When a new puppy comes home, there are bound to be oodles of cuddles, love, and fun memories. Along with setting up your pup with a new crate, bed, blankets, toys, and tasty food, picking a name is a big responsibility. Owners often want to name their pets after something important to them, like their heritage. Viking dog names can be a fantastic way to find a unique name.
Whether you are the descendant of a mighty Viking or simply are fascinated by their lore and history, there are plenty of Viking dog names to try. Mighty, powerful, and full of mystery, these names can fit dogs and personalities of all sizes. The Vikings kept dogs as companions and workers, including the Danish Elkhound, Icelandic Sheepdog, Swedish Vallhund, and Lapp Reindeer Dog. These mighty ancient Scandinavians also employed powerful canines as war dogs. The loyal, powerful guardians served to protect and hunt, aiding in the conquest of many raids and battles.
Picking a dog’s title is a fun process, and owners should not worry if they do not have one selected right away. We have more than 150 Viking dog name ideas to start the brainstorming process.
Scandinavian Canine Breeds
The terms Scandinavian and Nordic are often used interchangeably, though they are not the same. Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden are all countries with roots and ties to Scandinavia. However, Scandinavian refers to people from Norway, Denmark, and Sweden throughout history and culture, though they are very connected. Finland was once part of Sweden, and Iceland was a part of Denmark. These historical connections have led to the term Scandinavian referring to people from all these countries.
The term Nordic is French and refers to a group of five countries: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. People from these countries are all considered Nordic.
The Nordic Kennel Union recognizes 29 native breeds, many of which are often called Scandinavian or Viking. While there might not be one specific breed that counts as Viking, plenty of canine breeds are bred for cold weather, rugged terrain, and adventure. The Vikingarnas Hund, also called Viking Dog and Swedish Vallhund, is on the postage stamps of several countries.
These are just a few of the Nordic dog breeds:
- Broholmer
- Danish-Swedish Farmdogs
- Dansk Spids
- Drever
- Finnish Hound
- Finnish Spitz
- Greenland Dog
- Halden Hound
- Icelandic Sheepdog
- Karelian Bear Dog
- Lapponian Herder
- Norwegian Elkhound
- Norwegian Lundehund
- Samoyed
- Swedish Vallhund
Classic Viking Names & Meanings
Some Viking names are more widely used and recognizable than others. We start with a few classics and their meanings. The Vikings often named their children after the gods and goddesses, after relatives who had passed on, or after their siblings. Often, they used the same letter to start each first name.
- Bjorn – A male designation that means bear.
- Freya – A female title, meaning goddess of love.
- Frigg – Norse goddess and wife of the god Odin.
- Hilda – Viking name from Scandinavia that means woman of battle.
- Leif Erikson – A famed Norse explorer.
- Loki – Refers to the mischievous male Norse god of trickery.
- Odin – Leader of the Norse gods.
- Thor – The god of thunder, son of Odin.
- Ulf – A male title that means wolf.
- Valkyrie – A female warrior who serves and protects the god Odin.
Male Viking Dog Names
Big or small, these tough pups are courageous protectors who need powerful titles. The Vikings are revered as fierce hunters and warriors who fought for their families, and we are happy to see plenty of Nordic qualities in our pups.
| Alf (elf) | Hod (a blind god, son of Odin) |
| Aren (eagle) | Hogan (young warrior) |
| Arlan (pledge, oath) | Hugo (heart, memory) |
| Arvid (forest of eagles) | Kaysan (wise) |
| Asgard (mythological Norse city of the Gods) | Magnus (great) |
| Askel (divine cauldron) | Niko (victory of the people) |
| Aslak (divine sport) | Orion (mountain) |
| Axel (strong, father of peace) | Osvald (God’s power) |
| Birk (strong protector) | Rex (king, ruler) |
| Bodin (shelter) | Roald (famous ruler) |
| Dane (person from Denmark) | Sigurd (guardian of victory) |
| Eirik (eternal ruler) | Skoll (wolf who chases the sun and moon)) |
| Erling (chief’s son) | Sten (stone) |
| Fang (tooth) | Sune (son) |
| Fenrir (a giant wolf, also Loki’s son) | Sven (young man) |
| Grendel (dragon, monstrous creature) | Tyson (people’s guard) |
| Gunnar (warrior, man who stands alone) | Ulrik (noble ruler) |
| Hans (God is gracious) | Vidar (forest warrior) |
| Harley (hare’s meadow) | Viggo (battle) |
| Harold (lord and ruler) | Wayde (able to go) |
Female Viking Dog Names
Female Vikings were just as fiery, if not more so, than their male counterparts. We all know female pups are princesses, fighters, and, above all, they are usually the boss. Picking a Nordic-inspired female moniker is a perfect way to tell the world just how special your little lady is.
