List of dwarfs in Norse mythology
The Prose and Poetic Eddas, which form the foundation of what we know today concerning Norse mythology, contain many names of dwarfs. While many of them are featured in extant myths of their own, many others have come down to us today only as names in various lists provided for the benefit of skalds or poets of the medieval period and are included here for the purpose of completeness.
List of dwarfs
A
| Name | Name meaning | Alternative names | Attested relatives | Attestations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aí | Great-grandfather | Óinn | Skáldskaparmál, Völuspá | |
| Álfr | "Elf"[1] | Skáldskaparmál, Völuspá | ||
| Alfrigg | "Elfking" | Sörla þáttr | ||
| Alfrikr | "Elfking" | Þiðreks saga | ||
| Alius | The other | Ásmundar saga kappabana | ||
| Alþjófr | "All-thief"[2] | Skáldskaparmál, Völuspá | ||
| Alvíss | "All-Wise" | Alvíssmál | ||
| Án | Óri | Völuspá | ||
| Ánarr | Starer | Annarr, Ónarr | Völuspá | |
| Andvari | "Careful one", "Cautious spirit",[1] "Gentle breeze" | Nafnaþulur, Reginsmál, Skáldskaparmál, Völsunga saga, Völuspá | ||
| Atvarðr | Fjölsvinnsmál | |||
| Aurgrminir | "Mud-grimnir"[2] | |||
| Aurvangr | "Mud-field",[2] "Gravelly plain" | Aurvargr | Skáldskaparmál, Völuspá | |
| Austri | "Eastern" | Gylfaginning, Skáldskaparmál, Völuspá |
B
| Name | Name meaning | Alternative names | Attested relatives | Attestations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Báfurr | "Bean"[2] | Bofurr | Völuspá | |
| Bári | "The Bearing",[2] "Ready", "Eager" | Barri | Fjölsvinnsmál | |
| Berling | Little bar, Handspike | Sörla þáttr | ||
| Bifurr | "Quaking one",[2] "Beaver" | Skáldskaparmál, Völuspá | ||
| Bildr | "Plowman",[2] "Edged weapon" | Völuspá | ||
| Billingr | Twin brother | Völuspá | ||
| Bláinn | "Dark-hued",[2] "Blackish" | Skáldskaparmál | ||
| Blindviðr | Blind board | Skáldskaparmál | ||
| Blôvurr | "The Shining"[2] | Skáldskaparmál | ||
| Bömburr | "Drummer",[2] "The swollen one" | Skáldskaparmál, Völuspá | ||
| Brísingr | "Flame" | |||
| Brokkr | "the one who works with metal fragments; blacksmith" | Brothers: Eitri, Sindri | Skáldskaparmál | |
| Brúni | Black, Dark brown | Völuspá | ||
| Búinn | Prepared for burial | Skáldskaparmál | ||
| Buri | "Progenitor",[2] "Son" | Burinn | Völuspá |
D
| Name | Name meaning | Alternative names | Attested relatives | Attestations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dagfinnr | Day-finder, Day-magician | Skáldskaparmál | ||
| Dáinn | "The Dead One", "Deadlike" | Grímnismál, Hyndluljóð, Völuspá | ||
| Dáni | "Deadlike" | Fjölsvinnsmál | ||
| Darri | "Spearman" | Dorri | Fjölsvinnsmál | |
| Dellingr | The gleaming one | Fjölsvinnsmál, Skáldskaparmál | ||
| Dolgr | "Warrior",[1] "Enemy" | Skáldskaparmál | ||
| Dólgþrasir | "Persisting warrior",[1] "Battle-eager" | Dolgþvari | Völuspá | |
| Dóri | "The Fortifying",[2] "Borer", "Auger-man" | Fjölsvinnsmál, Skáldskaparmál, Völuspá | ||
| Draupnir | "Dropper",[1] "Dripper" | Dramir, Draufnir | Skáldskaparmál, Völuspá | |
| Dúfr | "The Crooked",[2] "The Deep",[1] "Nodder" | Skáldskaparmál, Völuspá | ||
| Duneyrr | "Thundering ear"[1] or "Dark ear"[3] | Grímnismál, Gylfaginning | ||
| Duraþrór | "Thriving Slumber" | Grímnismál, Gylfaginning | ||
| Durinn | "Slumber", "Door" or "Door-warden" | Dulinn | Gylfaginning, Hervarar saga, Skáldskaparmál, Völuspá | |
| Dúrnir | "Door", "Door-warden", "Sleeper" | Laufás-Edda, Skáldskaparmál, Ynglingatal | ||
