Boy Names with Norse Roots for Your Modern Viking

Vikings were the seafaring Norse people of Scandinavia that hailed from what is now known as Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Names taken from the early Viking settlers are still common today throughout Scandinavia. Viking boy names are as storied as the culture surrounding them, with many relating to nature and mythology. So whether you’re a fan of Viking culture or just want a Scandinavian name to honor your roots, you’ll want to check out our list of classic and modern boy names with Norse roots for your little Viking.

Arvid
Scandinavian origin, meaning: Eagle wood
From Old Norse arn ‘eagle’ and viðr ‘wood, tree.’ In Ancient Scandinavian, this name was Anviðr, and this is a lovely masculine name that comes with a robust royal background. 

Axel
German and Scandinavian origin, meaning: Father of peace
Axel or Aksel may be a medieval form of the Old Norse name Ásketill, from the elements ans “god” and ketill “cauldron.” In Denmark and Norway, the spelling form Aksel is more common. Axel is an international name related to the better-known Alexander.

Brander
Norse origin, meaning: Sword of fire
Brander is a modern spelling of the Old Norse name Brandr. Brander is a name that’s uncommon with a familiar ring. But don’t let its sound fool you; the name’s meaning is “sword of fire,” and if that’s not a powerful baby boy name, we’re not sure where the bar is to meet that standard. We like to think of Brander as an accessible name that seems both trendy but isn’t too familiar. 

Broder
Swedish, Danish origin, meaning: Brother
From Old Norse bróðir ‘brother’. A name that sounds powerful and strong, and we especially like this name for a new little brother.

Cole
English origin, meaning: Coal-black
This name is now widespread in the UK thanks to the Norse invasions. It comes originally from the Old Norse nickname ‘Koli,’ meaning ‘dark’ or ‘coal.’’ It was a name borrowed from the Vikings for a person with a dark complexion or weather-beaten face.

Copeland
English origin, meaning: Bought land
The name Copeland originally comes from Old Norse kaupa-land. A surname turned first name connected to the Old Norse language.

Darby
Irish or Norse origin, meaning: Free from envy, or from the deer estate
From Old Norse djúr’deer’ + býr ‘farm,’ ‘settlement.’

Dustin
Norse origin, meaning: Brave warrior or thor’s stone
This name comes from the Old Norse word Þórstæinn a combination of ‘bor’ and ‘stein,’ translating as ‘thunder’ and ‘stone,’ and is related to the Norse god of thunder.

Eilif
Norwegian origin, meaning: Always alive
From Old Norse ei ‘always, ever’ or einn ‘one, alone’ and lífr ‘alive.’ While it isn’t a common name, we think it has a modern and Scandinavian vibe that some parents might find adventurous.

Einar
Scandinavian origin, meaning: One warrior
From Old Norse name einn ‘one, alone’ and herr ‘army, warrior.’ Einar is consistently prevalent in Scandinavia but hasn’t appeared in the USA charts since the beginning of the 20th century. This name shares the same roots as einherjar, the word for the slain warriors in Valhalla. 

Erland
Scandinavian origin, meaning: Foreigner, stranger
From Old Norse örlendr. This name is popular in Scandinavia but rarely heard in the States, making this one extra special for baby boy.

Fenno
Finnish origin, meaning: Finnish tribe name and language
From Old Norse Finnr meaning “Sámi, person from Finland.” This may be the only Finnish name on our list, but its modern trendy sound gives life to this ancient Norse-named tribe.

Gable
French origin, meaning: Triangular-shaped hill
Derived from the Old Norse gafl. Originating from Norse origins, this French name has a soft sound and simply sounds warm and inviting.

Grayson
English origin, meaning: Son of a steward
This is a name you probably haven’t always associated with the Vikings, but it is derived from the cognate Old Norse word greifi “a count, earl, steward.”

Gunnar
Scandinavian origin, meaning: Bold warrior
From the Old Norse name Gunnarr, which was derived from the elements gunnr “war” and arr “warrior.” Numerous Norse mythological characters bore the name Gunnar.

Gustav
Scandinavian origin, meaning: Goth staff
From Old Norse Gautr ‘Goth’ and stafr ‘staff,’ borne by several kings of Sweden. One of the more powerful male Viking names on this list, this name means the Goths or weapons of the Gods.

Hemming
Scandinavian origin, meaning: Shape changer
A name with the English sound Hemming is derived from the Old Norse word hamr ‘shape’ or ‘shape changer.’

Holger
Scandinavian origin, meaning: Spear island
From Old Norse hólmr ‘island’ and geirr ‘spear.’ Not only is it a strong-sounding name, but it also embodies strength. It’s of Scandinavian descent from Norse and means “spear island.”

