Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Oden
BoyOld Norse, Swedish· “Swedish form of Odin, chief Norse god”
- Meaning
- Swedish form of Odin, chief Norse god
- Origin
- Old Norse, Swedish
- Pronunciation
- OH-duhn
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #2,033
- US babies 2025
- 74
- Best rank
- #1,691 (2022)
- Peak year
- 2022
Meaning and origin of Oden
Oden is an Old Norse and Swedish name that is usually said to mean “Swedish form of Odin, chief Norse god”.
Oden is the Swedish form of Odin, the chief god of Norse mythology, associated with wisdom, poetry, war and the runes. The name goes back to Old Norse Óðinn, linked to a word meaning frenzy or inspiration. In English it is usually said OH-duhn, which also makes it sound like a surname in the style of Aiden or Hayden. That dual quality appeals to parents who want a mythological reference that does not stand out too loudly. Odin is the more familiar spelling, and Oden has the added effect of looking quieter on paper.
Other spellings with the same sound: Odin.
Popularity over time
Oden first appears in US Social Security records in 1912. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,691 in 2022, the same year it reached its highest count of 102 babies. In 2025, 74 babies were named Oden, and it ranked #2,033 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #3,725 in 1920, #9,977 in 2000, #2,773 in 2010, and #2,033 in 2025. Of the 1,574 US boys named Oden since records began, 41% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 503 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Xavien, Akai, Suleiman, Yousuf, and Klay.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Oden ranked highest in Ohio and California.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio | #1216 | 6 |
| California | #1785 | 9 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Oden is usually pronounced OH-duhn, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with O and ends in “-en”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Odin.
Middle names for Oden
A few middle names that flow with Oden: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Oden
Similar names
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Lists that include Oden
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Oden mean?
Oden is an Old Norse and Swedish name that is usually said to mean “Swedish form of Odin, chief Norse god”.
What is the origin of the name Oden?
Oden has Old Norse and Swedish roots. Oden is the Swedish form of Odin, the chief god of Norse mythology, associated with wisdom, poetry, war and the runes.
Is Oden a popular name?
Not especially. Oden ranked #2,033 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Oden a boy or girl name?
Oden is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Oden?
Oden is usually pronounced OH-duhn. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings