huginn and “memory” - Muginn. The forces of nature are reflected in the names: "rock" - Stein, "protected by Thor" - Torborg, "soul" - Hugi.

Simple and complex names among the Scandinavians

Scandinavian names are divided into two main groups: one- and two-part. If the first group includes descriptions of character traits or belonging to a certain tribe and clan: “spiritualized” - Aud, “strong” - Gerda, “foreigner” - Barbro, then two-part Scandinavian female names and their meaning have their own characteristics.

In two-syllable and two-part names, the components of the names of two parents or the qualities that they want to endow the baby are reflected: “stone, protect” - Steinbjorg, “battle of the elves” - Alfhild, “divine runes” - Gudrun.

Absorbing the culture of neighboring peoples who professed the Lutheran and Catholic faith, they began to give the child two names at baptism, which are designed to protect him throughout his life. In everyday life, only one name is used, and they try to keep the second in the shadows. And in difficult life situations associated with health, it is customary to turn to the second name and actively use it instead of the first, believing that protective forces can change fate for the better.

Nicknames that became names

Initially, for the most part, ancient Scandinavian names, including female ones, were mixed with a wide variety of nicknames, and it was difficult to distinguish between them. Some names contained both a nickname and a proper name. For example, the name Alv incorporates the nickname "elf". Nicknames perfectly displayed individual characteristics human: Raquel - "sheep", Tord Horsehead - female Thor.

The nicknames of famous witches and sorcerers also reflect Scandinavian female names: Kolfinna - "dark, black Finn", Kolgrima - "black mask". Over time, the boundaries between the name and the nickname are erased and become indistinguishable.

viking heritage

The brave conquerors of antiquity - the Vikings - passed through the centuries and gradually turned into modern Scandinavians, and their culture is reflected in glorious names. Warring tribes treated the choice of name responsibly. It was believed that the name is capable of shaking the universe and influencing the entire fate of its bearer. Naming the child, they believed that they were giving it under the protection of the gods and the forces of nature. Some of the names reflecting the rituals of priests and sorcerers have gone forever, and those praising the achievements of a warrior or hunter continue to exist to this day. And among these: Valborg - "saving those who die in battle", Bodil - "battle-vengeance", Borgilda - "fighting, useful maiden."

How did Christianity influence the name?

With the adoption of Christianity, new names began to appear, but their distribution was ambiguously perceived by the Scandinavian peoples.

Data for children christian names remained secret at baptism. They used the second name, which was traditional and understandable for the Scandinavian people. There was a special rejection of new names in the families of the military elite, where it was customary to call Christian names only for illegitimate children. But gradually new ones joined the Scandinavian female names. They are actively used by modern parents who choose them for their daughters: Christina and Stina - "follower of Christ", Elizabeth - "God-confirmed", Evelina - "little Eve", Annelise - "gracious, useful, confirmed by God".

Adamina - red, earth.
Adeline, Adeline - noble, noble.
Agnetha - saint, chaste.
Alina is decent.
Anitra, Annie - useful, grace.
Asta, Astrid, Asya - divine beauty.
Aud - spiritualized.

