Viking names never fully disappeared in Norway. They settled into our family trees, resurfaced in our baby announcements, and kept evolving with modern tastes. If you’ve traveled here or followed Norwegian culture from afar, you’ve probably heard names like Bjørn, Ingrid, Leif, and Astrid. These are not museum pieces. They’re on kindergarten cubbies, business cards, and name tags at the bakery.
Yes, many Old Norse names remain in regular use. Some sit high on the annual charts; others live steadier lives a little further down. Names such as Håkon, Bjørn, Ingrid, Sigrid, and Astrid are broadly recognized and consistently chosen, while heritage picks like Ivar, Sigurd, Ragnhild, and Tora keep a loyal following. A few, like Rune and Liv, feel both timeless and unmistakably Nordic.
Let’s dig into which Viking-era names you’ll still hear on Norwegian streets today, what they mean, how we pronounce them, and how Norwegians choose and combine them in 2025. Along the way I’ll share local tips that help these names land correctly in English-speaking contexts.
Popular Viking Boy Names in Norway Today
Bjørn
Meaning “bear,” Bjørn is one of those names every Norwegian knows. It’s strong, outdoorsy, and surprisingly friendly. The Ø vowel is a giveaway that this is Norwegian, and people shorten it casually to “Bjørn” without nicknames.
Harald
Old Norse Haraldr comes from “army” and “ruler.” Norway’s own medieval kings carried it, and it still feels regal but wearable. In daily life, Harald can read as classic and understated rather than heavy.
Eirik/Erik
From Eiríkr, “ever-ruler.” You’ll see Erik and the more traditional Eirik; both are familiar. If you want a spelling that travels, Erik is the easy pick. Norwegians won’t blink at either.
Leif
From Leifr, “heir” or “descendant,” and forever linked to Leif Erikson. In Norway, Leif is known but not trendy, which for many is the sweet spot. In English settings, teach the pronunciation as “Lafe” to avoid “leaf.”
Ivar
Rooted in yew and warrior imagery, Ivar feels modern again thanks to Nordic TV and a broader Old Norse revival. It’s clean, short, and strong.
Sigurd
From victory (sigr) and guardian (vardr). It’s heroic on paper yet friendly in daily use. Many families choose Sigurd to honor a grandfather or a saga-loving parent.
Tor
Linked to the thunder god. Tor is more common in compound forms today (like Torgeir, Torbjørn, Tore), but you still meet plenty of men simply named Tor. It’s easy to say globally and instantly evokes Scandinavia.
Håkon
Often glossed as “high son” or “chosen son,” Håkon is deeply Norwegian. It feels both traditional and current, and the å makes it unmistakably Nordic. If you’re outside Norway, Haakon is an acceptable travel spelling.
Arne
From “eagle,” Arne had a huge run in the mid-20th century and remains familiar and respected. It’s a gentle classic rather than a hot trend name.
Knut
Meaning “knot,” Knut is old-school in Norway now, but everyone knows it and there’s affection baked in. Abroad, Knud (Danish) and Canute (English history) show the same roots.
Odd
This one always raises a smile with English speakers. In Old Norse it refers to the “point of a weapon.” In Norway, Odd is a traditional name still borne by many older men and some younger ones; be kind if someone wears it proudly abroad.
Rune
Yes, this is a male given name here. It nods to Old Norse writing and the idea of “secret” or “mystery.” Rune feels sleek and international, surprisingly easy for English tongues.
You’ll also encounter Torgeir, Torfinn, Torstein, Halfdan, Trygve, and Einar. Some are rarer in new birth registrations but remain visible across generations.
Popular Viking Girl Names in Norway Today
Ingrid
From “beautiful, beloved.” Ingrid is one of the most enduring names in Norway. It works on a child and ages perfectly. Across borders, it needs no explanation.
Astrid
From “divine strength” or “godly beauty,” Astrid might be the most internationally adored Norse girl’s name right now. In Norway, it feels bright and fresh without being faddish.
Sigrid
A sister to Sigurd, blending “victory” with “beauty.” Sigrid is elegant, strong, and distinctly Scandinavian. It’s a name with quiet force.
Liv
Often explained as “life” and associated with protection in Old Norse. Liv is minimalist, stylish, and quintessentially Nordic. The pronunciation is like English leave.
Ragnhild
Meaning “counsel” and “battle,” Ragnhild is a heritage favorite. Not the most common for babies now, but you’ll meet plenty across generations. To English ears, it sounds noble and a touch archaic in a good way.
Tora
A feminine form linked to Thor. Tora feels crisp and modern while anchored in myth. It’s easy to say and spell internationally.
Runa
Connected to “rune” and “secret,” Runa has a lyrical sound and is gaining notice beyond Norway. A good option if you like Rune but want a feminine variant.
Gudrun
“God” plus “rune/secret lore.” Gudrun is a saga queen of a name. Today it’s more vintage, though you still meet Gudruns in workplaces and social clubs throughout Norway.
Gunhild
From “battle” and “war.” Gunhild has medieval gravitas, often shortened to Gunn or Hilde in everyday use.
Solveig
Traditionally analyzed as “house/hall” plus “strength,” though many associate it with the sun. Solveig is poetic, historic, and common enough that you’ll hear it regularly. Pronounced roughly SOOL-vay.
Other names you’ll hear: Signe, Åsa, Inga, Kari (from Katherine but Viking-era common), Hilda, Freydis, and Yr (short and fierce, used sparingly but loved by weather nerds thanks to Norway’s forecast app).
