helgi

Helgi is a masculine given name of Old Norse origin that appears in medieval Norse literature and has continued to be used in modern Scandinavian contexts, particularly in Iceland and Norway. The name is closely associated with heroic figures in Norse myth and saga, and it has been preserved in various legendary narratives.

Etymology is commonly linked to the Old Norse element heilagr, meaning "holy" or "sacred," though precise derivations can vary in scholarly discussion. The name’s associations with sanctity and heroism contributed to its popularity as a male given name in Norse culture.

In literature, Helgi is the name of several legendary heroes. The best known is Helgi Hundingsbane, a central figure in a cycle of poems in the Poetic Edda and later connected with narratives in the Völsunga saga, where his fate intertwines warfare and a doomed romance with the shieldmaiden Sigrún. The name also appears among other legendary figures within the same mythic world, illustrating its role as a common heroic epithet rather than a single character.

In contemporary times, Helgi retains usage in Icelandic and broader Scandinavian naming practices, sometimes appearing in variants such as Helge in Danish and Norwegian contexts. It is less common outside regions with strong Nordic linguistic and cultural traditions, but remains recognized as a link to Norse heritage.