Odinn

Meaning & origin

Odinn is a direct link to Norse mythology, carrying the name of the Allfather god of wisdom, war, and poetry. In the United States, the name first appeared on the baby naming charts in 2012, and it has been on a slow but steady upward trajectory since 2013, a period of growth that suggests increasing interest in mythological and Old Norse names. Despite that upward trend, Odinn remains extremely rare: in 2025 it ranked 7,679th nationwide and was given to roughly 1 in every 170,808 newborns. Its peak year so far was 2019, though the numbers are tiny enough that a single year's count can shift the ranking noticeably. The name is spelled with two n's following the modern Icelandic convention, which distinguishes it from the more common simplified spelling Odin. Odinn has not been recorded in any top state lists, indicating its use is scattered rather than concentrated in a particular region. For parents drawn to the mythic resonance of Old Norse culture, Odinn offers a direct, undiluted choice.

Odinn is the Old Norse and modern Icelandic form of Óðinn, the name of the chief god in Norse mythology. The name derives from the Proto-Germanic *Wōðanaz, linked to the word *wōðaz meaning 'frenzy, inspiration, or poetic fury.' In modern Iceland, Odinn has been used as a given name, though it remains rare. Outside Iceland, the name is often associated with the mythological figure and has gained sporadic use in English-speaking countries, particularly in the United States where it has been recorded since 2012.