Viking Name Generator

Authentic Old Norse names for warriors and shieldmaidens

Real-World Names & CulturesPart of: real-world name generators500 names

0 of 500 seen

This or that?

7 picks, 1 winner

Tap the name you like more.

Tap a name to copy it. The arrows swap one name.

Or browse all 500 names, A to Z

Generate Viking names the way the sagas wrote them: Old Norse given names with -son and -dóttir patronymics, earned bynames like Ironside and Crow-Bone, and famous historical Norsemen alongside fantasy-ready Viking warriors and shieldmaidens.

About Viking names

Real Viking names had three parts that could be mixed and matched. First came the given name, usually built from two Old Norse elements: Thor (the god), Bjorn (bear), Ulf (wolf), Sig (victory), Gunn or Hild (battle), Ragn (counsel), Stein (stone), Arn (eagle). So Thorstein is Thor-stone, Gunnhild is battle-battle, and Arnbjorn is eagle-bear. Second came the patronymic: a man was Eiriksson (son of Eirik) and a woman Eiriksdóttir, which is why Leif Erikson and Freydis Eiriksdottir share a father but not a surname. Fixed family surnames did not exist.

Third, and most fun, came the byname. Vikings earned nicknames for a body part, a habit, a deed or a joke, and the sagas record them deadpan: Ragnar Hairy-Breeks, Ketil Flatnose, Ivar the Boneless, Olaf Crow-Bone, Aud the Deep-Minded, Eyvind Skald-Spoiler. A good invented byname follows the same logic: a concrete noun pair (Oar-Breaker, Seal-Head) or 'the' plus a blunt adjective (the Quiet, the Stout), never a grand title.

This generator gives you all three layers. Use given name plus patronymic for a historically grounded character, add a byname for a saga hero, or pick one of the fantasy-flavored epithets like Frostmantle or Stormcaller when you need a Viking for a game rather than a history essay.

How to choose Viking names

  • For a historically accurate name, use given name plus patronymic: Thorkel Geirmundsson or Gudrun Osvifrsdottir. Women take -dóttir, men take -son, and the father's name goes into the genitive (Eirik becomes Eiriks-, Thorstein becomes Thorsteins-).
  • Bynames were earned, not chosen; give your character one that describes a physical trait, habit or famous deed (Wry-Neck, Cod-Biter, Oar-Breaker) rather than a boast like the Great.
  • Reuse name elements within a family; saga families pass Thor-, Hall- and Gunn- down the generations, so Thorolf's sons might be Thorstein and Thorgeir.
  • Keep spelling consistent: either anglicize everything (Bjorn, Thorstein, Ragnvald) or use Old Norse forms with diacritics (Bjørn, Þorsteinn, Rögnvaldr), but do not mix the two in one cast.
  • For fantasy settings, compound bynames like Frostmantle or Stormcaller read as Viking without being historical; save them for games and novels, not reenactment.

Frequently asked questions

Did Vikings have last names?

No. They used patronymics that changed every generation: Leif Erikson was the son of Erik the Red, and Leif's own son would have been called Leifsson. Bynames like Ironside or the Boneless were personal nicknames, not inherited surnames.

What are good male Viking names?

Classic choices are Bjorn, Ragnar, Eirik, Harald, Sigurd, Thorstein, Ulf, Gunnar, Leif, Ivar, Halfdan and Hakon. Pair one with a patronymic (Gunnar Hamundarson) or a byname (Hakon the Bold) for a complete saga-style name.

What are Viking female names?

Common Old Norse women's names include Astrid, Sigrid, Gudrun, Helga, Ingrid, Thora, Freydis, Ragnhild, Solveig, Gunnhild and Thorbjorg. Add -dóttir to the father's name (Astrid Olafsdottir) for a full name.

Can I use a real historical Viking's name?

Yes, names like Ragnar Lothbrok or Harald Hardrada are historical and free to use, but readers will recognize them. For an original character, keep the given name and invent a new patronymic or byname so your Viking stands on their own.

Related generators

More like this

Browse category

All 500 Viking names

This is the complete list the generator above draws its random batches from, sorted A to Z and grouped by first letter.

Plain text, one name per line.

