Thanks to the History Channel, Netflix, and Marvel movies, Vikings and Norse mythology have both seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years.
Usually, whenever something becomes more popular, lots of names associated with that something begin ranking on baby name sites.
After all, there’s a reason Isabella and Jacob ranked number one in male and female names in 2010. [1]
Some of the most popular Viking boy names include Bjørn, Erik, Magnus, Ivar, Leif, Thor, Loki, Ulf, Knut, and Ragnar.
These names are more often found in the Scandinavian countries. However, with the recent rise in Viking popularity in the United States, they’ll likely pop up there, too.
This article is a collection of 250 of the best Viking boy names, including famous names, strong names, traditional names, and more.
Some of them may sound strange to non-Scandinavian ears, but all of them are suitable names for little Vikings.
Also, see 250 Viking Girl Names for more information.
Famous Boy Names for Viking Males
These famous boy names for Viking males come primarily from ancient Viking heroes, the Prose and Poetic Eddas, or the gods and other beings in Norse mythology.
They are names that many people recognize, and some, like Erik, have made it into the mainstream naming culture, even in places like the United States and Canada.
Here are 50 of the most famous Viking boy names for males: [1] [2]
- Erik
- Leif
- Thor
- Knut
- Ragnar
- Magnus
- Loki
- Sigurd
- Hvitserk
- Uhtred
- Bragi
- Freyr (or Frey)
- Knuch
- Odin
- Baldr
- Hod
- Ubbe
- Bjørn
- Arne
- Njal
- Ivar
- Fárbauti
- Halfdan
- Gunnar
- Harald
- Ullr
- Sven
- Sten
- Gorm
- Floki
- Tyr
- Rollo
- Trygve
- Viggo
- Ulrik
- Vali
- Vidar
- Frode
- Kåre
- Hjalmar
- Ulf
- Rune
- Ødger
- Holger
- Heimdall
- Herleif
- Jarl
- Brynjar
- Arkyn
- Njord
Also, see What Hairstyles Did the Vikings Have? to learn more.
Strong Warrior Names for Viking Males
Many of the strongest warrior-related Viking names are often the ones that are also most famous.
For example, what could be more powerful than naming a son after the all-father (Odin) or one of the most famous Viking heroes who ever lived (Ragnar)?
Still, other strong Viking male names include those that have strong meanings.
Roar, for example, isn’t a Viking name that most people know, but it’s a mighty name because it means “fame and spear.”
These strong warrior names include a mixture of famous warriors’ names and names with strong meanings.
In the latter case, the name’s meaning is also included besides the name itself. Here are 50 strong warrior names of Viking males:
- Odin
- Ragnar
- Thor
- Tyr
- Magnus
- Módi
- Magni
- Bjørn
- Ivar
- Halfdan
- Harald
- Erik
- Knut
- Fenrir
- Fenris
- Sigurd
- Uhtred
- Leif
- Heimdall
- Njord
- Vali
- Vidar
- Sindri
- Bori: father of warriors
- Asva: one who runs as fast as horses
- Aesir: god
- Roar: fame and spear
- Einar: one who stands alone; a solo warrior
- Osmond: protected by gods
- Geir: spear wielder
- Herleif: a warrior’s son
- Brynjar: armored warrior
- Gudmund: one who is protected by god
- Ebbe: one who is as strong as a wild boar
- Hati: wolf
- Ulf: wolf
- Skoll: wolf
- Egil: one who commands respect or strikes fear into his enemies
- Gudbrand: sword of the gods
- Haldor: Thor’s rock
- Dustin: Thor’s stone
- Torsten: Thor’s stone
- Hjalmar: helmeted warrior
- Viggo: of or relating to battle
- Ralph: one who is as wise as a wolf
- Randolf: wolf shield
- Torben: Thor’s bear
- Asbjorn: bear god
- Erling: prince; heir to the throne
- Storm: storm
Also, see Did the Vikings Have Tattoos? to learn more.
Cool Names for Viking Males
Any name can be a cool name if the person giving it likes it enough.
That’s why it’s often hard to choose what’s cool and what isn’t.
After all, not everyone has the same ideas about what kinds of things are “cool.”
Even so, being named after a Norse god or the ravens of thought and memory is pretty cool.
Other names, like Volund and Espen, just sound cool to say out loud.
This list combines both types of names – those that sound cool and those with a cool story behind them.
Here are 50 of the coolest names of Viking males: [3]
- Thor
- Odin
- Loki
- Baldr
- Bragi
- Tyr
- Heimdall
- Sindri
- Gungnir
- Volund
- Espen
- Wotan
- Freyre
- Gunnar
- Rune
- Jarl
- Svend
- Huginn
- Muninn
- Gustaf
- Toke
- Åge
- Eilert
- Birger
- Joron
- Jurgen
- Kerr
- Askild
- Troels
- Aric
- Storm
- Knut
- Narve
- Anders
- Dag
- Einar
- Eino
- Stellan
- Haakon
- Ivar
- Jensen
- Janson
- Krzysztof
- Rolf
- Sune
- Volsung
- Mimir
- Soren
- Orm
- Skarde
Also, see What Did the Vikings Look Like? to learn more.
Traditional Baby Names for Vikings Males
Traditional baby names for Viking males include those from the Skaldic poems and the Old Norse language.
Many of the names have several variations in how they can be spelled, so expectant parents can play around with them however they like to make them perfect for their kids.
Here are 50 traditional Viking male names:
- Halstein
- Gustaf
- Arne
- Igor
- Olsen
- Hagen
- Ragnvald
- Colby
- Magnus
- Bo
- Darby
- Elif
- Thurmund
- Gudbrand
- Ove
- Sigurd
- Manning
- Gudmund
- Torben
- Eluf
- Uffe
- Steen
- Holmes
- Viggo
- Harald
- Anders
- Sven
- Roscoe
- Sigmundr
- Leif
- Hroarr
- Torsten
- Andor
- Baldr
- Erik
- Crosby
- Knut
- Einar
- Halfdan
- Tarben
- Selby
- Olaf
- Ingolf
- Stigr
- Jarl
- Hrafn
- Garth
- Bard
- Erland
- Audun
Also see Did the Vikings Have Dreadlocks? to learn more.
Modern Male Scandinavian Names
It’s true that many of the best Viking names sound somewhat outdated and out of place in the 21st century.
Heimdall and Tyr are powerful names, but they aren’t exactly mainstream.
Some people prefer more modern names that still allow them to remain in touch with their Scandinavian roots.
Here are 50 modern male Scandinavian names that will help ensure the babies who have them grow up to be modern-day Vikings: [4] [5]
- Havard
- Axel
- Torsten
- Stieg
- Canute
- Kristoffer
- Eino
- Finn
- Asmund
- Magnus
- Kai
- Lukas
- Bjørn
- Soren
- Ole
- Rorik
- Stellan
- Klaus
- Leo
- Erik
- Ivar
- Alrick
- Jens
- Nanne
- Marten
- Jakob
- Elias
- Olsen
- Somerled
- Anders
- Jan
- Syver
- Boden
- Brage
- Oswin
- Josef
- Mimir
- Petter
- Ansfrid
- Lars
- Asva
- Eero
- Kasper
- Oslo
- Otto
- Leif
- Mathias
- Ebbe
- Dagen
- Carson
Final Thoughts
Fortunately for parents of boys, it’s much easier to find a male Viking name than a female one. However, there are certainly options for both.
Also, see Norse Gods vs. Greek Gods: What’s the Difference? to learn more.
References:
[1] Source
[2] Source
[3] Source
[4] Source
[5] Source