🇩🇰 Denmark
49,223
Total names
21,930
Male names
27,293
Female names
Naming Rules
Approved name list exists
Denmark publishes an official list of approved first names. Names on the list are automatically accepted.
New names require approval
If a name is not on the approved list, parents must apply for approval from the Familieretshuset.
Must not be a surname in Denmark
A first name cannot be an established Danish surname unless it also has a tradition as a first name.
Name must be appropriate
Names that could be offensive or harmful to the child are rejected.
Gender-specific names
Names should generally correspond to the child's sex, though unisex names exist on the list.
Legal basis: Navneloven (Name Act), Act No. 767 of 7 June 2006 (amended).
Authority: Familieretshuset (Family Law House)
Popular Names in Denmark
Top 15 Boy Names
1.William
2.Oscar
3.Noah
4.Lucas
5.Oliver
6.Alfred
7.Carl
8.Valdemar
9.Emil
10.Aksel
11.Victor
12.Malthe
13.Arthur
14.August
15.Frederik
Top 15 Girl Names
1.Alma
2.Ida
3.Ella
4.Freja
5.Clara
6.Agnes
7.Anna
8.Olivia
9.Nora
10.Sofia
11.Karla
12.Astrid
13.Josefine
14.Luna
15.Maja
Registering a baby name in Denmark
Deadline
6 months after birth
Processing
1-7 days
Fee
Free
Appeal to
Familieretshuset (Agency of Family Law)
Denmark now accepts gender-neutral names as a new category (2014 reform). Parents can apply to add a new name to the official list, and the agency publishes its decisions quarterly.
Traditional Danish names
Denmark maintains one of Europe's most structured naming laws. The Agency of Family Law publishes an official list of approximately 33,000 approved first names (roughly 18,000 female and 15,000 male). Names outside the list require formal review.
Examples of names refused or restricted
While Denmark accepts most well-known names, the Kirkekontoret / Personregisterføreren has refused or restricted the following types:
- Anus (reported case) — refused as clearly harmful to the child
- Names that are surnames or look like common nouns — must be approved individually
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to register a baby name in Denmark?
Parents must declare the name at the Kirkekontoret / Personregisterføreren within 6 months after birth. Processing typically takes 1-7 days. The standard fee is Free.
What names are rejected in Denmark?
Refusals are rare but not unknown. Examples include: Anus (reported case) (refused as clearly harmful to the child); Names that are surnames or look like common nouns (must be approved individually). The core principle is that no name may harm or humiliate the child.
Can foreign parents use a non-Danish name?
Yes. Foreign-origin names are generally accepted in Denmark, provided they can be written in the local alphabet and do not conflict with the rules above. Parents from abroad may be asked to show their own passport or the child's prior documents as supporting evidence.
What can I do if the registrar refuses my chosen name?
You can appeal the decision before the Familieretshuset (Agency of Family Law). In practice, submitting evidence of historical use (saints, writers, previous bearers of the name) or a minor adaptation of spelling usually resolves the case.
Check a name in Denmark
Search 49,223 names in our Denmark database — plus 24 more European countries.
Check a Name →Last updated: April 2026. For informational purposes only. Always consult your local Familieretshuset (Family Law House) for definitive answers.