Looking for a Scandi-inspired name for your new baby boy? Here are the most popular baby boy names in Norway right now, updated with the latest official statistics from 2025, along with explanations of what each name means.
Naming a child is a deeply personal decision. Some parents instinctively know the name from the start, while others spend months searching for the right fit. Either way, it’s a choice that lasts a lifetime.
We know from the thousands of readers exploring our Norwegian baby name guides that many of you are looking for inspiration.
Whether you’re expecting a child, researching Scandinavian culture, or even choosing a name for a fictional character, this guide is designed to help.
Baby Boy Name Inspiration from Norway
You might expect Viking or Old Norse mythology-inspired names to dominate in Norway, but that’s only part of the story. While some traditional Norse names remain popular, Norwegian baby name trends shift much like they do elsewhere.
Biblical names continue to dominate the boys’ rankings, often shared across Europe and beyond. International names are common, sometimes with Scandinavian spelling variants, while classic Nordic names rise and fall in predictable cycles.
If you’re considering a Norwegian name, it’s also worth familiarizing yourself with Norway’s naming rules. While there are no officially banned names, not all words are permitted as given names.
Top 10 Baby Boy Names in Norway
Each year, Statistics Norway (SSB) publishes official baby name data based on the National Population Register.
Here are the top 10 baby boy names in Norway in 2025along with the number of newborns given each name:
- Noah (477)
- Jacob (413)
- Lucas (411)
- Emil (405)
- Oskar (374)
- William (368)
- Elijah (357)
- Isaac (348)
- Oliver (343)
- Louis (337)
After spending three consecutive years in second place, Noah climbed back to the top in 2025having previously held first place in 2021. The name has now featured in the top 10 every year for the past decade.
Regional Popularity Across Norway
While Noah tops the national rankings, baby name preferences vary significantly across the country.
Oslo stands out in particular. The capital’s rankings reflect immigration patterns more strongly than the national average, with Mohammad the most popular boys’ name in the city despite ranking much lower nationwide.
Across the rest of the country, these were the most popular baby boy names by county in 2025:
- Finnmark: Isak
- Troms: Jacob
- Nordland: Ulrik
- Trøndelag: Emil
- Westland: Noah
- Rogaland: Noah
- Agder: Noah
- Vestfold: Ludvig
- Telemark: Noah
- Buskerud: William
- Akershus: Lucas
- Inland: Lucas
- Møre and Romsdal: Lucas
- Østfold: Noah
These variations highlight how local culture, demographics, and tradition continue to shape naming choices in Norway.
Popular Male Names in Norway
Now, let’s take a look at the meanings behind some of the most popular baby boy names for newborns in Norway.
Shaft
Aksel, closely related to Axel, has Hebrew roots but is firmly established in Scandinavia. The name conveys strength and tradition, and its international familiarity makes it an appealing choice for Norwegian parents.
Alfred
Originally an Old English name, Alfred likely returned to Scandinavia via Viking contact with the British Isles. With royal and scholarly associations, the name continues to enjoy steady popularity.
Alexander
A name with ancient roots and global recognition, Alexander remains popular in Norway, often appearing alongside the Scandinavian spelling Aleksander. It remains a very popular name across the border in Sweden.
Benjamin
With biblical origins, Benjamin has been used in Scandinavia since the 1600s and remains a timeless, internationally recognizable name.
Elias
Used in Scandinavia for nearly a thousand years, Elias climbed further up the rankings in 2025 and now sits comfortably inside the top 10.
Emil
Shared across the Nordic countries and Germany, Emil has been a mainstay in Norwegian naming charts since the mid-2000s and remains one of the country’s most popular boys’ names.
Philip
Filip has a long Nordic history despite its international sound. Place names like Filipstad in Sweden and Oslo’s Filipstad district reflect its historical presence.
Henrik
A classic Scandinavian name with royal and historical associations, Henrik has returned to favor after earlier peaks in the 18th and early 20th centuries. Playwright Henrik Ibsen springs instantly to mind.