Barbro is a stranger, a foreigner.
Birgit, Birgitta, Birte - sublime.
Brita is sublime.
Brunnhilde is a female warrior dressed in armor.
Wendla is a traveler.
Vigdis is the goddess of battles, war.
Victoria - a furore, a victory.
Wilma, Wilhelm - militant, protected by a helmet.
Vivien, Vivi - mobile, alive.
Gerda, Gerd - powerful, strong.
Gunnel, Gunhild, Gunhild - military battle.
Gunvor is a vigilant female warrior.
Dagney, Dagney - the birth of a new day.
Dorta, Dorte, Dorothea - God's gift.
Ida is diligent and hardworking.
Ilva is a wolf woman.
Inga is unique, one, only.
Ingeborg, Ingegerd - protected by Ing.
Ingrid is beautiful, incomparable.
Jorun, Jorunn - lover of horses.
Katrin, Katharina - innocent, pure.
Carolina is strong, courageous.
Kaya is the mistress, mistress.
Clara - immaculate, pure, dazzling.
Kristin, Kristina, Stina - a follower of the teachings of Christ.
Letizia - glowing with happiness.
Lisbeth - God confirmed.
Liv, Liva - giving life.
Maya is a mother-nurse.
Margareta, Margrit - a precious pearl.
Marthe is a housekeeping lady.
Matilda, Matilda, Mektilda - strong in battle.
Ragnhilda - the battle of warriors-defenders.
Rune - dedicated to secret knowledge.
Sana, Susanna - lily flower.
Sarah is a noble lady, a charming princess.
Sigrid, Sigrun, Siri - a beautiful victory.
Simone is understanding.
Sonya, Ragna - wise, wise.
Swanhilda - the battle of the swans.
Tekla - Divine glorification.
Thora, Tyra is the warrior of Thor.
Torborg - taken under the protection of Thor.
Tord, Thordis is Thor's beloved.
Thorhild - the battle of Thor.
Tove - thundering.
Trin - immaculate, pure.
Turid is the beauty of God Thor.
Ulla, Ulrika - power and prosperity.
Frida is peaceful.
Hedwig - battle of rivals.
Helen, Elin - flame, torch.
Henrika is the housekeeper.
Hilda, Hilde - battle.
Hulda - guarding a secret, hidden.
Eidin - graceful, slender.
Elizabeth is confirmed by God.
Erica is the ruler.
Esther is a shining star.
Evelina, Evelyn - progenitor, little Eve.

Hello again! Today we will talk about beautiful Swedish female names. In contrast to the selection, where we mainly cited statistical data for 2011 and 2012 and did not talk about their significance.

In this collection, we will talk about female names of Scandinavian origin and their meanings!

Begin!

