50 Viking Baby Names

The Vikings were Germanic people who created a base in Scandinavia and traveled by boat across the globe from 700 to 1100 AD. The word “Viking,” itself, translates to “pirate raid” in the Old Norse language, and a variation of the language is still spoken today in Iceland and in some other Nordic countries. Interestingly, many popular Viking baby names actually come from Norse mythology.

Though some Viking baby names are quite popular, many are unusual enough in much of the world that you aren’t likely to encounter others with the same name—a plus for many parents seeking a unique name for their child.

Popular Viking Baby Names for Girls

Here are some of the most popular and unique Viking baby names for girls, along with their meanings, origins, and other interesting information.

Agatha

• Origin: Viking, Greek
• Meaning: Goodhearted
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Aga, Agacia, Agata, Agathe, Agathi, Agatka, Agatta, Agetha
• Famous Namesakes: Agatha Barbara (former and first woman president of Malta) Agatha Christie (British author)
• Peak Popularity: Agatha peaked in popularity in 1913, when it ranked No. 392 in the United States.

Astrid

• Origin: Viking
• Meaning: Godly or divine strength, divine beauty
• Famous Namesakes: Astrid Lindgren (author who penned Pippi Longstocking and Six Bullerby Children), Astrid Bergès-Frisbey (French-Spaniard actress)
• Peak Popularity: Astrid was a somewhat rare name from 1900 until the early 2010s, when it began to grow in popularity before peaking at No. 452 in the United States in 2020.

Brenna

• Origin: Viking
• Meaning: Sword
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Brennda, Brenda
• Famous Namesakes: Brenna Todd (writer), Brenna Whitaker (jazz singer)
• Peak Popularity: Brenna reached height popularity in 1995 when it ranked No. 235 in the United States, but has since fallen out of the top 1,000.

Dagny

• Origin: Viking
• Meaning: A new day started
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Dagne, Dagnee, Dagney, Dagni, Dagnia, Dagnie, Dagnija
• Famous Namesakes: Dagny (Dags) Knutson (American swimmer)
• Peak Popularity: Dagny was most popular in 1901 when it ranked No. 925 in the United States, and has since fallen out of the top 1,000.

Dahlia

• Origin: Viking
• Meaning: Dahlia flower
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Dalia
• Famous Namesakes: Dahlia Lithwick (journalist)
• Peak Popularity: Dahlia has been growing steadily in popularity in the United States since the 2000s, peaking at No. 352 in 2020.

Ella

• Origin: Viking, Greek
• Meaning: Sympathy, compassion
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Ele, Elle
• Famous Namesakes: Ella Rae Wahlberg (daughter of Mark Wahlberg and Rhea Durham), Ella Alexander Rodriguez (daughter of Alex Rodriguez and Cynthia Scurtis)
• Peak Popularity: A consistent top-100 name in the U.S. in the early 20th century, Ella waned in popularity until its resurgence starting in the early 2000s, and has remained a top-20 name since 2008.

Eda

• Origin: Viking, Greek
• Meaning: Poetry, wealthy, happy
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Edda
• Famous Namesakes: Edda Renouf (artist)
• Peak Popularity: Eda was particularly popular in the early 1900s, peaking at No. 583 in the U.S. in 1902 before falling out of the top 1000 after 1930.

Emma

• Origin: Viking, Germanic, Old Danish
• Meaning: Whole, universal
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Ema
• Famous Namesakes: Emma Watson (British actress known for playing Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter series)
• Peak Popularity: A consistently popular name in the first half of the 20th century, Emma lost favor for several decades before its resurgence in the 2000s, and has ranked No. 1 or 2 each year since 2008.

Erica

• Origin: Viking, English
• Meaning: Ruling forever
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Erika, Ericka, Erykah
• Famous Namesakes: Erica Durance (Canadian actress known for playing Lois Lane in the TV series "Smallville"), Erykah Badu (musician)
• Peak Popularity: Erica was a particularly common name in the U.S. from the 1970s to the '90s, peaking at No. 31 from 1986-1988 before falling out of the top-1,000 in 2019.

