Norway is one of the northern Scandinavian countries in which the highest level of happiness is constantly fixed. The Norwegian society, which built its own socialism, is based on the equal rights of all its citizens - men and women. This sense of freedom is often reflected in traditional Norwegian surnames, beautiful and sonorous, which take their roots in the history of the country from the legendary Vikings.
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How Norwegian surnames were formed
The history of the formation of Norwegian names has more conservative traditions compared to other Scandinavian countries.
Initially, before the adoption of Christianity, the ritual of naming newborns had its own rules. Father called the baby, a few days after birth. Moreover, if the child did not want to recognize, then they did not call him and could take his life from him.
Since at that time there were customs of free relations, a man could have both legitimate children and bastards. And at the same time, a fair choice of the head of the family was welcomed. If he gave any of the children a generic name (father, grandfather, or a famous ancestor, both from his family and from his wife's family), then this confirmed the child’s inheritance rights.
Surnames were not used in the old days, but throughout life, the first adverb could be supplemented by various popular characteristics or the hopes of parents, and also change due to the striking features of its owner in later adulthood:
- Generic names were given to the child in the hope that he would be able to adopt the best qualities of the chosen ancestor. The most common of them are patrimonial and later dynastic, taken from the kungs - Harald the Fair-haired and St. Olav (the baptist of Norway).
- The chosen name could be complicated by the addition of a part denoting a deity.If there was a particle -ass, -year, -alphra, then this meant not only beauty, but the strengthening of the patronage of a god, goddess, deity or spirit. Some of them directly pointed to God, for example, the male name Thor or his female version of Thor (thunder god) or Frey / Ing (goddess of fertility).
- Often the names were supplemented by the name of warlike animals or predators. The most popular of them contained the words ulfr (wolf), bjorn (bear), arn (eagle). At the same time, the last animals indicated a connection with the god Odin, who, according to legend, turned into them.
- And, of course, given the warlike way of life of the Vikings, many names were associated with battles and weapons. The word sing (victory) gave rise to the name Singmander (defender of victory) or Signy (new victory). The word hjör (sword) gave the basis for the names Herdis (goddess of the sword) or Hörulf (sword of the wolf).
After the spread of Christianity, Norway used double names for a very long time or citizens called the illegitimate children new aliens.
Later, when several Norwegian saints canonized, their names began to be given to children more often.
List of surnames and their meanings
Norwegian first and last names are quite famous all over the world, as they differ in harmony.
Beautiful
The most beautiful female names of Norway for a daughter that sound pleasantly for our ear in Cyrillic transcription are:
- Alva - an ancient word (elf, forest spirit);
- Vigdis - with the divine part (goddess of war);
- Gray is a natural phenomenon (dawn);
- Kelda - several meanings (spring or fountain);
- Solveig - a famous name (several meanings - strength, essence, sun);
- Loviz (famous warrior);
- Margrese (sea pearls);
- Freya (deity, mistress).
Male names for the son that will sound bright:
- Björn - famous name (bear);
- Torgnir - with the divine part (voice of Thor);
- Knut - a famous name (knot);
- Auden - several meanings (anger, inspiration);
- Olav - royal name (heir);
- Alf (direct translation - elf);
- Stein (stone);
- Jarl (lord, nobleman);
- Andor (eagle).
Long
Typically, long names are composed of phrases to which the Norwegians attached mystical meaning and more accurately characterized the owner:
- Halstein (mountain stone);
- Ascetill (cauldron of the gods);
- Thorbjorn (Thor bear);
- Rengoldold (wise ruler);
- Brinhilder (female warrior);
- Injeborg (assistant, defender);
- Kjellvrid (the keeper of the center);
- Regnbjorg (wise protector);
- Hjordis (the goddess of the sword).
Popular
Today, the most popular Norwegian names that parents of the world call their children are usually sonorous, short and often associated with the kings (kings) of Norway:
- Björn - in first place in popularity (bear);
- Sven - in memory of the famous king;
- Knut - in memory of the king;
- Lars - Norwegian version of the Christian name Lavrenti;
- Nura is the feminine name for compassion;
- Ingrid - transformation from the divine creation of the Vikings Ing;
- Astrid - popular in all Scandinavian countries and meaning divine beauty;
- Marit is a popular denomination having a connection with the royal family (Queen Margreta).
Rare surnames with translation
Norwegian male surnames are not only traditional, but also very rare. The famous biathlete Tarja Boe is a bearer of an unusual name and surname, which translates as “Thor the Thunderer” and the name of the commune in Eastern Norway. There are only a few hundred such ancient names in the country, and they all have different variations related to the god Thor.
Norwegian female surnames formed in a similar way and are sometimes very unusual. The girl’s athlete’s name is Sünniewe Sulemdal. In this combination, the sun is twice mentioned - “solar gift” and “solar valley”. Beautiful surnames are not always combined with the same names. But the image of this girl perfectly matches the “sunny” and warm emotions that she evokes.
The rich history of the northern country of Norway, filled with legends and proximity to nature, offers people around the world to choose lyrical or warlike names for their children. But it is important to remember that most female and male names will carry strength and courage for both boys and girls.
