Category Archives: Danish Names

Maximilian

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Durer Maximilian I 1518 BRGender: Masculine
Origin:  Latin
Meaning: “one who is great.”

The name is derived from the Roman cognomen Maximilianus which refers to someone of greatness. The name was borne by a 3rd century martyr. It was borne by several other Christian martyrs, including Maximilian of Lorch, a Christian martyr of Austrian heritage and Maximilian of Antioch. The name was especially popular amongst the Habsburgs, starting with Frederick III who gave it to his son Maximilian I (1459-1519) to honour the two ancient Roman generals Fabius Maximus and Cornelius Scipio Aemilianus, in this case the name was suppose to be a blend of Maximus and Aemilianus. It was also borne by Maximilian II of the Holy Roman Empire, another Habsburg (1527-1576). Maximilian I Duke Bavaria (1573-1651), Maximilian II Emanuel, Elector of Bavaria (1662-1726), Maximilian III Joseph, Elector of Bavaria (1727-1777), Maximilian I of Bavaria (1756-1825), Maximilian II of Bavaria (1811-1864), Prince Maximilian of Baden (1867-1929) and Maximilian I of Mexico (1832-1867). It was also borne by a 20th-century Polish Catholic priest who was killed at Auschwitz known as St. Maximilian Kolbe.

In recent years, in the United States, the name has grown significantly in popularity, it currently comes in at # 300 of the Top 1000 Male Names. It is popular in other countries, especially in Germany and in Sweden. In Sweden, it was the 88th most popular male name in 2007. Its designated name-day is October 12. Other forms of the name include (listed alphabetically by nationality):

  • Maximilián (Czech/Slovak)
  • Maximiliaan (Dutch)
  • Maximilien (French)
  • Miksa (Hungarian)
  • Massimiliano (Italian)
  • Maksymilian (Polish)
  • Maksimiljan/Makso (Serbo-Croatian/Slovenian)
  • Maximiliano (Spanish/Portuguese)
  • Maksimilian/Maks (Russian/Ukrainian)

Feminine forms include:

  • Maximiliana (Czech/Slovak, German, Spanish, Portuguese)
  • Maximilienne (French)
  • Massimiliana (Italian)
  • Maksymiliana (Polish)

A common diminutive is Max

Sigrid, Siri

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  • Gender: Feminine
  • Origin: Old Norse
  • Meaning: “beautiful victory”

SigridaStoradaThe name is composed of the Old Norse elements sigr meaning victory and fríðr meaning “beautiful; fair.”  The name appears in Danish and Swedish royalty. It is notably borne by the illusive Sigrid the Haughty, also known as Sigrid Storråda, a Slavic princess who married Svein Forkbeard, mother of Canute the Great and Harald II of Denmark. However, historians argue if she ever really existed or if the Medieval chroniclers actually mixed her up with Świętosława, the daughter of Mieszko I.  Świętosława later changed her name to Gunhild when she married the above mentioned Danish king.  She is mentioned quite a few times in the Sagas as Sigrid, hence the historical confusion. Another Scandinavian princess to bear this name was Sigrid Eiriksdotter Vasa of Sweden.Sigrid_Eriksdotter_VasaSigrid’s usage is also quite prevalent in German speaking countries. Other forms of the name include the Norwegian diminutive form: Siri. The usage of Siri in Norway has mostly switched over as an independent given name.  Other diminutives forms include Sigga, Siggan and Sickan. Sigrid’s designated name-day in both Sweden and Norway is September 15. In 2007, Siri ranked as the sixtieth most popular female name in Sweden and according to the Central Bureau of Norwegian Statistics, there were approximately 8,208 women who had Siri as their first name. The formal Sigrid ranked in at # 100 in Sweden’s top female names of 2007, while Sigrid came in higher in Norway, coming in at # 52. Non-Scandinavian alternatives include the Latvian, Polish and Estonian Sigrida.

Tyra, Týr

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  • Gender: Feminine
  • Origin: Old Norse
  • Meaning: debated; theorized
  • Eng (TYE-ruh); Swe/Nor (TUEW-rah).

