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A tribute to the land of ice and snow, steeped in Inuit tradition.
Written by Nisha Bharatan, B.Tech Nisha Bharatan is a writer with six years of experience. After completing her engineering from Savitribai Phule Pune University, she did content marketing courses to complement her interest in writing. Nisha discovered her passion for writing in 2016 when she started documenting her journey into motherhood. Read full bio of Nisha Bharatan
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Illustration: MomJunction Design Team
Greenland, a place as unique and beautiful as its scenery and polar bears. It also is a region where you can come across distinctive Greenlandic baby names. These names are unique because Greenland is a sparsely populated country with little over 56,000 people (1). The native Greenlandic traditions regarding the personal name revolve around the belief that it is a type of soul that an individual possesses. The name detaches from the body when a person passes away and is passed on by giving the same moniker to the newborn baby. This way, they believe, an individual is reincarnated into the newborn’s body, as the name carries the traits of the deceased person. But modern Greenlanders prefer using trendy names for their children. No wonder names such as Hans and Ann are ruling the baby name charts in Greenland. But parents need to ensure that the names are gender specific. You’ll rarely find anyone with a unisex name in Greenland. Another thing to note is that Greenlanders prefer using kin terms instead of personal names to address people, irrespective of the affinal or genealogical connection. Greenlandic names are inspired by elements of nature unique to their region. They also use names of figures of religious importance and celestial bodies. Some names are also combinations of a regional word with a suffix to derive a modern name with traditional roots. However, original Greenlandic names may be losing popularity as parents opt for Western names that may be more appealing and modern. But this does not mean that Greenlandic names have lost their allure. These authentic names continue to carry Greenlandic history and heritage. If you need some inspiration for Greenlandic baby names, we have got a comprehensive list for you below. We have also included the meanings and their popular usage, along with the names.
In This Article
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- ❯Look Up For Many More Names
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Filter Baby Names by Religion Or Origin
| Name | Gender | Meaning | |
|---|---|---|---|
|  Girl | God is my oath | |
| Girl | Rival; To emulate; Excel | |
|  Boy | Rock; Stone | |
| Girl | Bird; Family | |
| Boy | King | |
| Girl | Family; Bird; To breathe | |
| Girl | Of the noble kind; Noble; Honorable | |
|  Unisex | Wind | |
| Boy | One who follows the spiritual path | |
| Girl | God was gracious; God has shown favor; Grace; Old; Victorious ancestor; Second sound; A girl's big brother | |
| Girl | Maiden or girl | |
| Unisex | Powerful; Strength | |
| Girl | The little one; Sweet Little Thing | |
| Unisex | An exquisite snowflake | |
| Girl | A free woman | |
| Boy | A tough layer of fat; To seal the skin cuts | |
| Girl | A girl; A female child | |
| Girl | The youngest and last daughter in the family. | |
| Unisex | A great bilberry | |
| Girl | A woman without sight | |
| Girl | One who resambles a squirrel | |
| Boy | A man who is a stone | |
| Unisex | Under-feet | |
| Boy | Older sibling of the same gender | |
| Boy | Dear older sibling | |
| Boy | Sweet little one | |
| Boy | Glow; Glowing coal | |
| Boy | Greenlandic form of Anders; Manly | |
| Girl | Beloved | |
| Unisex | Thick-billed Murre | |
| Boy | Greenlandic form of Aksel; The father is peace | |
| Girl | Little Ptarmigan chick | |
| Boy | The one who wanders by place under windows | |
| Boy | White | |
| Boy | Greenlandic form of Alexander; Defending men | |
| Girl | She has returned home | |
| Girl | A form of August; Great | |
| Girl | Variant of Palikka; Peaceful ruler | |
| Girl | A blend of Beatrix and Trine | |
| Boy | Greenlandic form of Benjamin; Son of the south | |
| Girl | Bright; Greenlandic form of Phoebe | |
| Girl | Early | |
| Girl | Greenlandic form of Bolette, meaning battle remedy | |
| Boy | Daavi is a form of David; Beloved | |
| Girl | Pledged to God | |
| Boy | Warrior wolf | |
| Boy | Greenlandic form of Eigil; Awe; Terror | |
| Boy | Greenlandic form of Ejnar; Lone warrior | |
| Boy | Greenlandic form of Elieser; God is help | |
| Boy | Son | |
| Boy | Ancient Germanic variant form of Faro; Journey | |
| Boy | God is my strong man | |
| Boy | Sweet dear | |
| Boy | Abandoned hearth; Fireplace | |
| Boy | Throat | |
| Boy | Greenlandic variant of Îsaia; God is salvation | |
| Boy | Moon | |
| Boy | How sweet you are | |
