Viking names are not just museum pieces in Norway. Many of the names you see in sagas and rune stones are still on school registers, office doors, and mailboxes across the country. The language has shifted over a thousand years, but the bones of the names are intact. If you are drawn to Scandinavian heritage or looking for strong, meaningful names with history, Norway offers a deep pool to choose from.
Here is the short answer. A large number of Viking Age names remain common in modern Norway. For boys, names like Erik, Bjørn, Tor, Håkon, Olav, Einar, Knut, Ivar, and Sigurd are still recognized and used. For girls, Astrid, Ingrid, Sigrid, Ragnhild, Liv, Solveig, Freya in the Norwegian form Frøya, Gudrun, Helga, Åsa, Runa, and Ylva are familiar and loved. Spellings have modernized in places, but the meanings and stories behind them remain.
Let’s take a deeper dive into the world of Viking names in Norway, including meanings, pronunciation tips, and how these names fit into everyday life today.
What Makes a Name “Viking” in Norway
When Norwegians talk about Viking names, they usually mean names with Old Norse roots. These often combine meaningful elements. For example, björn means bear, stein means stone, and fríðr means beautiful or beloved. Names were sometimes theophoric, linked to gods like Thor, Tyr, or Frigg. Over time, Icelandic and Norwegian spellings diverged from the older forms, but the same core sounds and meanings remain.
Important note on letters: modern Norwegian uses æ, ø, and å. You will see them in names like Bjørn and Håkon. If you remove the diacritics for international use, Norwegians will still understand, but the look changes. Bjørn becomes Bjorn, Håkon becomes Hakon.
Popular Viking Boy Names You Still Hear
Erik or Eirik
From Eiríkr, often interpreted as ever-ruler or eternal ruler. Erik is a timeless Norwegian staple. Both spellings are used, although Erik is widely recognized abroad.
Bjørn
Means bear. A sturdy, outdoorsy classic that feels unmistakably Nordic. Many Norwegians associate it with courage and nature.
Tor, Tore, Torje, and Torstein
All related to the god Thor. In Norway, Tor is the standard form. Thor with an h is understood, but it looks Danish or English-inspired. Torstein means Thor’s stone.
Håkon
A royal name with roots in Hákon, often glossed as high son or chosen son. Strong historical associations and still well liked.
Olav or Olaf
From Áleifr. Olav is the modern Norwegian spelling, while Olaf appears in older texts and international media. Olav has deep cultural resonance due to historical kings and saints.
Einar
Derived from einn and arr, often rendered as lone warrior. Contemporary and easy to pronounce for English speakers.
Knut or Knud
From Knútr, meaning knot. Knut is the Norwegian form you will see most often today.
Ivar
From Ívarr. Short, punchy, and distinctly Norse in feel. It has seen renewed interest thanks to pop culture, but it is very much a traditional name here.
Sigurd
From Sigurðr, often explained as victory guardian. Noble tone, easy to spell, and clearly Scandinavian.
Rolf
From Hrólfr. A friendly, no-nonsense name with Viking roots and a modern feel.
Trygve
From tryggr, meaning trustworthy or faithful. Feels classic and quietly strong.
You will also encounter Arne, Sten or Stein, Harald, Åsmund, Aslak, Halfdan, and Svein. Some skew older or regional these days, but none are relics.
Popular Viking Girl Names That Endure
Astrid
From Ástríðr, often interpreted as beautiful, beloved. Internationally popular now, but long rooted in Norwegian tradition.
Ingrid
From Ingifríðr, linked to the god Ing and the element meaning beautiful. Elegant and steady.
Sigrid
From Sigríðr, victory and beautiful. Modern derivatives include Siri, which Norwegians recognize as a historic short form.
Ragnhild
From Ragnhildr, counsel and battle. Feels traditional yet warm and familiar.
Liv
From Old Norse hlíf meaning protection. Short, luminous, and very Norwegian.
Solveig
From Sólveig, sun and strength or home. A lyrical favorite that wears well at any age.
Frøya
The Norwegian spelling of Freya, associated with love and fertility. Frøya is common on Norwegian birth registers. Important: Frøya is the local form; Freya is seen, but looks imported.
Gudrun
From Guðrún, god and secret lore. Serious and poetic.
Helga
From heilagr, holy. Once felt old-fashioned, but classic names often circle back.
Åsa
From Ása, connected to the Æsir gods. Short, strong, and easy internationally once people learn to say the å.
Runa
From rúna, secret or rune. Modern and ancient at the same time.
Ylva
Feminine of ulfr, wolf. A nature name with bite and charm.
