Find out how popular the first name Holger has been for the last 16 years (from 1987 to 2002) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Holger by gender

Based on the last 16 years of data, Holger is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2002, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Holger.

The history of the first name Holger

The name Holger has its origins in Old Norse and Old Danish languages, originating from the regions of modern-day Scandinavia and parts of northern Germany. It is believed to have emerged around the 8th to 10th centuries during the Viking Age. The name is derived from the Old Norse words "holr" meaning "hollow" or "cave" and "ger" meaning "spear."

This Germanic name was popularized among the Norsemen and Norse settlers, with early records indicating its usage in various areas of Scandinavia and the regions they traveled to or settled in. The name can be found in ancient Norse sagas and texts, reflecting its prevalence among the Vikings and their cultural influence.

One of the earliest recorded examples of the name Holger dates back to the 9th century, with a Danish king named Holger Danske, who ruled parts of modern-day Denmark and Sweden. According to legend, King Holger Danske is said to be sleeping in the catacombs of the Kronborg Castle, waiting to awaken and defend Denmark in times of great peril.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Holger. Some examples include Holger Paulli (1644-1714), a Danish scientist and botanist who made significant contributions to the study of plants and their medicinal properties. Another prominent figure was Holger Pedersen (1867-1953), a Danish linguist and scholar renowned for his work on the Tocharian languages and Indo-European studies.

In the literary world, Holger Drachmann (1846-1908) was a celebrated Danish poet, playwright, and painter who played a significant role in the Modern Breakthrough movement in Scandinavian literature. Additionally, Holger Danske's legend inspired the works of several Danish authors and poets, further cementing the name's cultural significance.

Another notable bearer of the name was Holger Crafoord (1908-1982), a Swedish industrialist and philanthropist who established the prestigious Crafoord Prize, awarded annually in various fields of science and mathematics.

It is worth mentioning that the name Holger has also been used in other cultural contexts, such as in the German opera "Der Ring des Nibelungen" by Richard Wagner, where the character Hagen is sometimes referred to as Holger.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Holger was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Holger, please contact us.

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