Names in Norse Mythology and Legends

Name Descriptions

Aseir

Collective names for gods who lived in Asgard

Asgard

City of the gods and goddesses

Balder or Baldur

God of happiness, sunlight, and spring

Bifrost

The rainbow bridge connecting Midgard (earth) and Asgard

Dwarfs

Earth-like human beings, magic artisan; made OdinŐs spear and ThorŐs hammer

Frey

God of the weather and of harvest

Freya

Goddess of love and beauty, sister of Frey

Frigga or Frigg

Wife of Odin, goddess of the household

Giants

Enemies of the gods and men; dwellers in Jotunheim; personifying ScandinaviaŐs cold snow and ice

Heimdall

Guard of the rainbow bridge against giants

Hel or Hela

Goddess of death

Hoder or Hod

Blind god, twin brother of Balder

Hoenir

OdinŐs brother, who helped create the first man

Hymir

Giant from whom Thor obtained a kettle

Idun or Iduna

Goddess of spring and youth

Loki

God of mischief and destruction

Midgard

Earth, abode of mankind

Mimir

All-wise giant to whom Odin gave an eye for wisdom-giving water

Miolner

ThorŐs magic hammer (thunderbolt

Nanna

BalderŐs wife, flower goddess

Skymir

Giant who directed Thor to Utgard

Sleipnir

OdinŐs eight-legged horse, speedier than the wind.

Thialfi

ThorŐs servant

Thiassi

Frost-giant who could change himself into an eagle

Thor

God of thunder, friend and protector of men

Thrym

King of the frost-giants; stole ThorŐs hammer

Tyr

God of war, patron of sports

Valhalla

Gold-roofed hall in OdinŐs palace for souls of heroes slain in battle, brought from earth by the Balkyries, OdinŐs messenger

Yggdrasil

Tree great enough to uphold the universe

Ymir

Progenitor of the race of giants; slain by Odin and his brother, who made earth, sea, and sky out of his body.

Dr. Robert Sweetland's Notes ©