What does Ragnar mean?
Ragnar joins the Old Norse for “counsel/judgment” and “army, warrior.”
What does Viggo mean?
Viggo comes from the Old Norse for “war” or “battle.”
Ragnar vs Viggo
Which is more popular?
Viggo is more popular than Ragnar today: about 97 US babies were given the name Viggo in 2025, compared with 52 named Ragnar.
| Ragnar | Viggo | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Warrior of judgment | War |
| Origin | Norse | Norse |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | RAG-nar | VEE-goh |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1915 | 1913 |
| Peak year | 2023 (97) | 2025 (97) |
| In 2025 | 52 | 97 |
| Trend | Rising | Near its peak |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Ragnar
Viggo
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Ragnar | Viggo |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 456 | 447 |
| 2010s | 292 | 402 |
| 2000s | 0 | 179 |
| 1970s | 5 | 0 |
| 1960s | 5 | 0 |
| 1930s | 0 | 5 |
| 1920s | 0 | 10 |
| 1910s | 29 | 12 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Ragnar or Viggo more popular?
Viggo is more popular than Ragnar today: about 97 US babies were given the name Viggo in 2025, compared with 52 named Ragnar.
What is the difference between Ragnar and Viggo?
Ragnar means Warrior of judgment (Norse origin), while Viggo means War (Norse origin).
Which name is older, Ragnar or Viggo?
In US records, Ragnar first appears in 1915 and Viggo in 1913, so Viggo has the longer recorded history.