Swedish etymology

Etymology

The word "Swedish" is derived from Old Norse "Svíþjóð", which is composed of:

• Svír (masculine plural) - "the Swedish people"
• Þjóð (feminine singular) - "people", "nation"

Meaning

• Swedish refers to:
  • The Swedish people
  • The Swedish language
  • The Kingdom of Sweden

Origin

The origins of the term "Svír" are unclear, but there are several theories:

• Proto-Germanic root "swe-" meaning "one's own" or "family"
• Proto-Indo-European root "swe-" meaning "to flow" or "to run"
• Relation to the Baltic Sea (which was known as the "Svebic Sea" in ancient times)

Related Terms

• Svea - a collective name for the Swedish people
• Sverige - the Swedish name for Sweden
• Svensk - Swedish (adjective)

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