In Norse mythology, Odin uses the name Grímnir while describing Valhalla in Grímnismál. The name means something like “the masked one” or “the hooded one,” reflecting Odin’s concealed identity.
In the poem, Odin visits the court of King Geirröðr while disguised. He is captured and tortured because the king believes him to be an unknown enemy. During the ordeal, Odin reveals mythological knowledge, including details about the gods, the worlds, Yggdrasil, and Valhalla.
The poem’s title comes from this assumed name. Grímnismál is one of the poems preserved in the Poetic Edda and is especially valuable because it offers compact descriptions of Norse cosmology.
Grímnir is not a separate god from Odin. Odin has many names in Old Norse literature, often reflecting his disguises, powers, or poetic roles. Other names include Hár, “High,” and Bölverkr, “worker of mischief” or “evil-doer,” depending on translation.