Swedish Names - for my international guests

This is a post for all my international readers because I can see from my statistics-page that I have quite a few, especially from the English-speaking world. Welcome to Name Poetry!

My Swedish posts are usually about your typical name-nerd obsessions such as cool names, different names, inspirational names and news about names from around the globe. But for you I thought I would write about popular Swedish names that would be really exotic and fun names in other countries.

For instance, take a very Swedish name like Emil (boy). It is very Swedish because of the beloved Astrid Lindgren character, but it is not of Swedish origin. But I know that it has become somewhat popular in the US. Also Magnus (boy), is becoming something of a hipstername in the US, especially after Will Farrel chose this name for his third son. Both these names are decreasing in popularity in Sweden, but gaining in strength somewhere else. That's how the global name-trade goes I guess.

Here are my suggestions for parents wanting a Swedish name (although the origin may not be traditionally Swedish), or just a really new and exotic one:

Boy:
Gustav or Gustaf - a traditional royal name here in Sweden that is very popular. It has many possible meanings, such as the staff of the Götarna (a group of people in Sweden's history). Gus is a cool possible nn.
Anton - a popular, upbeat name that is of German origin (meaning invaluable). Anton would be a cool choice any day.
Lars -  A beautiful name that would work well anywhere. From Latin (meaning the one crowned in bay leaves). Actually a family name on my husbands side, and we will probably use it as a middlename for a future son. 
Carl - Another royal classic. The meaning is judge. Short, simple and very nordic.

Girl:
Ellen - A Danish form of Helena which I adore. It is a bit elfish if you know what I mean. Simple and sweet.
Ida - Another Astrid Lindgren character. Since both Ada and Ava has had their comebacks, why not Ida? The origin is ancient German and it has many possible meanings, among them the dutiful and the beautiful.
Alva - A feminine form of Alf, which has become really popular in Sweden. Alf means just as you might think Elf. Alva has that dreamy Lord of the Rings-feel to it, but without the Tolkien-connection.
Clara or Klara - From the Latin (meaning famous). It is similar to Claire, but not at all as over-used. Clara has real beautiful ring to it in English.

Also consider classic choices like:
Girl - Astrid, Ingrid, Greta, Idun, Freya, Embla, Tova, Tove, Elin, Ebba, Moa, Tindra, Axelina, Petronella, Ronja, Birgitta, Kristina, Majken, Anna.
Boy - Thor, Alf, Alve, Wilhelm, Albin, Linus, Ture, Johannes, Bertil, Torsten, Ragnar, Vilmer.

All the best! Good luck in your hunt for the perfect name!