Viking names

Looking for a name that is historically strong, original and old? Our selection of Viking names is made for you. These original given names, referring to Nordic mythology, are generally a mixture of religion and urban legends.

In Viking culture, choosing a child's first name is important. Similar to Asian culture, the first name will have an impact on the personality and future of the person. For example, it was common for a child to be named after one of these ancestors to give him or her the qualities and personality of this ancestor.

Often of medium size, Viking given names are appreciated by the French, especially in Normandy. For little girls, first names like Astrid, Erika or Ingrid are very popular because of their French etymology and sound. As for male first names such as Olaf or Gunter, they are rarer.

Dating from the 8th century, Viking first names come from Nordic countries such as Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Iceland. Known for their military excellence and commercial success, the Vikings have had an influence in every corner of the world.

Among the Vikings, children were only named from the tenth day if they were healthy. It was a very important moment, both for the clan and for the child, because it meant the final integration of the child into the family. Very religious, the Vikings also considered that, once the child was named, it gave him access to the heritage of his ancestors.

Even today, Viking traditions are still extremely present in the Nordic countries, particularly Iceland. Indeed, it was customary for the father's name to be given to the child as a family name. The Vikings attached great importance to their clan membership. That's why there was no last name. Children, through this tradition, had a name composed of the suffix -son for boys and -dottir for girls. In addition, first names of Viking origin are subject to certain rules. Often composed of two elements, some of them can only be used at the beginning of the first name and others at the end.