Freya

• Origin: Viking, Danish, Swedish, Norwegian
• Meaning: A noble woman
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Freja, Freyja, Frea, Frøya
• Famous Namesakes: Dame Freya Madeline Stark (a British travel writer and explorer)
• Peak Popularity: Freya has been growing in popularity in the U.S. since the early 2010s, peaking at No. 179 in 2020.

Frida

• Origin: Viking, Germanic
• Meaning: Woman of peace
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Freeda, Freida, Frieda
• Famous Namesakes: Frida Lyngstad (member of the Swedish pop group ABBA), Frida Kahlo (Mexican artist)
• Peak Popularity: Frida was most popular in 2003, when it ranked No. 648 in the U.S., and has mostly remained in the latter half of the top 1000 since.

Helga

• Origin: Viking
• Meaning: Divine woman
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Hella, Helka, Helle, Olga
• Famous Namesakes: Helga Glantschnig (writer), Helga Masthoff (tennis player)
• Peak Popularity: Helga was a somewhat popular name in the U.S. in the early 1900s, topping out at No. 778 in 1907 before falling out of the top 1,000 in 1913.

Ingrid

• Origin: Viking
• Meaning: Beautiful woman, goddess
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Inkeri, Inger
• Famous Namesakes: Ingrid Asensio (model), Ingrid Jonker (writer)
• Peak Popularity: Ingrid was a popular name in the U.S. from the 1940 through the '70s, topping out at No. 380 in 1967 before falling out of the top 1,000 in 2020.

Kari

• Origin: Viking
• Meaning: Chaste, pure
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Kerry, Keri, Karie, Carrey
• Famous Namesakes: Kari Byron (U.S. artist and television personality), Kari Matchett (Canadian actress)
• Peak Popularity: Kari was a top-200 name in the U.S. from 1970 to 1988, but has not appeared in the top 1,000 since 2002.

Kelsey

• Origin: Viking 
• Meaning: From the island of ships
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Kelcie, Kelsea, Kelsi, Kelsie, Kelsee
• Famous Namesakes: Kelsey Chow (U.S. actress), Kelsey Card) a U.S. track and field athlete)
• Peak Popularity: Kelsey was a very popular name in the U.S. from the late '80s to 2000, peaking at No. 23 in 1992 before falling out of the top 500 in 2020.

Liv

• Origin: Viking
• Meaning: Of life
• Famous Namesakes: Liv Tyler (actress and daughter of Steven Tyler, the lead singer of the legendary rock band Aerosmith)
• Peak Popularity: Liv broke into the top-1,000 U.S. names in the early 1990s, climbing as high as No. 667 on the list in both 2019 and 2020.

Matilda

• Origin: Viking, Germanic 
• Meaning: Powerful and mighty in battle
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Mathilde, Matylda, Mafalda, Mathilda
• Famous Namesakes: Matilda Coxe Stevenson (U.S. ethnologist and author), Empress Matilda (first female ruler of England)
• Peak Popularity: Matilda was a particularly popular name in the U.S. in the early 20th century, peaking at No. 161 in 1900, then waning until a resurgence over the past decade that propelled it back into the top 500.

Randi

• Origin: Viking
• Meaning: Lovely goddess, shield, shrine
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Randy, Randie
• Famous Namesakes: Randi Rhodes (U.S. political commentator, activist, and talk radio host)
• Peak Popularity: Randi was particularly popular in the 1980s, peaking in the U.S. at No. 235 in 1983 before falling out of the top 1,000 in 2002.

Sandy

• Origin: Viking 
• Meaning: Protector of humanity
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Sandy, Sandi, Sandie
• Famous Namesakes: Sandy Duncan (U.S. actress), Sandy Dennis (U.S actress)
• Peak Popularity: Sandy was a particularly popular name in the U.S. from 1957 to 1966, peaking at No. 126 in 1960 before falling out of the top 1,000 in 2006.