AGATA: Italian and Spanish form of the name, derived from the Latin Agatha, which means "good, kind."
ADELA: Latin form of Germanic Adala means "noble". Used by Danes and Swedes.
AGDA: Swedish form from Latin Agatha means "good, kind".
AGNETA: Danish and Swedish form from Greek Hagne, means "chaste, holy."
AGNETTA: Variation from Swedish Agneta, also meaning "chaste, holy."
ALVA: Swedish female form from old Norwegian name Alf, meaning "Elf".
ANIKA: Variation of the Swedish name Annika, meaning "sweet, graceful".
ANNALISA: Danish and Swedish variation of the name from the Scandinavian Annelise, meaning: "graceful, gracious" and "God is my oath"
ANNBORG: Norwegian and Swedish form of Old Norse Arnbjorg meaning "protected by an eagle".
ANNEKA: A variant of the Swedish Annika meaning "sweet, graceful".
ANNIKA: The Swedish version is from the German Anniken, meaning "sweet, graceful".
ARNBORG: Swedish form of old Norwegian Arnbjorg, meaning "protected by an eagle".
ARNBORG: Old form from Swedish Arnborg, meaning "protected by an eagle".
OSA: Swedish form of Icelandic Ása, meaning "God".
ÅSLÖG: Swedish form of Old Norse Áslaug, meaning "God betrothed woman".
ASRID: The Swedish version is from the Scandinavian Astrid, meaning "Divine Beauty".
AUDA: The Swedish version is from Old Norse Auðr, meaning "Very fertile, rich".
BAREBRA: An old Swedish form of the name from the Greek Barbara, meaning "foreign, unfamiliar".
BATILDA: Swedish form of Old Germanic Bathilda, meaning "to fight".
BENEDIKTA: Swedish feminine form of Scandinavian name Benedikt, meaning "Holy".
BENGTA: Feminine form of the Swedish name Bengt, meaning "Blessed".
BOTHILD: Swedish form of Scandinavian Bodil, meaning "Rematch".
CAJSA: A variant derived from the Swedish Kajsa, meaning "Pure".
CHARLOTTA: Swedish form of French Charlotte, meaning "Man".
DAHLIA: An English name derived from the name of a flower, from the surname of the Swedish botanist Anders Dahl, meaning "valley", hence "Dal's Flower" or "Valley Flower".
EMELIE: Swedish form from English name Emily means "Competing".
FREDRIKA: Feminine form of Norwegian/Swedish Fredrik, meaning "peaceful ruler".
FREJA: Danish and Swedish form of Old Norse Freyja, meaning "lady, mistress".
FROJA: Old Swedish form of Old Norse Freyja, meaning "lady, mistress".
GARD: Swedish form of the Old Norse name Gerðr, meaning "enclosing, citadel".
GERDI: Danish and Swedish form of Old Norse Gerðr, meaning "enclosing, citadel".
GERDY: Norwegian and Swedish form of Old Norse Gerðr, meaning "enclosing, citadel".
GITTAN: Swedish pet name from Scandinavian Birgitta, meaning "exalted".
GRETA: Short form of Danish/Swedish Margareta meaning "pearl".
GULLA
GULLAN: Diminutive name from the Danish-Swedish Gunilla, meaning "Battle".
GUNILLA: Danish and Swedish variant of the Scandinavian Gunhild, meaning "Battle".
HELGI: Swedish pet name from Icelandic Helga, meaning “saint; dedicated to the gods”, like the male Helgi.
HILLEVI: Finnish and Swedish form from German Heilwig.
IDE: Danish and Swedish form of Icelandic Iða, meaning "industrious".
JANNIKE: Feminine form of Swedish Jannik meaning "God is merciful".
KAI: A variant of the Swedish Kaj meaning "pure".
KAIA: A variant of the Swedish/Danish name Kaja meaning "pure".
KAJ: Short form of Swedish Katerina meaning "pure".
KAJA: Danish and Swedish pet name of the Scandinavian name Katharina, meaning "pure".
KAJSA: A diminutive form of the Swedish Kaj, meaning "pure".
KARIN: Short form of Swedish Katerin, meaning "pure".
CATARINA: Swedish form of Greek Aikaterine, meaning "pure". This name is also used in Germany, Hungary, and many Slavic countries.
KATERIN: An old Swedish name, derived from the Greek Aikaterine, meaning "pure".
KATERINA: The Swedish form is from Scandinavian Katharina, meaning "pure".
KATINA: Short form of Swedish Katarina, meaning pure.
KERSTIN: Swedish form of the Latin name Christina, meaning "believer" or "Christ's follower".
KIA: A diminutive name from the Swedish Kerstin, meaning "Believer" or "Christ's Investigator".
KJERSTIN: Norwegian or Swedish form of the Latin name Christina, meaning "Believer" or "Christ's Investigator".
krista: Swedish diminutive of the Latin Kristina, meaning "believer" or "Christ follower".
LINN: Short name from Swedish Linnéa, meaning "twin flower".
LINNEA: Swedish form of Latin Linnaea, meaning "twin flower".
LOTTA: Short form of Swedish Charlotta.
LOVISA: Women's version from the Swedish name Love, meaning "famous warrior".
MALIN: swedish name, which comes from the Latin Magdalena.
MARGARETA: Danish and Swedish variant of the Scandinavian name Margaretha, meaning "Pearl".
MARIT: Norwegian and Swedish form of the name from the Greek Margarites, meaning "Pearl".
MARNA: Swedish form of the Roman Marina, meaning "From the sea".
MÄRTA: Swedish form of the English name Margaret, meaning "Pearl".
MIA: Danish and Swedish pet name from the Latin Maria, meaning "stubbornness" or "their rebellion."
MIKAELA: feminine form of the name Mikael, meaning "Who is like God?"
MY: Swedish pet name from Latin Maria, meaning "stubbornness" or "their rebellion."
NEA: Short form from Swedish Linnéa.
NILSINE: Feminine form of the Swedish name Nils, which means "Winner"
ÖDA: Swedish form of the Old Norse name Auðr, meaning "deeply rich".
OTTALIE: Swedish form of German Ottilia meaning "Abounding".
OTTILIE: A variant of the Swedish name Ottalie, meaning "Abounding".
PERNILLA: Swedish form of Roman-Latin Petronilla meaning "little rock/stone"
RAGNILD: Swedish variant of the Scandinavian name Ragnhild, meaning "combat adviser".
REBECKA: Swedish form of Greek Rhebekka.
SASSA: A diminutive form of the Swedish name Asrid, meaning "Beautiful God"
SOFIA: Variation from Greek name Sophia, meaning "wisdom, common sense". This form of the name is widely used throughout Europe by Finns, Italians, Germans, Norwegians, Portuguese and Swedes.
SOLVIG: Swedish form of the Old Norse name Solveig, meaning "strong house, dwelling".
SUSANN: Swedish form of Scandinavian name Susanna, meaning "Lily".
SVANHILDA: Swedish variant of the Scandinavian name Svanhild.
SVEA: Swedish name derived from Svea rike ("Empire of the Swedes").
TERESIA: German and Swedish form from Spanish name Teresa.
THORBJÖRG: Swedish variation of the Icelandic Torbjörg, meaning "Protection of Thor".
THORBORG: Danish and Swedish variation of the Icelandic Torbjörg, meaning "Protection of Thor".
THORFRIDH
THORRIDH: Old Swedish form of the Old Norse name Torríðr, meaning "Thor's Beauty".
TORBJORG: Old Swedish form of the Old Norse name Torbjörg, meaning "Protection of Thor".
TORHILDA: Swedish and Norwegian variation of the Scandinavian name Torhild, meaning "Fight of Thor."
TOVA: Swedish variation of the Scandinavian name Tove, meaning "Thor" or "Thunder."
TYRI: Swedish variant of Old Norse Tyri, meaning "Host of Thor".
ULVA: Swedish form of Icelandic Úlfa, meaning she-wolf.
VALDIS: Swedish and Norwegian form of the Old Norse name Valdís, meaning "Goddess of the Fallen in Battle".
VALLBORG: Swedish version of the Scandinavian name Valborg, meaning "Saving the fallen in battle."
VENDELA: Feminine form from Norwegian/Swedish Vendel, meaning "moving, wandering", referring to the migrating Slavs in the 6th century.
VIVA: Norwegian and Swedish short name from the Scandinavian Vivianne, meaning “alive; lively".
VIVEKA: Swedish form from German name Wibeke means War.

