Germanic and Norse Names

Gretchen -Gretchen is a German name meaning "little pearl". It is a diminutive form of Margarite.

Gudrun -Gudrun is a girl's name from Norse lore referring to the legendary Valkyries. The name comes from the Germanic gund meaning "battle" and runa meaning "secret" or "wisdom".

Gustav -The name Gustav is old Norse or Scandinavian. It may mean "Staff of the Goths". A staff is a symbol of leadership, particularly spiritual leadership or a literal or figurative guide. The Goths were a Germanic tribe known for their strength and military prowess and credited with aiding in the fall of the Roman Empire.

Hakon -This is a Norse name meaning "chosen son"

Hayden -Hayden is a German name meaning "Heathen"

Hedda -Hedda is a Germanic name meaning battle, female warrior.

Hedvig -A Norwegian name meaning female warrior or battle.

Heidi -Heidi is a German name meaning "noble". It is a form of the name Adalheid.

Heidrun -Heidrun is a she-goat who, according to the Prose and Poetic Eddas gives mead instead of milk in quantities so great that the Gods thirst are always satiated.

Heloise -Heloise is a name with a long history. It is related to an ancient German name Ludwig and the French Louise which mean "famous warrior". The "Hel" part may relate to Helios, the Greek God of the Sun or the Hel the Norse Goddess of the Underworld, more likely, it may relate to the word heile meaning "happiness". So it could mean "famous warrior of the sun" or "famous warrior of Hel", "famous warrior of happiness".

Herman -Herman is a name of German origin meaning "army man" or "soldier".

Hermine -Hermine is a name of Germanic origin related to the male name Herman which means "man in the army". It may also be used by Hellenic Pagans in reference the God Hermes.

Hugh -The name Hugh is a boy's name of Germanic origin meaning "Will".

Hugo -Hugo is a man's name of Germanic origin meaning "mind", "heart" or "spirit". Perhaps what many of us would know as Will.

Ingrid -Ingrid is a Norse name meaning Freyr's beauty.

Ivo -A Germanic name meaning "yew".

Jormungandr -Jormungandr is the name of the Midgard Serpent of Norse lore.

Linden -Linden is a German name suitable for a boy or girl. It means "lime tree". This lime tree is not the same as the citrus lime tree, however.

Loki -Loki is the name of the Norse trickster God.

Odin -Odin is the name of the chief God of Norse Paganism. It comes from Vōðin meaning "ire" or "fury" like passionate inspiration or spiritual excitement. The word is also related to the word for poetry.

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