Choosing a name for your child, or someone you love can undoubtedly be a difficult task. If you are looking for female names inspired by goddesses or other strong women from Norse mythology, or just the Viking Age, this list will hopefully help you on your journey.
When working on this list I started with almost fifteen hundred names. Then, through a highly subjective and non-scientific process I weaned out most of them. To not make it all subjective, I finally recruited the help of my daughter Oda (her name is remarkably in the top twelve). Together we have looked at more female Viking Age names than I had ever thought I would.My son Brage and I have made a list of Viking Age names for boys as well.
Our goal has been to create a list with names that we actually liked, while not being too restrictive. We eliminated names that today are more male than female. We also removed some that have taken on some unintended meaning in our time. Finally we cut some (many) that we in good conscience didn’t want to help someone name their daughter.
Many of these are popular female names today across Scandinavia. Based on our own taste we also came up with a list of top twelve female names with strong roots in the Norse myths or Viking Age. As the Norns carve runes into the roots of Yggdrasil, deciding what the future has in hold for your child, a good name will certainly be a great gift.
Top Twelve Female Names from the Viking Age
When choosing the top twelve female names from Norse myths and history, we had a bit of a challenge. We really ended with fifteen or sixteen names, however we finally managed to get it down to twelve. Obviously, choosing a name is highly personal so our top picks aren’t necessarily the same as yours will be.
We hope you find this list helpful and would love to hear from you if you decide to use one of them yourself.
Top Twelve List
| Andora | “Thor’s Eagle” – Female version of the male Andor. An- is derived from Old Norse Árn (meaning eagle), -dor is from the Old Norse Þórr for Thor. |
| Dagny | “New Day”(More poetically it could be understood as New Beginning). Derived from the Old Norse Dágr, the god of the day, and -ny, meaning new. |
| Eira | Derived from Eir, the Norse goddess of healing. Can also mean protection, or help. |
| Embla | Name of the first woman in Norse myths, brought to life by the gods Odin, Vili and Ve. |
| Frøya | Variant of the name of the Old Norse Vanir goddess of beauty and fertility. |
| Helle | “Blessed” – variant female form of the male name Helgi, derived from the Old Norse heilagr, meaning holy or blessed. |
| Idun | Based on the Old Norse name Iðunn, Aesir goddess of youth, keeper of the mythical golden apples. |
| Oda | “Prosperity” or “Happiness” – Short form of even older German female names beginning with Od- or Ot-. Derived from Old Norse auðr, meaning prosperity. |
| Sol | From Old Norse Sól, goddess of the sun. |
| Tyra | “Warrior for Thor” Based on the Old Norse Þýri, derived from Þorr (Thor). |
| Vilde | Short form of Alvilde, which is derived from Alfhildr. Compound name from Alfr (Elf) and -hildr (battle). Should go well with an Elven warrior. |
| Vår | Derived from Vár, the name of an Aesir goddess associated with oaths and pledges. Can also mean spring (season) or woman. |
Alphabetical list of female Viking Age names
Starting with A
| Aldis | |
| Alfhild | “Battle Elf” – Compound of Alf- (Old Norse alfr, meaning elf) and -hild (Old Norse hildr, meaning battle). |
| Alfrida | |
| Alfsol | |
| Alva | |
| Alvdis | “Elven Spirit” – From Old Norse Álfdís, compound of Álf- (meaning elf) and –dís (meaning woman or spirit/deity). |
| Alvfrid | |
| Alvida | |
| Alvilda | |
| Alvilde | |
| Alvlaug | |
| Andora | “Thor’s Eagle” – Female version of the male Andor. An- is derived from Old Norse Árn (meaning eagle), -dor is from the Old Norse Þórr for Thor. |
| Anveig | |
| Asa | |
| Aslaug | “Promised to the Gods” – Compound of As- (Old Norse Ás, meaning god) and -laug, meaning promised to, or married to). |
| Astri | “She who is loved by the gods” – From Old Norse Ástríðr. Compund of Ás (meaning god) and -tríðr (variant of fríðr, meaning beautiful). |
| Astrid | “She who is loved by the gods” – From Old Norse Ástríðr. Compund of Ás (meaning god) and -tríðr (variant of fríðr, meaning beautiful). |
| Aud | |
| Audveig | |
| Åfrid | |
| Ålaug | |
| Ålov | |
| Årlaug | |
| Åsa | |
| Aasa | |
| Åsbjørg | |
| Aasbjørg | |
| Åse | |
| Aase | |
| Åsfrid | |
| Aasfrid | |
| Åsgerd | |
| Aasgjerd | |
| Åsgun | |
| Åshild | |
| Aashild | |
| Åslaug | |
| Aaslaug | |
| Åsne | New Goddess – From Old Norse Ás-ný, where Ás is the gods, and -ný means new. |
| Åsny | |
| Åsveig | |
| Aasveig |
Starting with B
| Bjørgun | |
| Bodil | |
| Bolette | |
| Brynhild | Variant of Brynhildr, more commonly used today, however still rare. |
| Brynhildr | From the famous valkyrie and shield maiden Brynhildr. The name is made up of bryn, meaning chain mail, and hild, meaning battle. |
Starting with D
| Dagfrid | |
| Dagny | “New Day”(More poetically it could be be understood as New Beginning). Derived from the Old Norse Dágr, the god of the day, and -ny, meaning new. |
| Dagrun | “The Days Secret” – Derived from the Old Norse Dágr, the god of the day, and -run, meaning secret. Run is also the origins for the name of the rune alphabet. |
| Disa | |
| Disalv |
Starting with E
| Edbjørg | |
| Eibjørg | |
| Eidis | |
| Eir | Norse goddess of healing. Can also mean protection, or help. |
| Eira | Derived from Eir, the Norse goddess of healing. Can also mean protection, or help. |
| Eirun | Based on a compund word, derived from Eir (Norse goddess of helaing) and run (secret knowledge). |
| Eirunn | Based on a compund word, derived from Eir (Norse goddess of helaing) and -run (secret knowledge). |
| Eivor | |
| Elevine | |
| Elfi | |
| Elli | |
| Ellida | |
| Ellrun | |
| Elva | |
| Embla | Name of the first woman in Norse myths, brought to life by the gods Odin, Vili and Ve. |
| Erika | |
| Erikka | |
| Erna | |
| Evina | |
| Evine | |
| Eydís | |
| Eyrun | |
| Eyvor |
Starting with F
| Fredrikke | |
| Freja | Variant of the name of the Old Norse Vanir goddess of beauty and fertility. |
| Freya | The name of the Old Norse Vanir goddess of beauty and fertility. |
| Frida | |
| Frøy | Variant of the name of the Old Norse Vanir goddess of beauty and fertility. |
| Frøya | Variant of the name of the Old Norse Vanir goddess of beauty and fertility. |
| Frøydis | A name combining Frøy, from the Old Norse Frøyja, goddess of beauty and fertility, and -dis, the Old Norse spirit deities. |
Starting with G
| Gerd | |
| Gerda | |
| Gjøa | |
| Gro | |
| Gry | |
| Gudrun | |
| Gullaug | |
| Gullveig | The name of a mysterious woman mentioned in the Poetic Edda poem Voluspá. She brings gold, but also greed and insatiable desire among the Aesir. Possibly she was another form of Freyja, but that is speculative. Gullveig is a combination of gull- means gold, and -veig is understood here as meaning strength. |
| Gunhild | |
| Gunnlaug | |
| Gunnveig | |
| Gunnvor | |
| Gunveig | |
| Gunvor | |
| Gunvord | |
| Guri | |
| Gurina | |
| Gurine | |
| Guro | |
| Gyda |
Starting with H
| Haddy | |
| Halbjørg | |
| Haldis | |
| Haldora | “Hall of Thor” compound name from Old Norse Hall– meaning hall, and dora, derived from –thora, the female version of Thor. |
| Halfrid | |
| Halgerd | |
| Halgunn | |
| Hallaug | |
| Helfrid | |
| Helga | “Blessed” – female form of the male name Helgi, derived from the Old Norse heilagr, meaning holy or blessed. |
| Helgun | “Blessed” – variant female form of the male name Helgi, derived from the Old Norse heilagr, meaning holy or blessed. |
| Helgunn | “Blessed” – variant female form of the male name Helgi, derived from the Old Norse heilagr, meaning holy or blessed. |
| Helje | |
| Helle | “Blessed” – variant female form of the male name Helgi, derived from the Old Norse heilagr, meaning holy or blessed. |
| Herbjørg | |
| Herborg | |
| Herdis | |
| Herfrid | |
| Hergun | From the Old Norse Her-gunnr, where Her- means army, and -gunnr means battle. |
| Herlaug | |
| Hermana | |
| Hervor | |
| Hilda | |
| Hildborg | |
| Hilde | |
| Hildegun | |
| Hildegunn | |
| Hildrun | “Battle Secret” – Coumpound, based on the Old Norse hildr (meaning battle) and -run (meaning secret). |
| Hildur | |
| Hjørdis | |
| Hulda |
Starting with I
| Idun | Based on the Old Norse name Iðunn, Aesir goddess of youth, keeper of the mythical golden apples. The wife of the Aesir god Bragi. |
| Idunn | Based on the Old Norse name Iðunn, Aesir goddess of youth, keeper of the mythical golden apples. |
| Inga | |
| Ingebjørg | |
| Ingeborg | |
| Inger | |
| Ingri | |
| Ingrid | |
| Ingun | |
| Ingunn | |
| Ingvil | Variant of Ingvild (see below) where the -d is dropped. |
| Ingvild | Based on the Old Norse name Yngvildr. It was a combination of Yngv-ildr, where the first ‘Yngv’ is from the god Yngve/Ing (Freyr) and the last part -ildr comes from hildr, meaning battle. However, there was also a valkyrie named Hildr. Great name for a fierce and independent girl. |
| Ingvor | |
| Isfrid | |
| Iverna | |
| Iverine |
Starting with J
| Jorid | |
| Jorun | |
| Jorunn | |
| Jørgina | |
| Jørun | |
| Jørunn |
Starting with K
| Kari | |
| Kjellaug | |
| Kjellrun | |
| Kjerlaug | |
| Kristhild | |
| Kristlaug |
Starting with L
| Lagertha | |
| Linveig | |
| Liv | |
| Livunn |
Starting with M
| Maj | |
| Malfrid | |
| Malmfrid | |
| Møyfrid | |
| Målfrid |
Starting with N
| Nanna | |
| Norfrid | |
| Norhild |
Starting with O
| Oda | “Prosperity” or “Happiness” – Short form of even older German female names beginning with Od- or Ot-. Derived from Old Norse auðr, meaning prosperity. |
| Odalfrid | |
| Oddbjørg | |
| Oddgun | |
| Oddny | |
| Oddrun | |
| Odel | |
| Odine | |
| Odrun | |
| Olaug | |
| Olava | |
| Olda | |
| Oldis | |
| Olea | |
| Olrun | |
| Oslaug |
Starting with R
| Ragnfrid | |
| Ragnhild | |
| Ragnhild | |
| Ragnhilda | |
| Randi | |
| Rannveig | |
| Ranveig | |
| Reidun | |
| Reidunn | |
| Rigmor | |
| Runa | |
| Runi |
Starting with S
| Saga | |
| Sif | |
| Sigbjørg | |
| Sigborg | |
| Sigdis | |
| Sigfrid | |
| Sigfrida | |
| Sigfryd | |
| Signe | |
| Signy | |
| Sigri | |
| Sigrid | |
| Sigrun | |
| Sigrún | |
| Sigrund | |
| Sigrunn | |
| Sigun | |
| Sigveig | |
| Sigvor | |
| Sigyn | |
| Siv | |
| Siw | |
| Snefrid | |
| Snøfrid | |
| Sol | From Old Norse Sól, goddess of the sun. It also means sun, even to this day in all the Scandinavian languages. |
| Solfrid | |
| Solgun | |
| Solrun | “Secret of the Sun”, derived from a combination of the Old Norse sól, with the -run ending meaning secret. |
| Solvei | |
| Solveig | |
| Solvor | |
| Solvår | |
| Soma | |
| Svanfrid | |
| Svanhild | |
| Svanild | |
| Svanlaug |
Starting with T
| Thora | A female variant of the name Thor. From the Old Norse Þóra, derived from Þórr, the name of Thor, the god of thunder. |
| Thordis | |
| Thorgun | |
| Thorgunn | |
| Thorhild | |
| Thoril | |
| Thorild | |
| Thorill | |
| Thorine | |
| Thorun | “Loved by Thor”, based on a combination of Thor’s name, and the Old Norse ending -unna, meaning ‘loved’. Naming a daughter this would possibly both be honoring Thor, and invoking his protection. |
| Thorunn | Variant of Thorun. |
| Thurid | |
| Tone | |
| Tora | Variant of Thora. Personally I would favor the longer one, including the ‘h’. |
| Torbjørg | |
| Tordis | |
| Tordun | |
| Torfrid | |
| Torfrida | |
| Torgine | |
| Torgjerd | |
| Torgun | |
| Torhild | |
| Toril | |
| Torin | |
| Torine | |
| Torlaug | |
| Torun | |
| Torveig | |
| Tova | |
| Tove | |
| Trude | |
| Turhild | |
| Tyra | “Warrior for Thor” Based on the Old Norse Þýri, derived from Þorr (Thor). |
| Tyri | “Warrior for Thor” Based on the Old Norse Þýri, derived from Þorr (Thor). |
Starting with U
| Udna | |
| Ulvhild | “Battle wolf”, from the Old Norse úlfr, meaning wolf, and -hildr, meaning battle. Wolves were revered in the Viking Age, there were even elite warriors called the Ulfhedinn who were belived to be able to take the form, or spirit of a wolf. |
| Una | Short variant of Unna, see below. |
| Unni | |
| Unn | “Loved”. From the Old Norse, ‘unna’, to be loved. Could also be connected with one of the daughters of Ran and Aegir, Unnr, meaning ‘Frothing Wave’. |