Håkon / Haakon
With strong royal connections, Håkon remains closely associated with Norwegian history and identity and may yet see renewed popularity. It is, of course, the name of the next King of Norway.
Isaac
Boosted by popular culture, particularly the TV series ShameIsak continues to rank highly and topped the list in Finnmark in 2025.
Jacob
A long-standing favorite in Norway, Jakob placed second nationally in 2025 and remains popular across multiple regions.
Johannes
A medieval form of John, Johannes combines historical depth with modern recognition, helped by high-profile figures such as skier Johannes Høsflot Klæbo.
Jonas
Once especially popular in rural Norway, Jonas saw renewed interest in the early 2000s but has slipped somewhat in recent years. It is the name of Norway’s current prime minister.
Kasper
A Scandinavian form of Jasper, Kasper has Persian and biblical roots. The name climbed significantly in 2025 after a period of decline. Alternate spellings Casper and Kacper (of Polish origin) are also found in Norway.
Liam
An Irish name meaning “strong-willed warrior,” Liam has become firmly established across Scandinavia over the past two decades. This trend underscores a growing trend in the region to embrace names that have widespread appeal.
Lucas / Lukas
A long-time favorite in Norway, Lucas remains near the top of the rankings. The spelling Lukas is equally popular, reflecting Norway’s flexible approach to name variants.
Ludwig
More uniquely Norwegian than many names on the list, Ludvig continues to climb and reached 10th place nationally in 2025.
Magnus
With clear Old Norse roots, Magnus has cycled in and out of fashion for centuries and remains popular across Scandinavia today. Perhaps there is a Magnus Carlsen effect behind its recent popularity?
Marcus
Derived from ancient Rome, Markus peaked in Norway during the 1990s but remains a familiar and respected choice. The common variant Marcus shares the same etymological origin.
Noah
A biblical name with global appeal, Noah’s return to first place in 2025 confirms its enduring popularity both in Norway and internationally. The alternate spelling Noa is also found in Norway.
Olav
Deeply rooted in Norwegian history and linked to Saint Olav, this traditional name remains popular in certain regions, including Telemark. Its enduring popularity may have been bolstered by cultural phenomena like Disney’s “Frozen,” which brought Nordic names to a global audience.
Oliver
After ten consecutive years in the top 10, Oliver fell slightly in 2025 but remains a strong and familiar choice. Although Oliver has Norman French origins, its use in Scandinavia may also be influenced by the Old Norse name Áleifrshowing how names can bridge cultures and eras.
Oscar
Once more associated with Sweden, Oskar has risen sharply in Norway in recent years and placed fifth nationally in 2025, whereas it has declined in popularity across the border. The alternate spelling Oscar is also popular in Norway.
Sander
Often a short form of Alexander, Sander gained popularity in the early 2000s and remains a recognizable Norwegian name.
Theodore
After disappearing from common use for much of the 20th century, Theodor has enjoyed a strong revival across the Nordic countries.
Tobias
Popular in the early 2000s, Tobias has declined slightly but remains a well-known biblical name in Norway.
Victor
A strong, classic name, Viktor has become increasingly popular since the 1990s. The alternate spelling Victor is almost as popular.
William
William continues to perform well in Norway, reflecting its broad appeal across Scandinavia and the English-speaking world.
Traditional Male Names in Norway
You may be surprised to see some familiar Norwegian names missing from the top rankings. Names such as Johan, Nikolai, Kristian, and Erik remain common, typically with more than 100 newborns each year, but no longer dominate as they once did.
Other traditional names, including Bjørn, Harald, Ole, and Thor, have largely dropped out of the top 50 altogether, although some are beginning to show early signs of a comeback.
If you’re looking for a strong, meaningful name with Scandinavian roots, Norway offers a wide range of options. Whether you prefer a modern favorite like Noah, a classic choice like Jakob, or a revived historical name like Ludvig, there’s no shortage of inspiration.
What are your favorite Norwegian male names? Let us know in the comments below.