Viking name generator
Real Old Norse first names with either a byname or a patronymic, the two ways Vikings told each other apart.
- Estrid FrodesdottirFeminine Old Norse name · daughter of Frode
- Sigurd Long-BeardMasculine Old Norse name · with a byname
- Ketil SigurdssonMasculine Old Norse name · son of Sigurd
- Knut ArnessonMasculine Old Norse name · son of Arne
- Solveig ArnesdottirFeminine Old Norse name · daughter of Arne
- Siv HalfdansdottirFeminine Old Norse name · daughter of Halfdan
- Ingrid GeirsdottirFeminine Old Norse name · daughter of Geir
- Bjorn the PeacefulMasculine Old Norse name · with a byname
- Hakon RolfssonMasculine Old Norse name · son of Rolf
- Erik the TallMasculine Old Norse name · with a byname
- Hilda the GenerousFeminine Old Norse name · with a byname
- Ketil ThorvaldssonMasculine Old Norse name · son of Thorvald
How to use it
Patronymic or byname
A patronymic ties a character to family; a byname to a reputation. Many sagas use both.
Earn the byname
Let the byname come from something the character did, and let other characters use it.
Keep it short
Most Norse names are one or two syllables. They hold up well at the table.
Example viking names
Masculine: Sigurd the Unlucky, Erik Salt-Eye, Halfdan Asgersson, Ulf Frost-Hair, Harald Grimsson, Ulf Arnesson, Hrafn Rolfsson, Bjorn Long-Beard.
Feminine: Helga Halfdansdottir, Solveig Ulfsdottir, Ingrid Long-Beard, Dagny Hakonsdottir, Saga Einarsdottir, Hilda Gunnarsdottir, Hervor Wolf-Tooth, Sigrid Iron-Arm.
How Viking names worked
Norse people had a given name and were told apart by a patronymic, the father's name plus -sson (son) or -sdottir (daughter), so Freydis Rolfsdottir is Freydis, daughter of Rolf. Many also had a byname from their looks or deeds: the Tall, Wolf-Tooth, the Far-Traveled. The first names in this generator are real historical names; the combinations are random.
Questions
Is it free?
Yes. Names are put together in your browser, so it's free with no sign-up and no limit.
Are these real Viking names?
The first names are real Old Norse names. The bynames and the pairings are generated.
Can I use these names in my own book or game?
Yes. They're built from word parts rather than copied from a list, so you can use them however you like.