| Unna | “Loved”. From the Old Norse, ‘unna’, to be loved. Could also be connected with one of the daughters of Ran and Aegir, Unnr, meaning ‘Frothing Wave’. |
| Unnlaug | |
| Unnveig |
Starting with V
| Valbjørg | |
| Valborg | |
| Valdine | |
| Valdis | |
| Valfrid | |
| Valgjerd | |
| Vebjørg | |
| Vedis | |
| Velaug | |
| Venhild | |
| Veni | |
| Venil | |
| Vidrun | |
| Vigdis | |
| Vigdís | |
| Vigunn | |
| Vilbjørg | |
| Vilborg | |
| Vilde | Short form of Alvilde, which is derived from Alfhildr. Compound name from Alfr (Elf) and -hildr (battle). Should go well with an Elven warrior. |
| Vilfrid | |
| Vilgjerd | |
| Vilgun | |
| Vilrun | Based on a compund word, from Vil (will or wish) and run (secret). Maybe the name for someone keeping, or granting a secret wish. |
| Vivil | |
| Vår | Derived from Vár, the name of an Aesir goddess associated with oaths and pledges. Can also mean spring (season) or woman. |
| Vaar | Derived from Vár, the name of an Aesir goddess associated with oaths and pledges. Can also mean spring (season) or woman. |
| Vårin | Derived from Vár, the name of an Aesir goddess associated with oaths and pledges. Can also mean spring (season) or woman. |
| Vårun | Derived from Vár, the name of an Aesir goddess associated with oaths and pledges. Can also mean spring (season) or woman. |
Starting with Y
| Ylva | |
| Ymbjørg | |
| Yngva |
Starting With Ø
| Østine | |
| Øydis | |
| Øygun | |
| Øygunn | |
| Øylaug | |
| Øyvor |
Marius
Norse mythology enthusiast, Norwegian and living in Oslo next to a series of old Viking age burial mounds.I am also able to navigate and understand quite a lot of the old Norse texts and I often lean on original texts when researching an article. Through this blog I hope more people, young and old will get to know Norse mythology and the world of the Vikings a bit better.
Viking Names for Boys – Curated List
4 thoughts on “319 Female Viking Names (With Top Twelve List)”
My husband and I are both practicing Norse Pagans. Something I really like about this vlog, is that you’re delivering straight information, to the best of your knowledge and understanding. A great many posts are quick to condemn us for our faith. Keep seeking the truth, my friend. Knowledge is power. Skọl
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Hello Shellie, really appreciate your feedback! Exploring Norse history and mythology is an ongoing journey, and kind encouragements like yours is great to have along the way. Being open minded, curious and caring goes a long way, rather than close minded, set in your ways in convinced of ones own beliefes.
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I have been fascinated with Vikings for many years, and I live the fact that you explain things about them and the names you have on here are amazing, I’ve named family members after Vikings names and the meanings mean alot to me to understand and how to say each one, I make sure it fits the family member.
I appreciate you very much and my goal in life is to be able to come and visit the land and the one castle that’s still up from my understanding Brunanburh.Reply
Hey Ann, great to hear from you and that you find the name list helpful. Reminds me to get back to it to add more descriptions and meanings to the list. I’m not sure if maybe the castle you are refering is actually Bamburgh Castle, but either way, if you do want to dig into Viking Age history, you might be better off visiting Norway or Denmark (personally I’m obviously required to say Norway 😉 ) and visit some sites here. I believe there is a “live” Viking Age village in Denmark you can visit as well. Visiting Norway would allow for maybe exploring some of the countryside where many of the Viking Age clans lived, giving more of a feel for the land than visiting a museum can ever do. Pwrsonally, we have a small forest behind our house here in Oslo with a long row of Viking Age burial mounds, just sitting down there and let it sink in feels to me like another great experience besides visiting museums. Hope for you that you get to go sometime!
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