Random Norse Names
OK, you're life is dang near perfect - you've just decided to get your
very own Norwegian Buhund. Awesome!. You're flying above the clouds,
you have an immense smile plastered across your face from one ear to
another, how can life get any better?
Then you realize you need to come up with a good name for your
future
little bundle of fur. But picking names is tough. You're going to be
saying this name (and occasionally yelling it very loudly in large
crowds of stuffy cat-lovers) for a long time to come. It's got to be a good name. It's
got to mean something cosmic or profound. It's got to be easy to
say. But what's a good name? Oh this is hard.
Your euphoria vanishes, your smile turns upside down.
You start to cry, abeit only inside.
Now, if you're like me, you'd prefer to name your upcoming ball
of fluff something old Norse or Norwegian. They're Viking Dogs after
all! But the odds are you know even less Old Norse or Norwegian than
you do quantum mechanics. You could go search baby name websites for
a good name, but after doing that for bit, it all seems so hopeless.
So many names, so hard to pick among them. The ones that sound nice
don't mean much to you, while the ones that have the right meaning,
sound awful..
So take my solution - Lie! Lie Proudly! Just pick a name that
sounds Old Norse, and say it means whatever you want it to. Who's
going to know if you're lying? Odds are, your friends know even
less Old Norse or Norwegian than you do. Hence they're not going to complain.
And even if you do have a Norwegian friend, simply say the name is
from Old Norse. If your friend Thor, who has been around for a really
long time, actually knows Old Norse, say it's Danish or Finnish.
Who is he to disagree?
The trick of course is to find a name that sort of sounds Old
Norse that could mean whatever you want it to. Something random, but
similar to Norwegian.
Well, you've come to the right spot. Below are a set of randomly
generated, Old Norse sounding names briefly considered when coming
up with the names of our puppies. They were generated using
character sequence based Markov chains modeled on about 300 Old
Norse names. Sure they're random, but not too random.
Some names I think would be great for Dogs (
Asti,
Skal,
Thorka ), while some are just weird:
(
Asteirigtrimundson,
Gund,
Snasonarnljorm). Feel free
to take a look and use any name you feel like, and come up with a
good, no a
great, story explaining it's meaning that means something
profound to you or your puppy. (E.g.
Faldr - the giant laughing green dragon that guarded
all the beer in Valhalla!
Woolf - the fierce 6-legged dog
that stood at Thor's side and fetches his thrown hammer.
Teif, the fox with hair long as it's tail that
Odin rubs against his lighting bolts to charge them.
Eyli, the dark black falcon who guards
from the foot of Sif's bed, ever watchful for mares of the night.
Now who would disagree with a stories like these?)
A short description of the ideas behind this algorithm I used,
and how the names sort of ended up being Old-Norse like, may be
found on:
You may enjoy these sites that have many, real, historical
Norwegian names in them instead, and information on how names
got translated into English.
http://www.borgos.nndata.no/jborgose.htm
- a great site
run by a Norwegian genealogist and historian, with lots of
info on Norway.
Now I will admit my wife wouldn't let me use any of these names,
but hey, I did manage to name one Chewie. (He's a
great dog - I even took him to Westminster!) I didn't even
have to give up Norse theme either - after all, everyone knows the
entire Star Wars universe was settled by Norwegians :-)
If you do decided to pick a name from this list, please let me
know how it works out, and what you decided the word means in
English! I'd love to hear all about it. (Oh, and watch out for
Norwegian Opera singers - but that's another story...)