| Dvalinn | "the dormant one", "the one slumbering", "Torpid" | Alvíssmál, Fáfnismál, Grímnismál, Gylfaginning, Hávamál, Hervarar saga, Skáldskaparmál, Sörla þáttr, Völuspá |
E
| Name | Name meaning | Alternative names | Attested relatives | Attestations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eggmóinn | Slain by the sowrd | Skáldskaparmál | ||
| Eikinskjaldi | "Oaken shield"[2] | Skáldskaparmál, Völuspá | ||
| Eilífr | He who lives alone | |||
| Eitri | The very cold one | Brother: Brokkr | Skáldskaparmál |
F
| Name | Name meaning | Alternative names | Attested relatives | Attestations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fafnir | Father: Hreiðmarr Brothers: Ótr, Regin | Gylfaginning, Völsunga saga | ||
| Fáinn | Shining | Skáldskaparmál | ||
| Fár | "The caretaker" or "the defedner",[2] "Shining" | Skáldskaparmál | ||
| Farli | The faring one | Skáldskaparmál | ||
| Fíli | "The one who files",[2] "File" | Skáldskaparmál, Völuspá | ||
| Finnr | Lapp, Magician | Fiðr | Völuspá | |
| Fjalar | "Paneller" | Falr | Brother: Galar | Skáldskaparmál, Völuspá |
| Fjǫlsviðr | "Very Powerful",[1] "Very wise" | Skáldskaparmál | ||
| Fǫrvi | Skáldskaparmál | |||
| Frægr | Famous | Völuspá | ||
| Frár | Swift | Frór | Völuspá | |
| Fríðr | Skáldskaparmál | |||
| Frosti | "Frosty",[1] "Cold" | Skáldskaparmál, Völuspá | ||
| Fullangr | Long enough | Skáldskaparmál | ||
| Fundinn | "Found"[1] | Völuspá |
G
| Name | Name meaning | Alternative names | Attested relatives | Attestations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gandálfr | "Wand-elf"[2] "Magic elf", "Wolf elf" | Skáldskaparmál, Völuspá | ||
| Galar | Yeller, Singer | Brother: Fjalar | Skáldskaparmál | |
| Ginnarr | "Seducer",[1] "Deceiver" | Skáldskaparmál, Völuspá | ||
| Glói | "The glowing one" | Glóinn | Skáldskaparmál, Völuspá | |
| Gloni | "Staring",[2] "The glowing one" | |||
| Gollmævill | Rich sea-king | Skáldskaparmál | ||
| Grer | Roaring | Sörla þáttr | ||
| Grímr | "The masked one",[2] "Mask" | Skáldskaparmál | ||
| Gud | "God"[2] | |||
| Gustr | "A puff of wind" |
H
| Name | Name meaning | Alternative names | Attested relatives | Attestations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hanarr | "The skillfull" or "Chanter" | Hárr | Skáldskaparmál, Völuspá | |
| Hár | "The high"[2] | Haurr | Skáldskaparmál, Völuspá | |
| Haugspori | Howe-treader | Hugstari | Völuspá | |
| Hepti | "Impeding"[1] | Völuspá | ||
| Heptifili | "File-holder", "Filer",[2] "File with handle" | Skáldskaparmál, Völuspá | ||
| Heri | "Host",[2] "Hare" | Skáldskaparmál | ||
| Herrauðr | Army-peace | |||
| Herriðr | Army-beautiful | |||
| Hildingr | Warrior, Prince, King | Skáldskaparmál | ||
| Hleðjolfr | "Shield Wolf",[2] "Sword" | Völuspá | ||
| Hlévangr | "Grave-mound",[2] "Sheltered plain" | Hlévargr | Völuspá | |
| Hljóðolfr | "Silent Wolf",[2] "Howl-wolf" | Hljóðalfr | Skáldskaparmál | |
| Hornbori | "He who bore horn's hair",[2] "Hornborer" | Skáldskaparmál, Völuspá | ||
| Horr | "The Dear",[2] "Linen" "Bowstring" | |||
| Hreiðmarr | Sons: Fafnir, Ótr, Regin | Gylfaginning, Völsunga saga | ||
| Hugstari | "Battle thinker" or "strategist",[2] "The bold one" | Hoggstari | Skáldskaparmál |
I
| Name | Name meaning | Alternative names | Attested relatives | Attestations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iri | "the rumor spreading",[2] "Irish" | |||
| Ívaldi | "Wielder of the yew bow", "Warrior" |
J
| Name | Name meaning | Alternative names | Attested relatives | Attestations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jaki | Ice-floe, Ice-berg | Skáldskaparmál | ||