Surely you must think of the beautiful runway model, Tyra Banks, host of the Tyra Banks Show and America’s Next Top Model. When in Sweden or Norway, where the name is prevalent, an anglophone would not recognize the name by ear. Pronounced something like Teuw-rah, the name is actually of very ancient origins, a survivor of the original Indo-European language, Tyra is a feminine form of Tyr. Tyr itself, is a derivative of the ancient Germanic Tiwaz*.


In Norse Mythology, Tyr was the one handed god who got his hand bit off by the Fenrir wolf. He was revered as the god of single handed combat, victory, glory and honesty. According to the Icelandic Prose Eddas and the Poetic Eddas, he is either the son of Odin or Hymir. In the language of Old Norse, the word tyr was possibly synonymous with the word god, as tyr is found in many Norse poems and kennings as a poetic term for a god, referring either to Odin or Thor.
Scholars tend to believe that Tyr/Tiwas was a far more important god than he is portrayed in ancient Norse religion. Before the Migration Age, he was possibly the head of an Indo-European pantheon. In fact, it is suggested by archaeologists and anthropologists that his original name was*Dyeus. It is theorized that he later evolved into the Germanic Tiwas or Tyr, the Greek Zeus, and the Latin word for a god in general, Deus. Lingusts suggest that *Dyeus is related to a Pre-Indic root, deywos, which possibly means: “celestial being.” Even more fascinating is that the Sankrit word deva: “god” is closely related. After the varying Indo-European tribes separated and became more distinct from each other, Tiwas or Tyr became relegated in power under both Odin/Wodin and Thor. In other Germanic religions, he appears as Tiw, Tuisto, Teiws and Ziu. In the ancient Rune alphabet, the t-rune, named by modern scholars as the Tiwaz rune, is believed to have been associated with the above mentioned god. The rune looks very much like an arrow pointing upward.
He even survives in modern English lexicon. Our very own name of the week: Tuesday is from the Anglo-Saxon meaning “Tiu’s Day” Tiu being the Anglo-Saxon form of Tyr. The name also survives in many modern English, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, German and Icelandic place names.

While Tyr has fallen out of usage, its feminine counterpart, Tyra, is still quite common in Sweden. She ranked in at # 43 in Sweden Top 100 Female Names of 2007. Meanwhile, in the States, despite the recognition of Tyra Banks, she was last seen in 2007, where she ranked in at a measly 939. As of last year of 2008, she completely fell out of the top 1000. In Sweden, the designated name day is September 12th.
So before you think of American Pop Culture when hearing the name Tyra, think twice, as the name actually has a primordial and colourful past.

Dagny

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  • Gender: Feminine
  • Origin: Old Norse
  • Meaning: “new day.”
  • Nor/Swe (DAHG-nee); Dan (DOWN).

The name is composed of the Old Norse elements dag meaning day and ný meaning “new.” Its designated name-day throughout Scandinavia is September 11th. The name is far more prevalent in Denmark than in any of the other Scandinvian countries. In American literature, the name is found in Ayn Rand’s novel Atlas Shrugged as the name of a character. In Norwegian and Swedish, the name has the more pleasant pronounciation of (DAHG-nee) while in Danish, it rhymes and sounds like the English word “down.” To hear how the names are pronounced in both languages, consult this site: http://www.forvo.com/search/Dagny/da/ There is a Sami version: Dávdna

Tord

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Gender: Masculine
Origin: Old Norse
Meaning: “peace of Thor; Thor’s peace.”


The name is a modernization of the Old Norse name Þorröðr which is composed of the Old Norse elements Thor meaning “thunder” but in this case, the name was most likely created in reference to the god Thor, and fröðr meaning “peace.” The names usage technically extends to all the Scandinavian countries, including the Swedish speaking areas of Finland, but seems to be particulary popular in Norway. Its designated name day is September 10.

