Finding a great boy name is easier said than done, but in recent years Norse names have been having a moment, and it's easy to see why.
Norse names sound fresh, modern and strong, but also classical, with plenty of allusions to Norse mythology, the Viking Age and the Gods thrown in. They're not predictable, but these names aren't wilfully exotic or made-up sounding either.
For anyone who has ever sat through the entire Marvel movies back catalogue on Disney Plus (and even those who haven't), you're probably already familiar with names such as Thor, Loki and Odin (and they all feature on our exhaustive list, below). But we have a lot more inspiration for parents seeking special, unique names for their baby son. Norse names come from Scandinavian countries, such as Denmark, Sweden and Norway, and are typically inspired by the Viking Age as well as Norse Mythology and the Gods. Animals with plenty of strength also feature prominently (think the wolf, eagle or bear), as do spears, swords and rocky places. Looking for a middle name to match? There are so many names meaning King fit for your little prince to inspire you.
Browse our comprehensive list, below, for some strong, classic Norse baby boy names that you can use as inspiration for your new son, plus we have some fantastic Finnish names with meanings to inspire you. You're bound to find something both you and your family love.
Kettil (Old Norse). Means 'kettle' or 'cauldron'.
Asger (old Norse). This is derived from the Old Norse name Ásgeir, and it means 'spear of god'
Torben or Torbjorn(Danish). Another spin on 'the bear belonging to Thor', this name also translates as 'thunder bear'.
Kirkland (Danish). Translates as 'land near to a church'.
Gustaf (Old Norse). Meaning 'staff of the Gods'.
Kirk(Danish). Means 'church', or one who lives near one.
Hjalmar (Swedish, Norwegian). Means 'one who battles in a helmet'.
Gudbrand (Old Norse) Translates as 'divine sword'
Odin(Old Norse). Means 'fury or anger'. Odin in Norse Mythology is the god of war, ruler of the dead, and Asgard, and the father of all Norse gods.
Hafdan (Old Norse). This Viking name, traditionally for males, could be perfect for your son. It means half-Danish. Halfdan legendary was the king of the Scyldings in the famous medieval poem, Beowulf, and also appears in Norse mythology.
Loki(Scandinavian). Means 'trickster' or 'mischief maker'. Loki famously features in Norse mythology, as anyone who has watched the Marvel Cinematic Universe movies will know, where he is Thor's brother (in real Norse mythology, he is actually Thor's step-uncle).
Stig or Stigr (Old Norse). This name means 'wanderer' or 'voyager'.
Vali (Old Norse). Means 'son of Odin' or 'great and powerful'.
Sigmundr or Sigmund(Old Norse). Means 'protector'.
Ari (Old Norse). Another great, strong name that also means 'eagle'.
Garth (Old Norse). This means 'enclosed yard', 'quadrangle' or 'cloister'.
Arnfinn (Norwegian). Means both 'eagle', and 'one from Finland'.
Olsen (Danish or Norwegian). Means 'son of Ole'. This is also a common family surname.
Manning (Nordic). Means 'powerful and honest man'.
Harald(Icelandic, or Old norse). The Scandi version of Harold, it means 'army' and 'ruler'.
Randolph(old Norse). Means 'wolf shield'.
Birger (old Norse). Another one from Scandinavian, this name comes from the Old Norse word 'bjarga', which means 'one who helps out'.
Tove (Old Norse). This means 'beautiful Thor'.
Freyre (Norse). Named for the god of weather.
Crosby (Norse). Translates as 'cross farm', or one who lives close to a farm.
Andor(Norse). Named from both the word for 'eagle' (Arn), and after the famous god Thor.
Haldor (Old Norse). Meaning 'the rock of Thor'.
Erik (Old Norse). Erik the Red was a Viking ruler. This translates as 'one who is king forever'. A subtle spin on Eric, for your baby son.
Gorm(Danish name). Meaning 'attentive'.
Tore (Scandinavian). Means 'Thunder warrior'.
Erland (Old Norse). Means 'outsider'.
Kory or Corey(Old Norse). Means 'one who lives near a hollow'.
Thorsen Another derivative of Thor.
Ulf and Uffe(Scandinavian). Means 'wolf'
Canute (Old Norse) King Canute was a famous Viking warrior, and ruler of the English and Danish peoples. The name also means 'knot, rope or string'.
Holmes(Nordic). Meaning 'island', or low-lying place'.
Hrafn (Old Norse). Another bird-inspired name, this means 'raven'.
Calder (Both Old Norse and Gaelic in origin). It translates as 'cold, rough waters'.
Hemming (Nordic). Means 'shape shifter', or 'skin on the hind legs of an animal'.
Ingvar Another name for 'Ing's army'.
Tyr(Norse). Translates as 'angel' or 'from the stars'. In Norse mythology, Tyr was also one of the gods (of war and justice).
