Ah, Sweden. The land of Ikea, Acne (the brand, not the skin condition!) and, as it turns out, utterly gorgeous baby names.
If you are currently awaiting a little princess (or, indeed, just welcomed one!), and are in need of a little name-inspiration, we dare you not to fall head over heels with some of these sweet Nordic monikers:
1. Malin
Pronunciation: ma-AH-lin
Malin is a short Nordic form of Magdalena, and also traditionally a pet name for the longer Amalia.
2. Leonore
Pronunciation: Leh-o-Nore
Leonore is a melodic variation of the wide range of names related to Eleanor currently trending all over Europe. There is also a Swedish princess Leonore, which gives the choice the royal seal of approval, no?
3. Linnea
Pronunciation: li-NAY-a
The name Linnea is originally bestowed in honor of the Swedish botanist Karl von Linné (1707 – 78), who gave his name to the Linnaean system of classifying plants and animals and to a type of flower (linnaea). Perfect for your little bloom, in other words!
4. Maja
Pronunciation: like the English Maya
The meaning of this name is unknown, but it fits right in with the trend of baby names ending in “a”. And we like this spelling of it too.
5. Alma
Pronunciation: AHL-mə
Alma is thought to be derived from the Latin ‘almus’, meaning ‘nourishing, fostering’. Alternatively, Alma may be a direct borrowing from the Spanish ‘alma’, meaning ‘soul’. Either way, we think it is a sweet name for any little lady.
6. Lova
Pronunciation: LOOO-va
Lova is the feminine form of Louis (“famous in war”), and is both a sweet moniker, yet with a strong meaning, we think.
7. Thea
Pronunciation: THEE-ə
Thea is a short form of Theodora (meaning God’s gift),but in recent years this has more and more become an independent given name. Currently in the top 20 girl names in Scandinavia.
8. Cornelia
Pronunciation: kohr-NEEL-yə
The meaning of Cornelia is unknown, but it thought to be the feminine version of the male Cornelius, which is an old name with both Nordic and European roots.
9. Saga
Pronunciation: Sa-h-Ga
A saga is a story, originally thought to be an old Norse name, possibly with Icelandic roots.
10. Nella
Pronunciation: As it is spelled
Although Nella is originally a Greek baby name meaning “light”, the name is currently enjoying a big moment in Scandinavia, especially Sweden. Want another sweet variety? How about Nelia?
What do YOU think? Would you consider a Scandinavian baby name for your little bundle? Or are you sticking to something a little closer to home? Join in the baby name conversation with us on Twitter at @Herfamilydotie