How Norwegians Use Old Norse Names in 2025
We treat Viking names the way many countries treat their classics: part heritage, part taste. Parents might choose Astrid because a great-grandmother wore it, or Sigurd because they love sagas, or Liv because they prefer clean, one-syllable names. Heritage carries weight, but so does how the name fits with a modern surname, the music of the vowels, and how it plays internationally.
A few trends you’ll notice:
1) Revival without cosplay.
Names like Ivar, Tora, and Runa are back, but we don’t name entire classes like a reenactment group. The balance is real: one Astrid, one Ella, a Liv, a Nora, and everyone gets along.
2) Middle-name magic.
We often tuck the boldest Old Norse picks into the middle spot: Arne or Ragnhild after a more internationally neutral first name. That way the child can use the one that feels best later.
3) Dialect and spelling.
Some families choose Eirik over Erik to emphasize Norwegian roots, or Haakon when living abroad so teachers don’t stumble on Håkon.
4) Goddess and myth names.
Freya is huge in the UK and rising across Europe. In Norway, Freja/Freya does appear, but Tora, Sif, and Idun/Idunn hold a steadier, subtler presence.
Meanings You’ll Hear Explained at Norwegian Dinner Tables
We love meanings, especially when they connect to nature or strength:
- Bjørn: bear
- Arne: eagle
- Leif: heir, descendant
- Ivar: yew + warrior
- Sigurd/Sigrid: victory + guardian/beauty
- Tor/Tora: Thor, thunder
- Håkon: high or chosen son
- Knut: knot, bond
- Liv: life/protection
- Runa/Rune: secret, rune
- Solveig: hall/house + strength
A quick note on etymology: Old Norse is a living research field. Spellings and meanings vary across sources and centuries. Norwegians are comfortable with that blur. Close is often close enough.
Pronouncing Viking Names Without Fear
Norwegian vowels do a lot of work. A few quick pointers:
- Å/å is like the “o” in more: Håkon ≈ HO-koon, Torbjørn ≈ TOR-byurn
- Ø/ø is the rounded vowel in French deux: Bjørn ≈ BYURN (one syllable)
- Ei is like ay: Leif ≈ Lafe
- G before r can soften: Ingrid is usually ING-rid; Solveig often ends -vay
- D at the end can soften or drop in some dialects: Ragnhild may sound like RANG-nil
If you’re choosing a name for a child growing up outside Norway, you can safely internationalize without losing the soul: Haakon, Bjorn, Sofia Solveig, Erik, Astrid, Liv, Sigrid, Rune. Norwegians won’t take it as sacrilege.
Tips for Choosing a Viking Name in Norway
Think about everyday use.
A strong meaning is lovely, but picture the name in a coffee queue, a Zoom meeting, and on a soccer jersey. Astrid, Ingrid, Liv, Erik, and Ivar pass the “daily wear” test easily.
Try the full name out loud.
Norwegian surnames often stress the first syllable. Pairings like Astrid Nilsen, Sigurd Aas, Tora Helle sound natural because the rhythm is clean.
Decide your letter tolerance.
Are you comfortable with å, ø, æ on forms and keyboards abroad? If yes, enjoy Håkon, Bjørn, Åsa. If not, adopt travel spellings: Haakon, Bjorn, Asa.
Honor without burden.
If you love great-grandpa Knut but worry about playground jokes in English, use it as a middle name. The story stays; the child gets options.
Lean into nature and myth.
Names tied to the landscape and the old pantheon age well here. Bjørn, Arne, Liv, Runa, Tor rarely feel out of place in Norway’s culture of mountains, fjords, and weather talk.
Viking Names That Fly Under the Radar but Get Nods of Respect
If you want distinct yet authentic, consider these:
Einar
Meaning “one warrior.” It’s familiar to Norwegians and uncommon elsewhere, with a musical rhythm that works in many languages.
Trygve
From “trust.” Older in vibe, but every Trygve I know is memorable in the best way. Pronunciation abroad is the main hurdle: roughly TRIG-veh.
Sølve
A masculine relative of Solveig. Sleek, modern, and unusual. The Ø is a giveaway that it’s Nordic.
Idun/Idunn
The goddess of youth and apples. Gentle, mythic, and easy to say.
Torbjørn
Literally “Thor-bear.” It’s long but wonderfully Norwegian. If that’s too much for everyday international use, shorten to Torbjorn or choose Tor.
Everyday Realities: How These Names Live in Norway
You’ll hear a mix in any Oslo playground: Astrid next to Maya, Sigurd next to Lucas, Liv next to Sofia. Norwegians aren’t purists. We like names that feel rooted but usable. Teachers, baristas, and nurses handle Ø and Å daily; in international settings, people adapt kindly.
If you’re moving to Norway and thinking about fitting in, you don’t need to force an Old Norse name to be accepted. But if Viking heritage speaks to you, choosing one of these names is a genuine cultural bridge. It signals appreciation for the language and landscape that shaped them. And you’ll have a good story when someone asks what Runa or Sigurd means.
A Quick Cheat Sheet for English Speakers
- Easiest to say everywhere: Astrid, Ingrid, Liv, Erik, Rune, Leif (teach “Lafe”), Ivar
- Very Norwegian, still manageable abroad: Håkon/Haakon, Sigrid, Tora, Solveig, Sigurd, Bjørn/Bjorn
- Vintage charm: Ragnhild, Gudrun, Knut, Arne, Gunhild
- Bold myth vibe: Tor, Tora, Sif, Idun/Idunn, Freya/Freja
Bottom line: Viking names in Norway aren’t a costume; they’re a living part of our naming culture. Pick one for its meaning, music, and how it sits with your life. If you end up with Astrid, Ivar, Liv, or Sigurd, you’ll hear echoes of fjords, sagas, and that stubborn northern light each time someone calls your name.