Every region of the world comes with its own collection of popular names for girls. In the UK, during 2019, Olivia and Oliver were the most popular names. In China, the most popular name was Zhang Wei for men and Wang Fang for girls.
Scandinavia, a place best known for its stunning scenery and happy people, is also responsible for some of the most popular names in Europe.
Today, we’re going to introduce you to some of the best Scandinavian girl names, what they mean, and how you can pronounce them. This is the guide for you if you recently met someone from Denmark and you want to know what their name stands for.
You can even use this list of female Scandinavian names as inspiration if you’re looking for ideas for a new family arrival.
Let’s get started.
The top Scandinavian girls names
Most Scandinavian girl names feature a unique use of vowels and different spellings that make them look just as beautiful on paper as they sound. There are tons of romantic and traditional sounding titles to choose from if you love the Scandi landscape.
Here are some of our favorites:
1. Freyja (Pronounced: Fray-ah)
Freyja is the name of a Norse goddess known for beauty, fertility, and love. Alternatively, spelled “Freya”, this Scandinavian girl name is popular across the US and United Kingdom too.
Freyja is a popular name across the Scandi region thanks to its romantic backgrounds and its connection with the history of the Scandi landscape.
2. Tuva (Pronounced: Too-vah)
Tuva is a Norwegian and Swedish name, and a variation of “Tove”. The name literally means beautiful, making it an excellent choice for any girl. The title also has some connections to the older Norse name of Thor for boys.
Like its cousin, Tove, Tuva is a name that isn’t well-known throughout other parts of the world. Unless you’re from a Nordic region, there’s a good chance this name is brand-new for you.
3. Annika (Pronounced: Anne-ick-ah)
Annika is a name of Swedish origin, with a variety of spelling options including Annica, and Anika. This name means grace, making it a simple and beautiful option for any girl.
This regal version of “Anne” adds something a little special to a name that has become quite popular and overused throughout the United States and the United Kingdom.
4. Kajsa (Pronounced: Kie-sah)
Kajsa is a Swedish version of the name Katherine, which means pure and chaste. This name is also remarkably similar to the name Katie in the United States. Scandinavian female names frequently use the letter J in the middle of the name to soften a sound.
There’s an exotic quality to this title, despite its gentle meaning.
5. Laila (Pronounced: Lie-lah)
Laila or Lajla is a Finnish name, meaning “holy”. The name has a beautiful music to it, and the Sami people in Scandinavia often use this name as an alternative to Helga. There’s also an Arabic version spelled Layla, which means “night”.
Lei is a common nickname in Scandinavia, and you might hear this quite often as you travel through Finland.
6. Dahlia (Pronounced: Dah-leeyah)
Dahlia is one of the most popular Scandinavian girls’ names, and something you’ve probably heard around the world too. This name comes from the flower of its namesake. The title has an interesting history, like many from Scandinavia.
The flower itself is named after the Swedish Botanist, Anders Dahl, and the name Dahlia in Victorian language denotes dignity and elegance. Lia is a common nickname for girls named Dahlia.
7. Mia (Pronounced: Mee-yah)
Mia is shortened version of the name “Mariah” which came from the Hebrew name, Miryam. However, Scandinavian girls use this title as a shorter version of everything from Emilia, to Miriam too.
Mia means Ocean Goddess or Queen, and in some regions, it also refers to the guardian of Justice too. Definitely a good name for a powerful woman.
8. Ulla (Pronounced: Ooh-lah)
Probably one of the most lyrical sounding Scandinavian girl names on this list, Ulla has a connection to both Una and Lulu. The name comes from Norse and Scandinavian origins and translates into “determination” or “will”.
If you’ve ever watched the movie “The Producers”, you’ll be familiar with this title from Uma Thurman’s character. Ula is a popular alternative spelling.
9. Elsa (Pronounced El-sah)
Probably the best-known Scandinavian girl name around right now, this name is everywhere in the UK and the USA thanks to the Frozen Disney movie. This was Sweden’s most popular name in 2014, and it often earns a top spot in the hearts of many Scandinavians.
