A Swedish name suits a dog well: many are short, easy to call and have a clear meaning. This list has more than 100 Swedish dog names, grouped by theme, from old Norse names and places to food, music and everyday words.
Name meanings vary a little between sources, so we give the commonly cited meaning and leave it out where it is uncertain. For sounds, say the name aloud: the best dog names are one or two syllables and do not sound like a command such as “sit” or “no”.
If your dog is a Swedish breed, a Swedish name is an easy fit. If you are still choosing a breed, see our fluffy dog breeds guide.
Swedish Dog Breeds
Sweden has several native breeds. The AKC describes the Swedish Vallhund as “the long and low Swedish Vallhund, Viking Dog of ancient legend, is a smart and sociable herder of dense coat and boundless energy”. Of the Swedish Lapphund, the AKC says its “abilities as a good herding dog made it very useful in the reindeer trade”, and calls it a “lively and intelligent medium-sized spitz”.
Sweden also has hound breeds, including the Jämthund (Swedish Elkhound) and the Smålandsstövare. Hounds bred for hunting need plenty of exercise and training, so talk to a breeder or a vet before you choose one.
Swedish Nature Names
Sweden has forests, lakes and mountains, and many Swedish words for them make good dog names. Luna is the Latin word for moon rather than a Swedish one; the Swedish word is Måne.
- Björk: birch
- Ek: oak
- Lilja: lily
- Sol: sun
- Måne: moon
- Stjärna: star
- Snö: snow
- Skog: forest
- Fjäll: mountain
- Älv: river
- Saga: story or fairy tale
- Linnea: the twinflower, a small woodland flower
Swedish Culture And Heritage Names
These names come from Swedish history and tradition.
- Björn: bear
- Birger: a medieval Swedish name
- Gustaf: a name of several Swedish kings
- Vasa: the royal house of Gustav Vasa
- Nobel: after Alfred Nobel, the Swedish inventor who founded the Nobel Prizes
- Viking
- Fika: the Swedish coffee break
Swedish Dog Names From Beautiful Places
- Stockholm: Sweden’s capital and largest city
- Göteborg: Gothenburg, the second largest city
- Uppsala: a university city, home to the country’s oldest university
- Nyköping: a city south-west of Stockholm
- Halmstad: a city on the south-west coast
- Kalmar: a city on the south-east coast, with a famous castle
- Borlänge: a town in Dalarna
- Boden: a town in the north with a historic fortress
- Kiruna: the northernmost town in Sweden
- Abisko: a national park known for views of the Northern Lights
- Sarek: a rugged national park in Lapland
- Vasa: the 17th-century warship that sank in 1628 and is now in a museum in Stockholm
Male Swedish Dog Names
- Alfred: elf counsel
- Axel: father of peace
- Dag: day
- Frej: after Freyr, the Norse god of fertility
- Gunnar: warrior
- Gustaf: often explained as staff of the Geats
- Harald: army ruler
- Hjalmar: helmet warrior
- Johan: God is gracious
- Karl: free man
- Knut: knot
- Lars: from Laurentum
- Magnus: great
- Nils: victory of the people
- Olle
- Sigurd: victory guardian
- Stig: wanderer
- Sven: boy or young man
- Torkel: Thor’s cauldron
- Viktor: victor
- Wilhelm: resolute protector
More ideas in our guide to male dog names.
Female Swedish Dog Names
- Agnes: pure
- Anna: grace
- Astrid: divinely beautiful
- Bodil
- Birgitta: the Swedish form of the Irish Brigid, meaning exalted
- Cecilia
- Dagny: a name built on dag, day
- Ebba
- Elin
- Elsa: short for Elisabet
- Frida: peace
- Gerda
- Greta: after the film star Greta Garbo
- Ida
- Inger
- Karin
- Kajsa: a short form of Katarina
- Klara: clear
- Lena
- Maja
- Saga: story
- Signe
- Tilda: short for Matilda, mighty in battle
- Tove
- Ulla
Swedish Dog Names From Music
Sweden has produced many successful pop acts.
- ABBA: the 1970s pop group
- Avicii: the late Swedish DJ and producer
- Roxette: the pop duo
- Robyn: the pop singer
- Tove Lo: the pop singer
- Army of Lovers: the dance-pop group
Swedish Dog Names From Food
Food names are popular because they are friendly and easy to call. Avoid foods that are unsafe for dogs as treats; a name is only a name. If you are unsure what your dog can eat, talk to your vet.
- Semla: a cream bun eaten in late winter
- Kanelbulle: cinnamon bun
- Köttbullar: meatballs
- Glögg: spiced mulled wine, a Christmas drink
- Palt: a potato dumpling
- Våfflor: waffles
- Raggmunk: a potato pancake
- Lutfisk: dried fish prepared for Christmas
- Smörgåsbord: a buffet table
- Lingon: lingonberry
- Knäckebröd: crispbread
Historical Swedish Names
- Birgitta: after Saint Birgitta, Sweden’s patron saint
- Erik: often translated as ever-ruler
- Gustaf: the name of several kings
- Kalmar: the castle city where the Kalmar Union was signed in 1397
- Nobel: after Alfred Nobel
Swedish Words That Work As Names
- Fika: a coffee break
- Kärlek: love
- Modig: brave
- Vacker: beautiful
- Kram: hug
- Sötnos: sweetie
- Vatten: water
- Nej: no
- Skratta: to laugh
- Stövlar: boots
- Tungsten: named after the Swedish for heavy stone
Classic Swedish Names To Start With
If you are stuck, start with a name that is easy to say and hard to confuse with a command.
- Björn Borg: after the Swedish tennis champion
- Axel: father of peace
- Astrid: divinely beautiful
- Klara: clear
- Tilda: mighty in battle
- Nova: new, from Latin
- Sven: young man
- Stjärna: star
Norse Myth Names
Old Norse myths give strong, short names.
- Thor: god of thunder
- Tyr: god of war and justice
- Loke: the trickster god Loki
- Freja: Norse goddess
- Frej: Norse god Freyr
- Sigurd: a hero of Norse legend
Finding The Right Name
Say your shortlist aloud, call it across a room and see how it sounds. Try it for a few days. Your dog will learn whichever name you use with a treat and a happy voice.
Before You Go
We hope this list gives you plenty of ideas. Swedish names suit dogs of any size, breed or temperament. Let us know your pick in the comments.