| Girl | Greenlandic variant of Iluna; Moon | |
| Girl | She who is meek and quiet | |
| Girl | Water | |
| Girl | Dear little | |
| Girl | The one having been brooded | |
| Girl | Greenlandic form of Jakobina; It means supplanter | |
| Girl | State ruler | |
| Boy | Young animal | |
| Boy | Sweet, dear | |
| Boy | Greenlandic form of Justus, fair | |
| Girl | Blood | |
| Girl | Lingonberry | |
| Girl | The huge one | |
| Girl | A small piece of fur under the chin | |
| Girl | Humming | |
| Girl | Gull, seagull | |
| Girl | Plant; Flower | |
| Girl | Little Naja | |
| Girl | The embraced one; To keep warm in affection | |
| Girl | Sweet little daughter | |
| Girl | Sinew; Tendon; Thread | |
| Girl | Sweet little flower | |
| Boy | Sweet little person or man | |
| Boy | Human being; Man | |
| Boy | Mountain crystal; Quartz | |
| Unisex | Dear little snow crystal | |
| Unisex | Snow crystal | |
Greenlandic baby names are rare and meaningful. These names symbolize the Inuit traditions and culture. Each name has a story behind it that is rooted in Greenlandic history. They reflect the natural beauty of the region and the spiritual beliefs of the people. They depict the human values and future aspirations of Greenlanders. Native parents chose these names to keep their legacy alive while non-Inuit people choose these names because they are rare and meaningful.
Infographic: Grand Greenlandic Names For Babies
Greenlandic names are rare and unique. These names depict the history and culture of this beautiful island. Most of these names indicate a strong relationship with nature and its elements. The infographic below can introduce you to some cool Greenlandic names that you may consider for your child. You may also share it with your family and friends!
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do Greenlandic baby names have meanings related to Greenlandic culture?
Traditional Greenlandic baby names are rooted in the native Inuit language, Kalaallisut, and reflect the unique cultural heritage of Greenland (2). Most of these names are inspired by elements of the Arctic environment, animals, natural phenomena, and traditional beliefs. For example, Aputsiaq means ‘snowflake,’ while Qillaq refers to ‘seal hide.’
2. Are Greenlandic baby names difficult to pronounce for non-Greenlandic speakers?
Greenlandic names have complex sounds that may not exist in other languages. For instance, some Greenlandic names have sounds like ‘q,’ ‘ll,’ or ‘r,’ which may be challenging for non-Greenlandic speakers to pronounce easily. Also, the pronunciation of certain consonants and vowel combinations may differ from what non-Greenlandic speakers are accustomed to.
3. Are Greenlandic names gender-specific?
Like any other culture, some Greenlandic names are gender-specific. Different names, such as Malik and Aqissiaq, are traditionally used for boys. Also, names such as Aviaaja and Naja are specifically used for girls. However, Greenland also has gender-neutral names such as Inuk and Nuka.
4. Can I use a Greenlandic name if I'm not from Greenland?
Yes, you can use a Greenlandic name even if you are not a native of Greenland. However, it is extremely important that you thoroughly research the meaning, significance, and pronunciation of a Greenlandic name by consulting an expert in the native language.
References
MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.
- Facts about Greenland.
https://www.norden.org/en/information/facts-about-greenland - Indigenous Peoples in Greenland
https://www.iwgia.org/en/kalaallit-nunaat-greenland.html
Look Up For Many More Names
Do you have a name in mind and want to know more about it? Or want to find names belonging to a particular origin, religion, or having a specific meaning? Use our search tool below to explore more baby names with different combinations.
Nisha BharatanB.Tech
Nisha Bharatan is a writer with six years of experience. After completing her engineering from Savitribai Phule Pune University, she did content marketing courses to complement her interest in writing. Nisha discovered her passion for writing in 2016 when she started documenting her journey into motherhood.
Read full bio of Nisha Bharatan
Rebecca MalachiBSc
Rebecca is a pregnancy writer and editor with a passion for delivering research-based and engaging content in areas of fertility, pregnancy, birth, and post-pregnancy. She did her graduation in Biotechnology and Genetics from Loyola Academy, Osmania University and obtained a certification in ‘Nutrition and Lifestyle in Pregnancy’ from Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU).
Read full bio of Rebecca Malachi
Trisha ChakrabortyMA, BEd
Trisha worked as a schoolteacher for three years before taking up professional writing in 2021. She completed her masters in English from the University of Calcutta and bachelors in Education from the University of Burdwan.
Read full bio of Trisha Chakraborty
