List of names of Odin

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Odin (Old Norse Óðinn, Old English Wōden, German Wotan, Old High German Wodan, Allemanic Wuodan, Dutch Wodan, Lombardic Godan) was referred to by many names in the skaldic and Eddic traditions.

Then said Gangleri: "Exceeding many names have ye given him; and, by my faith, it must indeed be a goodly wit that knows all the lore and the examples of what chances have brought about each of these names." Then Hárr made answer: "It is truly a vast sum of knowledge to gather together and set forth fittingly. But it is briefest to tell thee that most of his names have been given him by reason of this chance: there being so many branches of tongues in the world, all peoples believed that it was needful for them to turn his name into their own tongue, by which they might the better invoke him and entreat him on their own behalf. But some occasions for these names arose in his wanderings; and that matter is recorded in tales. Nor canst thou ever be called a wise man if thou shalt not be able to tell of those great events." Gylfaginning, XX, Brodeur's translation

1 General names based on Odin's status
2 Names originated in stories
3 Names based on actions or personality
4 Names based on character traits
5 Names based on appearance
6 Miscellaneous

[edit] General names based on Odin's status

The name Alfóðr ("Allfather", "father of all") appears in Snorri Sturluson's Younger Edda. Odin is the father of most of the high gods and with his brothers Vili and Ve shaped the Earth from the body of a giant. It may refer to the Christian God in that book, but it may have referred to Odin at an earlier date. (It probably originally denoted Tiwaz, as it fits the pattern of referring to Sky Fathers as "father".)

Farmatýr (God of cargoes)
Fimbul (Great)
Fimbultýr (Mighty god)
Gautr (Father)
Herjan, Herjann (Ruler)
Hroptatýr (Crier of the gods),
Óski (God of wishes)
Veratýr (Lord of men)

[edit] Names originated in stories

In his quest to learn the runes, Odin hung himself on Yggdrasill.

Hangatyr (the hanged god)
Lord of the gallows

In the story of Gylfaginning, Odin appears as three kings named:

Hárr (High)
Jafnhárr (Even as high)
Þriði (Third)

From the Hervarar saga:

Gestumblindi

[edit] Names based on actions or personality

Odin chooses the outcome of battles (i.e. to whom victory goes).

Hnikuðr (Overthrower)
Sigföðr (Father of Victory)
Sigtyr (God of victory).

[edit] Names based on character traits

Bölverkr (Ill-doer)
Fjölsviðr (Wide in wisdom)
Gangleri (Wayweary)
Gangrad (Wanderer)
Glapsviðr (Swift in deceit)
Herteitr (Host glad, or Glad of War)
Hnikarr (Overthrower)
Saðr (Truthful)
Svipall (Changing)
Sanngetall (Truthful)
Vakr (Wakeful)
Yggr (Terrible)
Þekkr (Much loved)
Þrasarr
Þróttr (Strength)

[edit] Names based on appearance

Name (Old Norse)	Name (anglicized)	Meaning	Sources
Báleygr	Baleyg	Flaming eye	Grímnismál (47), Hallfreðr vandræðaskáld's Hákonardrápa (6), Gísl Illugason's Erfikvæði about Magnús berfœtt (1), þulur
Bileygr	Bileyg	Feeble eye	Grímnismál (47), þulur
Blindr	Blind	Blind	Helgakviða Hundingsbana II (prose)
Fjölnir	/	Many-shaped (?)	Grímnismál (47), Reginsmál (18), Gylfaginning (3, 20), many scaldic poems, þulur
Gestumblindi	/	Blind guest	Hervarar saga (10), þulur
Grímr	Grím	Hooded	Grímnismál (46, 47), þulur
Grímnir	/	Hooded	Grímnismál (introduction, 47, 49), Hallfreðr vandræðaskáld's lausavísur (9), Þórsdrápa (3), Húsdrápa (1), Rögnvaldr kali Kolsson's lausavísur (7), þulur
Hárbarðr	Hárbard	Grey beard	Grímnismál (49), Hárbardsljód, þulur
Hjálmberi	/	Helmet bearer	Grímnismál (46), þulur
Langbarðr	Langbard	Long beard	þulur
Síðhöttr	Sídhött	Broad hat	Grímnismál (48), þulur
Síðskeggr	Sídskegg	Long beard	Grímnismál (48), þulur
Tvíblindi	/	Twice blind	þulur