Norse Heroine Main Character Names??

Writers' Corner
1

Dear fellow Berries:

I am writing a novel series about a teenage girl who discovers that she is a descendant from a very important ancient family from Norway who have been given the ability to fight spiritual battles in wolf-form (yes, like the animal). Through her quest to find more about herself and her family, she ends up saving the entire “wolf warrior” population. (This is not a Sci-Fi type story, it’s actually based on the story of Fenrir in Old Norse Mythology.)

I am having some trouble coming up with a name for my main character. She will be a beautiful, feisty blonde character with Scandinavian blood. The name doesn’t have to actually be Norse or Scandinavian in nature, but would be a nice touch. I want a name that is not hard to pronounce, but is distinct & feminine. I am most attracted to 2 syllable names, but have an open mind.

I originally called my main character [name_f]Thea[/name_f] - but I’ve selfishly fallen in love with the name and want to be able to use it for my own daughter someday, so I’ve found myself back at the drawing board.

Here are some of the names that I love but I’m not sure if they are right for my character:

[name_f]Cleo[/name_f]
[name_f]Natalie[/name_f]
[name_f]Isis[/name_f]
[name_f]Chloe[/name_f]
[name_f]Amelia[/name_f]
[name_u]Haven[/name_u]
[name_f]Kyra[/name_f]
[name_u]Nile[/name_u]
[name_f]Lavinia[/name_f]
[name_f]Davina[/name_f]
[name_u]Sasha[/name_u]

Please give me your opinion on the names I have listed & please give me some of your thoughts!
Thanks in advance :slight_smile:

2

I think [name_f]Isis[/name_f] and [name_u]Nile[/name_u] fit best from your list. [name_m]How[/name_m] about:

[name_f]Fjord[/name_f], [name_f]Dasha[/name_f], [name_u]Dune[/name_u], [name_f]Viveca[/name_f], [name_f]Agne[/name_f], [name_f]Electra[/name_f], [name_m]Axl[/name_m], [name_f]Brita[/name_f] / [name_f]Britta[/name_f], [name_u]Dagny[/name_u], [name_f]Signy[/name_f] / [name_f]Signe[/name_f], [name_u]Daven[/name_u], [name_f]Else[/name_f], [name_f]Elke[/name_f], [name_f]Eline[/name_f], [name_f]Freja[/name_f], [name_m]Frey[/name_m], [name_f]Hedda[/name_f], [name_u]Ib[/name_u], [name_u]Isak[/name_u], [name_f]Jone[/name_f], [name_f]Juni[/name_f], [name_f]Lilya[/name_f] / [name_f]Lilja[/name_f], [name_m]Lars[/name_m], [name_f]Marna[/name_f], [name_f]Nanna[/name_f], [name_f]Marte[/name_f], [name_f]Mette[/name_f], [name_f]Nessa[/name_f], [name_f]Noora[/name_f], [name_f]Ola[/name_f], [name_f]Pirjo[/name_f], [name_m]Pelle[/name_m], [name_f]Petah[/name_f], [name_f]Petrine[/name_f], [name_f]Rane[/name_f], [name_f]Lowri[/name_f], [name_f]Pixie[/name_f], [name_f]Rica[/name_f], [name_f]Rikka[/name_f], [name_f]Sade[/name_f], [name_f]Saga[/name_f], [name_f]Tea[/name_f], [name_f]Suren[/name_f], [name_u]Valo[/name_u].

3

Of the ones from your list, I like [name_f]Isis[/name_f] and [name_f]Cleo[/name_f] the most. They have the right attitude to me.

[name_f]My[/name_f] first thought is perhaps a little predictable but very fitting all the same, Ylva. Ylva means ‘she-wolf’ and is a name of Nordic origins.

I really like the suggested [name_u]Dagny[/name_u] as well, it means ‘new day’ and feels very right for your character.

Another suggestion I’d like to make is [name_f]Siri[/name_f] or [name_f]Sigrid[/name_f]. [name_f]Siri[/name_f] is a short form of [name_f]Sigrid[/name_f], both mean ‘beauty and victory’. [name_f]Siri[/name_f] has the added bonus of being the Kiswahili word for ‘secret’. I know [name_f]Siri[/name_f] is the [name_f]Apple[/name_f]-lady helper thing (what is she?), but I think the connection is a fading one. And the name would be perfect!

I also think a lot of Finnish names would be suitable, Lumi (snow), [name_f]Suvi[/name_f] (summer), [name_u]Valo[/name_u] (light) and Vieno (gentle) are my favourites, and I’m very fascinated by Toivoa (hope).

Other Nordic suggestions:
[name_f]Thora[/name_f] / [name_u]Tora[/name_u] (thunder)
[name_f]Liv[/name_f] / [name_f]Olivia[/name_f] or [name_f]Olive[/name_f] nn [name_f]Liv[/name_f] ([name_f]Liv[/name_f] means ‘life’)
[name_f]Eira[/name_f] (‘healing’, also Welsh for ‘snow’)

[name_f]Non[/name_f] Nordic names I think would fit:
[name_f]Alma[/name_f] (nourishing/soul, always felt very fiery to me)
[name_f]Jane[/name_f]
[name_f]Tessa[/name_f]
Inés
[name_f]Juno[/name_f]
[name_f]Mara[/name_f]
[name_f]Ruth[/name_f]
[name_f]Luna[/name_f]
[name_f]Mercy[/name_f]
[name_f]Briar[/name_f]
[name_f]Eve[/name_f]
[name_f]Reina[/name_f]
[name_u]Rowan[/name_u]
[name_u]Vesper[/name_u] / [name_f]Esther[/name_f]
[name_u]Vida[/name_u]
[name_f]Pilar[/name_f]
[name_f]Isobel[/name_f]
[name_f]Elowen[/name_f]
[name_f]Felicity[/name_f] (goes by [name_m]Felix[/name_m])
[name_f]Delia[/name_f]
[name_u]Clare[/name_u]
[name_f]Ann[/name_f]

4

Wonderful input! Thank you so much for the thoughtful responses. So far my favorites of the suggestions are:

[name_f]Viveca[/name_f]
[name_u]Dagny[/name_u]
Ylva
[name_f]Siri[/name_f]
[name_f]Olivia[/name_f] ([name_f]Olive[/name_f] for nn)
[name_f]Tessa[/name_f]
[name_f]Briar[/name_f]
[name_u]Tora[/name_u]
[name_f]Alma[/name_f]

Thanks again!!

5

[name_u]Dagny[/name_u] sounds perfect. Meaning new day, possibly suggesting a bright future and constantly discovering new things :slight_smile:

6

Well, you gave us pretty helpful info in regards to what you want from a name :slight_smile: It’s far easier to help someone who has a good idea of what they’re looking for.

7

[name_f]My[/name_f] suggestion is Aino. It means “only one” in Finnish. Aino is also a character from the Kalevala.

8

I’m glad you like some of them!
Best of luck picking a name, and with writing your novel. It sounds like you have a lot of good ideas for it :slight_smile: