In GrĂmnismĂĄl, Odin states, âNever a single name have I had since first I fared among men.â And indeed, we have a very large number that are attested, as well as many that have no doubt been lost to time.
One of the more well known heiti is HrafnaguĂ°, the Raven God. In turn, his blood brother Loki is called GammleiĂ°, âthe vultureâs path.â
Because of Odinâs connection with ravens as well as his role of selecting those slain on the battlefield for an afterlife in Valhalla, I propose that it is feasible, perhaps even likely, for Odin to have been named âthe ravenâs pathâ by viking age skalds.
Another notable name is the one commonly used for him: Odin. The word it most likely derives from, óðr, is usually associated with ritual ecstasy and battle frenzy, but it could potentially extend to other forms of âmadness.â For example, of his twin ravens, Huginn and Muninn, traditionally translated as âthoughtâ and âmemoryâ, Odin states, âI fear more for Muninn.â He embodies anxiety about not only the temporary abandonment of ritual or battle, but also a more permanent loss of history and self.
One final aspect of Odin that his heiti point to but is rarely explored is his connection to the night and blackness. He is Fjölnir, concealer, Herblindi, blinder of hosts, and TvĂblindi, twice blind. He is GrĂmnir, the hooded one. He presides over Yule, the longest night. Ravens are so closely associated with their color that the word is used as a synonym for black. And according to folklore, he notably rides forth with his forces, known today as the Wild Hunt only between sunset and dawn.
So basically, itâs 100% lore compliant to say that Odin is Ebony Darkness Demtia Raven Way.
