Early Medieval Names

A quick word of advice on choosing names

When thinking of a name it is a good opportunity to try to think about the backstory of your character, for instance, are you the sort of character whose parents are likely to give a name like Dreng (brave) or Karli (manly), are your family rich or poor? If your family are poor, it is unlikely that you will have a name akin to Duartr (rich guard) or Erling (son of a chief).

Alternatively, as we are a mercenary company, it is perfectly legitimate for your character to have an assumed name that he has taken in preference to his birth name, such as Gunnbjorn (fighting bear) or Stein (rock-hard), also useful when thinking of names is trying to think of compound names, which can easily be created by combining shorter names such as Bjorn (bear), Ulf (wolf), Stein (rock-hard), Bodil (leader) or Os (divine).

Lastly, it is worth thinking of the time period and faith of the character you are choosing, as the more animalistic names like Rolf (wolf) and Bjorn (bear) are less likely to be chosen by Christians, and if you have decided you definitely want to be a Christian avoid names like Eskil (vessel of the gods), or Thorbert (the glorious Thor), I know it's obvious, but it has been done.

Remember, modesty is only really an attribute of the Christian, so any pagan Norsemen can feel free to go to town on their name, just be careful, the tougher-sounding your name, the more likely you will need to prove your abilities.


 * Anglo-Saxon Male Names


 * Anglo-Saxon Female Names


 * Norse Male Names


 * Norse Female Names


 * Brythonic Male Names


 * Brythonic Female Names