Thurmund (Old Norse). Means 'protector of Thor'.
Fell(Norse). From the word 'fjall', this means one who is from the high ground, or a rocky place (mountains).
Sven(Swedish or Danish). Another great name for your baby son, that's already well-known in the UK, this means 'young man' or 'young warrior'.
Herleif (Nordic). Meaning 'descendant of a warrior'.
Colborn (Norse). This name literally means 'burning coals' or 'burning charcoal'.
Ingolf (Nordic). Meaning' 'Ing's wolf'. In fact, the God of Freyr is often depicted in images riding on a wolf.
Magnus(Old Norse). Means 'powerhouse'.
Viggo(Danish or Norwegian). Means 'battle' or 'fight'.
Ingmar, Ingemar or Ingvar (Scandinavian). Named after 'Ing, a Norse god, and the word 'mar', which means 'famous'.
Rune (Old Norse). Meaning 'secret'.
Osmon (Scandinavian). Means 'godly protection'.
Eluf (Scandinavian). Meaning the 'only heir' or 'sole heir'.
Hrooar (Old Norse). This unusual name translates as 'spear' or 'warrior'.
Colby (Scandinavian). Translates as 'town of darkness'.
Roscoe (Norse). Means 'from near a buck forest.
Torvald(Old Norse). Translates 'Thor's ruler'.
Arne or Arn(Scandinavian). This traditional Norse name translates as 'eagle'.
Halvar (Norwegian). Meaning 'flat stone' or 'guardian.'
Ivar(Scandinavian name). Meaning 'one who fights with a bow and arrow', or 'yew tree'.
Fiske (Old Scandinavian). This is derived from the old name for 'fishseller' or 'fisherman.'
Bjarke (Danish) You'll find quite a few brilliant Norse names that mean 'bear', and this one of them.
Arvid(Swedish, Norwegian). We love this unusual name that means both 'eagle' and 'tree'.
Thor Perhaps the best-known of the Norse gods, he was the God of Thunder and revered for his mighty strength. His popularity was greatest during the Viking Age (790-1100 CE), when the cult of Thor prevailed. In the meantime, we think this makes a bold, chic choice for your baby son.
Gudmund (Norse). Means 'chieftain', or 'great ruler'.
Igor One who battles with Ing's army. Ing was the original name for Old Norse god Yngvi, and was the original name of Freyr, the god of virility, prosperity and fair weather.
Ove (Old Danish). This popular name could work for your son, and it also means 'godly protection'.
Leif(Old Norse). Meaning 'heir' or 'descendant.'
Arnkell (Nordic). Meanings 'from the parts of an eagle'.
Holger (Nordic). Meaning a blend of 'island' and 'spear'.
Dag (Norway/Sweden). This baby boy name comes from the word 'dagr', which means 'day'.
Per (Scandinavian). Means 'rock' or 'stone'.
Hagen(Danish). Meaning 'protected place'.
Tarben(Danish). Translates as 'Thor's bear'.
Frode (Danish, Norwegian and Swedish). Means 'clever' or 'wise'. Also think Frodo (as in Frodo Baggins).
Geir (Norwegian and Icelandic). Means 'spear'.
Carr (Old Norse) This comes from the old word 'kjarrone', meaning a 'swamp', or 'one who is from the marshlands'.
Sigurd (Old Norse). Means 'victory' or 'watching over the victory'.
Lamont (Old Norse). Means 'logman' or 'lawyer'.
Halstein (Old Norse). Means 'rock' or 'stone', so this could be a great, strong name for your baby son.
Brandt (Old Norse). This strong name translates as 'sword'.
Jarl (Scandinavian). Meaning 'Royal' or 'nobleman'.
Rangvald(Swedish, Norwegian). Means 'powerful judgement'.
Anders (Scandinavian). This means 'brave'.
Darby (Old Norse). This name means 'deer park, ' or 'settlement where the does roam'.
Gunnar (Old Norse). Means 'soldier' or 'fighter', 'brave and bold'.
Bo(Swedish/Danish/Old Norse). Short and sweet, Bo is derived from the word 'bua', which means 'to live'. Perfect for baby boys.
Thorsten, Thursten, Torsten or Thurston (Scandinavian). Translates as 'the stone of Thor'.
Bjorn(Swedish, Icelandic, Dutch). Another Viking-derived name that means 'bear', and probably the best-known of the much. Historically, this has been an extremely popular family name in Sweden.
Selby(Norse). Means 'from near a farm of willows.'
Kirkwood (Danish). Means 'church near a wood'.
Ulrik (Danish). Means 'ruler of all'.
Steen or Sten (Scandinavian). Means 'stone or tiny rock' or 'castle'.
Einar(Old Norse). 'One who fights on his own', 'lone warrior'.