Athene, Athena, Athina

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Gender: Feminine
Origin: Greek
Meaning: debated
Αθηνα
Eng (uh-THEE-nah; uh-THEE-nee); Mod Grek (ah-THAY-nah; ah-THEE-nah).

The name is of debated origin, but is speculated to be composed of the elements ather meaning “sharp” and aine meaning “praise.” Others suggest that it is composed of pre-Greek elements, possibly constructed from the Lydian word ati meaning “mother” and combined with the name of a Hurrian goddess: Hannahanna or Ana. Plato himself claimed the name was derived from Atheonoa, a compound of the Greek theos meaning “the gods” and nous meaning “mind.”

In Greek mythology, the name is borne by the goddess of wisdom, reason, warfare and peace. She was also the patron goddess of the region of Attica and the city of Athens, which was named for her. I don’t believe I can do justice to the role Athena played for the ancient Greeks. But to be to the point, the Greeks so admired Athena that she appears as a recurrent figure in many Greek tragedies and epics. Athena was also the goddess of weaving and handicrafts. It is interesting to note, that unlike the other Greek goddesses, Athena remained a virgin, and was celebrated for her chastity. Though Greece no longer worships the ancient pantheon of Mt. Olympus, the names Athena and Athina still prevail in the small mediterranean country.

The name is borne by the grand-daughter of Greek shipping magnate, Aristotle Onassis, Athina Onassis Rousel (b. 1985).

In Greece, its designated name day is September 1st. Other interesting forms include: the Ancient Attic Athenaia and the Doric Athana.

Other modern forms include:

  • Atenea (Asturian/Spanish)
  • Afina (Azeri/Russian)
  • Atena (Catalan/Italian/Polish/Portuguese/Romanian/Serbo-Croatian/Slovene)
  • Athéna (Czech)
  • Athene (Danish/French/German)
  • Athéna/Athéné (French)
  • AÞena (Icelandic)
  • Atēna (Latvian)
  • Atėnė (Lithuanian)
  • Atene/Athene (Norwegian)
  • Aténa (Slovakian)


 

Ingrid

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Gender: Feminine
Origin: Swedish/Norwegian
Meaning: “beautiful Ing.”
(ING-rid)

When you hear this name you probably think of a golden legend Swedish actresses and tow-headed Scandinavian maidens.

Ingrid is viewed as the quintessential Scandinavian name to most English-speakers, thanks to the fame of Ingrid Bergman.

The name is composed of the Old Norse elements Ing which is derived from the name of a divinity, Ingwaz, an ancient Germanic fertility god. He was an obscure god who was considered the progenitor of the Ingaevones, a Germanic tribe. Though not much is known of him, he seems to have left his mark on many classic Scandinavian names: Ingmar, Ingri, Inga, Inger, Ingela and of course Ingrid to name a few.

The second part of the name is from the Old Norse word fríðr meaning beautiful.

In Sweden and Norway, Ingrid is rather timeless. It has never seemed to have gone out of style and remains in the popularity charts as of last year.

In Sweden, Ingrid was the seventieth most popular female name, while in Norway, she came in even higher, at # 12, tying with her sister names Ingri and Ingerid.

The name has received widespread usage outside of Scandinavia. It is used to a certain extent in German-speaking countries. In Germany she even boasts her own name-day, September 2nd, while in Sweden the name day is a month ahead, October 9.

Ingrid is occasionally used in Eastern Europe, particularly the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

Latvia and Lithuania boast their own elaborated form: Ingrida, while in Poland its spelled Ingryda.

In Finland she is Inkeri.

She is occasionally used in France.

Ingrid has gotten plenty of usage in the US, thanks to the large influx of Norwegian and Swedish immigrants at the turn of the century. In 1913, she managed to move her way into the top 1000, coming in at # 934. The highest that Ingrid has ever peaked in the US, however, was in 1967, when she came in at # 381.

It is interesting to note that Ingrid has never dropped out of the US top 1000 since. She currently stands at # 545.

