The most popular Swedish names for men, women, boys and girls

Giving your child a Swedish name is very popular at the moment. Maybe it conjures up the image of a fit, healthy Nordic lifestyle, or perhaps you just like the idea of a name that’s a bit different.

Either way, choosing a Swedish name for your newborn will add a touch of Scandinavian chic and a sporty vibe to your child’s name.

Maybe you’d prefer a more traditional Swedish name such as Karl or Erik, Anna or Kristina.

Or perhaps you fancy something a bit more contemporary, like Alice or Noah.

Whatever your preference, this guide to the coolest and most popular Swedish names will help you decide!

Why are Swedish names for men, women, boys and girls so popular?

Lots of people have an idea of the Swedes being strong and fit, and living a healthy outdoor lifestyle.

The Swedes are also associated with being cool, stylish and having a certain designer chic.

Clearly, these are just stereotypes – there are Swedes of all shapes and sizes living all kinds of lifestyle, of course! But it is an enduring image.

Add to that the Norse and Viking origins of many Swedish names and you can see why choosing a Swedish name for your child is appealing.

The top 100 most popular Swedish girls names for newborns

So, if you’re expecting a baby girl you’ll want to know what sort of names Swedes are giving their daughters right now. As in all countries, these are not necessarily the same as the names that have been traditionally popular.

Cultural and international influences play a big part in the choice of a name, not to mention the fact that each generation wants to make its mark and choose something a little different from their parents’ generation.

Interestingly, however, while many new parents reject the names of their own parents’ generation as being old-fashioned, those of their grandparents’ generation often come back into style and have a resurgence of popularity! 

So, here’s the top 100 Swedish girls’ names of 2021 in order of popularity, followed by the number of girls who were given each name, according to the Statistics Sweden website.

What do Swedish girls’ names mean?

Once you’ve perused the list above and found a name that you like, you’ll want to check out what it means. Some Swedish girls’ names have their roots in the natural world, while some come from the Norse sagas and mythology.

Others have religious origins, such as Astrid, which is of Norse origin and means “divinely beautiful” or “god’s strength”. 

Some names have a more international influence or simply become popular because of a celebrity, film or sports star.

The popularity of the name Elsa, of course, comes from the strong female character in the enduring Disney film Frozen, though the name itself is a version of Elisabeth and means “pledged to god”.

For a detailed insight into the meanings and origins of Swedish girls’ name, plus a handy guide on how to pronounce them, check out our post on Swedish girls’ name and their meanings.

The top 20 most popular Swedish women’s names

Established names may fall out of favour for a generation or two, but then come back into fashion from time to time. So if you prefer something a little more traditional, here are the top 20 most popular women’s names overall, followed by the number of women in Sweden that are currently called each name.

The top 100 most popular Swedish boys’ names for newborns

Of course, Swedish names are also popular for boys, conjuring up an image of a tall, blonde, super-strong Viking-like figure!  

So, if you’re expecting a boy, check out the top 100 most popular Swedish boys’ names, followed the number of babies given each name in 2021.

What do Swedish boys’ names mean?

Like girls’ names, Swedish boys’ names come from a number of different roots.

Names with religious origins are very popular, with Noah topping the list in 2021.

Classic names with Germanic and Norse backgrounds are also popular, such as William and its derivation Liam.

For a detailed run-down of what Swedish boys’ names mean and a useful pronunciation guide, see our post on the most popular Swedish boys names and their meanings.

The top 20 most popular Swedish mens’ names

While international trends may have a strong influence on the choice of  a baby boy’s name, more traditional Scandinavian names are also popular. 

Names that have a definite Swedish ring to them, such as Karl, Erik, Lars, Anders and Per may not rank very highly in the choice of names in 2021, but are at the top of the list of the most popular Swedish men’s names overall.

While lots of Swedes might see these as old fashioned, they’re definitely ripe for a comeback, we think! 

So, here’s the top 20 most popular Swedish men’s names overall, with the number of Swedes who are registered with this name in 2021.

See also:
Norse names and their meanings
Cool male Viking names and their meanings
Cool female Viking names and their meanings