A: 47 names

  • Agnar Thorvaldsson
  • Aki Hallvardsson
  • Aldis Gunnarsdottir
  • Alf Sigurdsson
  • Alfdis Konalsdottir
  • Alfhild Ivarsdottir
  • Alrik Bone-Crusher
  • Alrik Gunnarsson
  • Alva Thunderbraid
  • An Bow-Bender
  • Angantyr Arngrimsson
  • Anund Eysteinsson
  • Anund Ship-Burner
  • Arinbjorn Thorisson
  • Arnbjorg Ketilsdottir
  • Arnbjorn Ketilsson
  • Arndis Helgadottir
  • Arne Hrolfsson
  • Arnfinn Skeggjason
  • Arnfinn the Fox
  • Arngrim Thorsteinsson
  • Arnulf Kolbeinsson
  • Arnulf Raven-Feeder

A, continued

  • Asa Haraldsdottir
  • Asbjorn Hakonsson
  • Asbjorn of Halogaland
  • Asbjorn Seal-Head
  • Asdis Styrsdottir
  • Asgeir Brynjolfsson
  • Asgerd Bjornsdottir
  • Asgrim the Quarrelsome
  • Asgrim Ulfsson
  • Ashild Hringsdottir
  • Askel Smoke-Eye
  • Askel Thordarson
  • Aslak Geirmundsson
  • Aslaug Sigurdardottir
  • Asmund Einarsson
  • Asta Gudbrandsdottir
  • Astrid Olafsdottir
  • Asvald Ivarsson
  • Asvald Sharp-Axe
  • Aud Ketilsdottir
  • Aud the Deep-Minded
  • Audun Hallsteinsson
  • Audun of Breidafjord
  • Audun Sea-Wolf

B: 30 names

  • Bard the Pious
  • Bard Thorkelsson
  • Bera Egilsdottir
  • Bergljot Thorisdottir
  • Bergthora Skarphedinsdottir
  • Bersi Gudmundsson
  • Bersi Holmgang
  • Bersi the Duel-Fighter
  • Bjarke Oakshield
  • Bjarki Bear-Shirt
  • Bjarki Sigmundsson
  • Bjarne Helgason
  • Bjorn Eskilsson of Uppsala
  • Bjorn Ironside
  • Bjorn Oar-Breaker
  • Bodil Thorkelsdottir
  • Bodvar Ash-Hand
  • Bodvar Bjarki
  • Bodvar Snorrason
  • Bolli Thorleiksson
  • Borghild Eysteinsdottir
  • Bothild Ulfsdottir
  • Bragi Olafsson
  • Brand Hoskuldsson
  • Brand Wolfbane
  • Brynhild Budladottir
  • Brynja Icemane
  • Brynjar Steinarsson
  • Brynjar the Stout
  • Brynjolf Arnarson

D: 6 names

  • Dag Rognvaldsson
  • Dag the Wise
  • Dagfinn Brine-Beard
  • Dagfinn Eyvindsson
  • Dagny Hrolfsdottir
  • Dalla Thorvaldsdottir

E: 29 names

  • Egil Ormsson
  • Egil Skallagrimsson
  • Egil Wry-Neck
  • Eilif Thorgrimsson
  • Einar Longsword
  • Einar of Rogaland
  • Einar Skalaglamm
  • Einar Vigfusson
  • Eindride Crane-Leg
  • Eindride Haraldsson
  • Eira Snowfall
  • Eirik Bloodaxe
  • Eirik Gale-Beard
  • Eirik of Hordaland
  • Eirik Thorbjornsson
  • Eirika Shieldbreaker
  • Eivind Kjartansson
  • Erik the Red
  • Erland Finnbogason
  • Eskil Frost-Knuckle
  • Eskil Svartsson
  • Estrid Sveinsdottir
  • Eydis Brynjolfsdottir
  • Eyjolf Runolfsson
  • Eyolf Flamebrand
  • Eystein Hrutsson
  • Eyvind Hard-Ruler
  • Eyvind Skald-Spoiler
  • Eyvind Thorleifsson

F: 12 names

  • Finn Herjolfsson
  • Finnbogi Asgrimsson
  • Finnbogi the Strong
  • Fjolnir Mead-Drowned
  • Fjolnir Valgardsson
  • Floki Sail-Mender
  • Floki Vilgerdarson
  • Folke Styrbjornsson
  • Freydis Eiriksdottir
  • Frida Hallvardsdottir
  • Fridthjof the Bold
  • Frode Ingolfsson

G: 37 names

  • Gautrek the Generous
  • Geir the Far-Traveled
  • Geir Thorhallsson
  • Geirmund Hell-Skin
  • Geirmund Hjorleifsson
  • Gerd Gymisdottir
  • Gisla Thorsteinsdottir
  • Gisli of Haukadal
  • Gisli Salt-Hair
  • Gisli Sursson
  • Gizur Isleifsson
  • Gizur the White
  • Glum Geirason
  • Grettir Asmundarson
  • Grim Hairy-Cheek
  • Grim Kveldulfsson
  • Grim Shaggy-Cloak
  • Grimkel Thormodsson
  • Groa Geirmundardottir
  • Gudbrand Solmundsson
  • Gudmund Eyjolfsson
  • Gudmund the Mighty
  • Gudrid Thorbjarnardottir
  • Gudrod Halfdansson
  • Gudrod the Hunter
  • Gudrun Osvifrsdottir
  • Gunnar Hamundarson
  • Gunnar of Hlidarendi
  • Gunnar Skull-Splitter
  • Gunnbjorn Ulfkelsson
  • Gunnhild Ozurardottir
  • Gunnlaug Serpent-Tongue
  • Gunnstein Cold-Hand
  • Gunnstein Ottarsson
  • Gunnvald Ironthroat
  • Guttorm Sigvaldsson
  • Gyda Eiriksdottir

H: 77 names

  • Hakon of Agder
  • Hakon Sigurdarson
  • Hakon the Bold
  • Halfdan Half-Troll
  • Halfdan Hroaldsson
  • Halfdan of Hedmark
  • Halfdan the Black
  • Halla Snorradottir
  • Hallbera Thordardottir
  • Hallbjorn Half-Troll
  • Hallbjorn Oddleifsson
  • Hallbjorn the Tall
  • Halldis Erlingsdottir
  • Halldor Kolsson
  • Halldor Stormshield
  • Hallfred Ottarsson
  • Hallfred the Troublesome Poet
  • Hallgerd Hoskuldsdottir
  • Hallstein Grave-Digger
  • Hallstein Thorolfsson
  • Hallvard the Slow
  • Hallvard Vebjornsson
  • Hallveig Ormsdottir
  • Halvar Frostmantle
  • Halvor Goose-Neck
  • Halvor Thorisson
  • Harald Fairhair
  • Harald Hardrada
  • Harald of Vestfold
  • Harek Drum-Skin
  • Harek Eyvindsson
  • Hastein Hrafnsson
  • Hastein Keel-Cutter
  • Hauk Erlendsson
  • Hauk Herring-Hand
  • Havard Hallgrimsson
  • Hedda Wolfsong
  • Hedin Hjarrandason

H, continued

  • Heidrek Hofundsson
  • Helga Bardardottir
  • Helgi Hjorvardsson
  • Helgi Hundingsbane
  • Helgi the Lean
  • Hemming Ingjaldsson
  • Hemming the Bald
  • Herdis Bolladottir
  • Herjolf Bardarson
  • Herjolf the Blind
  • Hervard Broad-Shield
  • Hervard Skulason
  • Hervor Angantyrsdottir
  • Hild Hognadottir
  • Hildigunn Starkadardottir
  • Hjalmar Oddvarsson
  • Hjalmar the Brave
  • Hjalti Skeggjason
  • Hjalti the Fat
  • Hjordis Eylimadottir
  • Hjorleif Hrodmarsson
  • Hjorleif of Hjorleifshofdi
  • Hogni Halfdansson
  • Hoskuld Dala-Kollsson
  • Hoskuld the Fair
  • Hrafn Hrutsson
  • Hrafn Iron-Beard
  • Hrafn Onundarson
  • Hrafnkel Hallfredarson
  • Hrefna Asgeirsdottir
  • Hroald Geirsson
  • Hrolf Bare-Legs
  • Hrolf Gautreksson
  • Hrolf Kraki
  • Hrolf of Orkney
  • Hromund Gripsson
  • Hrothgar Warhand
  • Hrut Herjolfsson
  • Hrut Long-Stride

I: 18 names

  • Idun Applewind
  • Illugi Gridarfostri
  • Ingibjorg Finnsdottir
  • Ingimund the Old
  • Ingimund Thorsteinsson
  • Ingirid Ragnvaldsdottir
  • Ingjald Helgason
  • Ingjald Ill-Ruler
  • Ingolf Arnarson
  • Ingolf of Reykjavik
  • Ingolf Thin-Hair
  • Ingrid Fireheart
  • Ingunn Thorolfsdottir
  • Ingvar Vittfarne
  • Isleif Gizurarson
  • Isleif the Learned
  • Ivar the Boneless
  • Ivar Vidfamne