Adigfus
|
Adil
|
Adilm
|
Adin
|
Afran
|
Afridmason
|
Alf
|
Alf
|
Alfson
|
Allga
|
Amundson
|
Amundsson
|
Anic
|
Anis
|
Annad
|
Annarsteigurdarsonsson
|
Annlacoti
|
Arand
|
Arn
|
Arnadd
|
Arnakelsterdson
|
Arnarrison
|
Arncon
|
Arni
|
Asbralsteif
|
Asbrand
|
Asbrasson
|
Asbrayerdson
|
Asbrolfsson
|
Ast
|
Asteirigtrimundson
|
Aster
|
Asti
|
Astir
|
Astrimhiter
|
Ath
|
Athe
|
Athellster
|
Athorg
|
Athorgfin
|
Athormlason
|
Atleidr
|
Atleif
|
Atli
|
Atlifsson
|
Atlimhiteiksson
|
Atlinakkisa
|
Atlingilson
|
Aud
|
Audm
|
Audi
|
Audmund
|
Audmunn
|
Audny
|
Aun
|
Aunchelgerse
|
Aund
|
Aundsdotir
|
Aunn
|
Aunnamon
|
Aunor
|
Aunrelstillson
|
Baegi
|
Baemunun
|
Barsongimson
|
Ber
|
Ber
|
Berd
|
Berghtir
|
Berleingisa
|
Bik
|
Biksonsson
|
Bikulafn
|
Bikuli
|
Bikull
|
Bikull)
|
Bja
|
Bjarn
|
Bjarphe
|
Bjol
|
Bjolsson
|
Bjora
|
Bjorand
|
Bjord
|
Bjottein
|
Bjotter
|
Blacock
|
Blagnung
|
Blasonsson
|
Blaumssfella
|
Ble)
|
Bleing
|
Bodbralkell
|
Bodd
|
Bodi
|
Bodis
|
Bodverdingein
|
Borarn
|
Borway
|
Bowswandsdatteinnlafni
|
Bowswayer
|
Bra
|
Bra
|
Braf
|
Brafn
|
Brafnir
|
Bralkise
|
Bran
|
Brand
|
Brandson
|
Branhietil
|
Brasson
|
Brastri
|
Brimunnakegi
|
Brin
|
Brisson
|
Brygg
|
Budmard
|
Dagnosi
|
Dainame
|
Dainsson
|
Dainssonad
|
Dal
|
Dallif
|
Dyli
|
Dylif
|
Dylimsson
|
Dylirir
|
Dyllaf
|
Eas
|
Eason
|
Eassonsson
|
Egi
|
Egibjorrafn
|
Egilkelga
|
Egillson
|
Egillundsdatter
|
Egilsdattilkelger
|
Egilsson
|
Egim
|
Egimhiteiksson
|
Egimsson
|
Einn
|
Einnsson
|
Eir
|
Eng
|
Eng)
|
Engbjorson
|
Engimson
|
Engni
|
Eri
|
Eric
|
Erick
|
Erikuli-Chrimsson
|
Erim
|
Erimsson
|
Erir
|
Erlafn
|
Erleing
|
Erleir
|
Erlenjarsdar
|
Erli
|
Erphe
|
Exceldordildordatteif
|
Excelgi
|
Eyli
|
Eysteir
|
Eyster
|
Eyster
|
Eystervarson
|
Eystrioududmunrein
|
Fal
|
Fald
|
Faldr
|
Fallaus
|
Fallif
|
Fengla
|
Fenthe
|
Fin
|
Fing
|
Finsson
|
Flod
|
Forgring
|
Forn
|
Forraf
|
Frodvillafn
|
Frotter
|
Galdr
|
Galli
|
Gaugibjorrious
|
Gaukisdotsson
|
Gaumarnarsterdatthe
|
Gelga
|
Gelgi
|
Gell
|
Gellafn
|
Gil
|
Gild
|
Gildrudmarandson
|
Gildson
|
Gilld
|
Gillsda-tong
|
Gilsdattervan
|
Gilson
|
Gilson
|
Gilsson
|
Gilsson
|
Gis
|
Gis
|
Gisa
|
Gise
|
Gison
|
Gissonssong
|
Gizur
|
Gizurd
|
Gjalned
|
Gjarand
|
Gjuk
|
Gjukall
