Stockholm etymology

Etymology:

  • Old Norse: Stockholmr

Meaning and Origin:

The name Stockholm is a compound of two Old Norse words:

  • Stock (meaning "log" or "tree stump")
  • Holmr (meaning "islet" or "small island")

Therefore, the name Stockholm literally means "the island of logs".

The name refers to the city's location on an archipelago of islands at the mouth of Lake Mälaren. The islands were originally covered in thick forests, with large numbers of logs being used to build the city's bridges and fortifications.

Historical Use:

The earliest known written use of the name Stockholm dates back to 1252, when it was mentioned in a letter from King Birger Jarl. The name quickly became common and was used to refer to the city and its surroundings.

Over time, the name Stockholm has evolved slightly in pronunciation and spelling. The original "holmr" has become "holm", and the "o" in "stock" has been shortened to "a". Today, the name is pronounced "STAHK-holm".

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