Stuck for what to call your newborn and feel they are destined for greatness? Why not go full Viking saga on the situation?
Viking history has given us a collection of names that sound fierce, unusual, and strangely fitting for a child destined to rule the playground. Many come from real leaders, raiders, and explorers whose reputations were built on sailing, swordplay, and occasional mayhem. Below is a mix of authentic Viking names for boys and girls, inspired by sagas and famous historical figures, with a tone that balances humour and respect for the history.
Boys’ Names
- Ragnar – after Ragnar Lothbrok, the infamous raider
- Ivar – the Boneless, as flexible as a toddler with no bedtime
- Bjorn – Ironside, strong and stubborn as a bear cub
- Sigurd – Snake-in-the-Eye, already sounding like playground royalty
- Hvitserk – unusual, but bold
- Erik – think Erik the Red, founder of Greenland
- Leif – as in Leif Erikson, explorer of Vinland
- Harald – Fairhair, first king of Norway
- Halfdan – Harald’s father, and a favourite in the sagas
- Olaf – plenty of kings carried it proudly before Disney took it
- Styrbjorn – fierce enough to win arguments without speaking
- Guthrum – leader who gave Alfred the Great trouble
- Svein – Forkbeard, conqueror of England
- Knut – also spelled Cnut, king of England, Denmark, and Norway
- Gorm – the Old, a Viking dad name if ever there was one
- Thorstein – meaning stone of Thor
- Rollo – founder of Normandy and ancestor of William the Conqueror
- Eirik – alternate spelling of Erik, but with more edge
- Hakon – a strong royal Norwegian name
- Egill – Egill Skallagrímsson, the warrior-poet
- Sten – simple, sharp, like a stone
- Tryggve – meaning trustworthy, though Vikings stretched the definition
- Arnbjorn – eagle bear, which is terrifying and brilliant
- Torfinn – a classic Norse explorer’s name
- Ketil – meaning large cauldron, oddly charming
- Orm – literally “serpent”
- Ulf – wolf, needs no explanation
- Skallagrim – father of Egill, equally tough
- Thorvald – Leif Erikson’s father, great for a family theme
- Hrolf – another name for Rollo, Scandinavian variant
- Geir – meaning spear, sharp and short
- Asmund – protector of the gods
- Eystein – a name that sounds both scholarly and sharp
- Kolbeinn – meaning blacksmith’s hammer
- Torstein – another spelling of Thorstein, solid and traditional
- Viggo – meaning war, fierce but stylish
- Styrmir – storm-bringer, ideal for tantrum-prone toddlers
- Arni – meaning eagle, short and fierce
- Gunnbjorn – meaning war bear
- Snorri – as in Snorri Sturluson, saga writer
- Frode – meaning wise, so worth a gamble
- Toke – Danish Viking name, bold and unusual
- Hastein – Viking raider who hit up Spain and France
- Thorfinnr – legendary explorer who reached Vinland
- Jarl – meaning chieftain, straightforward power name
- Audun – wealth and friend, balanced and strong
- Bragi – named after the god of poetry, for creative types
- Styrkår – meaning strong warrior
- Arvid – eagle tree, a nature-power combo
- Ingvar – popular Viking leader’s name
- Vidar – silent god of vengeance
Girls’ Names
- Lagertha – shieldmaiden and wife of Ragnar (sometimes)
- Freydis – Erik the Red’s daughter, fearsome and bold
- Sigrid – the Haughty, queen with attitude
- Astrid – meaning beautiful, beloved, and divine strength
- Gudrun – tragic saga heroine
- Helga – holy, with quiet strength
- Ingegerd – Swedish princess who became a saint
- Ragnhild – strong Norse queenly name
- Solveig – meaning strong house, steady and graceful
- Thora – named after Thor, a force of nature
- Gunnhild – a queen and often described as fierce
- Brynhild – Valkyrie in saga lore, both powerful and tragic
- Hervor – warrior woman who wielded the cursed sword Tyrfing
- Skuld – one of the Norns, tied to fate
- Hilda – meaning battle, straightforwardly Viking
- Yrsa – a tragic saga queen, striking name
- Aslaug – wife of Ragnar in saga tradition, mother of heroes
- Groa – a seeress in the sagas
- Hallfrid – rare, but noble sounding
- Alfhild – legendary shieldmaiden, who disguised herself as a man
- Aud – also called Aud the Deep-Minded, a female settler
- Vigdis – meaning war goddess
- Thurid – strong and unusual
- Geirhild – battle name, sharp and commanding
- Runa – linked to secret runes and wisdom
- Hjordis – mother of Sigurd the Dragon Slayer
- Liv – meaning life
- Kari – meaning gust of wind, lively and fresh
- Jorunn – poetess and skald’s name
- Ingunn – linked to the fertility god Ing
- Hallbera – unusual but rooted in saga tradition
- Svanhild – daughter of Sigurd, her tale is grim but powerful
- Borghild – meaning fortress battle
- Unn – short, rare, but strong
- Dotta – saga nickname, surprisingly charming
- Thordis – priestess of Thor
- Frida – peace, with a modern appeal
- Skadi – goddess of the hunt and winter
- Eir – goddess of healing, simple and elegant
- Alva – meaning elf, mystical but light
- Sunniva – a saintly Norwegian name
- Elin – Scandinavian form of Helen, widely used
- Halla – popular Norse girl’s name, soft but firm
- Dagny – meaning new day, optimistic but strong
- Herdis – warrior woman, sharp and rare
- Asa – divine, short and powerful
- Ingrid – beautiful and historic Scandinavian name
The Seven Swords Takeaway
Viking-inspired names balance between intimidating, unusual, and oddly modern. Many of these names belonged to kings, queens, explorers, and fighters whose exploits shaped medieval Europe. Choosing one for a baby may not mean they will grow up to lead a raid on Lindisfarne, but it does guarantee that no one else at nursery will have quite the same name.