J: 7 names

  • Jodis Hrafnsdottir
  • Jofrid Gunnarsdottir
  • Jokul Ice-Shoulder
  • Jokul Ingimundarson
  • Jorund Axebreaker
  • Jorund Sigfusson
  • Jorunn Bjarnadottir

K: 25 names

  • Kara Halfdansdottir
  • Kari Solmundarson
  • Karl Wheel-Turner
  • Katla Vigfusdottir
  • Ketil Flatnose
  • Ketil Haengr
  • Ketil of Ringerike
  • Ketil Storm-Eye
  • Ketil Trout
  • Kjartan Olafsson
  • Kjartan Silk-Hair
  • Kjell Copper-Beard
  • Kjell Torbjornsson
  • Knut of Zealand
  • Knut Sveinsson
  • Kol Egilsson
  • Kol the Dark
  • Kolbein the Stammerer
  • Kolbein Thordarson
  • Kolbjorn Arnulfsson
  • Kolfinna Blackshield
  • Kolskegg Hamundarson
  • Kolskegg Thorn-Hand
  • Kormak Ogmundarson
  • Kveldulf Bjalfason

L: 6 names

  • Lagertha
  • Leif Cod-Biter
  • Leif Erikson
  • Leif Ozurarson
  • Liv Saltwind
  • Ljot the Pale

M: 4 names

  • Magnus Erlingsson
  • Maren Tidecrest
  • Mord Gig-Mouth
  • Mord Valgardsson

N: 1 name

  • Njal Thorgeirsson

O: 25 names

  • Oddbjorn Sharp-Eye
  • Oddbjorn Styrsson
  • Oddi Frost-Brow
  • Oddi Helgason
  • Oddleif Kolbjornsson
  • Oddvar Brandsson
  • Olaf Crow-Bone
  • Olaf Hoskuldsson
  • Olaf of Vik
  • Olaf Tryggvason
  • Oleif Hjaltason
  • Oleif the Wealthy
  • Onund Treefoot
  • Onund Twig-Beard
  • Orm Gull-Rider
  • Orm Storolfsson
  • Ormar Fraklesson
  • Ormar Seaborn
  • Orvar Oddr
  • Ospak Glumsson
  • Ospak the Wary
  • Ottar Birtingr
  • Ottar Goat-Beard
  • Ozur Snorrason
  • Ozur Whale-Rib

R: 20 names

  • Ragna Kolbeinsdottir
  • Ragnar Lothbrok
  • Ragnhild Hrolfsdottir
  • Ragnvald Elm-Leg
  • Ragnvald Eysteinsson
  • Ragnvald Ironbrow
  • Ragnvald of Møre
  • Randver Flame-Beard
  • Randver Radbardsson
  • Rannveig Thorbjornsdottir
  • Ref the Sly
  • Refr Salmon-Hand
  • Refr Steinsson
  • Revna Audunsdottir
  • Rognvald Kali Kolsson
  • Rolf Ganger
  • Rollo of Normandy
  • Runa Winterborn
  • Runolf Bay-Rider
  • Runolf Ulfsson

S: 62 names

  • Saga Nightwhisper
  • Saldis Hallsteinsdottir
  • Sif Goldhair
  • Sigbjorn Audunsson
  • Sigbjorn Bearhide
  • Sigfus Sighvatsson
  • Sighvat Sturluson
  • Sighvat the Skald
  • Sigmund Brestisson
  • Sigmund Hairy-Cheek
  • Signy Volsungsdottir
  • Sigrid Storrada
  • Sigrun Hogniasdottir
  • Sigrun Ravenheart
  • Sigtrygg Silkbeard
  • Sigurd Hlodvirsson
  • Sigurd of Hladir
  • Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye
  • Sigurd the Tall
  • Sigvald Strut-Haraldsson
  • Sigvald the Cunning
  • Sinfjotli Sigmundsson
  • Skallagrim Kveldulfsson
  • Skarde Wavebreaker
  • Skarphedin Njalsson
  • Skeggi Kettle-Back
  • Skeggi Thorarinsson
  • Skjold Oak-Knee
  • Skjold Odinsson
  • Skuli Earl-Slayer
  • Skuli Thorsteinsson

