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    List of dwarfs in Norse mythology

    From Wikipedia - Reading time: 12 min

    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 completeness.

    List of dwarfs

    [edit]

    A

    [edit]
    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

    [edit]
    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

    [edit]
    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

    [edit]
    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

    [edit]
    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

    [edit]
    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

    [edit]
    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

    [edit]
    Name Name meaning Alternative names Attested relatives Attestations
    Iri "the rumor spreading",[2] "Irish"
    Ívaldi "Wielder of the yew bow", "Warrior"

    J

    [edit]
    Name Name meaning Alternative names Attested relatives Attestations
    Jaki Ice-floe, Ice-berg Skáldskaparmál
    Jari "The Disputing",[2] "Warrior" Völuspá

    K

    [edit]
    Name Name meaning Alternative names Attested relatives Attestations
    Kili "Wedge" Skáldskaparmál, Völuspá

    L

    [edit]
    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

    [edit]
    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

    [edit]
    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

    [edit]
    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

    [edit]
    Name Name meaning Alternative names Attested relatives Attestations
    Patti Little shaver, little boy

    R

    [edit]
    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

    [edit]
    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

    [edit]
    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

    [edit]
    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

    [edit]
    Name Name meaning Alternative names Attested relatives Attestations
    Varr "The cautious",[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

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

    General references

    [edit]
    • Faulkes, Anthony (transl. and ed.) (1987). Edda (Snorri Sturluson). Everyman. ISBN 0-460-87616-3
    • Larrington, Carolyne (transl. and ed.) (1996). The Poetic Edda. Oxford World's Classics. ISBN 0-19-283946-2
    • Gurevich, Elena: (Introduction to) Anonymous, Dverga heiti; in Kari Ellen Gade and Edith Marold (eds.): Poetry from Treatises on Poetics - Skaldic Poetry of the Scandinavian Middle Ages 3; Turnhout: Brepols, 2017 (p. 692).
    • Gould, Chester Nathan: Dwarf-Names - A Study in Old Icelandic Religion; in PMLA, Vol. 44, No. 4 (Dec., 1929) (pp. 939-967). doi:10.2307/457704

    References

    [edit]
    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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    Original source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List of dwarfs in Norse mythology
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