Badass Viking girl names often mean strength, battle, or have ties to Norse mythology, with top choices like Astrid (divine strength), Freydis (lady of the forest), Gunhild (war battle), Lagertha (famous shieldmaiden), Ragna (advice/judgment), Sigrid (beautiful victory), Skadi (giantess of winter), and Ylva (she-wolf). Names like Valkyrie, Saga, Hilda, and Thora also embody fierce, warrior-like qualities.
Hilda. Meaning “the fighter”, “battle woman” or “ready for battle”, Hilda is certainly not a name for a shrinking violet. Coming from the Old Norse word hildr, which means “battle”, it's a name that the Vikings traditionally gave to girls to give them strength and protection in life.
Sigurd – A dragon-slaying hero of Norse legend. Thor – The god of thunder, one of the most popular Viking deities. Tyr – The god of war and courage, an excellent name for a strong and fearless boy and man. Ulf – A Scandinavian name meaning “wolf.” Valdar – A Scandinavian form of Waldo, meaning “rule.”
A shield-maiden (Old Norse: skjaldmær [ˈskjɑldˌmæːr]) was a female warrior from Nordic folklore and Norse mythology. The term skjaldmær most often shows up in legendary sagas such as Hervarar saga ok Heiðreks. However, female warriors are also mentioned in the Latin work Gesta Danorum.
For example, daughter in old Norse is dottir. There are several names for son, but one is sonr.
Yet a recent investigation has found that, during the Viking Age, one of the most celebrated leaders was actually a woman. A recent study has found that Queen Thyra is honored on runestones far more than any male counterpart.
Floki names his daughter Angrboda. Angrboda is the name of Loki's first wife, who was supposed to be evil, and together they bore monstrous children.
Unmatched in skill or bravery, Lagertha was instrumental in the defeat of Frø. In awe of her prowess, bravery, and courage, Ragnar found himself entirely enamoured with Largertha. While he wished to make her his wife, she seemed far less interested in marriage.
Freyja – Meaning "lady" or "goddess," symbolizing strength and femininity. Gerd – Meaning "enclosure" or "protection," reflecting safety and security. Greta – A diminutive of Margarete, meaning "pearl," symbolizing beauty and rarity. Gunnhild – Meaning "battle maiden," representing courage and determination.
The names of the most popular Norse goddesses are Freyja, Idun, Frigg, Skadi, Sif, and Hel.
Rare Viking Names
While Valkyrie remains a distinctive choice, it reflects a growing interest in names that convey boldness and ancient wisdom, though it continues to be a rare selection for baby girls in English-speaking countries.
Shield Maidens were female warriors who fought alongside Viking men in battle, wielding weapons and wearing armor. They were not a myth, but a real and historical phenomenon, as evidenced by several accounts in Viking sagas and other historical documents.
Along with Athena and Luna, other mythological girl names in the US Top 1000 include Aurora, Daphne, Iris, Lilith, Maeve, Maia, Penelope, and Phoebe. Norse and Hindu mythology girl names are less common among American parents, but offer such beautiful choices as Indira, Priya, and Signy.
Valkyries; the female warriors of Valhalla. Many times we have been moved by these extraordinary Nordic warriors, sent by Odin as they say, to rescue the fallen in battle and lead them to Valhalla, a paradise where they can enjoy banquets irrigated with exquisite mead.
Here are some rare girl name ideas to help you get started.
Yes, Torvi is a real Old Norse name, derived from the god Thor and meaning "holy thunder" or "Thor's battle," reflecting Viking values of strength and protection, though it was less common historically but gained modern popularity partly due to fictional portrayals like in Vikings.
Norwegian Female Names
More recently, Lagertha (played by Katheryn Winnick) is a main character in the 2013 TV series Vikings. Broadly based on Saxo's account, the series portrays her as a shield-maiden and as Ragnar's first wife, who later rules as a jarl and then as a queen in her own right.
In chapter 24 of Gylfaginning, the enthroned figure of High says that after the god Njörðr split with the goddess Skaði, he had two beautiful and mighty children (no partner is mentioned); a son, Freyr, and a daughter, Freyja. Freyr is "the most glorious" of the gods, and Freyja "the most glorious" of the goddesses.
WARRIORESS Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster.
Gyda Ragnarsdottir was the daughter of Ragnar Lothbrok and Lagertha.
The saddest death in Vikings is subjective, but most fans point to Ragnar Lothbrok's tragic end in a snake pit, symbolizing the fall of a great man, or the drowning of baby Siggy (Bjorn's daughter), highlighting innocent suffering; others find Athelstan's death by Floki and Helga's subsequent grief, or even Bjorn's final moments, incredibly heartbreaking due to loss and unfulfilled potential.
Saxa's name refers to that of the giant Járnsaxa. According to Poetic Edda, the first book to be recorded by Völuspá (the seer's prophecy about Ragnarök), Járnsaxa was Thor's lover and had a son with him, Magni.