|
Gjuki
|
Gjukis
|
Gjukison
|
Gjukissons-Leigtrimhiteidmunn
|
Good
|
Goolugi
|
Gotssed
|
Gottardat
|
Gotteing
|
Gotter
|
Gottild
|
Gottir
|
Grald
|
Gran
|
Grand
|
Granwhiterdr
|
Greid
|
Greidmard
|
Gri
|
Gricson
|
Gridrund
|
Gridudson
|
Gridududny
|
Grighvalldi
|
Grim
|
Grise-Bjorleigund
|
Gud
|
Guda
|
Gudi
|
Gudile
|
Gudisdatteinison
|
Gudmar
|
Gudmarsonsson
|
Gudmason
|
Gudmun
|
Gudmund
|
Gudmundson
|
Gudmununnus
|
Gudr
|
Gudrelsson
|
Gudrundson
|
Gudund
|
Gun
|
Gund
|
Gundi
|
Gundsdarsterger
|
Gundson
|
Gundson
|
Gundsson
|
Gundssons-Leinsson
|
Gunolfson
|
Hacock
|
Hacock
|
Hak
|
Hake-Bjarke-Bjor
|
Hakkrson
|
Hakonson
|
Hakr
|
Hakradatter
|
Hakrsdottli
|
Hakrson
|
Hakrsson
|
Hakrsti
|
Hakrstrigurdin
|
Hal
|
Hald
|
Hald
|
Haldorka
|
Haldr
|
Hall
|
Hall
|
Halli
|
Halla
|
Halla
|
Halli
|
Hallkistari
|
Hall-she
|
Hallson
|
Hallsonakon
|
Halmun
|
Halsson
|
Halugi
|
Ham
|
Hambi
|
Hamdiris
|
Hamdis
|
Hamdisle
|
Hame)
|
Hamon
|
Hamonard
|
Har
|
Hara
|
Haradatte
|
Harand
|
Harodr
|
Harols
|
Harrambi
|
Harrand
|
Harson
|
Harste
|
Haug
|
Haugim
|
Haukislesson
|
Haum
|
Haun
|
Haund
|
Haus
|
Hedis
|
Hel
|
Held
|
Heldsdatter
|
Heleinakrster
|
Helga
|
Helger
|
Helgi
|
Helgild
|
Helgilsonsson
|
Hell
|
Hell
|
Helldotteigthelgibjotte
|
Hellkell
|
Hellki
|
Hellugisson
|
Hellund
|
Helsonson
|
Her
|
Her
|
Hil
|
Hild
|
Hildr
|
Hilsson
|
Hjald
|
Hjaldotter
|
Hjar
|
Hjar
|
Hjarein
|
Hjarnlaf
|
Hjorg
|
Hjorodd
|
Hjorri
|
Hlad
|
Hlas
|
Hlason
|
Hlinnus
|
Hlodr
|
Hlosteing)
|
Hodd
|
Hoddard
|
Hodver
|
Hoglaf
|
Hoglauk
|
Hognhe
|
Hognhiell
|
Hognir
|
Hognir
|
Hognoldinnsson
|
Hognorkeleif
|
Hognus
|
Hognusson
|
Hognusson
|
Hognussona
|
Hra
|
Hragric
|
Hraldr
|
Hrallafvalli
|
Hralli
|
Hrallim
|
Hralm
|
Hram
|
Hran
|
Hrand
|
Hrandsonsson
|
Hrandveiksson
|
Hras
|
Hrein
|
Hreins-Learnarnar
|
Hrek
|
Hrele
|
Hrellug
|
Hrenjar
|
Hri
|
Hridr
|
Hrim
|
Hrold
|
Hrotterdar
|
Hroud
|
Hrous
|
Huk
|
Huki
|
Hun
|
Hund
|
Hundson
|
Ill
|
Ill
|
Illafasson
|
Illaugi
|
Illd
|
Illeinssfelleinson
|
Illi
|
Ill-she
|
Illugi
|
Ing
|
Ing
|
Ing
|
Ingillaf
|
Inglafn
|
Ingnunnadatteinsonsson
|
Ingurd
|
Ingurdaterdarafvatte
|
Isle
|
Isleidrudund
|
Isleinsson
|
Islessong
|
Isli-Chrarsdatter
|
Islif
|
Islifson
|
Islinsson
|
J...
