Last updated: March 2026

Character Name

Ragnar

Meaning — An Old Norse masculine name composed of "regin" meaning "counsel", "power", or "divine decision" and "arr" from "herr" meaning "warrior" or "army" — thus "warrior of divine counsel" or "powerful warrior". The name is most famously associated with Ragnar Lothbrok (Ragnarr Loðbrók), the semi-legendary 9th-century Norse king and hero of the Ragnar saga cycle, one of the great figures of Viking-Age popular culture.·Old Norse origin·Male·RAG-nar

Ragnar Ragnar is a name of supreme Viking-Age heroic resonance — it belongs to the great semi-legendary raiders and sea-kings of Norse tradition, combining divine authority ("regin") with warrior identity. Characters named Ragnar suit the most ambitious and charismatic Viking-Age protagonists: men of visionary ambition, tactical brilliance, and the kind of personal magnetism that draws loyal followers into disaster and glory alike.

Best genres for Ragnar

Historical FictionFantasyAdventureMythology

Famous characters named Ragnar

No verified literary characters with this exact given name were found yet. We are continuously expanding this section.


Variations & nicknames

RagnarRagnarrRagnerRagnvald

Pairs well with

Ragnar LothbrokRagnar ErikssonRagnar HaugenRagnar VikRagnar StrandRagnar Berg

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Related names


More Old Norse names

Thorvald

“An Old Norse masculine name composed of "þórr" (Thor, the thunder god) and "valdr" meaning "ruler" or "power" — thus "ruler under Thor's power" or "Thor's ruler". Thorvald Eriksson was the brother of Leif Eriksson who led one of the earliest Norse expeditions to Vinland (North America) and was killed there by indigenous people, becoming one of the first Europeans recorded to die in the Americas.”

Ulf

“Derived from Old Norse "úlfr" meaning "wolf". The wolf was one of the most important animals in Norse mythology — Odin's wolves Geri and Freki accompanied him, while the great wolf Fenrir was destined to devour Odin at Ragnarök. The wolf-name was a mark of fierce warrior identity in Viking culture, and "Ulf" appears frequently in runic inscriptions and the Norse sagas as the name of warriors and chieftains.”

Sven

“Derived from Old Norse "sveinn" meaning "boy", "young man", or "servant". In the Viking Age the word "sveinn" was used both as a common noun denoting a young warrior or retainer and as a given name. The name is attested in runic inscriptions across Scandinavia and became one of the most enduring masculine names in Denmark, Sweden, and Norway.”

Holger

“A Scandinavian masculine name derived from Old Norse "Holmgeirr", composed of "holmr" meaning "island" and "geirr" meaning "spear". The name is associated with Holger Danske (Ogier the Dane), a legendary hero of Carolingian epic tradition who, according to Danish legend, sleeps beneath Kronborg Castle and will awaken to defend Denmark in its hour of greatest need.”

Gunnar

“An Old Norse masculine name composed of "gunnr" meaning "battle" or "war" and "arr" meaning "warrior" or "army" — thus "battle-warrior" or "war-army". In the Völsunga saga and Nibelungenlied (as Gunther), Gunnar is the King of the Gjukungs (Burgundians), Sigurd's brother-in-law, and the man who orchestrates Sigurd's murder. Gunnar of Hlíðarendi in Njáls saga is one of the greatest heroes of Icelandic saga literature.”

Gerd

“Gerd is a Germanic name derived from Proto-Germanic "*gardaz" meaning "enclosure" or "stronghold", related to Old Norse "garðr". As a feminine name it derives from Old Norse Gerðr, the name of a beautiful jötunn giantess in Norse mythology who becomes the wife of the god Freyr in the Poetic Edda. As a masculine name it functions as a short form of Gerhard, from Germanic "ger" (spear) and "hard" (strong, brave).”


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