How about a Norwegian baby name for your new born? Traditional Scandinavian names are making a comeback, while international names are popular too. Here's the latest trends, updated with 2024 data.
Choosing a baby name is one of the first big decisions parents make, and trends in naming often reflect deeper cultural shifts. Some names stand the test of time, while others fade and resurface generations later.
In Norway, baby name choices blend tradition, modern influences, and even international trends.
Each year, Statistics Norway (SSB) reveals the most popular baby names, offering fascinating insights into Norwegian naming trends. The 2024 rankings highlight a mix of tradition and change, with Nora and Lucas topping the charts—though not without some surprises.
Classic Scandinavian names are making a comeback, with Johannes re-entering the top 10 for the first time since 1896 and vintage choices like Selma and Ellinor gaining popularity. Meanwhile, immigration trends are shaping the name landscape, with Ukrainian names like Oleksandr and Tetiana seeing a significant rise.
Whether you're looking for baby name inspiration or simply curious about Norwegian culture, this year's list tells an intriguing story. Let's dive into the details!
Table of Contents
Top Baby Names in Norway
Nora and Lucas topped the charts in 2024. Nora claimed the number one spot for the eighth time in 13 years, while Lucas retained its top position from last year despite a significant decline.
Nora has been in the top 10 annually since the turn of the millennium, climbing from sixth place in 2023 to the most popular girls' name in 2024. Nora is a short form of Eleonore, which appeared in Ibsen's play A Doll’s House.
The name's popularity may also have received a boost from the NRK series Skam, in which one of the main characters was named Noora. Norwegian handball player Nora Mørk is another well-known Nora.
A total of 385 girls were named Nora in 2024. Right behind was Emma, which secured second place for the fifth year in a row.
The biblical name Lucas has remained in the top 10 for boys’ names for 18 years and, as in the previous year, topped the list of most popular boys' names. Lucas was given to 431 children in 2024, making it the most common name given to newborns in Norway last year.
The full top ten lists are available at the end of this article. But first, let's dig into the trends in more detail.
Newcomers from the Past
The newcomers on the girls' list are Selma and Ellinor, both making a historic debut in the top 10. However, these names have been growing in popularity since the early 2000s.
“It’s not particularly surprising to see Selma and Ellinor reaching the top list now, as they have seen a marked rise in popularity over the past 20 years. These are older names that last peaked in the early 1900s and are now experiencing a renaissance,” said Anders Sønstebø, SSB senior advisor.
There are four newcomers to the top 10 boys' names compared to 2023—William, Ludvig, Liam, and Johannes. While Ludvig debuts on the top list, Liam, William, and Johannes are making a comeback.
These comebacks vary significantly. Liam had a brief appearance on the top list in 2015, while William has been in and out of the top list since 2009. However, Johannes has a historical flair—its last appearance in the top 10 was in 1896, when it ranked 10th.
“The fact that Johannes has returned to the top list after so many years follows a fairly common name cycle. It typically takes 100–120 years for a name to fall out of favour and then regain popularity,” said Sønstebø.
The Biggest Decliners
When looking at name frequency, Kasper saw the biggest drop in 2024. A total of 272 children were named Kasper, 80 fewer than the previous year. This caused Kasper to fall to 19th place after ranking fifth in 2023.
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Although Lucas was the most commonly given name in 2024, it experienced a significant decline compared to the previous year. A total of 63 fewer children were named Lucas, making it one of the names that decreased the most in popularity.
“Lucas was so dominant in 2023 that, despite being among the names with the biggest decline in 2024, it still holds onto the top spot,” said Sønstebø.
Among girls’ names, Anna and Ada saw the largest drops. A total of 62 fewer children were named Anna in 2024. Ada, which was ranked 10th in 2023, saw a decline of 49 births, dropping it to 20th place.
The Biggest Climbers
Theo and Emil saw an upswing in 2024. Emil has been in the top rankings every year since 2006, except for 2013, and climbed from joint sixth to fourth place in 2024.
Theo saw the largest increase but only reached 18th place. Theo has not previously appeared on the top rankings.
Among girls' names, Nora and Josefine rose the most. Nora claimed the top spot, while Josefine is making a comeback after its peak in the late 1800s. In 2024, Josefine ranked 27th, with 46 more children receiving the name.
Most Double Names in Northern Norway
Almost one in five children received a double name in 2024, with double names being far more common in Northern Norway compared to other regions.
