Girl name · Norse
Sunniva
“gift of the sun”
Vibes
Explore Sunniva further
Similar-feel alternatives, or middle-name candidates that pair well with Sunniva — both ranked by the same scoring system (vibe overlap, syllable rhythm, origin compatibility).
About the name
Sunniva is Old Norse-English — "sun gift" — an Irish princess who fled to Norway, hid in a cave, and became western Norway's patron saint: the sun, given, then sainted.
Standard in Norway, essentially unknown in America, Sunniva offers the sun category's most storied feminine.
Three light syllables (soo-NEE-vah) with Sunny and Niva as keys. It pairs well with short middles (Sunniva Mae, Sunniva Ruth). On our vibe map it is Celestial gift-grade with Mythological cave-legend and Soft & Dreamy northern light.
More Norse names
Sunniva sits in our Norse set — these share its roots.
All Norse names →Sunniva — common questions
Is Sunniva a boy or girl name?
Sunniva is traditionally a girl name of Norse origin.
What does the name Sunniva mean?
Sunniva means “gift of the sun” of Norse origin. Sunniva is Old Norse-English — "sun gift" — an Irish princess who fled to Norway, hid in a cave, and became western Norway's patron saint: the sun, given, then sainted.
Where does the name Sunniva come from?
Sunniva is Norse in origin. Standard in Norway, essentially unknown in America, Sunniva offers the sun category's most storied feminine.
How popular is Sunniva?
Sunniva did not make the top 1,000 girls' names in US Social Security Administration data for 2025, which makes it genuinely rare in the US.
Bring the name into the room
A couple of nice things named Sunniva you might want for the nursery.