Ingemar
Scandinavian origin, meaning: Ing famous
From Old Norse god Ing and mærr ‘famous.’ For the parent willing to take a risk, Ingear is a name that guarantees no one else on the playground will have.

Ingram
German origin, meaning: Angle raven
The name Ingram is originally a surname from Norman name Engelram composed of Engel ‘Angle’ (or Ing, name of Old Norse fertility god) and hramn ‘raven.’ Ingram is a perfectly quirky (and super uncommon) choice for a little boy. Strong sounding, yes, but we also think some might find it honorable and caring.

Ivor / Ivar
Scandinavian origin, meaning: Bow warrior, archer
From an Old Norse name, Yherr is derived from ýr ‘yew, bow’ and herr  ‘army.’ This name has a rich history among Kings, warriors, and other famous figures of folklore. 

Leiv/ Leif
Norwegian origin, meaning: Heir, descendant
Norwegian variant of Leif from Old Norse Leifr. Not to be confused with Levi, Leiv is a unique baby name that’s as strong and fearless as its Norse roots. Usually, this name pays homage to a forebear in the family to show respect to your ancestors.

Loki
Norse mythological name
Loki was the Norse god of mischief, known as a trickster deity who could change his appearance and shape to evade his enemies.

Manning
Norse origin, meaning: Brave
The name Manning is derived from an Old Norse word. For parents raising a fighter, the name Manning is a perfect moniker.

Njord
Norse origin, meaning: The name of a Norse deity
A name of a Norse deity. Looking for a strong mythology name for a baby boy? Njord might be the perfect candidate.

Odin
Old Norse origin, meaning: God of frenzy; poetic fury
According to Norse mythology, Odin is the oldest and wisest of the gods, presiding over Valhalla.

Olaf
Scandinavian origin, meaning: Ancestor, heir
From Old Norse Óláfr derived from anu ‘ancestor’ and leifr ‘heir, descendant.’ Thor is probably the best-known of all the male Viking names – for a good reason, but why not consider Olaf an equally short and powerful name that’s way under the radar.

Olen
Norse origin, meaning: Relic
This title is still common enough that you’ve probably heard of it before, but it’s more common in Scandinavian countries.

Oscar
Irish origin, meaning: God spear, deer-lover
Derived from Old Norse ÁSGEIRR. Parents who want a classic and familiar name with Norse roots will probably be attracted to the name Oscar which has a traditional sound with an old-world vibe.

Ove
Danish origin, meaning: Blade or terror
From Aghi a short form of various Old Norse names containing the element ag ‘edge of a weapon’ or ‘awe, terror.’ A ferocious name that has a lot of bark but not too much bite, Olaf is a short name that has a lot of power.

Ozzie
Norse and German origin, meaning: Bear god or god’s power
This name sounds modern while still holding credit as an ancient name from Scandinavia.

Ragnar
Scandinavian origin, meaning: Warrior
From an Old Norse name related to Rayner. A popular Viking name all across Scandinavia, made popular by the success of the Vikings TV show.

Raven
English origin, meaning: Blackbird or dark
The name Raven is derived from Old Norse Hrafn and the Old English Hræfn. This powerful name is gaining more popularity in recent years thanks to its presence in popular culture.

Rowan
Irish origin, meaning: Rowan tree
Ruadhán derives from the Old Irish ruad “red, red-haired.” Ultimately, of Scandinavian influence from the Old Norse reynir meaning “rowan tree,” derived from the Germanic raud-inan “to redded,” likely a reference to the tree’s small red berries. This name is unmatched in how cool it is; we also love that it can be used for a boy or girl.

Rune
Scandinavian origin, meaning: Secret lore
 From Old Norse Rúni, from rún ‘rune, secret lore’. Rune was the first writing system used by the Norse people. A rune has both a mystical significance and a literal meaning.

Sven
Swedish origin, meaning: Boy
Swedish from Old Norse Sveinn, ‘boy, lad.’ This is probably one of the better-known Norse names on our list, though still not over-used.

Tate
English and Norse origin, meaning: Cheerful
The name Tate is most likely from the Old Norse word “teitr,” meaning glad or cheerful. This name also can go with lots of different last names, as it’s universally disarming and sincere.

Thor
Norse origin, meaning: God of thunder
A pretty heroic name for your little dude, Thor is the hammer-wielding god of thunder and lightning.

Torben
Norse origin, meaning: Thunder bear
A name that could be easily adapted to the English-speaking world, this title reflects power and strength.

Torsten
Danish and Swedish origin, meaning: Thor stone
From Old Norse bórr ‘Tor’ and steinn ‘stone.’ NORWEGIAN: Torstein. This name has a reference to Thor with a heroic ring to it.

Torger
Norwegian origin, meaning: Thor spear
From Old Norse bórr (Thor) and geirr ‘spear.’ A mythological name that is perfect for parents who are obsessed with Norse Mythology.