The name Elsa means consecrated to God in Teutonic German. You could also opt for Else if you prefer something a little different.
10. Viveca (Pronounced: Vee-vuh-kah)
This is yet another name from Sweden that’s extremely popular among Scandinavian girls’ names. Viveca is a strong-sounding title that’s sure to remind anyone of an Amazonian warrior. The beautiful name means “alive” or “life”, which is fantastic for anyone who wants a vibrant-sounding name.
Once again, this poetic title has a lot of appeal in Scandinavia, but it hasn’t reached many places in the US and UK yet.
11. Anneli (Pronounced: An-ah-lee)
A twist on another Swedish name, Annalise, Anneli is a sweet Scandinavian girl name that means “grace”. If you want an alternative to the more boring name of “Ann”, then Anneli is a good choice.
This option is starting to gain some popularity in the United States lately, but it’s less popular in other regions of the world.
12. Sanna (Pronounced: San-nah)
Sanna is a name that comes from the more well-known Susannah. This Scandinavian girl name is bold and powerful, although it actually means “lily”. If you’re looking for a Scandi alternative to better known titles like Anna or Hannah, but you want a similar sound, this could be it.
Sanna is also one of the Scandi names that is quite easy to spell.
13. Linnea (Pronounced: Lin-nee-yah)
Linnea is a name of Swedish origin, perfect for those who want to harness the beauty of Scandinavian female names. The title means lime tree or twinflower — and it comes with a lot of history.
The name came from a Swedish botanist named Carl Linnaeus, originally, who was responsible for creating the system we use to classify animals and plants.
Interestingly, this name hasn’t gained much popularity in the UK or USA yet.
14. Kai (Pronounced: Keye)
Kai is fundamentally a beautiful Scandinavian girl name, but it also has connections to around five other languages too. Depending on where you are in the world, the name’s meaning changes. For instance, in the Scandinavian region, Kai means “earth”.
The subtle and simple nature of this name means that it works well for either a boy or a girl, but it’s more commonly associated with Scandinavian girls.
15. Ronja (Pronounced: Ron-sha)
Ronja is a unique Scandinavian girls’ name with a compelling sound. If you hear this name in Germany, it may be pronounced “Ronya”, instead. The name comes from the Hebrew title Ronia, and it means “God’s joyful song”.
This is still a relatively rare name in most parts of the world outside of Scandinavia, so it’s sure to grab your attention.
16. Jytte (Pronounced: Yit)
It doesn’t get much more Scandinavian than this. Jytte is a special Scandi female name with an interesting background. The name is actually a take on the more well-known name, Judith, and it means “Women from Judea”.
Jytte has an interesting sound to it and it looks great on paper — but you might have trouble getting people to spell it properly.
17. Karina (Pronounced: Kar-eena)
Karina is a sweet sounding name, and an alternative to the better-known Karen. If you were a fan of Bob Dylan, then you’re probably already familiar with this name.
Karina means beloved or “dear” in Latin, and it also means “Pure” in Greek. This is a fantastic Scandinavian girl’s name with a lot of worldwide potential.
18. Ingrid (Pronounced: In-grid)
Ingrid is a name you probably associate with Scandinavia already. It actually comes from an old Norse name, Ingrior, which is a shortened form of Ingfrior, which means beautiful and beloved in German.
It might sound a little harsh rolling off the tongue, but this name is actually a very popular Scandi title, and one that’s very easy to spell.
19. Suren (Soo-ren)
Suren, or Soren is a Scandinavian name that means strong or heroic in the Latin, or Lilac in Scandinavian. In some parts of the world, it’s more common to hear the name “Soren” pronounced “So-ren” as a boy’s name.
However, the Scandinavian girls are more likely to have this name in the Nordic region, thanks to its connotations with the beautiful flower and the feminine color.
20. Nora (Pronounced: Nor-ah)
Nora is a name that most people around the world are already familiar with, thanks to artists like Nora Jones. This name comes from “Honora”, which is an Anglo-Norman name.