Ingrid seems to have a fond following in the upper midwest, browse through Minnesota and North Dakota birth announcements and I wouldn’t be surprised if you saw at least one Ingrid. Ingrid might be appealing to English speakers who are looking to names like Eleanor and Matilda as inspiration. Strong, yet decidedly feminine names fit for a down to earth medieval queen.


Alfhild, Alvilde

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Gender: Feminine
Origin: Old Norse
Meaning: “elf battle.”

The name comes from the Old Norse elements alf meaning elf and hildr meaning “battle.” In Norse Mythology, it is the name of a beautiful maiden who was guarded by two deadly dragons. Any suitor who approached the dragons were instantly killed, except for King Alf. Alfhild ran away from Alf and disguised herself as a male warrior. Alf eventually found her while fighting her in battle, when he knocked her helmet off, he realized who it was. Alfhild eventually married Alf. Other forms include the Icelandic Alfhildr, the Danish Alvilda, and the Norwegian Alvilde.

Currently, Alvilde (ahl-VEEL-deh) comes in as the eleventh most popular female name in Norway. In Sweden, Alfhild’s designated name-day is September 3rd, but is very rare in Sweden.

Lydia

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Gender: Feminine
Origin: Latin/Greek
(LID-dee-uh)

Lydia has a sweet feminine vibe. Its classic without sounding too stuffy. Lydia could work just as well on a five month old as it would on a 55 five year old. It has the same feel as the popular Olivia and it wouldn’t be surprising if Lydia soon took Olivia’s place. Lydia currently stands as the 120th most popular female name in the United States.

As for Lydia’s history, it first appears as a given name in the New Testament. It was the name of a woman who had converted to Christianity after befriending St. Paul. Some scholars believe that Lydia was not her actual name, rather, it was a nickname to denote her place of origins, (Lydia in Asia Minor).

Lydia is a Greek word for an ancient country, known in Assyrian as Luddu, this particular’s country’s culture and language has been lost to history and speculation. The Greeks talked quite a bit about it, and in the Bible it is often refered to as Lud.

Lydia has multiple forms, including:

  • Lidiya Лидия (Bulgarian/Russian: Lidochka is a Bulgarian diminutive form)
  • Lídia (Catalan/Hungarian/Portuguese/Spanish)
  • Lýdie (Czech: LEED-yeh)
  • Lydia Λυδια (English/Estonian/Greek)
  • Lii/Ly (Estonian)
  • Liidia/Liidi (Estonian)
  • Lyydia/Lyyti (Finnish)
  • Lydie (French: LEE-DEE)
  • Lida (Hungarian)
  • Licia (Italian: lee-CHEE-ah).
  • Lidia (Polish/Italian/Romansch: a Polish diminutive form is Lidka.)
  • Livli (Sami)
  • Lýdia (Slovakian)
  • Lidija (Slovene/Croatian: diminutive forms are, Lidonka, Lidunka and Liduška)

In other Continental European countries, the name is usually rendered the same as it is in English. In German speaking countries its pronounced (LUY-dee-ah). Its designated name day is August 3rd.

August

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It’s the beginning of August and summer is almost over. Hence is why I have decided to write about the August names.

The root of these names is the Latin verb augere meaning “to increase.” Augustus was a title given to Octavian, the first Emperor of the Roman Empire.

Augustus as a title implied a person with great reverence and awe, usually suggesting “venerated” or “exhalted.” The name eventually spun off as a first name, and even left an impact on our month names. In the Roman Empire, the month of Sexitilis’ name was changed to August in honour of the Emperor Octavian. Its feminine version is the austere and rather severe, version of Augusta. Both Augustus and Augusta have a lot of potential. Augustus fits right in with the other “old man” dramatic chic names that seem to be rising up the charts. Think Jasper, Atticus and Leo. There is a certain nobility and sophistication to the name. Its feminine version has the same vibe, fitting right in with other current trends, such as Sophia, Matilda and Eleanor.

We also have the much shorter version of August, which has been used across central Europe for centuries. August seems to be climbing up the American charts, he currently comes in at # 482, while the more formal version of Augustus has ways to go, coming in at # 795. If August still feels too wordy to you, then you might like August with an e, Auguste is the French form.

