"judgment army"
Origin: Old Norse
Language: Norse
Ragnar
Does Ragnar flow with your last name?
A Viking warrior name reborn for the modern age
Scandinavian
Norse
Danish
Swedish
Norwegian
Bold
Strong
Vintage
Earthy
Traditional
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The Story of Ragnar
Ragnar is an ancient Old Norse name combining 'regin' (advice, counsel, fate) and 'hari' (army, warrior), meaning something like 'warrior guided by divine counsel' or 'judgment warrior.' The legendary Ragnar Lothbrok (Ragnar Hairy-Breeches) was a semi-mythical Norse king and Viking hero from Norse sagas, possibly based on real 9th-century Viking chieftains who raided France and England.
Ragnar experienced a dramatic global revival after the History Channel series 'Vikings' premiered in 2013, with Travis Fimmel's portrayal of Ragnar Lothbrok making the name aspirational for parents worldwide. It surged particularly in the US and UK.
In Scandinavian countries Ragnar has been used continuously since the Viking Age. The legendary Ragnar Lothbrok is a cornerstone of Norse mythology and Scandinavian national identity, mentioned in sagas, medieval chronicles, and now modern pop culture.
Historical Record
Ragnar first appeared in US Social Security records in 1964.
Over 704 babies have been named Ragnar in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Ragnar is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #2,261 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The legendary Ragnar Lothbrok allegedly raided Paris in 845 AD and held the city for ransom
- Ragnar was a top baby name in several Scandinavian countries following the premiere of Vikings in 2013
Ragnar in Other Languages
Danish
Ragnar
Swedish
Ragnar
Icelandic
Ragnar
Norwegian
Ragnar
Old Norse
Ragnarr
Popularity Over Time
#2,261
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Ragnar
R
Ragnar Frisch
Scientist
1895
Norwegian economist and co-recipient of the first Nobel Prize in Economics in 1969
R
Ragnar Lothbrok Fictional
Other
The main protagonist of the History Channel series 'Vikings' (2013-2020), played by Travis Fimmel
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #2,261
- Total SSA Count
- 63
- Cultural Origins
- Scandinavian Norse Danish Swedish Norwegian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Rag
Rags
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, bold style, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, bold style, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, bold style, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, bold style, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Ragnar
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Frequently Asked Questions About Ragnar
What does the name Ragnar mean?
"judgment army" (from Old Norse). Ragnar is an ancient Old Norse name combining 'regin' (advice, counsel, fate) and 'hari' (army, warrior), meaning something like 'warrior guided by divine counsel' or 'judgment warrior.' The legendary Ragnar Lothbrok (Ragnar Hairy-Breeches) was a semi-mythical Norse king and Viking hero from Norse sagas, possibly based on real 9th-century Viking chieftains who raided France and England.
What is the origin of the name Ragnar?
Ragnar has Old Norse, Scandinavian, Norse, Danish, Swedish, and Norwegian origins. In Old Norse, it means "judgment army".
Is Ragnar a boy or girl name?
Ragnar is primarily used as a boy name.
How popular is the name Ragnar?
Ragnar is currently ranked #2261 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Ragnar?
Common nicknames for Ragnar include Rag and Rags.
What are good middle names for Ragnar?
Popular middle name pairings include Ragnar Erik, Ragnar Leif, Ragnar Bjorn, Ragnar Ivar, Ragnar Sigurd, Ragnar Harald, and Ragnar Olaf.
What are good sibling names for Ragnar?
Names that pair well with Ragnar as siblings include Bjorn, Freya, Astrid, Sigrid, Ivar, Gunnar, and Thyra.
How many syllables does Ragnar have?
Ragnar has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Ragnar a common or rare name?
Ragnar is an uncommon name, ranked #2261 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Ragnar
Ragnar is a boy name with Scandinavian, Norse, Danish, Swedish, and Norwegian origins . The name means "judgment army" in Old Norse .
Ragnar is currently ranked #2,261 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Ragnar has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Ragnar include Rag and Rags. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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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