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Home › Baby Names Directory › Holger

Holger

♂ Boy

How to Pronounce Holger

Pronounced HOHL-gur /ˈhoʊl.ɡər/Medium

Meaning: Holger is a Danish and German name from the Old Norse Holmgeirr, joining holmr, 'island' or 'islet', with geirr, 'spear'. It is famous through Holger Danske, the legendary Danish hero said to sleep beneath a castle until his country needs him.Medium

In 30 seconds: Holger means 'island spear' in Old Norse, from holmr, 'island', and geirr, 'spear'. Tied to the legend of Holger Danske, in the US it has stayed rare.
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Origin MediumOld Norse, Danish
MeaningHolger is a Danish and German name from the Old Norse Holmgeirr, joining holmr, 'island' or 'islet', with geirr, 'spear'. It is famous through Holger Danske, the legendary Danish hero said to sleep beneath a castle until his country needs him.
U.S. rank (2002)#11330 ↘ Falling
2002 U.S. births5 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1916
Total births (all-time)≈ 244

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 191618982002

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Holger is a Scandinavian name, chiefly Danish, from the Old Norse Holmgeirr, 'island spear', built from holmr and geirr. It carries deep national resonance in Denmark through Holger Danske, a legendary hero of the old tales; in America it has appeared mainly among families of Danish or German heritage.

It has never been common in American records, given to only about twenty boys a year at its high near 1916, borne largely by immigrant families. It reads as distinctly Scandinavian and steeped in old legend.

Did you know? Holger belongs to the legend of Holger Danske, the sleeping hero of Denmark, and it shares its geirr, 'spear', root with other old Norse warrior names.
Overall data confidence 55%
References - Holger — Danish/German; Old Norse Holmgeirr 'island spear'; legend of Holger Danske

Variations

HolgarHolker

Nicknames

HolGer

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Holger…

Helmer— a like Scandinavian boy's name
Sven— a like Danish and Swedish name
Gunnar— shares the Norse warrior heritage
Anker— echoes that soft -er sound
Eiler— a fellow Danish choice

Explore names like Holger

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Holger mean?

It is a Danish name from Old Norse Holmgeirr, meaning 'island spear'.

How do you pronounce Holger?

It is said HOHL-gur /ˈhoʊl.ɡər/, two syllables with the stress on the first.

Is Holger a boy or girl name?

Holger is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Holger?

In the United States it has always been rare, given to only a handful of boys a year, mainly in immigrant families.

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