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Nora and Jakob: What do Norway’s favourite baby names say about the country?

In Norway, baby names are not just a matter of individual tastes or family tradition. In fact, they expose deep cultural and political trends and give insight into the times we live in.

Published: 22 January 2021 11:19 CET
Nora and Jakob: What do Norway's favourite baby names say about the country?
Photo: Polina Tankilevitch / Pexels

Three years have passed since the airing of the final episode of the wildly popular Norwegian TV-show Skam. But Norwegians, it seems, are reluctant to say goodbye to the show’s main character Nora. The name was yet again the most popular name in Norway in 2020, according to data from Statistics Norway (SSB).

In total, 416 girls were given the name Nora, or Norah, in 2020. The name was also the most popular in 2017, 2016, 2014 and 2012.

TV crazed?

“Nora is a short form of Eleonore, and appeared in the wake of Ibsen’s (1879 play) A Doll’s House,” said name researcher Jørgen Ouren in the SSB press release.

“Nora was rarely used between 1940 and 1980, but then became popular alongside other short names for girls that end with an ‘a’,” he said.

Emma and Sarah have also risen to prominence since the turn of the 21st century. Norwegian newspaper VG speculates that the enduring popularity of Emma may be linked to another TV-megahit, the show Friends.

Biblical trend

But television is not the only important cultural influence in Norway. Ingrid, Leah and Linnea, names of the youngest generation of Norwegian royals, have become popular in the last decade.

For boys, Jakob or Jacob, the name of famous Norwegian runner Jakob Ingebrigtsen, was last year’s most common baby name.

Jakob, however, is also a name from the bible. And while most Norwegians are not excessively religious, biblical names are increasingly common.

“When we find Noah in third place, Filip in fifth and Lucas in seventh, we see that the wave of biblical boys’ names is still strong,” Ouren said.

“1.5 percent of new-borns were given these kinds of names around 1950, and in 2006 the share was 22.5 percent. Since then it’s receded somewhat and is now 20.4 percent,” he added.

Emil, Oliver and William are also on the list of last year’s most popular names for boys. William is another beloved Skam-character.

Generations of names

The names Norwegians choose for their babies come in waves, and vary between generations.

“First it becomes popular, and then even more popular, often because someone famous has the name,” Ouren told newspaper VG.

“Then, when it’s been on the list of top names for a while, it begins to fall in popularity. Eventually it almost completely disappears,” he continued.

Ouren points out that people consider the names of older people to be out of date. After that generation dies, the name might have a resurrection.

Examples of outdated names include Erna, the name of Prime Minister Erna Solberg, and Mette-Marit, the names of Norway’s Crown Princess.

“No celebrity in the world can make Mette or Marit popular again right now,” Ouren said.

Most popular names for girls in 2020

  1. Nora / Norah               
  2. Emma                         
  3. Ella                             
  4. Maja/Maia/Maya         
  5. Olivia                          
  6. Emilie                         
  7. Sofie/Sophie               
  8. Leah/Lea                    
  9. Sofia/Sophia              
  10. Ingrid                          

Most popular names for boys in 2020

  1. Jakob/Jacob               
  2. Emil                            
  3. Noah/Noa                  
  4. Oliver                         
  5. Filip/Fillip/Philip/Phillip         
  6. William                      
  7. Lucas/Lukas               
  8. Liam                           
  9. Henrik                        
  10. Oskar/Oscar               

Source: Statistics Norway

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LIVING IN NORWAY

Five things you can do at Norwegian libraries other than borrow books

More and more people are making use of Norway's well-funded libraries, with millions of visitors each year. Aside from borrowing books, there are plenty of other uses for libraries.

Published: 20 June 2024 13:48 CEST
Five things you can do at Norwegian libraries other than borrow books

Around 26 million people visited one of Norway’s libraries in the last year. While the number of books borrowed has increased, so has the number of people attending library events.

Libraries in Norway offer so much more than books, which is part of why the number of people using them is at record levels.

The Local has rounded up some of the things you can do with your library besides taking out books, CDs, and DVDs.

Brushing up on your Norwegian skills or learning a new language

Libraries in Norway’s biggest cities typically run language workshops and language cafes. These language cafes allow volunteers to help one another with their skills.

Some focus solely on Norwegian, and act as a place where participants can practice freely with one another and meet new people.

Others will focus on other skills, so if you speak a language other than English, a local will teach you some of their language in exchange for learning more about your mother tongue.

Even people with only the English language in their repertoire may find some benefit, as there are still many Norwegians who want to brush up on their skills.

It’s worth checking your local library’s website to see if they offer such a service. For example, almost every Deichman library in Oslo offers language cafes. If they don’t, we’re sure you can contact the local library and register your interest in holding a language-based event.

Pursue your hobbies

Perhaps the most famous of Norway’s libraries is the Deichman Bjørvika. This library is also perhaps the best example of how you can pursue your hobbies at such a centre.

The library has everything from audio recording equipment to DJ decks and clubs for people who like to fix and tinker with electronics. This is in addition to 3D printers, sewing machines and graphic design equipment.

READ MORE: What you might not have known about Oslo’s Diechman Bjørvika library

Not all libraries will be so well equipped. However, some will still offer a chance to pursue a hobby or act as a meeting place for book clubs or board games.

Attend talks, seminars and events.

In 2014, Norway’s Libraries Act was amended slightly. This was done with the intention of ensuring that libraries can become an arena for public conversations and debate.

More than a million people a year attend events at public libraries. Again, the biggest cities are most likely to attract more interesting seminars. Upcoming events are typically on your local library’s website.

If you have children, there are normally quite a few events planned for them. The most common are arts and crafts workshops, children’s cinemas, and reading challenges.

Unlike other clubs and activities, these services may remain active during the summer, too, giving parents a low-cost option to keep their kids occupied.

Remote work

While you can’t permanently relocate your home office to a public library full-time, you can use the quiet, relaxed environment as a place to sit down and get stuck into some work.

Plenty of libraries allow people to get some work done, especially students.

If you need to change up your scenery and want something a bit quieter than a café, a library is a good alternative.

Some libraries also have the opportunity to book private rooms if you need to get work done without distractions or if you will be in a meeting.

Meet people

Given all the different things you can do at a library, it also acts as a good place to expand your social circle.

Whether meeting people with a shared hobby or other parents or exchanging your language and culture with somebody from a different background, there are plenty of ways to meet new people with whom you may share something in common.

With there typically being something in common with the people you are meeting at a library event or workshop, breaking the ice with small talk doesn’t feel as awkward either.

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