Our Norwegian name database contains 4.810 Norwegian surnames and 32.946 Norwegian first names categorized by gender and frequency. After payment you can download the Norwegian name database in CSV, SQL or JSON format. In Norway we received a name and gender database from the Norwegian government and merged it with publicly available data sets. To create the Norwegian name database we used 67.992 validated Norwegian social media profiles. We have a detailed explanation of our methodology and illustrate our approach with several examples.

Popular Norwegian surnames

This table show popular Norwegian surnames. In Norway, surnames are passed down from the father. Children take on their father's surname, with the exception of some cases where both parents agree to use a different surname. It is also common for people to add the suffix "-sen" or "-datter" to indicate whether they are a son or daughter, respectively, of their father. For example, if a father's surname is Hansen, his son would be named "Hansen" and his daughter would be named "Hansdatter".

Surname Frequency*1 Percentage*1 Alternative countries*2
Andersen 396 0.6% Danish American Dutch
Hansen 391 0.6% American Danish German
Olsen 384 0.6% American Danish British
Johansen 384 0.6% Danish American British
Larsen 305 0.4% American Danish British
Pedersen 304 0.4% Danish American Dutch
Nilsen 260 0.4% American Swedish British
Kristiansen 227 0.3% Danish American British
Jensen 197 0.3% American Danish British
Johnsen 194 0.3% American Danish British
  • *1 The Frequency and Percentage are based on 67.992 Norwegian social media profiles.
  • *2 Alternative countries are countries where this surname also is used. They are sorted on popularity.

Norwegian first names

In Norway, parents typically choose a first name for their child based on a combination of personal preference, family tradition, and popular trends. Many families choose traditional Norwegian names, such as Erik, Ingrid, or Magnus, while others may opt for more modern or international names, such as Emma, Lucas, or Olivia. The name is also chosen after considering its meaning and suitability with the surname and middle name. The choice of a name is a personal decision and it is a big responsibility for the parents as the name will be with the child for their entire life.

Popular Norwegian male names

First name Frequency*1 Percentage*1 Alternative countries*2
Thomas 685 1.5% American German British
Anders 564 1.2% Swedish Danish American
Morten 533 1.2% Danish Dutch German
Andreas 520 1.1% German Swedish Austrian
Martin 486 1.0% British German American
Christian 479 1.0% American German British
Espen 439 0.9% Danish American British
Marius 430 0.9% Romanian German Mahoran
Erik 429 0.9% American Dutch Swedish
Lars 424 0.9% German Dutch Danish
  • *1 The Frequency and Percentage are based on 67.992 Norwegian social media profiles from which 46.305 (68%) is male.
  • *2 Alternative countries are countries where this first name also is used. They are sorted on popularity.

Popular Norwegian female names

First name Frequency*1 Percentage*1 Alternative countries*2
Kristin 226 1.0% American German Canadian
Marianne 210 1.0% Dutch American British
Maria 203 0.9% Spanish American Venezuelan
Anne 197 0.9% American British French
Ingrid 194 0.9% Brazilian Dutch American
Camilla 192 0.9% Italian Brazilian British
Hilde 188 0.9% Dutch Belgian American
Nina 178 0.8% American British German
Silje 172 0.8% Danish British American
Elisabeth 172 0.8% American Spanish French
  • *1 The Frequency and Percentage are based on 67.992 Norwegian social media profiles from which 21.687 (32%) is female.
  • *2 Alternative countries are countries where this first name also is used. They are sorted on popularity.