Norse boy and girl names and their meaning

As you sail north onboard one of NorthLink’s modern, comfortable ferries to the land of the ‘Simmer Dim’ no doubt your thoughts will be turning towards visiting all the attractions and places Shetland has to offer.

When our Nordic ancestors began sailing west from Norway around 850 AD, the most valuable cargo onboard wasn’t the animals or materials, it was the men, women and children themselves. They would not only write the pages of Shetland’s history but also leave their rich Norse names etched into the landscape.

Golden beaches, turquoise seas, abundant wildlife and beautiful vistas around every corner are just some of what the visitor to these islands can enjoy. History and heritage? Well, it seeps out from every pore and the various museums and heritage centres dotted around the islands do an excellent job of promoting it.

However, one piece of the Shetland jigsaw that you might pass during your time here, but not give much thought to, is the place-names.

When our Nordic ancestors began sailing west from Norway around 850 AD, the most valuable cargo onboard wasn’t the animals or material required for a new life on ‘the islands in the west’; it was the men, women and children themselves.

Our minds can only muse on what must have been a moving sight as the Viking ships glided gracefully under sail through Hjeltefjorden – the fjord to Hjaltland – loaded with their cargo of life. Young eyes filled with excitement peering over the side, and older eyes glancing back to the motherland but looking forward towards a new beginning.

It was these men, women and children who would not only write the pages of Shetland’s history but also leave their rich Norse names etched into the landscape.

Some of the earliest examples can be found in Shetland’s Old Norse documents where beautiful names such as Haralldr i Borgarfirði, Þorkell i Nesi, Ragnhild Simunsdatter, Sigurðr a Kallbak, Halfdan Rafnsson, Herdis Thorvaldsdatter and Gudrun Sigurðsdottir are recorded. The hand writing itself being a work of art.

Latterly, we find names such as Agnes Andersdotter, Einar Bendichttsonn, Erasmus of Garth, Friea Rasmesdocter (Freyja Rasmusdottir), Kirstenn Jonsdattir, Maritte Olufsdotter, Margaretta Eilifsdottir, Olav Haldeinssoun, Sigrid Erlandsdotter and Thomas of Kettilsetter.

Ultimately, these names would also be left woven into the family trees of their descendants in Shetland including the author of this article with Hendrich Hendrichsson, William Magnusson, Bruce Moar Danielsson and Johanna Danielsson to name a few.

Some speak about the ‘Norse era’ as if it’s been and gone but we’re still here. In his book ‘The Place-names of Shetland’ the Faroese linguist Jakob Jakobsen (1864-1918) lists no less than 76 place-names that contain and come from a personal name. And I have little doubt that this is merely scratching the surface.

Another example of this legacy, and one you may pass during your time here, is ‘Culbinsgarth’ in the South Mainland. Blink and you might miss it but Culbinsgarth in Cunningsburgh comprises the man’s name Kolbein and the word garðr, meaning Kolbein’s farm. The name Kolbein itself means ‘one with dirty feet’ which in Viking times might have been very apt for a child!

Indeed, how poignant it is to think that centuries ago the little feet of Arnfinn, Egil, Gunni, Kettil, Sigurd, Thorstein, Aslaug, Britta, Eldrid, Hilda and Sigrid roamed free on the same beaches and looked out over the same sea that we do.

Sadly, history wasn’t kind to these beautiful names and local lore says that during the centuries that followed incoming Scottish Kirk Ministers regarded them as ‘pagan’ and because of this refused to christen a child if it had a Norse name.

Nevertheless, despite the ebb and flow of time and, dare it be said, the cruel hand of the Scottish Ministers, a small number of these Norse names still live on in Shetland.

In a world of Disney and Netflix, how enriching it would be to Shetland’s culture and identity if more of these old names were revived.

Perhaps some day a little Atli, Ásgeir, Asbjørn, Sigrid, Sigrun or Sólja will be ‘hocking in the ebb’ for crabs or building a sand castle. Or perhaps a little Kolbein with dirty feet will be showing mum and dad the starfish that he just found…..

Paul’s book Shetland’s Old Norse Personal Names is published by The Shetland Times Ltd. and is available for purchase in retail outlets across Shetland, as well as online at www.shetlandbookshop.co.uk.

Paul’s upcoming book ‘Shetland’s Trolls & Giants’ is due for publication at the end of 2025.

By Paul Moar
Born and raised in Shetland where he developed a keen interest in Shetland’s rich Norse history and heritage. Other interests are exploring and enjoying Shetland’s scenery. His upcoming book ‘Shetland’s Trolls & Giants’ is due for publication later this year and favourite meal is fish & chips from the Fort Takeaway & Cafe in Lerwick

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