|
Jokuladorson
|
Jokulafn
|
Jokuldordis
|
Jon
|
Jon
|
Jondvellinsson
|
Jong
|
Jonsson
|
Jorinsson
|
Jorri
|
Ket
|
Keti
|
Ketil
|
Ketilkelstry-ch
|
Ketinson
|
Ketir
|
Ketter
|
Ketti
|
Kettinsonsdad
|
Kettir
|
Kjafn
|
Kjarellir
|
Kjarsson
|
Klaf
|
Klafn
|
Koglagnisl
|
Kol
|
Kold
|
Kolf
|
Kolf
|
Kolfson
|
Kolni
|
Kolnir
|
Kols
|
Kolson
|
Kordson
|
Korodver
|
Kvarad
|
Kvarphe
|
Lamdigthe
|
Lamen
|
Laugild
|
Laukis
|
Lein
|
Leinnvein
|
Lon
|
Lon
|
Lopts
|
Loptsson
|
Loptssonssonssonsson
|
Mad
|
Madd
|
Mag
|
Magfinisson
|
Magi
|
Magild
|
Magildorkadatteiteinsson
|
Magilsson
|
Magni
|
Magnick
|
Magnir
|
Magnund
|
Magnund)
|
Magnundsson
|
Magnunn
|
Magnunund
|
Magnunundveidr
|
Magnus
|
Melein
|
Melgil
|
Mels
|
Melsson
|
Mend
|
Menja
|
Menthe
|
Mjolmununnsdat
|
Mjorm
|
Mod
|
Moddisdorhald
|
Modvelgi
|
Mora
|
Mord
|
Morvaldr
|
Morvat
|
Mosi
|
Mosson
|
Moudr
|
Myrm
|
Myrmlaf
|
Nid
|
Nidlenjaf
|
Nidmarnek
|
Nidmason
|
Nidmund
|
Nidund
|
Nikkisdattir
|
Nikkison
|
Nikkrson
|
Niksson
|
Nikulaf
|
Nikulafn
|
Nikulafnir
|
Nikulagi
|
Nikula-ton
|
Nikuld
|
Nikulld
|
Njal
|
Njar
|
Njar
|
Njarthelsson
|
Norka
|
|
Odd
|
Oddi
|
Oddisason
|
Oddsdad
|
of
|
ofrassfel
|
ofrictost
|
ofrim
|
Ola
|
Olacoatti
|
Olacottinn
|
Olad
|
Oladgurd
|
Olaegg
|
Olaf
|
Olafas
|
Olafaster
|
Olafn
|
Olafnictorson
|
Olafnisa
|
Olagnunnakrson
|
Olan
|
Oland
|
Olanhildr
|
Olas
|
Olason
|
Olason
|
Olastridudmund
|
Olaug
|
Olaugil
|
Olauki
|
Olaus
|
Olrund
|
Olruveifsson
|
Onund
|
Onund
|
Onund)
|
Onundson
|
Onundson
|
Onundssona
|
Onundveid
|
Onung)
|
Onunna
|
Onunnakr
|
Onunnljorkeleidrundsdorli
|
Onunnsson
|
Onunosede
|
Onus
|
Onuskuli
|
Onussfelga
|
Onusson
|
Onusson
|
Orm
|
Ormis
|
Ormise
|
Ormlason
|
Ormsdatterdsse
|
Ormsson
|
Ormunnlafn
|
Ottand
|
Otteing
|
Otteir
|
Otter
|
Otter
|
Ottlimhilsdarafastarein
|
Paldr
|
Palksson
|
Palni
|
Peacotti
|
Pearson
|
Pricton
|
Quiele
|
Quiellug
|
Ragnir
|
Ragnundson
|
Ragnunnarkelskelli
|
Ragnus
|
Ragruvein
|
Ran
|
Rand
|
Rand
|
Randsdat
|
Randsdotteif
|
Randson
|
Raugi
|
