"meadow among the mountains"
Origin: Old Norse
Language: Norwegian
Bergen
Pronunciation: [ b-ERG-uhn ]
Does Bergen flow with your last name?
A Norwegian city name meaning meadow in the mountains
Norwegian
Scandinavian
German
Unique
Earthy
Strong
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Bergen
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Bergen
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"mountains, rocks"
Origin: Old Norse bjorg
Language: Norwegian
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Bergen
See all →What the Bergen report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Bergen the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Bergen
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Bergen head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Bergen actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Bergen
Bergen comes from the Old Norse bjorgvin, composed of bjorg (mountains, rocks) and vin (meadow), meaning "meadow among the mountains." It is first and foremost the name of Norway's second-largest city and one of the oldest cities in Scandinavia, founded around 1070 AD. As a given name, Bergen follows the trend of using Scandinavian place names and surnames as first names — a pattern popularized in the US through names like Sydney, Dakota, and Brooklyn.
Bergen as a given name for girls is rare and distinctly modern, part of the late 20th-21st century trend of gender-neutral place names and surnames used as first names. It has never charted in national baby name databases, making it a genuinely uncommon choice that appeals to parents seeking Nordic heritage names with a contemporary feel.
Bergen, Norway is famous as the gateway to the Norwegian fjords and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site (its Bryggen wharf). The name carries associations with dramatic natural beauty — fjords, mountains, and the legendary Norwegian landscape. It also connects to the famous Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg, who was born in Bergen.
Historical Record
Bergen first appeared in US Social Security records in 1979.
Over 522 babies have been named Bergen in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Bergen is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #5,606 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Bergen, Norway is known as the "City of Rain" — it receives approximately 239 days of precipitation per year
- Edvard Grieg, composer of Peer Gynt, was born and lived much of his life in Bergen
- The historic Bryggen wharf in Bergen is a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating to the Middle Ages
Bergen in Other Languages
German
Bergen
Swedish
Bergen
Norwegian
Bergen
Old Norse
Bjorgvin
Popularity Over Time
#5,606
Current Rank
Rare
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Bergen
C
Candice Bergen
Actor
1946
American actress and photojournalist, known for Murphy Brown and Boston Legal
P
Polly Bergen
Actor
1930
American actress, singer, and businesswoman who appeared in Desperate Housewives
Names You Might Also Love
See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #5,606
- Total SSA Count
- 23
- Cultural Origins
- Norwegian Scandinavian German
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Benny
Berg
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, unique style, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, German heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, German heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, earthy style, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Bergen
5 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sounds Like Bergen
Phonetic neighbors that share Bergen's rhythm, vowel shape, or consonant cluster. Tap any name to see its full "names like" list.
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Bergen fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Boy Name
Bergen is also used as a boy name, ranked #9844.
View Bergen as a boy name →Similar Names
See all names like Bergen →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Bergen with...
Same Origin Names (Norwegian)
See all Norwegian names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Bergen
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Bergen and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Bergen sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Sila
Girl
Turkish origin
"longing, yearning for home"
#5,616 in US
Bruna
Girl
Italian/Portuguese tradition origin
"dark beauty"
#5,681 in US
Milli
Girl
Germanic origin
"industrious, hardworking"
#5,430 in US
Agata
Girl
Latin origin
"virtuous woman"
#5,762 in US
Briggitte
Girl
Proto-Celtic origin
"exalted one"
#5,757 in US
Kaari
Girl
Sanskrit origin
"beloved, precious"
#5,778 in US
Liesel
Girl
German/Hebrew origin
"pledged to God"
#5,769 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Bergen's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bergen
What does the name Bergen mean?
"meadow among the mountains" (from Old Norse). "mountains, rocks" (from Old Norse bjorg). Bergen comes from the Old Norse bjorgvin, composed of bjorg (mountains, rocks) and vin (meadow), meaning "meadow among the mountains." It is first and foremost the name of Norway's second-largest city and one of the oldest cities in Scandinavia, founded around 1070 AD. As a given name, Bergen follows the trend of using Scandinavian place names and surnames as first names — a pattern popularized in the US through names like Sydney, Dakota, and Brooklyn.
What is the origin of the name Bergen?
Bergen has Old Norse, Old Norse bjorg, Norwegian, Scandinavian, and German origins. In Old Norse, it means "meadow among the mountains". In Old Norse bjorg, it means "mountains, rocks".
Is Bergen a boy or girl name?
Bergen is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #5606. As a boy name, it is ranked #9844. Bergen is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Bergen?
Bergen is pronounced b-ERG-uhn.
How popular is the name Bergen?
Bergen is currently ranked #5606 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Bergen?
Common nicknames for Bergen include Benny and Berg.
What are good middle names for Bergen?
Popular middle name pairings include Bergen Rose, Bergen Marie, Bergen Skye, Bergen Elise, and Bergen Anne.
What are good sibling names for Bergen?
Names that pair well with Bergen as siblings include Astrid, Leif, Ingrid, Bjorn, and Signe.
How many syllables does Bergen have?
Bergen has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Bergen a common or rare name?
Bergen is an uncommon name, ranked #5606 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Bergen
Bergen is a girl name with Norwegian, Scandinavian, and German origins . The name means "meadow among the mountains" in Old Norse .
Is Bergen a boy or girl name? Bergen is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #5,606 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #9,844. Bergen is more commonly used as a girl name.
Bergen is currently ranked #5,606 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Bergen has 2 syllables and is pronounced b-ERG-uhn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Bergen include Benny and Berg. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Keep Exploring
Old Norse Names
Browse all names with this origin
B
Names Starting with B
More girl names like Bergen
Unique Names
Uncommon names with character
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Girl Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis