Odin

Pronunciation: [ OHD-uhn ]

Boy Name #480 Most Popular Rising 2 Syllables

The Allfather — Norse god of wisdom and divine inspiration

Norse Scandinavian American British

Bold Mythological Strong Vintage Whimsical

Meaning & Origin

"divine inspiration, fury, frenzy"

Origin: Proto-Germanic

Language: Old Norse

"master of inspired frenzy"

Origin: Old Norse

Language: Scandinavian

The Story of Odin

Odin (Old Norse: Óðinn) is the chief god of the Norse pantheon, ruler of Asgard, god of wisdom, poetry, war, death, and magic. His name derives from the Proto-Germanic 'Wōðanaz,' from 'wōþaz' meaning 'divine inspiration,' 'fury,' or 'poetic frenzy.' Odin sacrificed one eye at the Well of Mimir to gain wisdom, and hung himself on the world tree Yggdrasil for nine days to master the runic alphabet. As a given name, Odin has surged as parents embrace Norse mythology.

Odin has grown dramatically in the 2010s and 2020s, driven by the Marvel Cinematic Universe (Anthony Hopkins played Odin in the Thor films), a broader cultural interest in Norse mythology, and the popularity of the TV series Vikings (2013-2020). Parents seeking powerful, mythological names are increasingly turning to Norse tradition.

In Germanic peoples' tradition, Odin was the Allfather — the ruler of all gods. Wednesday ('Odin's day') is named for him (Wōden in Old English). The Visigoths, Ostrogoths, and Anglo-Saxons all venerated him. He is associated with wisdom, magic, warfare, and poetry — a complex deity who defies simple categorization.

Fun Facts

Wednesday is named for Odin — 'Wōdnesdæg' in Old English means 'Woden's Day'
Odin sacrificed one eye at the Well of Mimir in exchange for cosmic wisdom, and hung from Yggdrasil for nine days to discover the runes
Anthony Hopkins played Odin in the Marvel Thor films, bringing the name to millions of new audiences worldwide

Odin in Other Languages

Danish Odin

German Wotan

Swedish Oden

Norwegian Odin

Old Norse Óðinn

Famous People Named Odin

Odin (Norse Mythology) Fictional

Other

Chief god of Norse mythology, ruler of Asgard, Allfather, god of wisdom, poetry, war, and death

Odin (Marvel) Fictional

Other

King of Asgard in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, played by Anthony Hopkins in the Thor films

Quick Facts

Gender: Boy
Syllables: 2
Popularity Rank: #480
Total SSA Count: 641
Cultural Origins: Norse Scandinavian American British
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: Moderate

Common Nicknames

Odie

Pairs Well With

Odin Lars Odin Sigurd Odin James Odin Birger Odin Thor Odin Bjorn Odin Magnus

Sibling Names

Thor Freya Loki Astrid Rune Saga Brynhildr

Similar Names

Oliver Evan Orin Oren Olin Alden Orrin Olen

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

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Frequently Asked Questions About Odin

What does the name Odin mean?

"divine inspiration, fury, frenzy" (from Proto-Germanic). "master of inspired frenzy" (from Old Norse). Odin (Old Norse: Óðinn) is the chief god of the Norse pantheon, ruler of Asgard, god of wisdom, poetry, war, death, and magic. His name derives from the Proto-Germanic 'Wōðanaz,' from 'wōþaz' meaning 'divine inspiration,' 'fury,' or 'poetic frenzy.' Odin sacrificed one eye at the Well of Mimir to gain wisdom, and hung himself on the world tree Yggdrasil for nine days to master the runic alphabet. As a given name, Odin has surged as parents embrace Norse mythology.

What is the origin of the name Odin?

Odin has Proto-Germanic, Old Norse, Norse, Scandinavian, American, and British origins. In Proto-Germanic, it means "divine inspiration, fury, frenzy". In Old Norse, it means "master of inspired frenzy".

Is Odin a boy or girl name?

Odin is primarily used as a boy name.

How do you pronounce Odin?

Odin is pronounced OHD-uhn.

How popular is the name Odin?

Odin is currently ranked #480 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Odin?

Common nicknames for Odin include Odie.

What are good middle names for Odin?

Popular middle name pairings include Odin Lars, Odin Sigurd, Odin James, Odin Birger, Odin Thor, Odin Bjorn, and Odin Magnus.

What are good sibling names for Odin?

Names that pair well with Odin as siblings include Thor, Freya, Loki, Astrid, Rune, Saga, and Brynhildr.

How many syllables does Odin have?

Odin has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.

Is Odin a common or rare name?

Odin is a popular name, ranked #480 for boys. It is well-known without being overused.

About the Name Odin

Odin is a boy name with Norse, Scandinavian, American, and British origins . The name means "divine inspiration, fury, frenzy" in Proto-Germanic .

Odin is currently ranked #480 in popularity for boy names in the United States.

The name Odin has 2 syllables and is pronounced OHD-uhn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.

Common nicknames for Odin include Odie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.