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 sword 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 defender",[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 Fair, Beautiful, Handsome 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 Father: Ívaldi
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,good man 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

Y

Name Name meaning Alternative names Attested relatives Attestations
Yngvi "Prince" or "Warrior",[2] "Frey" Ingi Völuspá

General references

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y Mallet, Paul Henri: Northern Antiquities; London, 1847 (p. 546pp.).
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf Bane, Theresa: Encyclopedia of Giants and Humanoids in Myth, Legend and Folklore; McFarland, 2016 (p. 60)
  3. ^ Lindow, John: Handbook of Norse Mythology; 2001 (p. 98).
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