Popular names in Sweden Posted by jennie on Nov 9, 2011 in Culture, Living in Sweden
Names are always an interesting topic and they often reflects a country’s culture and trends quite well. Sweden’s beloved Astrid Lindgren has for example had lots of influence on children’s name in the past – before her books there were hardly any children named Ronja or Rasmus, names that exploded in the 80ies. According to SCB (Sweden’s Statistic Institute), Sweden has a “bank” of nearly 245 000 names, if every individual spelling is counted as an individual name. Every year, approximately 4 500 new names are added to the name bank by creative parents and foreign influences.
You can’t name your child to whatever you like, it must be approved by Skatteverket (Swedish Tax Authority) first but as long as ypur name isn’t insulting or negative, it’s not too difiicult to get your name approved. So, if you feel the urge to name your child to Frihet (freedom), Sladden (the chord), Snö (snow), Okej (okay), Vilse (lost), Unistar or Metallica – please go ahead!
Most of the popular names given to newborn babies in Sweden today have old roots and were popular around 80 years ago. The big no no at the moment are names that were popular in the 40ies and 50ies, for example Ulla, Maj-Britt and Ingegärd (female) and Kaj, Kenneth and Ingemar.
The most popular names in Sweden given to newborn babies 2010 are the following:
Boy’s name:
1. Oscar
2. William
3. Lucas
4. Elias
5. Alexander
6. Hugo
7. Oliver
8. Theo
9. Liam
10. Leo
Girl’s name:
1. Maja
2. Alice
3. Julia
4. Linnéa
5. Wilma
6. Ella
7. Elsa
8. Emma
9. Alva
10. Olivia
Find the full list here!
Any favorites? Likes and dislikes? Have you come accross any intresting/weird/fun Swedish names?
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Comments:
Chelsey:
The name has to be approved by Skatteverket?? What is the procedure for this? Is there a website with more info? VERY interesting!!
Letícia:
Wow, I would never have guessed that list, especially for the boys! When I think of typically Swedish names, I think of names like Ola, Jens, Erik for boys and Tove, Annika, Lena for girls. 🙂
Nikki:
I love the name Elias, it’s so pleasing to say!
Rebecca:
What perfect timing for this post…I was just looking for a swedish boys name.
I always wanted to call my son Alexander Samuel…but that was before I married a man whose surname starts with S…Im sure I wont be popular for those initials 🙂
Nahames Nakanamoko:
LoL, Är inte “Erik” modernt längre?
Jag är ny i Sverige och när jag träffar nån kille, kallas han Erik oftast.
Eva-Maria Rosengren:
The population used to be registered by the local church boards ever since the 17th century when it was stipulated in the law taht the local priest should keep a record of what happened with his congreagation. This went on well into the 20th century when the law changed as such a large parrt of the population no longer belongs to the Lutheran church.
Eva-Maria Rosengren:
When Skatteverket got in charge of the population records it was only natural that they also approve or disapprove of names the parents want to give their children.
Helena:
@ Nahames Nakanamoko:
Listan visar vilka namn folk döpte sina barn till 2010. De killar du träffar föddes förmodligen ett par decennier tidigare 🙂
Nahames Nakanamoko:
@Helena
Jaha,du har rätt! Så mina barn (om jag har barn någonsin) kommer att träffa många Oscar eller William istället för Erik, troligen! 😉