"the frenzied one, the inspired"
Origin: Proto-Germanic
Language: Old Norse
Oden
Pronunciation: [ OHD-uhn ]
Boy Name
#2,225 Most Popular
Hidden Gem
2 Syllables
The Allfather's name — wisdom, war, and wonder
Scandinavian
Norse
American
Swedish
Bold
Strong
Vintage
Earthy
Unique
Meaning & Origin
Things to Know About This Name
- Odin/Oden is closely associated with the Marvel Cinematic Universe's portrayal of Thor's father, which gives the name a distinctly superhero association for younger generations
The Story of Oden
Oden is a variant spelling of Odin, the Allfather of Norse mythology. The name derives from Proto-Germanic 'Wōđanaz', related to the Old Norse 'óðr' meaning inspired fury, frenzy, or divine madness. Wednesday (Woden's day) is named after Odin, as is the German 'Woden.' Odin was the chief deity of the Norse pantheon — god of wisdom, war, death, poetry, and magic — who sacrificed his eye to gain knowledge and hung on Yggdrasil for nine days to learn the runes.
Odin and its variant Oden have surged in popularity since the 2000s, driven by renewed interest in Norse mythology through Viking culture, the Norse-themed Marvel movies (Thor, Avengers), the History Channel's Vikings series, and a general Scandinavian aesthetic trend.
In Scandinavia, Odin is the supreme deity of the Norse pantheon, revered in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark for over 2,000 years. Wednesday (Woden's day) preserves his name in English. In modern times, Ásatrú and Norse pagan revival movements have brought renewed veneration of the Allfather.
Fun Facts
- Wednesday is literally 'Woden's day' — Odin's name is embedded in English every week
- Odin sacrificed one of his eyes to Mimir's well in exchange for wisdom and knowledge of the future
- Odin had two ravens named Huginn (Thought) and Muninn (Memory) who flew across the world reporting what they saw
Oden in Other Languages
Danish
Odin
German
Wodan
Swedish
Oden
Norwegian
Odin
Old Norse
Óðinn
Anglo-Saxon
Wōden
Famous People Named Oden
O
Odin (Norse mythology) Fictional
Other
The Allfather of Norse mythology, chief of the Aesir gods, associated with wisdom, war, death, and poetry
O
Odin (Marvel Comics) Fictional
Other
The immortal king of Asgard in the Marvel Universe, father of Thor and Loki, portrayed by Anthony Hopkins in the MCU fil...
The immortal king of Asgard in the Marvel Universe, father of Thor and Loki, portrayed by Anthony Hopkins in the MCU films
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #2,225
- Total SSA Count
- 65
- Cultural Origins
- Scandinavian Norse American Swedish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Pairs Well With
Oden Thor
Oden Erik
Oden Bjorn
Oden Rune
Oden Leif
Oden Stone
Oden James
Sibling Names
Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Oden
What does the name Oden mean?
"the frenzied one, the inspired" (from Proto-Germanic). Oden is a variant spelling of Odin, the Allfather of Norse mythology. The name derives from Proto-Germanic 'Wōđanaz', related to the Old Norse 'óðr' meaning inspired fury, frenzy, or divine madness. Wednesday (Woden's day) is named after Odin, as is the German 'Woden.' Odin was the chief deity of the Norse pantheon — god of wisdom, war, death, poetry, and magic — who sacrificed his eye to gain knowledge and hung on Yggdrasil for nine days to learn the runes.
What is the origin of the name Oden?
Oden has Proto-Germanic, Scandinavian, Norse, American, and Swedish origins. In Proto-Germanic, it means "the frenzied one, the inspired".
Is Oden a boy or girl name?
Oden is primarily used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Oden?
Oden is pronounced OHD-uhn.
How popular is the name Oden?
Oden is currently ranked #2225 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Oden?
Popular middle name pairings include Oden Thor, Oden Erik, Oden Bjorn, Oden Rune, Oden Leif, Oden Stone, and Oden James.
What are good sibling names for Oden?
Names that pair well with Oden as siblings include Thor, Freya, Astrid, Sigrid, Baldur, Loki, Valkyrie, and Bjorn.
How many syllables does Oden have?
Oden has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Oden a common or rare name?
Oden is an uncommon name, ranked #2225 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Oden
Oden is a boy name with Scandinavian, Norse, American, and Swedish origins . The name means "the frenzied one, the inspired" in Proto-Germanic .
Oden is currently ranked #2,225 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Oden has 2 syllables and is pronounced OHD-uhn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Alternative spellings of Oden include Odell . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.