Riggen first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Riggen has been for the last 7 years (from 2012 to 2018) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Riggen

A modern invented name with no clear meaning or etymology.

Popularity of Riggen by gender

Based on the last 7 years of data, Riggen is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2018, there were 7 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Riggen.

Year Male Count Female Count
2018 7 0
2016 6 0
2015 6 0
2014 5 0
2012 6 0

The history of the first name Riggen

The given name Riggen is believed to have originated from the Old Norse language, which was spoken by the Norse people in Scandinavia during the Viking Age (8th to 11th centuries CE). It is thought to be derived from the Old Norse word "rigga," which means "to raise" or "to erect." This name likely had its roots in the rugged and seafaring culture of the Vikings, where strength and resilience were highly valued.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Riggen can be found in the Icelandic Sagas, a collection of stories and historical accounts from the medieval period. In the Saga of Burnt Njal, a character named Riggen is mentioned as a prominent farmer and chieftain in Iceland during the late 10th century.

Throughout the Middle Ages, the name Riggen was primarily concentrated in the Nordic countries, particularly in Iceland, Norway, and parts of Sweden. It was often associated with individuals who were involved in agriculture, fishing, or other outdoor pursuits that required physical strength and endurance.

In the 16th century, a Norwegian explorer named Riggen Amundsen (c. 1500-1565) gained fame for his voyages to the Arctic regions of Greenland and Svalbard. His expeditions contributed to the expansion of knowledge about the far northern reaches of the world at that time.

Another notable figure in history with the name Riggen was Riggen Olafsson (1597-1679), an Icelandic poet and scholar who made significant contributions to the preservation of traditional Icelandic literature and mythology.

In the 19th century, Riggen Eriksson (1815-1891) was a Swedish farmer and politician who played a crucial role in the development of agricultural policies and the promotion of rural education in his home country.

While the name Riggen has its roots in the Norse cultures of Scandinavia, it has also been adopted in other parts of the world, particularly in regions with strong historical ties to the Vikings, such as parts of Britain and Ireland. However, it remains relatively uncommon compared to more widely used names of Norse origin, such as Erik, Bjorn, or Leif.

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 Riggen was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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"Riggen first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on June 27, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/riggen-meaning-and-history/.

"Riggen first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/riggen-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 27 June, 2025

Riggen first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/riggen-meaning-and-history/.

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