🇸🇪 Sweden
1,249
Total names
643
Male names
606
Female names
Sweden's 2016 Personal Names Act (Personnamnlagen 2016:1013) liberalised one of Europe's previously strictest naming regimes. Today the Skatteverket accepts almost any name as long as it does not harm the child, is not offensive, and does not look like a surname.
Modern Sweden balances Old Norse heritage (Astrid, Folke, Sigrid, Magnus) with international names (William, Liam, Olivia). Vintage Swedish names (Nils, Alma, Ebba, Sigge) are seeing a strong revival. For the full Old Norse name catalogue and which Viking-era names work today, read our Viking & Norse names guide.
Iconic Swedish names include Astrid (Lindgren, author of Pippi Longstocking), Greta (Garbo and Thunberg), Ingmar (Bergman), Björn (Borg), and the modern royal family (Crown Princess Victoria, Princess Estelle, Prince Oscar). Sweden's royal naming heavily influences popular taste.
Naming Rules
Names must be approved by Skatteverket
The Swedish Tax Agency must approve all first names. Applications are submitted within 3 months of birth.
Must not cause discomfort to the bearer
Names that could cause offense or discomfort for the person are rejected.
No surname-only names
A name that functions exclusively as a surname in Sweden cannot be used as a first name.
No gender requirement since 2017
Sweden removed the gender-matching requirement for names in 2017.
Legal basis: Lag om personnamn (Personal Names Act), SFS 2016:1013.
Authority: Skatteverket (Swedish Tax Agency)
Popular Names in Sweden
Top 15 Boy Names
1.Noah
2.William
3.Hugo
4.Liam
5.Oscar
6.Lucas
7.Elias
8.Oliver
9.Adam
10.Theo
11.Leo
12.Viktor
13.Arvid
14.Axel
15.Filip
Top 15 Girl Names
1.Alice
2.Maja
3.Elsa
4.Astrid
5.Wilma
6.Saga
7.Ebba
8.Freja
9.Ella
10.Olivia
11.Alma
12.Lilly
13.Selma
14.Agnes
15.Nora
Check a specific baby name in Sweden
50 of the most popular European baby names with full legal-status pages for Sweden. Click any name to see its meaning, Sweden spelling, registration process, and FAQ.
Further reading
Check a name in Sweden
Search 1,249 names in our Sweden database — plus 24 more European countries.
Check a Name →Last updated: April 2026. For informational purposes only. Always consult your local Skatteverket for definitive answers.