Nanna

girlOld Norse

Nanna is an girl name of Old Norse origin, meaning “Daring; possibly 'mother'”.

MeaningDaring; possibly 'mother'
GenderGirl
OriginOld Norse
PronunciationNAH-nah
TraditionModern & Classic
Used inDenmark, Norway, Iceland, Sweden

Meaning and origin of Nanna

In Norse mythology Nanna is the wife of the god Baldr, who dies of grief at his funeral and is burned beside him on his ship. The origin of her name is debated: some link it to an old word nanþ- meaning 'daring, bold', while others see a nursery word for 'mother'. Separately, Nanna is used in English and Scandinavian languages as a pet form of Anna, and in ancient Sumer Nanna was the moon god.

Is Nanna a religious name?

Nanna comes from pre-Christian Norse myth rather than any living religion; today it is used as an ordinary given name in Scandinavia.

How popular is Nanna?

Fairly well used in Denmark and Iceland, and known across Scandinavia.

Gifts with the name Nanna

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Spellings and variants of Nanna

NanaNanne

Names similar to Nanna

More girl names

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Nanna mean?

Nanna means 'Daring; possibly 'mother''. It is of Old Norse origin.

Does Nanna have a religious meaning?

Nanna comes from pre-Christian Norse myth rather than any living religion; today it is used as an ordinary given name in Scandinavia.

How do you pronounce Nanna?

Nanna is pronounced NAH-nah.

Is Nanna a boy or girl name?

Nanna is usually a girl name.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.