Denmark etymology

Etymology and Meaning

The name "Denmark" is derived from two Old Norse words:

  • Dan: Name of a legendary king or tribe
  • Mark: Meaning "borderland" or "forest"

Therefore, the name "Denmark" can be translated as "Dan's borderland" or "Dan's forest."

Origin

The first known mention of Denmark appeared on a runestone from around 900 CE, which referred to King Gorm the Old as "Gorm, King of the Danes."

The legendary origins of Denmark are recounted in the Gesta Danorum, a 12th-century work by the Danish historian Saxo Grammaticus. According to the Gesta Danorum, Denmark was founded by King Dan, a descendant of the Trojan heroes Hector and Priam.

Historical Evolution

The Kingdom of Denmark emerged in the 9th century CE as a viking kingdom. Over time, Denmark expanded its territories, including Norway and Sweden at various points.

In the 15th century, Denmark became part of the Kalmar Union, a Scandinavian alliance under the Danish crown. The union dissolved in 1523, and Denmark remained an independent kingdom.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, Denmark lost control of several territories, including Norway (1814) and Schleswig-Holstein (1864).

Today, Denmark is a constitutional monarchy with a population of around 5.8 million people. It is known for its high standard of living, welfare state, and cultural achievements.

Denmark relate terms

  • Dane

    Etymology Old English Dena Proto Germanic Deniz Proto Indo European Dʰen Meaning

  • mark

    Etymology The name Mark is derived from the Proto Indo European root merk meaning

  • marque

    Etymology French marque Latin marca Meaning A distinctive sign used to identify

  • march

    Etymology The word March has its origins in several ancient languages Latin Martiu

  • marquis

    Etymology The word marquis has a long and complex etymological history derived from mu

  • marksman

    Etymology The word marksman is derived from the following sources Old English mar

  • Cymric

    Etymology The name Cymric derives from the Welsh word Cymraeg which means Welsh

  • demarcation

    Etymology demarcation noun late 17th century from French from Late Latin demarcati

  • Denmark

    Etymology and Meaning The name Denmark is derived from two Old Norse words Dan Name

  • emarginate

    Etymology 1520s from French émarginé past participle of émarger from Latin ēmargi

  • landmark

    Etymology The word landmark is derived from the Old English words land land and m

  • march

    Etymology The word March has its origins in several ancient languages Latin Martiu

  • march

    Etymology The word March has its origins in several ancient languages Latin Martiu

  • marchioness

    Etymology The word marchioness is derived from the French word marquise which in tu

  • margin

    Etymology Middle English in the sense of edge border from Old French marge merch

  • margrave

    Etymology and Origin of Margrave Etymology The word margrave derives from the Old H

  • mark

    Etymology The name Mark is derived from the Proto Indo European root merk meaning

  • mark

    Etymology The name Mark is derived from the Proto Indo European root merk meaning

  • marque

    Etymology French marque Latin marca Meaning A distinctive sign used to identify

  • marquee

    Etymology The word marquee is derived from the French word marquise which originally

  • marquetry

    Etymology and Origin of Marquetry Origin French marqueterie Italian marchettare to

  • marquis

    Etymology The word marquis has a long and complex etymological history derived from mu

  • remarkable

    Etymology The word remarkable is derived from the Old French word remarquable which

  • Danish

    Etymology The name Danish originates from the Proto Germanic word Daniz which is itsel

  • skoal

    Etymology The word skoal comes from the Old Norse word skål which means bowl or

  • Bronx

    Etymology The name Bronx is derived from the Lenape word Bronck s a corruption of B

  • bond

    Etymology The word bond derives from the Old English word band which meant a tie o

  • crown

    Etymology Middle English corone from Old French corone from Latin corona from Gree

  • dollar

    Etymology The word dollar originates from the Czech tolar a silver coin minted in th

  • Scandinavia

    Etymology The word Scandinavia derives from the Old Norse term Skáney Scania whi

  • Europe

    Etymology of Europe The name Europe comes from Greek mythology According to the leg

  • dean

    Etymology Old English Deán Proto Germanic Dehans Proto Indo European Dheḱ Me