It’s an extremely popular title in Scandinavia, and it means “with honor or meaning”. Some people also connect Nora to Ireland too.
21. Agneta (Pronounced: Ag-nee-ta)
Agneta, otherwise spelled Agnetha, is a lyrical and Scandinavian version of the name Agnes. The name has connotations with virginity and purity, and like Agnes, it’s an extremely popular name across Sweden and Denmark.
This title has a unique hard sound at the end, which appeals to those who like the concept of Agnes, but with a twist. Scandinavian girls named Agneta often use the nickname Aggie or Neta.
22. Greta (Pronounced: Gret-ah)
Another of the most popular Scandinavian girls’ names, Greta is German in origin, and it has a lot of sway in Scandinavia too. This title might also be spelled as “Gretta” in some parts of Norway and Sweden.
Greta means “Pearl”, and it’s sometimes seen as a diminutive form of Margaret or Margaretta. This name is becoming increasingly popular lately, thanks to the incredible environmental activist Greta Thunberg.
23. Malin (Pronounced: Mah-lin)
In other parts of the world, the name “Malin” might seem masculine. However, in regions like Sweden and Norway, this title links to the Scandinavian name Magdalene — another popular girls’ name.
The name is both simple and exotic, with a lot of girls using it throughout the Nordic region. The name basically means “high tower”, which is often why many Scandinavian people connect it with fairy tales and princess stories.
24. Astrid (Pronounced Ast-rid)
Astrid is a name that comes straight from Norway, based on an adaptation of a rough old Norse word that means “beautiful god”. Although some people find the name “Astrid” to be a little harsh sounding initially, the title is actually a fantastic celebration of femininity.
What girl wouldn’t want a name that means “divinely beautiful”? The biggest downside with this name is that it’s pretty difficult to find a nickname for it.
25. Mari (Pronounced Ma-ree)
Mari is a Scandinavian girl’s name based on the better-known moniker of Marie, or Mary. This feminine name has various homes across Japan, Wales, Finland, Hungary, and Norway. The title sounds beautiful and looks great when written down too.
Most people associate “Mari” with words like calm and love. If you’re looking for a Scandi twist on a more traditional looking name, then Mari could be just the option for you.
26. Queron (Pronounced Ka-ren)
We can almost guarantee that this is a version of Karen you haven’t seen before. Almost unheard of in most parts of the world, Queron is the Danish variation of Karen or Katherine, and it means “pure”.
This unique name is one of the most eye-catching on our list when written down, though it sounds quite simple when spoken. A lot of people in Scandinavia believe that the addition of the Qu at the beginning of the name gives it a more regal element.
27. Soley (Pronounced: Soh-lay)
Soley is a name that you might expect to appear more often in sunny regions of the world like Spain and Mexico. However, it’s actually got some origins in the region of Iceland! There’s a yellow flower in Iceland with the same name — which is probably where this title originally came from.
The sound of this fantastic name is lyrical and soft, and it has links to terms like “sun island” and “buttercup”.
28. Hanne (Pronounced: Jane)
See this Scandinavian girls’ name written down, and you’re likely to think that it’s a version of the name “Hannah.” However, the female name Hanne actually comes from Johanne, or Johanna, which has origins in Germany, Denmark, Norway, and even the Netherlands.
This is a very popular title around Scandinavia and a fun alternative to the standard name of “Jane”. Interestingly, you can use the name Hanne for girls and boys.
29. Odda (Pronounced: Odd-ah)
Sure, this Scandinavian female name might look a little “odd” at first (see what we did there), but it’s actually extremely popular and well-known throughout Scandinavia. The name comes from Norway, and it has an incredibly unique meaning.
Although it’s difficult to give an exact translation of Odda, it basically describes a person that is perfect or complete in every aspect. We bet this is a title you won’t be able to get out of your head.