| Jari | "The Disputing",[2] "Warrior" | Völuspá |
K
| Name | Name meaning | Alternative names | Attested relatives | Attestations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kili | "Wedge" | Skáldskaparmál, Völuspá |
L
| Name | Name meaning | Alternative names | Attested relatives | Attestations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Líðskjalfr | "Shaking in the limbs" | Fjölsvinnsmál | ||
| Litr | "Countenance" or "Image"[2] or "Complexion",[1] "Colour" | Skáldskaparmál, Völuspá | ||
| Ljómi | Glow, Gleam, Shine | Skáldskaparmál | ||
| Lofarr | Stooper | Skáldskaparmál, Völuspá | ||
| Lóinn | Lazy | Skáldskaparmál | ||
| Lóni | Lazy person | Völuspá |
M
| Name | Name meaning | Alternative names | Attested relatives | Attestations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miðvið | The middle board or slat | Skáldskaparmál | ||
| Mjöðvitnir | "Knowing in mead"[1] or "Mead wolf", "Toper" | Móðvitnir | Skáldskaparmál, Völuspá | |
| Mjǫklituð | Much coloured, Nearly red | Skáldskaparmál | ||
| Moinn | "Moor beast"[2] | Völuspá | ||
| Mondull | Axle, Shaft, Handle | |||
| Mótsognir | He who roars in rage | Skáldskaparmál, Völuspá | ||
| Munin | The reminding one | Skáldskaparmál |
N
| Name | Name meaning | Alternative names | Attested relatives | Attestations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nabbi | Small boil | Hyndluljóð | ||
| Næfr | Clever, skilled | Skáldskaparmál | ||
| Náinn | "Corpse"[2] | Skáldskaparmál, Völuspá | ||
| Nali | "Corpse" or "Death"[2] or "Needle",[1] "Axle of a hand-mill" | Váli | Völuspá | |
| Nár | "Corpse"[2] | Skáldskaparmál, Völuspá | ||
| Nefi | Relative, nephew | Skáldskaparmál | ||
| Níðhǫggr | "Malice striker" or "Tenebrous Gnawer",[1] "The hateful striking one" | Skáldskaparmál | ||
| Niði | "Underworld being",[2] "The one associated with the dark moon" | Skáldskaparmál, Völuspá | ||
| Nípingr | "The Dark"[2] or "The Handsome" or "The Curving",[1] "Pinch" | Nífengr | Skáldskaparmál, Völuspá | |
| Norðri | "Northern", "The one in the North" | Gylfaginning, Skáldskaparmál, Völuspá | ||
| Nóri | Little shaver | Völuspá | ||
| Nýi | "New moon"[2] | Skáldskaparmál, Völuspá | ||
| Nýr | "The new",[1] "New" | Skáldskaparmál, Völuspá | ||
| Nýráðr | "New advice",[1] "Ingenious" | Skáldskaparmál, Völuspá |
O
| Name | Name meaning | Alternative names | Attested relatives | Attestations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Óinn | Shy | Son: Andvari | Reginsmál', Skáldskaparmál | |
| Olius | Ásmundar saga kappabana | |||
| Ǫlni | The one on the fore-arm | Skáldskaparmál | ||
| Ónn | Hard work, An (undefined) part of a sword | Skáldskaparmál | ||
| Óri | "The insane",[1] "The violent one" | Fjölsvinnsmál, Skáldskaparmál, Völuspá | ||
| Ótr | "Otter" | Father: Hreiðmarr Brothers: Fafnir, Regin | Gylfaginning, Völsunga saga |
P
| Name | Name meaning | Alternative names | Attested relatives | Attestations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patti | Little shaver, little boy |
R
| Name | Name meaning | Alternative names | Attested relatives | Attestations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ráðspakr | Wise in counsel | Skáldskaparmál | ||
| Ráðsviðr | "Powerful advice",[1] "Wise in counsel" | Skáldskaparmál, Völuspá | ||
| Regin | "Great" or "Vast",[1] "The potent one", "The wielder" | Father: Hreiðmarr Brothers: Fafnir, Ótr | Gylfaginning, Völsunga saga | |
| Rekkr | Warrior, hero, man | Skáldskaparmál |
S