To be continued…

The translation was done by Arkady Karlkvist. When copying, please put a link to this page. If you have your own collections, then send links to them, we will post them on this page.

If you spot any inaccuracies, please report them in the comments below.

Also share your opinions - what names do you like?

The distant past strongly links the history of our homeland with Scandinavian female names. Their sonority, severity and special charm refer to the era of the formation of Russian statehood, plunged into gray times, the images of the first rulers and rulers of the earth are resurrected. Some Scandinavian female names are popular in our country even now.

Regions of Scandinavia on the map

Scandinavia is a region in northern Europe that includes three countries - Sweden, Norway and Denmark. In a broader, historical and cultural sense, Scandinavia also includes Finland, Iceland and the islands of the North Atlantic. Scandinavian languages(Swedish, Norwegian and Danish) have a common origin - the Old Norse language, which explains the proximity of many Scandinavian female names, the similarity of their meanings.

Traditions the name of the naming of the ancient Scandinavians

Old Norse belongs to the Germanic language branch, and for a long time, until the 9th century, all the peoples of Scandinavia spoke this language. Most Old Norse literary works was written in Old Norse.

IN early middle ages the naming traditions of the ancient Scandinavians differed little from those of other European nations: there was practically no difference between a nickname and a personal name. One-part names are most often the definition of some quality of a newborn or adult: “strong”, “small”, “beloved”, “hairy”, etc. There were also abstract names - “battle”, “rock”, “bear ”,“ wolf ”, etc.

Most of the Old Norse nomenclature consisted of two-part names. A similar tradition existed not only among the ancient Germanic tribes, but also among the Celts and Slavs. Two-part Scandinavian names do not differ in structure from Slavic ones, such as Svyatoslav, Vyacheslav, Vsevolod. The most common Old Norse "bricks" of names: "deity", "wolf", "bear", "eagle", "raven", "heir", "pledge", "protection", "fence", "glorious", "friend ”, “peace”, “beautiful”, “strong”, “forest”, “mystery”, “rune”, “sword”, “helmet”, “spear”.

Names constructed in this way turned out to be sonorous and long, consisting of four or more letters. Their meaning strikes with the strength and menacing meanings. Even female names impress with their energy and severity. You can verify this from the list below.