Shelby

• Origin: Viking
• Meaning: From the farm of willows, where the willows grow
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Selby, Shelbi
• Famous Namesakes: Shelby Young, Shelby Lane (actresses)
• Peak Popularity: Shelby was a particularly popular name in the U.S. in the 1990s and early 2000s, peaking at No. 33 in 1991 before a steady drop out of the top 500.

Sigrid

• Origin: Viking 
• Meaning: Marvelous victory, beautiful woman who leads to victory
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Siegrid, Siegrida, Sigryd
• Famous Namesakes: Sigrid Wolf (Austrian alpine skier and Olympic gold winner), Sigrid Thornton (Australian actress)
• Peak Popularity: Sigrid was a somewhat popular name in the early 1900s, peaking at No. 792 in 1906 before falling out of the top 1,000 in 1916.

Sylvi

• Origin: Viking
• Meaning: From the house of strength
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Sylvia, Solvi, Solvej, Solveig
• Famous Namesakes: Sylvi Bratten, Sylvi Graham (Norwegian politicians)
• Peak Popularity: Sylvi is a unique name that is not listed in the top 1,000, though its alternative, Sylvia, was a top-200 name from 1900 to 1974 before waning in popularity.

True

• Origin: Viking, German
• Meaning: Real, genuine
• Famous Namesakes: True Thompson (daughter of Khloe Kardashian and Tristan Thompson)
• Peak Popularity: True is a unique name that hasn't appeared in the U.S. top 1,000 since prior to 1900.

Tyra

• Origin: Viking
• Meaning: Like thunder
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Thyra, Thora 
• Famous Namesakes: Tyra Banks (U.S. Model), Tyra Ferrell (U.S. actress)
• Peak Popularity: Tyra gained popularity in the 1990s, peaking at No. 320 in the U.S. in 1998 before falling out of the top 1,000 in 2008.

Yrsa

• Origin: Viking, Icelandic
• Meaning: Wild she-bear
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Ursa
• Famous Namesakes: Yrsa Sigurðardóttir (Icelandic novelist)
• Peak Popularity: Yrsa is a unique name that is not listed in the top 1,000 in the U.S.

Ylva

• Origin: Viking
• Meaning: Female wolf
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: NA
• Famous Namesakes:Ylva Johansson, European commissioner for Home Affairs; Ylva Loof, Swedish actress
• Peak Popularity: Ylva is a unique name that is not listed in the top 1,000 in the U.S.  

Popular Viking Baby Names for Boys

Here are some popular and unique Viking baby names for boys along with their meanings, origins, and other interesting information.

Ake

• Origin: Viking
• Meaning: Forebear, ancestor
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Aki
• Famous Namesakes: Åke Borg (Swedish Olympian swimmer in the 1924 games), Åke Edwardson (Swedish author)
• Peak Popularity: Ake (AW-Kee) is a unique name that is not listed in the top 1,000. 

Aron

• Origin: Viking
• Meaning: Eagle, eagle ruler
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Arne, Arend
• Famous Namesakes: Aren Miller (retired ice hockey player for the Detroit Redwings)
• Peak Popularity: Aron peaked in 1978, reaching No. 458 in the top 1,000 and remaining on the bottom half of that list ever since.

Ari

• Origin: Viking
• Meaning: Eagle
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Arie
• Famous Namesakes: Ari Fleischer (White House Press Secretary for George W. Bush), Ari Shapiro (correspondent for National Public Radio)
• Peak Popularity: Ari has surged in popularity over the past two decades, peaking at No. 372 in the U.S. in 2019.

Axel

• Origin: Viking
• Meaning: Man of peace
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Aksel, Acksel
• Famous Namesakes: Axel Alonso (Former editor-in-chief of Marvel Comics), Axel Toupane (former NBA player for the New Orleans Pelicans and Milwaukee Bucks)
• Peak Popularity: The name Axel has been gaining popularity in the U.S. for the past two decades, breaking into the top 100 in 2018 before peaking at No. 72 in 2020.   

