Your Name in Elder Futhark Runes

Free online translator for converting English names to Elder Futhark (Runic) (ᚠᚢᚦᚨᚱᚲ)

About Elder Futhark (Runic) Script

Elder Futhark is the oldest form of runic alphabets, used from 150-800 CE by Germanic tribes. Named after its first six letters (F-U-Th-A-R-K), it contains 24 runes.

Historical (Germanic tribes, Vikings)
Speakers Worldwide
2+
Countries

Key Facts:

  • 24 runes in Elder Futhark
  • Each rune has a name and meaning
  • Used from approximately 150-800 CE
  • Ancestor of Younger Futhark and Anglo-Saxon runes
  • Still popular for jewelry, tattoos, and cultural purposes
Main countries: Scandinavia, Northern Europe

How Names Work in Elder Futhark (Runic)

Runic transliteration maps English sounds to the closest Elder Futhark rune. Some sounds require approximation since the 24 runes represent ancient Germanic sounds.

Transliteration Rules:

  • 24 runes for consonants and vowels
  • ᚦ (thurisaz) for 'th' sound
  • ᛜ (ingwaz) for 'ng' combination
  • Some modern sounds approximated
  • Each rune traditionally has symbolic meaning

Popular Names in Elder Futhark (Runic)

Here are examples of common English names transliterated to Elder Futhark (Runic):

Michael
ᛗᛁᚲᚨᛖᛚ
MI-KA-EL
Sarah
ᛊᚨᚱᚨ
SA-RA
David
ᛞᚨᚹᛁᛞ
DA-WID
Emma
ᛖᛗᛗᚨ
EM-MA
Thor
ᚦᛟᚱ
THOR
Freya
ᚠᚱᛖᛃᚨ
FREY-A
Erik
ᛖᚱᛁᚲ
E-RIK
Ingrid
ᛁᛜᚱᛁᛞ
ING-RID

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I write my name in runes?

Use our runic translator above. Type your name in English and it converts to Elder Futhark runes using phonetic equivalents.

What is Elder Futhark?

Elder Futhark is the oldest runic alphabet, used by Germanic peoples from about 150-800 CE. It has 24 runes named after its first six letters: F-U-Th-A-R-K.

Can I use this for a runic tattoo?

Yes! Many people use our tool for runic tattoos. However, we recommend verifying with a Norse/runic expert, as some runes have specific cultural meanings.

Did Vikings use Elder Futhark?

Vikings primarily used Younger Futhark (16 runes), a simplified version. Elder Futhark predates the Viking Age but is popular today for its completeness.

Do runes have meanings beyond sounds?

Yes! Each rune traditionally has a name and symbolic meaning. For example, ᚠ (Fehu) means 'cattle/wealth' and ᚱ (Raido) means 'journey/ride'.