Tag Archives: Danish Names

Gereon

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800px-Kopf_Heiliger_Gereon_KölnGender: Masculine
Origin: Greek/German
Meaning: “old man.”
(GER-eh-on).

The name comes from the Greek Υερων (geron) meaning “old man.” The name has been in usage in Germany and Denmark, particularly in the region of Cologne, due to a 4th-century Roman saint martyred there. Known as the Golden Saint, it is alleged that he was a soldier of the Theban legions who was martyred under the Emperor Maximian. He is the patron saint against migrains. There is a large basilica dedicated to him in Cologne where it is said his relics are kept. Its designated name-day is October 10. Another German form is Gerion (GEH-ree-on), Dutch form is Jeroen and the Romansch forms are Geronas, Gironas and Jaronas.

Flemming

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solitude-in-brugesGender: Masculine
Origin: Danish/Norwegian
Meaning: “from Flanders.”
(FLEM-ming).

He has a modern surname appeal but is actually derived from the Old Norse male name Flaemingr meaning “from Flanders.” In recent years, it has remained a staple in Denmark and is occasionally used in the other Scandinavia countries, though rather sparsely. Other forms of the name include Fleming and the Icelandic Flemmingur. Its designated name-day is October 16. The name is borne by Danish news journalist Flemming Rose (b. 1958) who sparked controversy in 2005 when he commissioned drawings of the prophet Muhammad in the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten.

Matthew

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Matthew_Evangelist

Gender: Masculine
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: “Gift from Yahweh.”

A bit dull and overused, he sits in the U.S  Top Ten. He is quite a hit in other English speaking countries as well. Just over the border in Canada, he comes in even higher at # 6. Down under in Australia, he comes in at # 16. While in Great Britain and Ireland he sits at # 24. Over in Bonnie Scotland # 9 and in the Republic of Northern Ireland he comes in at the highest at resting at # 2. Matthew may seem to be just the ordinary every day guy type of name, but the name itself has avery long and rich history. Matthew is the English form of the Latinization Mattheus a translation of the Greek Μαθαιος (Mathaios). Mathaios is a vulgar Greek transliteration of the Aramaic diminutive name Maty or Mattay מתי which is ultimately derived from the Hebrew name Matatyahu or Mattathias מתתיהו. Other Biblical forms of the name include Matanyahu מתניהו and Netanyahu נתניהו. Yehonatan, the original form of Jonathan, is an anagram Netanyahu. The name was introduced into the Western World through the veneration of  St. Matthew the Evangelist. He was one of the 12 Apostles of Christ and is credited by most Christian denominations as the author of the Gospel of Matthew. In the Western Churches, St. Matthew’s feast is held on September 21, while in the Eastern Calender it is set for November 16th. We cannot forget the different variations the name has spun off over the centuries. Including the following:

  • Mathyu (Arabic)
  • Mateu (Catalan)
  • Matiša (Croatian)
  • Matouš (Czech)
  • Mads (Danish): originally a diminutive form, now used as an independent name throughout Scandinavia
  • Matthieu (French): 98th most popular name in Belgium and 48th most popular name in France (2006)
  • Maitiú (Gaelic)
  • Matthäus (German)
  • Makaio (Hawaiian)
  • Máté (Hungarian): Máté was the 2nd most popular male name in Hungary of 2005
  • Matteo (Italian)
  • Matiss (Latvian)
  • Modris (Latvian)
  • Matas (Lithuanian)
  • Mats (Norwegian/Swedish): Orginally a diminutive form, now used as an independent given name
  • Mateusz (Polish)
  • Mateus (Portuguese)
  • Matej (Czech-Slovak/Slovenian/Croatian): In Slovenia, Matej was the 22nd most popular male name of 2005. In the Czech Republic and Slovakia, this name is used in reference to the Apostle Mathias who replaced Judas Iscariot and not in reference to the Apostle Matthew the Evangelist. In Croatia and Slovenia, Matej is used in reference to the latter.
  • Mateja (Serbian): In Slovenia Mateja is considered the feminine form of Matej
  • Matúš (Slovakian)-this form is used to refer to St. Matthew the Apostle
  • Matevz (Slovenian): 38th most popular name in Slovenia (2005)
  • Mateo (Spanish)-In the United States Mateo came in #251 in the popularity charts. In Spain he stands at #73 (2006). Chile at # 65 (2006) and France he comes in at # 67 (2006).
  • Matteus (Swedish/Norwegian)
  • Matfey (Russian)

You are probably wondering why I have not mentioned Mathias or Matthias. Though Mathias/Matthias are related etymologically to Matthew, I felt that they deserved a post all of their own. Therefore, stay tuned, and I will further discuss them in a future installment. An older English form of the name includes Mathew. Matt is the most popular diminutive form used in the English speaking world.

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.

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

Tova, Tove, Tofa

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Gender: Feminine
 Origin: Old Norse
 Meaning: “beautiful Thor.”

The name is derived from the Old Norse Tófa, which is a short form of Þórfríðr which in turn is composed of the elements Thor and fríðr meaning “beautiful.” In 2006, Tove ranked in at # 98 in the Top 100 female names of Sweden. While in 2007, its other form of Tova came in at # 87.

Tova is coincidentally a Hebrew female ( טוֹבָה) name meaning “good”, which is sometimes transliterated as Tovah.

In Sweden, the designated name day for Tove and Tova is September 10, while in Norway it is November 2.

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.

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.

Vidar

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Gender: Masculine
Origin: Old Norse
Meaning: “forest warrior or; wide or large warrior.”
(VEE-dahr)

The name is derived from the Old Norse male name Víðarr, which is composed of the elements víðr which can either mean “forest” or “wide; large” and arr meaning “warrior.” In Norse Mythology the name is borne by the son of Odin and the giantess Grid. He is fated to avenge his father’s death at the time of Ragnarök (the end of the world in Norse Mythology). Odin is fated to die by being devoured by the wolf. Vidar appears in both the Poetic Edda and the Prose Edda and is also a subject featured on the carvings of the Gosforth Cross in England. Traditionally, it is believed that Vidar will kill the wolf by pulling his jaws apart. Ouch! After the great battle of Ragnarök is to pass, Vidar will survive and rule his own hall in the Viking netherworld, upon the remains of Asgard. He is said to don a powerfully made leather shoe, which will help him kill the wolf in the future. He is said to be extremely powerful. Other forms of the name include Vithar and Vitharr. The name is currently popular in Norway where it came in as the 9th most popular male name of 2008. Its designated name day in Sweden is August 31, while in Norway it is on December 29.