Bo

• Origin: Viking
• Meaning: The Resident, Living, Fair, Beautiful
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Beau
• Famous Namesakes: Bo Jackson (former MLB and NFL player), Bo Burnam (American comedian, actor, and songwriter)
• Peak Popularity: The name Bo was somewhat popular in the U.S. in the 1980s and early '90s, but has experienced a resurgence of late, peaking at No. 537 in 2020.

Brand

• Origin: Viking
• Meaning: Sword, firebrand, beacon, fiery torch
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Brandt, Brantley, Brandon
• Peak Popularity: Brand is a unique name that is not listed in the top 1,000 in the U.S. , though its alternative, Brandon, peaked at No. 6 from 1992 to 1994 and currently sits at No. 166 in 2020.  

Bill

• Origin: Viking, Germanic 
• Meaning: Will to protect
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Billie, Billy, Billye, Billee
• Famous Namesakes: Billie Joe Armstrong (lead singer and guitarist of Green Day)
• Peak Popularity: The name Bill was a top-100 name in the U.S. from 1923 to 1948, but fell out of the top 1,000 in 1994,

Bjorn

• Origin: Viking
• Meaning: Bear
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: BJÖRN, BJØRN
• Famous Namesakes: Bjorn Ulvaeus (member and guitarist of ABBA)
• Peak Popularity: Bjorn has increased in popularity over the past four years, reaching its peak in the U.S. in 2020 at No. 780.

Corey

• Origin: Viking, Germanic, Irish, Gaelic
• Meaning: Chosen
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Cori, Koree, Korey, Corrie, Corie, Cory, Correy, Kory
• Famous Namesakes: Corey Perry (NHL player for the Anaheim Ducks), Corey Taylor (lead vocalist for bands Slipknot and Stonesour)
• Peak Popularity: Corey was a top-100 name from 1969 to 1996, peaking at No. 52 in the U.S. in 1977 and currently sitting at No. 525.

Dane

• Origin: Viking, English
• Meaning: Dweller in the valley, God is my judge, from Denmark
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Dayne, Dean, Dene, Danhy
• Famous Namesakes: Dane Cook (U.S. comedian and actor), Dane Lorg (MLB player for the St. Louis Cardinals and the Kansas City Royals)
• Peak Popularity: Dane has consistently made the U.S. top 1000 since 1945, peaking at No. 220 in 1986 before slipping to No. 835 in 2020.

Dustin

• Origin: Viking, English
• Meaning: Thor’s stone
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Thorstein, Dorsteinn
• Famous Namesakes: Dustin Hoffman, Dustin Diamond (U.S. actors)
• Peak Popularity: The name Dustin made it to the U.S. top 100 from 1975 to 1997, peaking at No. 41 in 1985 before falling into the second half of the top 1,000 since 2015.

Erik

• Origin: Viking
• Meaning: King forever, eternal ruler
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Erick, Eric, Erich, Aric, Aurick, Arrick, Arik, Arick, Aaric (Frederick), Erico
• Famous Namesakes: Eric Clapton (three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame), Eric Chavez, (MLB third baseman)
• Peak Popularity: Erik was a mainstay in the U.S. top 100 from the 1970s to the early '90s, peaking at No. 64 in 1980 before sliding down to No. 419 by 2020.

Finn

• Origin: Viking, Irish 
• Meaning: Fair, light
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Fynn, Fionn
• Famous Namesakes: Finn Dossing, Finn Seeman (soccer players)
• Peak Popularity: Finn has remained in the U.S. top 200 since 2016, peaking at No. 166 in 2018.

Frode

• Origin: Viking
• Meaning: Wise, enlightened, clever 
• Famous Namesakes: Frode Andresen (Norwegian biathlete and skier), Frode Estil (Norwegian cross-country skier), Frode Bovim (Olympic sailor)
• Peak Popularity: Frode is a unique name that is not listed in the top 1,000 in the U.S.

Gunner

• Origin: Viking
• Meaning: Army, warrior
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Gunnarr, Gunnar, Gunar
• Famous Namesakes: Gunnar Hansen (an actor most famous for his role in Texas Chainsaw Massacre) 
• Peak Popularity: Gunner began to gain popularity in the latter half of the 2000s, peaking at No. 235 in 2014 and coming in at No. 308 in 2020.

