At the time of the Viking Age, the term “hvítr” (white/pale) had a derogatory status. To label someone “hvítr” was to say that they were unmanly, effeminate, meek and cowardlike - similar or fully equal to the terms like ergi/ragr/argr (closely related to outright accusations of submissive homosexuality), which was among the worst accusations you could point to a man by that time.

When Christianity reached Scandinavia, Jesus was called “Hvítakristr” (i.e. White Christ). Apart from him wearing a white robe, I supposed there’s also a double meaning to this name. A supposedly “powerful wizard” nailed to a cross as some embarrassing helpless crybaby, would hardly impress anyone Norse, at least not back in the days - the good old days…