List of valkyrie names

In Norse mythology, a valkyrie (from Old Norse valkyrja "chooser of the fallen") is one of a host of female figures who decide who will die in battle. Selecting among half of those who die in battle (the other half go to the goddess Freyja's afterlife field Fólkvangr), the valkyries bring their chosen to the afterlife hall of the slain, Valhalla, ruled over by the god Odin. There, when the einherjar are not preparing for the events of Ragnarök, the valkyries bear them mead. Valkyries also appear as lovers of heroes and other mortals, where they are sometimes described as the daughters of royalty, sometimes accompanied by ravens, and sometimes connected to swans.

The Old Norse poems Völuspá, Grímnismál, Darraðarljóð, and the Nafnaþulur section of the Prose Edda book Skáldskaparmál provide lists of valkyrie names. Other valkyrie names appear solely outside these lists, such as Sigrún (who is attested in the poems Helgakviða Hundingsbana I and Helgakviða Hundingsbana II). Valkyrie names commonly emphasize associations with battle and, in many cases, with the spear—a weapon heavily associated with the god Odin.Davidson (1988:96). Scholars such as Hilda Ellis Davidson and Rudolf Simek propose that the names of the valkyries themselves contain no individuality, but are rather descriptive of the traits and nature of war-goddesses, and are possibly the descriptive creations of skalds, a type of traditional Scandinavian poet.Examples include Davidson (1988:96–97) and Simek (2007:349).

Some valkyrie names may be descriptive of the roles and abilities of the valkyries. The valkyrie name Herja may point to an etymological connection to Hariasa, a Germanic goddess attested on a stone from 187 CE.Simek (2007:143). For Hariasa, Simek (2007:131). The name Herfjötur has been theorized as pointing to the ability of the valkyries to place fetters, which would connect the valkyries to the earlier Idisi.Simek (2007:142). The name Svipul may be descriptive of the influence the valkyries have over wyrd or ørlog—a Germanic concept of fate.Simek (2007:308).

Valkyrie Names Saga Age NameName meaningReferred to as a valkyrie inAlruna"Secret"Orchard (1997:278).VölundarkviðaBrunhilde"Battle armor" or "bright armor"For "armor battle", see Haymes (2010:27). For "bright battle", see Orchard (1997:193).Skáldskaparmál, Der Ring des Nibelungen (as Brünnhilde)Eir"Peace", "clemency",Lindow (2001:105). "help" or "mercy"Orchard (1997:36).NafnaþulurGaldrar"Incantation" SkirnismálGeir"Spear"Simek (2007:102).NafnaþulurGeirajödr"Killer spear"Simek (2007:102).GrímnismálAppears in some manuscripts of Grímnismál in place of the valkyrie name GeirölulGeiravör"Wisdom spear"Simek (2007:102).NafnaþulurGeirdriful"Shooter spear"NafnaþulurGeirölul"The one charging forth with the spear"Simek (2007:102–103).Grímnismál, NafnaþulurGeirskögul"Shaker spear"Orchard (1997:193).Hákonarmál, Völuspá, NafnaþulurGöll"Tumult"Orchard (1997:194). or "rumble"Simek (2007:115).Grímnismál, NafnaþulurGöndul"Magic wand"Orchard (1997:194).Völuspá, NafnaþulurGunnr"War"Orchard (1997:194). or "clash"Simek (2007:125).Völuspá, Darraðarljóð, Gylfaginning, NafnaþulurHerfjötur"Host fetter"Orchard (1997:194). or "structure of the army"Simek (2007:142).Grímnismál, NafnaþulurHerja"Devastation"Simek (2007:143).NafnaþulurHervör Alvitr"All wise" or "strange creature"Orchard (1997:83).VölundarkviðaHildr"Combat"Orchard (1997:192).Völuspá, Grímnismál, Darraðarljóð, NafnaþulurHjalmthrimul"Helmet clatterer" or "frenzy warrior"Simek (2007:150).NafnaþulurHjörthrimul"Sword noisy"Simek (2007:150).Darraðarljóð, NafnaþulurHladgudr Svanhvit"Swan white"Simek (2007:151).VölundarkviðaHljod"Howl" Völsunga sagaHlökk"Unstable"Orchard (1997:194).Grímnismál, NafnaþulurHrist"The quaking one"Simek (2007:160).Grímnismál, NafnaþulurHrund"Pricker"Orchard (1997:194).NafnaþulurKára"The wild", "stormy one" or "the curly one"Simek (2007:182). Helgakviða Hundingsbana IIMist"Cloud" or "mist"Orchard (1997:194) and Simek (2007:218).Grímnismál, NafnaþulurÖlrún"Kept mystery"Orchard (1997:278).VölundarkviðaRadgridr"Council truce" or "the bossy"Simek (2007:258).Grímnismál, NafnaþulurRandgriz"Shield truce" or "shield destroyer"Simek (2007:261).Grímnismál, NafnaþulurReginleif"Power trace" or "daughter of the gods"Simek (2007:262).Grímnismál, NafnaþulurRóta"Sleet and storm"Vigfusson (1874:503).GylfaginningSanngridr"Very violent" or "very cruel"Simek (2007:275).DarraðarljóðSigrdrífa"Victory path"Orchard (1997:194). or "inciter of victory"Simek (2007:284).SigrdrífumálSigrún"Victory brand"Orchard (1997:194).Helgakviða Hundingsbana I, Helgakviða Hundingsbana IISkalmöld"Sword time"Simek (2007:288).NafnaþulurSkeggjöld"Axe era"Orchard (1997:194).Grímnismál, NafnaþulurSkögul"Shaker"Orchard (1997:194). or "high towering"Davidson (1988:96).Hákonarmál, Völuspá, Grímnismál, NafnaþulurSkuld"Future"Orchard (1997:151).Völuspá, Gylfaginning, NafnaþulurSváfa"Creatoress of dreams" Helgakviða HjörvarðssonarSveidr"Vibration" or "sound"Simek (2007:306).NafnaþulurSvipul"Changeable"Simek (2007:308).Darraðarljóð, NafnaþulurThögn"Silence"Simek (2007:316).NafnaþulurThrima"Fight"Simek (2007:328).NafnaþulurThrud"Power"Lindow (2001:291). or "empowerment"Orchard (1997:195).Grímnismál, Nafnaþulur Modern Period NameName meaningReferred to as a valkyrie inGerhilde"War spear" Der Ring des NibelungenGrimgerde"Severe protection" Der Ring des NibelungenHelmwige"Warrior helmet" Der Ring des NibelungenOrtlinde"Gentle advice" Der Ring des NibelungenRossweisse"White rose" Der Ring des NibelungenSchwertleite"Sword experience" Der Ring des NibelungenSiegrune"Victory connoisseur" Der Ring des NibelungenWaltraute"Force of the death" Der Ring des Nibelungen

List of valkyrie names

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