S, continued

  • Snorri Goði
  • Snorri of Helgafell
  • Snorri the Peaceful
  • Solmund Net-Caster
  • Solmund Thorolfsson
  • Solveig Hakonardottir
  • Starkad Eight-Arms
  • Starkad Storverksson
  • Steinar Axe-Tongue
  • Steinar Onundarson
  • Steingrim Hailstrike
  • Steinthor Grey-Cloak
  • Steinthor Thorlaksson
  • Steinunn Refsdottir
  • Sten Hakonsson
  • Sten the Frozen
  • Stig Hvitaskald
  • Sturla Thordarson
  • Styr Thorgrimsson
  • Styr Wood-Leg
  • Styrbjorn Loud-Laugh
  • Styrbjorn the Strong
  • Svala Asmundardottir
  • Svanhild Eysteinsdottir
  • Svart Ulfhedinsson
  • Svava Eylimadottir
  • Svein Asleifarson
  • Svein of Skane
  • Svein Spear-Breaker
  • Sverre Sigurdsson
  • Sweyn Forkbeard

T: 59 names

  • Thjodolf Arnorsson
  • Thjodolf Rime-Hand
  • Thora Borgarhjort
  • Thorald Brynjarsson
  • Thorald Seven-Fingers
  • Thorbjorg Litilvolva
  • Thorbjorn Hornklofi
  • Thorbrand Oar-Hand
  • Thorbrand Thorfinnsson
  • Thord Kolbeinsson
  • Thord the Yeller
  • Thordis Sursdottir
  • Thorfinn Karlsefni
  • Thorfinn of Shetland
  • Thorfinn Tree-Splitter
  • Thorgeir Frostaxe
  • Thorgeir Havarsson
  • Thorgerd Egilsdottir
  • Thorgils Orrabeinsstjup
  • Thorgrim Ketilsson
  • Thorgrim Red-Cloak
  • Thorhall Gamlason
  • Thorhall the Prophet
  • Thorhild Thorsteinsdottir
  • Thorir Hund
  • Thorir of Trondelag
  • Thorir Wolf-Coat
  • Thorkel Farserk
  • Thorkel of Namdalen

T, continued

  • Thorkel Thistle-Beard
  • Thorleif Skuma
  • Thormod Black-Brow
  • Thormod Kolbrunarskald
  • Thorolf Black-Tooth
  • Thorolf Deathless
  • Thorolf Mostrarskegg
  • Thorolf Skallagrimsson
  • Thorstein Egilsson
  • Thorstein Ironhand
  • Thorstein Oxfoot
  • Thorstein Rauðr
  • Thorstein Vikingsson
  • Thorunn Ketilsdottir
  • Thorvald Cleaver
  • Thorvald Eiriksson
  • Thorvard Spak-Bodvarsson
  • Thurid Olafsdottir
  • Thyra Stonefist
  • Tofa Karlsdottir
  • Toke Gormsson
  • Toke of Fyn
  • Torgrim Bloodfeather
  • Torsten Flame-Hair
  • Torvald Grimbeard
  • Tosti the Tardy
  • Tove Aslaksdottir
  • Trygve Olafsson
  • Trygve the Lucky
  • Tyra Frostfang

U: 11 names

  • Ulf of Jutland
  • Ulf the Quiet
  • Ulf Uggason
  • Ulfar Rognvaldsson
  • Ulfar Stone-Fist
  • Ulfhedin Gunnarsson
  • Ulfhedin Howl-Voice
  • Ulfhild Hakonsdottir
  • Ulfrik Stormcaller
  • Una Olafsdottir
  • Unn Mordardottir

V: 19 names

  • Valdis Thorleifsdottir
  • Valgard Jorundsson
  • Valgard the Grey
  • Vali Shadowhelm
  • Vebjorn Bear-Claw
  • Vebjorn Sygnakappi
  • Vermund the Slender
  • Vermund Thorgrimsson
  • Vestein Vesteinsson
  • Vidar Hrafnsson
  • Vidar the Silent
  • Viga-Glum Eyjolfsson
  • Vigdis Ingjaldsdottir
  • Vigfus Viga-Glumsson
  • Vigfus Wide-Fathom
  • Vigleik Arnason
  • Vigleik the Gentle
  • Viglund the Fair-Spoken
  • Viglund Thorgrimsson

Y: 5 names

  • Yngvar Eymundsson
  • Yngvar Horse-Hair
  • Yngve Alriksson
  • Yngve Gold-Tooth
  • Yrsa Helgadottir