You may also meet Signe, Gunhild, Toril or Tora, Gudrid or Guro, Idun or Idunn, Hilda or Hilde, Tyra, Unni, and Sunniva. Some appear more in certain regions or generations, but all are part of the living name landscape.
Pronunciation Tips For English Speakers
Norwegian vowels matter. These quick notes will get you close.
å sounds like the aw in law. So Håkon is roughly HAW-kon.
ø has no direct English twin. Think of a relaxed, rounded vowel between uh and er. Bjørn comes out a bit like BYURN.
æ is the a in cat. Sætre would start like sat.
ei is like the eye in English. Einar begins like EYE-nar.
y is a fronted u. Smile a little when you say it. Trygve starts almost like TRIG-veh, but with a tighter vowel.
Perfection is not required. Norwegians are used to hearing different accents. If you choose the Norwegian spelling with diacritics, people will assume the Norwegian pronunciation.
Spelling, Variants, and What Looks “Right” In Norway
You will often see paired forms. Tor is the Norwegian standard, Thor looks international. Olav is local; Olaf is older and more widespread abroad. Erik and Eirik both exist. Sigrid can shorten to Siri. Idunn in myth turns into Idun on Norwegian forms. If you plan to live in Norway or raise a child here, using local spellings generally feels most natural.
Practical tip: Norwegian digital systems handle æ, ø, and å just fine. International passports and airline systems do too, typically by transliterating automatically. If you drop the diacritics in daily use, keep the official Norwegian spelling on legal documents.
Names Drawn Straight From Norse Mythology
Some mythological names are everyday names. Tor and Frøya are the clearest examples. Balder and Tyr exist but are less common. Siv (from Sif) appears, usually in the Siv form. Embla shows up occasionally, especially among families who love saga literature. Loki is uncommon in Norway. People know the name, but it is rarely used for children.
If you like the mythic feel without going fully divine, choose names built from those elements. Torstein (Thor’s stone) or Åsmund (divine protection) carry the spirit while fitting daily life neatly.
Regional and Generational Flavor
Names move in cycles. Some that boomed in the mid to late 20th century feel classic now. Others are surging thanks to global interest in Nordic culture. Rural areas sometimes hold onto traditional forms longer, while cities can be more experimental with spelling. What stays steady is the Norwegian preference for names with clear sounds, natural imagery, and rooted meanings.
Meanings At A Glance
Here are concise meanings you will see attached to many favorites. Meanings are interpretive, but they capture the spirit.
Erik or Eirik: ever-ruler
Bjørn: bear
Tor: thunder
Håkon: high or chosen son
Olav: ancestor’s heir or relic of forefather
Einar: lone warrior
Knut: knot
Ivar: yew warrior or archer
Sigurd: victory guardian
Rolf: famous wolf
Trygve: trustworthy
Astrid: beloved, beautiful
Ingrid: fair and beautiful
Sigrid: victory and beauty
Ragnhild: counsel and battle
Liv: protection
Solveig: sun strength or home strength
Frøya: lady (linked to the goddess)
Gudrun: secret lore of the gods
Helga: holy
Åsa: of the Æsir
Runa: secret, rune
Ylva: she-wolf
Choosing A Viking Name For A Baby In Norway
If you are naming a child who will grow up in Norway, think about three things: spelling, ease of daily use, and family rhythm. Choosing Tor instead of Thor will align with school lists, official letters, and the way teachers say the name. Names like Astrid, Ingrid, Einar, and Olav are widely understood and age well. If you love a rarer form, consider pairing it with a more common middle name for flexibility.
A practical detail: Norwegian first names are regulated to ensure they work in the language and do not cause harm. Traditional Norse names are well within the norms. If you are coming from abroad and registering a name in Norway, the local spelling usually simplifies bureaucracy.
Using Viking Names Outside Norway
For international use, decide how much you want to lean into Norwegian letters. Bjørn is visually iconic, while Bjorn is easier for keyboards. Håkon becomes Hakon, Åsa becomes Asa. In books or games, readers love a small pronunciation note. In business names or product lines, keep it short and memorable. You can reach for nature-linked names like Ylva, Liv, or Bjørn that carry meaning without needing a long explanation.
A Few Locally Savvy Combinations
Norwegians often balance tradition with flow. Pairing Einar with Olav gives a regal, old-new mix. Astrid Liv feels bright and modern. Sigurd Knut leans historic and strong. Runa Solveig reads poetic and grounded. There is no single formula. The names here are lived-in, which means they fit comfortably with modern surnames and everyday Norwegian speech.
Bottom line: Viking names are alive in Norway. If you choose a name like Erik, Astrid, Bjørn, or Frøya, you are not borrowing a costume from the past. You are picking a name that Norwegians actually use at kindergartens, offices, football fields, and dinner tables today.