Written by Dyami Millarson
Words are associated with magic in Germanic religion; consequently, prayers, charms and poems are associated with magic as well. Names, being special words, possess a distinct significance as they are intricately linked to the souls inhabiting humans, objects, or Gods. They serve as identifiers that reference the essences embodied within individuals, deities, or items. Germanic names are magical; for Germanic names are inherently apotropaic, which means that it is in the nature of Germanic names to ward off evil and safeguard against misfortune.
On page 70, line 9, of Hugo Gering’s version of Finnboga saga hins ramma published in 1879, we read the following clauses from chapter 36 of the saga: “bađ þau hion gera þat tillæti viđ sik at lata heita eptir honum. kuaz þess venta at nockur hamingia mundi fylgia.” On page 69 of Jón Þorkelsson’s Sex sögu-þættir published in 1855, we find the same clauses as follows: “bað þau hjón gjöra þat tillæti við sik at láta heita eptir honum, kvaðst þess vænta, at nokkur hamingja mundi fylgja.” The translation is: “begged the married couple to do him the favour to have/let be called after him, said that it is expected that luck would follow.” A man desires a child to be named after him to pass on his hamingja.
Viking Religion 