In Nordland, Troms, and Finnmark, 25–33% of children were given double names. This trend is much less common in Western Norway, where only 13% of children in Rogaland and Vestland received double names.
The most popular double name in 2024 was Emma Sofie, given to 14 children. Looking at the population as a whole, the most common double name remains Anne Lise, with a total of 6,652 people bearing that name.
Ukrainian Immigration Influences Name Trends
The name that saw the biggest increase across the entire population in 2024—not just among newborns—was Oleksandr. There were 686 more people named Oleksandr in 2024 than the previous year.
Among the names with the highest increase in the population, several are already familiar from the top list.
However, immigration from Ukraine appears to have influenced the rankings, with names such as Tetiana, Olena, and Dmytro reaching sixth, eighth, and tenth places, respectively.
More New Names Emerging
By the end of 2024, there were approximately 148,000 different names in Norway—82,000 for women and 66,000 for men.
Around 6,500 unique names were given to newborns, 700 of which were completely new to the population. The names on the top 10 list accounted for 13% of all names given in 2024.
“The names on the top list make up a relatively small proportion of all given names, which suggests that we are becoming more creative when naming our children. Additionally, many foreign names are emerging that were previously uncommon in Norway,” said Sønstebø.
Regional Differences in Name Choices
There are significant regional variations in name preferences. While Nora and Lucas hold the top spots nationally, in Oslo, Nora ranks only 23rd, and Lucas comes in at 28th on the most popular names list. In Finnmark, neither Nora nor Lucas appears in the top 20.
Telemark stands out with Olav as its most popular name. Olav is also highly ranked in Oslo (9th place) and Trøndelag (8th place), but in other counties, it is less common.
The name Mohammad topped the list in Oslo and ranked third in Akershus, but on a national level, it placed 26th.
Top 10 Boys’ Names in Norway (2024):
- Lucas
- Noah
- William
- Oliver
- Emil
- Liam
- Jakob
- Johannes
- Oskar
- Aksel
Top 10 Girls’ Names in Norway (2024):
- Nora
- Emma
- Sofie
- Olivia
- Ella
- Maja
- Selma
- Ellinor
- Ingrid
- Leah
Should You Choose a Norwegian Baby Name?
Choosing a Norwegian baby name can be a meaningful way to honour the country’s rich culture, breathtaking landscapes, and deep-rooted traditions.
Many Norwegian names have origins in Viking heritage, nature, and Old Norse mythology, reflecting themes of strength, resilience, and exploration. Others carry classic Scandinavian charm, evoking a sense of simplicity and timeless elegance.
Opting for a Norwegian name can give a child a unique yet meaningful identity, connecting them to a legacy of adventure, storytelling, and a deep respect for the natural world. Whether inspired by the towering fjords, the midnight sun, or the northern lights, these names often hold poetic and symbolic significance.
However, it’s important to consider practical aspects like pronunciation, spelling, and cultural context, especially if you live outside Norway. Some names may be easy to integrate internationally, while others might be more challenging for non-Norwegian speakers.
Still, choosing a Norwegian name can be a beautiful way to embrace Scandinavian heritage, whether you have Norwegian ancestry, a love for Nordic culture, or simply appreciate the charm of these timeless names.
Interesting in that here in the U. S. My nephew named his young son Magnus in combination with a very Norwegian last name. And the country abounds with”Eric’s” of everything spelling combined with last names of what seem to reflect all nationalities. So let’s hear it for the new Ragnar in Norway.
I want to give Ragnar as middle name to my baby. But then I’m thinking, will it make People laugh, exposing his mom as a sucker for Vikings tv series 😆
My older son is Espen, just because I used to live in Norway and admired the country and its people. So I want to give Norwegian name to my new offspring to keep it consistent.
Ragnar was my Norwegian uncle’s name. It is a nice name.
All the variations of Philip are listed together, but William and Liam are not despite them being related to each other… Why is that?
Because the choice between William and Liam is a choice of name, not a choice of spelling.
can’t some one go by Liam for short, nickname?
William is of Germanic origin while Liam is an Irish / Celtic name they are not related
What about all the Tor’s?
Tor Erik, Tor Evert, Tor Ever, etc.
Our child names are:Girl :Ingebjürg Elene ,Boy:Bjørn Erik Olav and Girl: Kirsten Hildebjørg.
Umm, how can there be a comment from 2018 for an article about 2023 baby names???
Because we update the article every year.
The article date is February 2, 2022. Then how can it possibly be about “fully year rankings for 2023”??
Because we update the article every year.
Loved the article-interesting read.