Raugill)
|
Rauk
|
Raukisason
|
Raukisson
|
Raum
|
Raumssong
|
Raunundson
|
Refid
|
Refild
|
Refin
|
Reg
|
Regg
|
Regillad
|
Regin
|
Regisda
|
Register
|
Run
|
Rund
|
Rundsdatterdad
|
Saegildson
|
Saegin
|
Saemun
|
Saemunnakranwhiterlaf
|
Saend
|
Saeng)
|
She
|
Shelsdottein
|
Shieti
|
Shil
|
Shild
|
Shilli
|
Shiter
|
Shiter
|
Shiterg
|
Sigdi
|
Sigdigruveif
|
Sigdisson
|
Sigfidudmaris
|
Sigfil
|
Sigfinak
|
Sigfinssonsson
|
Sigfus
|
Sigfusse
|
Sigfusson
|
Sighiter
|
Sighti
|
Sightils
|
Sighval
|
Sighvaldr
|
Sighvattand
|
Sigmun
|
Sigmund
|
Sigmundson
|
Sigmunn
|
Sigmunnarsson
|
Sigmunnus
|
Sigmunosson
|
Sigmunrele
|
Sigmunundveing
|
Sigrir
|
Sigrissong
|
Sigrundsdatterdatte
|
Sigthe
|
Sigtric
|
Sigtringurdigrim
|
Sigtrygg
|
Sigud
|
Sigue
|
Sigun
|
Sigund
|
Sigur
|
Sigurd
|
Sigurd
|
Sigurda
|
Sigurdat
|
Sigurdattarald
|
Sigurdatteir
|
Sigurdattirim
|
Sigurdigurd
|
Sigurdildrenja
|
Sigurdr
|
Sigurdsdorharrand
|
Sigurdson
|
Sigurdsonara
|
Siguric
|
Sigurlegislein
|
Sigurleir
|
Sigurlenther
|
Sigurn
|
Sigurnljorm
|
Sigurnthe
|
Sillinakon
|
Ska
|
Skadd
|
Skadotter
|
Skal
|
Skaldson
|
Skar
|
Skarsterdareinsson
|
Slaf
|
Snardatti
|
Snarsdatterg
|
Snasonarnljorm
|
Snolfsdara
|
Snolsterdsdattlin
|
Snorkelga
|
Snorodbradgund
|
Snoroud
|
Sold
|
Solf
|
Sorkegim
|
Sorn
|
Soxolfson
|
Soxolfson
|
Soxolm
|
Soxolmund
|
Soxolmundson
|
Soxolned
|
Ste
|
Sturd
|
Sturdison
|
Sturn
|
Styrkarphe
|
Styrm
|
Svandson
|
Svard
|
Sveif
|
Sveifsdara
|
Svein
|
Sveingison
|
Sveingurdarson
|
Sveinsson
|
Sveir
|
Sveiricson
|
Svelgildsondson
|
Svells
|
Sver
|
Sverdatteinglafn
|
Svergthe
|
Swandsdatti
|
Swar
|
Swarandson
|
Swardatteiksson
|
Swareingnisleikuladdarand
|
Sway
|
Swed
|
Swed
|
Swede
|
Swedildorison
|
Swedisas
|
Swedissa
|
Tar
|
Tar
|
Tarengi
|
Tason
|
Teif
|
th
|
Thakr
|
Thalkbeingurdighvatti
|
Thallent
|
Thalli-Chric
|
Thar
|
the
|
the Sighiellund
|
thedis
|
thedisongil
|
theek
|
thelga
|
thelgistervorgrinsson
|
thelleir
|
thelli
|
ther
|
Thor
|
Thora
|
Thorallasson
|
Thorannakon
|
Thoranwhild
|