| Name | Name meaning | Alternative names | Attested relatives | Attestations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Siarr | "The Panning",[2] "He who makes the sparks fly", "Smith" | |||
| Sindri | "Spark", "Slanting board", "Slat" | None attested | Brother: Brokkr | Gylfaginning, Skáldskaparmál, Þorsteins saga Víkingssonar, Völuspá |
| Skávær | "The good-natured"[2] | Skáldskaparmál | ||
| Skafiðr | "The scraper"[2] | Skáldskaparmál, Völuspá | ||
| Skirfir | "Skillful artisan",[2] "joiner who makes herring-bone panelling" | Skáldskaparmál, Völuspá | ||
| Suðri | "Southern", "the one in the South" | Gylfaginning, Skáldskaparmál, Völuspá | ||
| Sons of Ivaldi | ||||
| Svíurr | "The Disappearing"[2] | Sviðr | Völuspá |
T
| Name | Name meaning | Alternative names | Attested relatives | Attestations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Þekkr | "The welcome one"[2] or "The thinker" or "The amiable",[1] "Beloved" | Skáldskaparmál, Völuspá | ||
| Tigvi | Skáldskaparmál | |||
| þjóðrœrir | "The one buried in the famous stone-heap", "The famous one buried in the stone-heap" | Hávamál | ||
| Þjórr | Bull | |||
| Tóki | Blockhead | |||
| Þolinn | The mumbling one, Silly person | Skáldskaparmál | ||
| Þorin | "The Daring",[2] "Bold" | Skáldskaparmál, Völuspá | ||
| Þráinn | "The Threatening",[2] "The Audacious",[1] "Stubborn" | Þróinn | Völuspá | |
| Þrasir | "snorter", "The one in rage" | Skáldskaparmál | ||
| Þrór | "Inciter of strife",[2] "The thriving",[1] "Boar" | þrár | Skáldskaparmál, Völuspá | |
| Túta | Little nub |
U
| Name | Name meaning | Alternative names | Attested relatives | Attestations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uni | "The content",[2] "The calm one" | Fjölsvinnsmál | ||
| Úri | "The smith",[2] "The slag-man" | Fjölsvinnsmál |
V
| Name | Name meaning | Alternative names | Attested relatives | Attestations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Varr | "The cautios",[2] "Wary", "Shy" | Fjölsvinnsmál, Skáldskaparmál | ||
| Vegdrasill | "Courageous in battle",[2] "Road-steed", "Glory-steed" | Fjölsvinnsmál | ||
| Veggr | "The toothy",[2] "Wedge" | Völuspá | ||
| Veigr | "The defiant",[2] "Strength" | |||
| Vestri | "Western", "The one in the West" | Gylfaginning, Völuspá | ||
| Viðr | Board, Slat, Rung | Skáldskaparmál | ||
| Vífir | Fututor, Fucker | Skáldskaparmál | ||
| Viggr | Axe-bit | |||
| Vigr | Spear | |||
| Vili | "Will" | Völuspá | ||
| Vindálfr | "Wind-elf"[2] | Skáldskaparmál, Völuspá | ||
| Virwir | "The virulent",[2] "Dyer" | Virfir | Skáldskaparmál, Völuspá | |
| Vitr | "Wise"[2] | Skáldskaparmál, Völuspá |
General references
- Faulkes, Anthony (transl. and ed.) (1987). Edda (Snorri Sturluson). Everyman. ISBN 0-460-87616-3
- Larrington, Carolyne (transl. and ed.) (1996). The Poetic Edda. Oxford World's Classics. ISBN 0-19-283946-2
- Gurevich, Elena: (Introduction to) Anonymous, Dverga heiti; in Kari Ellen Gade and Edith Marold (eds.): Poetry from Treatises on Poetics - Skaldic Poetry of the Scandinavian Middle Ages 3; Turnhout: Brepols, 2017 (p. 692).
- Gould, Chester Nathan: Dwarf-Names - A Study in Old Icelandic Religion; in PMLA, Vol. 44, No. 4 (Dec., 1929) (pp. 939-967). doi:10.2307/457704
References
- Mallet, Paul Henri: Northern Antiquities; London, 1847 (p. 546pp.).
- Bane, Theresa: Encyclopedia of Giants and Humanoids in Myth, Legend and Folklore; McFarland, 2016 (p. 60)
- Lindow, John: Handbook of Norse Mythology; 2001 (p. 98).
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