I chose my given names last year after giving it much thought. My mother had initially intended to name me Ingvild when I was born, but in the end chose a different name. So when I chose new names that was one of them.
As I am Norwegian by nationality it suited me especially well in everyday life. I have a very rare last name/surname so it’s protected to take that name in Norway as we are fewer than 200 people having it.
The history of my last name is quite interesting, going through many turns in the generations. My father got his mothers last name because his parents were not married and it was the 1960s then. I could have had the much more common Norwegian last name of Pettersen but I have my grandmothers last name.
My mothers last name is slightly more common in Norway but not like Hansen or Olsen. In Norway it’s also common to have surname from family farms generations back which is the case for both of my parents last names.
Sometimes I wish I recieved my current official name Ingvild at birth as my mother had thought, I would have blended in much better in my age group with that given name. But there is meaning in having an unusual name growing up, it gives a different perspective on things.
Today I’m rambling a bit, yet it might be useful writing sometimes about things like names and Norwegian themes.
Thanks for reading ❤
Northern experience 