| Alise (noble, sweet) | Kaysa (pure) |
| Ama (eagle) | Krista (Christian, follower of Christ) |
| Annis (pure) | Liv (shelter, protection) |
| Astrid (divinely beautiful) | Maja (splendid) |
| Aud (fortune) | Nanna (daring) |
| Birla (bear) | Nora (honor) |
| Brenna (sword) | Ragna (army rule) |
| Brynhild (warrior woman) | Revna (raven) |
| Brynia (caring) | Runa (rune, secret lore) |
| Chara (free) | Saffi (wise) |
| Edda (grandmother) | Seren (serene, tranquil) |
| Elin (light) | Sif (wife or bride, wife of Thor) |
| Engla (angel) | Sigrid (victory) |
| Etoile (star) | Thora (thunder) |
| Frida (peace) | Thurid (beautiful) |
| Gunhild (fight, battle) | Tyra (Thor’s fight) |
| Hedda (battle maiden) | Una (lamb) |
| Hela (Goddess of the underworld) | Vala (chosen one) |
| Inga (hero’s daughter) | Yrsa (she-bear) |
| Kara (wild, stormy one) | Yulla (sweet speaking) |
Dog Names From Norse Mythology
Vikings lived life in fear of and in honor of the gods. Many names from Norse mythology and the Old Norse culture make impressive pet titles.
| Male | Female |
|---|---|
| Baldr (hero, lord prince, son of Odin and Frigg) | Astrilde (Goddess of love) |
| Bragi (first, foremost, poetry, God of poetry) | Beyla (Goddess of bees) |
| Fenrir (a monstrous wolf, son of Loki) | Dis (female spirit associated with Fate) |
| Forseti (God of justice and reconciliation) | Eir (Norse goddess, mercy) |
| Freki (a wolf of Odin) | Frigg (wife of Odin,mother of Baldr, beloved) |
| Garmr (fierce dog, guardian of the underworld) | Fulla (Goddess of abundance) |
| Geri (a wolf of Odin, greedy) | Hariasa (Goddess of war) |
| Hati ( a wolf who chases the moon, he who hates the enemy) | Hel (Loki’s daughter, Goddess of the underworld) |
| Jotun (a giant) | Idun (Goddess of youth and springtime) |
| Jotun (a gaint) | Saga (seeing one, Norse goddess) |
| Mani (the moon) | Sif (bride, wife of Thor) |
| Sindri (a dwarf, maker of magical things) | Sunna (Goddess of the sun) |
| Surtr (a fire giant) | Syn (goddess associated with defense and refusal) |
| Tyr (God of war and justice) | Verdandi (Goddess of destiny) |
| Vidar (son of Odin, warrior) | Vor (Goddess of wisdom) |
Geographical Viking Dog Names
The Vikings hailed from Denmark and Scandinavia, the areas that are today’s Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. They covered impressive amounts of land in their many quests and voyages. Below are some ideas for Viking names inspired by mythical and real places.
| Alfheim (elven world) | Ormet (river in the underworld) |
| Birka (ancient Viking city in Sweden) | Oslo (capital of Norway) |
| Brimir (hall for good souls after death) | Ribe (town in Denmark) |
| Cork (monastery in Ireland, site of a Viking raid) | Skara (municipality in Sweden) |
| Faroe (Faroe Islands) | Slidre (village in Norway, river in the underworld) |
| Frykat (site of old Viking fortress in Denmark) | Trelleborg (preserved Viking ring fortress in Denmark) |
| Jelling (Viking town in Denmark) | Truso (Vikng port of trade) |
| Jorvik (Old Norse term for Yorkshire) | Uppsala (Viking temple locate din Sweden) |
| Kormet (mythical river, must cross to enter the land of the dead) | Valhalla (majestic hall of the afterlife) |
| Midgard (Middle Earth in Norse mythology) | Vimur (largest of the mythical rivers) |
| Nifheim (world of the dead) | Whitby (Whitby Abbey) |
Dog Names From The TV Show Vikings
The television show Vikings, a production of The History Channel, captivates millions of viewers. This show draws the viewer into a story of love, family, betrayal, battle, honor, loss, and passion. Whether you are a fan of the Vikings television show or not, these names below make fantastic titles for a new pup.