Of course, how could we ever forget the saintly and scholarly Augustine. The name Augustine is a derivative of the Latin, Augustinus. It has the same meaning as Augustus.

The name was borne by the renowned Catholic Theologian and Doctor of the Church, Augustine of Hippo. Either pronounced (uh-GUS-tin) or (AW-guh-STEEN) the name does not even appear in the top 1000. Parents may find the –stine ending too feminine. It would make a great middle name, or a great alternative to the more common Austin.

Other forms of the name include:

Augustus Forms

  • Augustu (Asturian/Sicilian)
  • Avqust (Azeri)
  • Aogust (Breton)
  • August (Catalan)
  • August (Croatian/English/German/Letzeburgish/Occitanian/Polish/Romanian)
  • Augustus(Czech/Danish/Dutch/English/Finnish/Frisian/Estonian/German/Latin/Norwegian/Swedish)
  • Guus (Dutch: originally a diminutive form, now used as an independent given name)
  • Aukusti/Aku/Aki (Finnish)
  • Auguste (French)
  • Ágost (Hungarian)
  • Ágústus (Icelandic)
  • Augustale (Italian: obscure)
  • Ágastas (Irish/Gaelic)
  • Augusts (Latvian)
  • Ësti (Letzebergish: initially a diminutive form)
  • Gust/Gusti (Letzebergish: initially diminutive forms)
  • Augustas (Lithuanian)
  • Ágošt (Prekmurian)
  • Aujußß (Ripoarisch)
  • Aokuso (Samoan)
  • Augosts (Samogaitian)
  • Austu (Sardinian)
  • Avgust (Slovene)
  • Augusto (Spanish/Italian/Portuguese/Aragonese/Basque)
  • Awgust (Sorbian/Turkmen)
  • Ågusse (Walon)

German diminutives are Gustel, Gustl, Gusti and Augi. Slovenian diminutives are: Gustek, Gustel, Gustelj and Gusti

Feminine forms include:

  • Augusta (Czech/Danish/Dutch/English/German/Italian/Portuguese/Spanish)
  • Gusta/Guusje/Guuske (Dutch: initially diminutive forms, used as independent given names)
  • Auguste (German: final E is pronounced)
  • Auguszta/Ágosta (Hungarian)
  • Ágústa (Icelandic)
  • Avgusta (Slovene)

Augustine Forms

  • Augustini (Albanian)
  • Agostín (Aragonese)
  • Avqustin (Azeri)
  • Aogustin (Breton)
  • Agustí (Catalan)
  • Augustín (Czech/Slovak)
  • Augustijn (Dutch)
  • Augustine (English)
  • Austin (English: a medieval contracted form of Austin, in the United States, this is the most prevalent form of the August names, in 2008, he was the 55th most popular male name, between 1997-1998, he was the 9th most popular male name)
  • Gus (English: sometimes used as an independent given name)
  • Augustin (French/Basque/Croatian/Danish/Norwegian/Romanian)
  • Agostiño (Galician)
  • Ágoston (Hungarian)
  • Ágústínus (Icelandic)
  • Agaistín (Irish/Gaelic)
  • Agostino (Italian)
  • Augustinus (Latin/Dutch/Frisian/Estonian/Finnish/German/Swedish)
  • Augustīns (Latvian)
  • Augustinas (Lithuanian)
  • Wistin (Maltese)
  • Agustin (Piedmontese)
  • Augustyn (Polish)
  • Agostinho (Portuguese)
  • Aujustin (Ripoarisch)
  • Augostėns (Samogaitian)
  • Austinu (Sardinian)
  • Avguštin (Slovene)
  • Agustín (Spanish/Asturian)
  • Awstin (Welsh)

Feminine forms include

  • Austine (English)
  • Augustine (French/German)
  • Agostina (Italian)
  • Augustina (Latin)
  • Augustyna (Polish)
  • Austina (Sardinian)
  • Agustina (Spanish)