Gram

• Origin: Viking
• Meaning: Grey hill, from the gray home, gravelly land, farm home,
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Graham
• Famous Namesakes: Graham Norton (Irish actor and talk show host), Alexander Graham Bell (inventor, scientist, and engineer)
• Peak Popularity: Graham has been a popular name in the U.S. since the turn of the 20th century, but has remained in the top 200 since 2014, peaking at No. 176 in 2015.

Gustav

• Origin: Viking, Germanic
• Meaning: Staff of the gods
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Gustave, Gustaf, Gus
• Famous Namesakes: Gustav Elijah Åhr (U.S. rapper known as Lil Peep), Gustav Mahler (composer), Gustav Klimt (Austrian painter)
• Peak Popularity: The name Gustav peaked in 1912 at No. 474 in the U.S., but hasn't made the top-1,000 list since 1934.

Harald

• Origin: Viking
• Meaning: Powerful man in the army, army ruler
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Harold, Harry
• Famous Namesakes: Harald V (King of Norway since 1991)
• Peak Popularity: Herold was one of the top 100 names in the U.S. until 1967, peaking at No. 12 in 1921 before falling to No. 932 by 2020.

Kirk

• Origin: Viking
• Meaning: Church, of the church, dweller of the church
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Kerk
• Famous Namesakes: Kirk Douglas (U.S. Actor), Kirk Gibson (former MLB player and current Arizona Diamondbacks manager)
• Peak Popularity: Kirk was a top-200 name throughout much of the 1950s and '60s, peaking as high as No. 138 in the U.S. in 1963 before falling out of the top 1,000 in 2003.

Kol

• Origin: Viking
• Meaning: Dark, victory of the people
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Cole, Kole, Khol, Kohl
• Famous Namesakes: Cole Mitchell Sprouse (actor known for his role in the Disney Channel series The Suite Life of Zack & Cody)
• Peak Popularity: Cole consistently made the top 100 in the U.S. from 1997 to 2011, peaking at No. 69 in 2003 before settling in the 100s for the past nine years.

Loki

• Origin: Viking
• Meaning: Mischievous, trickster, god of destruction
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Loke
• Famous Namesakes: Loki (Norse God)
• Peak Popularity: Loki is a unique name that is not listed in the top 1,000 in the U.S.

Leif

• Origin: Viking
• Meaning: Successor, descendant, heir
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Leiv, Leiff
• Famous Namesakes: Leif Ericson (explorer considered to have discovered America before Christopher Columbus), Leif Garrett (U.S. singer, actor, and television personality)
• Peak Popularity: This name gained popularity in the late 1970s and early '80s, peaking at No. 638 in the U.S. in 1979 and ranking No. 917 in 2020.  

Manning

• Origin: Viking
• Meaning: Powerful and valiant, son of man, son of the hero
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Manangi
• Famous Namesakes: Manning Force Hayes (son of President Rutherford B. Hayes)
• Peak Popularity: This name peaked in 1916 at No. 969 in the U.S., and hasn't returned to the top 1,000 since.

Oliver

• Origin: Viking, Germanic
• Meaning: Elf warrior, descendant
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Áleifr, Olaf, Olliver, Olivier
• Famous Namesakes: Oliver Stone (director of Scarface) Oliver Platt (U.S. actor and Golden Globe nominee)
• Peak Popularity: Oliver was a popular name in the early 1900s, but has seen a resurgence in recent years, landing in the top 10 in 2017 and peaking at No. 3 in both 2019 and 2020.

Oscar

• Origin: Viking
• Meaning: Friend of the deer, God’s spear
• Alternative Spellings & Variations: Oskar, Ásgeirr
• Famous Namesakes: Oscar Wilde (Irish Writer), Oscar de la Hoya (Mexican-American Boxer), Oscar de la Renta (fashion designer)
• Peak Popularity: The name Oscar was at its peak of popularity in the early 1900s, rising to No. 47 in 1901 and remaining in the top 300 ever since.