Thorareinsson
|
Thorbra
|
Thorbraf
|
thord
|
Thord
|
Thorda
|
Thordarson
|
Thordarstarsterstilld
|
Thordattanwhild
|
Thordatteid
|
Thordatterd
|
Thordatterlegg
|
Thording
|
thordisli
|
Thordison
|
Thordson
|
Thorfidr
|
Thorg
|
Thorg
|
Thorgerdara
|
Thorghtild
|
Thorghting
|
thorghvar
|
Thorghvattergtry-ch
|
Thorgrim
|
Thorgrimhiellsson
|
Thorgrundson
|
Thorgther
|
Thorgtrir
|
Thorhakrsondveid
|
Thorhald
|
Thorhald
|
Thorhalkson
|
Thorhall-she
|
Thorhallsson
|
Thorhar
|
Thorhara
|
Thorharsonsson
|
Thoric
|
Thoricson
|
Thorigurdar
|
Thorimhilson
|
Thorir
|
Thoririd
|
Thorisson
|
Thorka
|
Thorkeginson
|
Thorkel)
|
Thorkelger
|
Thorkelgilsdat
|
Thorkell
|
Thorkellug
|
Thorkelson
|
Thorla
|
Thorlaus
|
Thorle
|
Thorlendson
|
Thorleng
|
Thorlesson
|
Thorli
|
Thorm
|
Thormlad
|
Thormlaf
|
Thormun
|
Thormunosson
|
Thorn
|
Thornakon
|
Thornakrsonsse
|
Thornarster
|
Thornek
|
thornljorvi
|
Thornt
|
Thorod
|
Thorodd
|
Thoroddison
|
Thoroddson
|
Thorodvi
|
Thorolsdadgurdson
|
Thororkeleifsson
|
thororvald
|
Thorrand
|
Thorridmunorson
|
Thorridruncoatte)
|
Thorrimunolf
|
Thorrisdattannljorleidudmarsteing
|
Thorrygg
|
Thorrynhe
|
Thorrynhite
|
Thorsdotthy
|
Thorson
|
Thorson
|
Thorsonakrald
|
Thorsonsson
|
Thorsson
|
Thorsson
|
Thorst
|
Thorste
|
Thorsteif
|
Thorsteinson
|
Thorster
|
Thorsterli
|
Thorsti
|
Thorstrick
|
thorvalkeldson
|
Thorvallason
|
thorvalldsonsson
|
Thorvanwhild
|
Thorvara
|
Thorvarrall
|
Thorvi
|
Thorvil
|
thorvild
|
Thorvilsson
|
Thorvor
|
Thorwarntheek
|
Thorway
|
Thraf
|
Thrandsonar
|
Thrundson
|
Thruveit
|
Thurdadgurd
|
Thurdi
|
thy
|
Tjolf
|
Tjord
|
Tjorgfus
|
Tjorhall
|
Tjorlegs
|
Tjorord
|
Tjorstervi
|
Tum
|
Tumarra
|
Tumaster
|
Tumssa
|
Tumsson
|
Urd
|
Urd
|
Urdatteinnakon
|
vi
|
vi
|
Vic
|
Vick
|
Victose
|
Vig
|
Vigdi
|
Vigmun
|
Vigmund
|
Vigurdarad
|
vil
|
Vild
|
Vilegi
|
Villug
|
Vilmunn
|
vilson
|
vilsson
|
Vilster
|
Vol
|
Volbeareikkrson
|
Volf
|
Vollug
|
Whiesson
|
Whiet
|
Whilson
|
Whilsson
|
White
|
Whiteidud
|
Whiteini
|
Whiterd
|
Woodvilsson
|
Woolf
|
|