| Male | Female |
|---|---|
| Agnarr | Aelfwynn |
| Alfred | Asa |
| Athlestan | Aslaug |
| Batu | Emma |
| Canute | Estrid |
| Ecbert | Ethelfled |
| Floki | Freydis |
| Harald | Gisla |
| Harbard | Gyda |
| Horik | Katia |
| Ivar | Lagertha |
| Kalf | Merin |
| Ragnar | Siggy |
| Rollo | Torvi |
| Ubbe | Yrsa |
Dog Naming Trends
Every year, we see the list of the most popular pet names. These can reflect preferences for the whole country, state, or city. Pet naming trends are a very valuable tool. They help provide insight and information into what other people in different areas call their pets. Naming trends fluctuate. Some will stick around for a long time, while others will be more of a flash in the pan. For owners needing new ideas, naming trends can be an excellent resource to get ideas or start brainstorming. For people looking for a unique pet call sign, naming trends help them understand what is popular and what to avoid.
Trends often follow what is happening in our culture and society at the time. We can draw inspiration from favorite foods, entertainment franchises, fashion, and personal interests. In some cases, trends may only be popular among a small group. In other cases, they will be widespread. If you need help starting the brainstorming process, look no further than naming trends to find that spark of creativity.
Dog Naming Tips
Picking out a designation for a new puppy is a wonderful part of pet parenthood. It helps solidify the bond between owner and puppy and is also one of the most essential communication tools owners have with their pets. We have a few naming tips for you as you start the process. These will help make things easier and smoother for you and your puppy.
- The first thing to remember is to stay patient. A new name is a learning process for both puppy and pet parents. Your puppy needs training and encouragement to learn and respond to this name. Be patient, and do not be upset if they do not understand at first. Use positive reinforcement methods like toys, treats, verbal praise, and extra cuddles when they respond to their name appropriately.
- When picking a pet title, it is important always to stay appropriate. You want to avoid picking anything that can come across as offensive. Other people like pet sitters, dog walkers, veterinarians, and groomers will need to use this word, and you do not want to put them in an awkward or uncomfortable position. Nor do you want to christen your puppy with something inappropriate that will make people pass judgment on your pet or you without knowing you. This is especially true when picking a word from a different language or culture. Always do your research to make sure the idea you have cannot be taken in the wrong way.
- When selecting a name, consider your interests, wants, and personality, but also take some time to learn about your new fur baby. Consider your pup’s size, breed, age, coat color, and temperament. If you do not have an idea picked out right away, it is acceptable to use a nickname or term of endearment until you make a final decision.
- Canines respond and recognize shorter, one to two-syllable words better. So, try to stick with a shorter term rather than a longer title. Canines tend to respond better to words that end in vowels rather than those that do not. This is due to the way we often raise the infliction or tone of our voices slightly with these words. The change in tone makes them easier for dogs to hear.
- Canines pick up hard consonant sounds better than soft ones. Words that start with the letter sounds C, D, G, K, P, and T have hard consonant sounds and will be easier to understand. Double-syllable words are also often easier for dogs to pick out.
- Do your best to avoid words resembling the names of other human family members or pets. It is also a good idea to avoid words that sound like common commands, as these can confuse your puppy.
- Sometimes, names hold deep meaning or sentimental significance for pet owners. This is a beautiful way to honor a friend, loved one, or favorite character. However, you cannot expect your puppy or adult pooch to understand this more profound meaning. Dogs will learn that their name has a special meaning because when they hear it, it means it is time to go for a walk, have dinner, get cuddles, get a treat, etc. They will not understand any greater meaning beyond that of any specific term.
- When selecting a name, pick a couple of ideas you like and try them out. Don’t forget to think about nicknames as well. Changing your dog’s moniker is okay if the first idea does not work. Stay positive and patient. Eventually, your pup will learn that this word is special and come running when you call.
Do You Need More Dog Name Ideas?
Puppies are a fantastic addition to the family and bring plenty of love, laughter, cuddles, and happy memories. One of the most significant decisions a pet owner can make is what to call their new fur baby. If you happen to be a pet owner with Viking heritage, love the TV show, or enjoy history, then a Viking name is the right way to go.
If you have not yet found that perfect name, we have plenty of ideas to share. We cover Disney names, Marvel names, Anime names, cartoon dog names, names inspired by food, Greek dog names, and many more. Girl or boy, big or small, we have you covered. What is your favorite place to find dog name ideas? We would love it if you shared your ideas with us in the comments.