30. Brigitta (Pronounced Bridge-ett-ah)
If you like the name Bridgette, then you’ll love the name Brigitta. The title comes to you from Sweden, and it means “strength” or “exalted person”.
Although the slightly more well-known Bridget has gained a lot of popularity around the world over the years, Brigitta is still most common in the Scandinavian region.
If you’re looking for a name that conveys strength, but you don’t want something that’s too overly aggressive”, Brigitta could be the perfect option.
31. Brigitta (Pronounced Bridge-ett-ah)
If you like the name Bridgette, then you’ll love the name Brigitta. The title comes to you from Sweden, and it means “strength” or “exalted person”.
Although the slightly more well-known Bridget has gained a lot of popularity around the world over the years, Brigitta is still most common in the Scandinavian region.
If you’re looking for a name that conveys strength, but you don’t want something that’s too overly aggressive”, Brigitta could be the perfect option.
32. Vilde (Pronounced: Vil-dee)
It really doesn’t get much more Scandinavian than this. Vilde is a name with Norse origin, which literally translates to “Elf battle”.
If you’re a fan of things like Lords of the Rings, and you love how Norway’s fjords remind you of fairy tale battles and other worlds, then you’re going to be a huge fan of Vilde.
This name has a really unique sound to it that’s playful and fun too. You get a warrior princess mixed with something cute.
33. Uzma (Pronounced: Oohs-ma)
Uzma has a background in Arabic and the Norse language. It basically translates to “luxurious and supreme” or just “the greatest”. If you meet someone named Uzma in Scandinavia, you might find that they’re either extremely modest or a little bit of a show-off.
Either way, their short but impactful Scandinavian girl’s name is sure to make you remember them.
34. Smilla (Pronounced: Smee-lah)
Smilla is a name with origins in Norway and Denmark. It has a unique pronunciation which you might not expect when seeing it written down. This popular Scandinavian girl name basically means “a person who has a beautiful smile”.
Some Danish people also use it to refer to someone who always brings a smile to your face. Either way, it’s a joyful name and one that we absolutely love!
35. Carianne (Pronounced: Carry-anne)
Another excellent example of beautiful Scandinavian girls’ names, Carianne is similar in style to Catherine and Kara. It means pure and chaste, or “a pure woman”, and has origins in the Nordic region.
If you’re looking for a name that’s similar in sound to Catherine, but has something a little softer to it, this could be the title you’ve been looking for.
36. Danique (Pronounced: Dah-kneek)
Danique is an eye-catching name with origins in Denmark, and the Netherlands. Most people use this Nordic title as an alternative to the more well-known name Danielle. The q in the middle of the name gives it something special, while the meaning is pretty impressive too.
Danique comes from the term “star” or “morning star”.
Trends in Scandinavian female names
Some of the most popular Scandinavian girl names to come from Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland are already pretty popular around the world. The chances are you know a few people named Andrea, or Liv.
Since the arrival of Frozen, the movie, you’re probably pretty familiar with names like Elsa too.
In Denmark, the most popular Scandinavian girl names of 2020 are:
- Alma
- Clara
- Freja
In Finland, the most popular Scandinavian girl names of 2020 are:
- Elea
- Sofia
- Amelia
In Sweden, the most popular Scandinavian girl names of 2020 are:
- Olivia
- Astrid
- Maja
In Norway, the most popular Scandinavian girl names of 2020 are:
- Anne
- Inger
- Kari
In Iceland, the most popular Scandinavian girl names of 2020 are:
- Guðrún
- Anna
- Kristin
The best Scandinavian names for girls
Hopefully, this list of Scandinavian names for girls has given you an insight into some of the amazing female names to come from Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and Finland. We’ve even thrown in some Scandinavian girls’ names with Icelandic and Germanic origin for extra measure too!
Scandinavian girls have some of the most beautiful names in the world, with titles that sound just as good out loud as they do written down. Every year, new options come into the mix, so make sure you keep an eye on what’s trending.
Check out our other articles on Scandification for more insights into Scandinavia.
Scandification: Discovering Scandinavia.
