 The word valkyrie derives from Old Norse valkyrja ( plural <unk> ) , which is composed of two words ; the noun <unk> ( referring to the slain on the battlefield ) and the verb <unk> ( meaning " to choose " ) . Together , they mean " chooser of the slain " . The Old Norse valkyrja is cognate to Old English wælcyrge . Other terms for valkyries include <unk> ( Old Norse " wish maid " ) , appearing in the poem <unk> and Óðins <unk> ( Old Norse " Odin 's maids " ) , appearing in the Nafnaþulur . <unk> may be related to the Odinic name <unk> ( Old Norse , roughly meaning " wish <unk> " ) , referring to the fact that Odin receives slain warriors in Valhalla . 