List of Old Norse female names and their meanings:

Arnfasta - fast eagle;
Arnkatla - eagle + helmet;
Arleg - eagle + fire;
Arnleif - eagle + heir;
Arnora - eagle + Thor;
Audhelga - prosperity + wealth;
Auda - prosperity;
Aldis - elf + maiden;
Alev - ancestor + descendant;
Astrid - deity + beautiful;
Asgerda - deity + protection;
Bera - a bear;
Bergdis - help + virgin;
Borga - protection;
Bothilda - medicine + battle;
Gerd - protection;
Inga - short form on behalf of the god of fertility;
Ingeborga - the name of the god of fertility + help;
Ingrid - the name of the god of fertility + beautiful;
Kata - joyful;
Colla - joyful;
Luva - dear;
Raudi - red;
Rune - secret, rune;
Saldis - sun + goddess;
Sigga - victory;
Svana - swan;
Tura - Thor, god of thunder;
Tobba - Thor + store;
Torfrida - Thor + beautiful;
Thorgrima - Thor + helmet;
Thorhilda - Thor + battle;
Labor is a Valkyrie, daughter of Thor and Seth;
Una - to be happy;
Fasty - strong;
Folk - people;
Freya is the ruler;
Frida is beautiful;
Frigga is the name of Odin's wife;
Halla - rock;
Helga - sacred, holy;
Edda is a great-grandmother.

Adoption of Christianity and names

The father gave the name to the newborn, thereby making the process of naming a recognition of the child's right to life. Two-part names could contain parts of the names of the father and mother.

The Scandinavian name-book was very rich, so Christian names did not take root well. The Scandinavians ignored them even after baptism, they either kept them secret or used pagan nicknames. Christian church could not come to terms with it and tried to force out pagan names using a variety of methods.

The simplest turned out to be the most effective: over time, the church canonized several Scandinavian saints, their names got into the calendar and, accordingly, gradually began to spread widely.

In Iceland, Christianization took place peacefully, so Christian concepts entered the elements of two-part names.

Modern Scandinavian female names

It should be noted that the Scandinavian culture has always stood out for its pronounced originality. There is even a special kind of crossword puzzle - a crossword puzzle that differs from the traditional crossword puzzle. big amount intersections of words vertically and horizontally. Images and photographs may be used instead of letters. One of the favorite questions of scanwords is the question of the meaning of Scandinavian female names, which, most often, have a significant number of letters. These are names such as:

Agnetha - saint;
Adeline - noble;
Astrid - beautiful;
Birgitta - sublime;
Borgilda - benefit + virgin;
Brunnhilde - a woman warrior in armor;
Vigdis - goddess of war;
Wilhelm - protected by a helmet;
Gerda - protection;
Guda - kind;
Goodhild - good fight;
Ilva - she-wolf;
Ingrid - protection of the king;
Inga - domineering;
Matilda - strong in battle;
Ranghilda - the battle of the defenders;
Svanhilda - a slain swan;
Sigrid is a beautiful victory;
Sigrun - the secret of victory;
Siri is a beautiful win;
Solveig - a ray of the sun;
Ulla - prosperity, power;
Ulrika - prosperity, power;
Frida - peaceful;
Helga - saint;
Henrika - housekeeper;
Hilda - battle;
Hulda - keeping a secret;
Erica is the ruler.

See more lists on Wikipedia.

Modern naming traditions in Scandinavia

Meanwhile, in modern Sweden and Denmark, the most common female names are not of Scandinavian origin at all. Their source is either church calendar or other cultures.

In Sweden, the most popular female names are Elizabeth, Margareta, Eva, Karin, Emma, Sarah. Only one name of Old Norse origin - Ingrid - is in the top ten common names.

In Denmark, a similar picture: among the most common are Anna, Kristen, Susanna, Maria, Marianne, Karen, Camille, Charlotte, Louise, Emma, Maya, Isabella, Clara, Laura. From Scandinavian - Inga, Inger, Freya.

In Norway and Iceland the situation is somewhat different, in these countries traditional Scandinavian names are still popular. So, in Norway, out of 10 common female names, they had a “domestic” origin - Inga, Liv, Ingrid, Solveig, Astrid, Bjorg.

In Iceland, the names mentioned in the ancient sagas are still in circulation, and the choice of name is regulated Icelandic Committee by name. There is an official list of allowed names, and that's all foreign names undergo a rigorous selection process for compatibility with the Icelandic language.

Among the common Icelandic female names of Scandinavian origin are names such as:

Gvyudrun - god + secret;
Sigrun - victory + mystery;
Helga - battle;
Ingibjorg - the name of the god of fertility + help;
Sigridur is a beautiful victory.