ACADEMY OF SAINT GABRIEL REPORT 3374 http://www.s-gabriel.org/3374 ************************************ 02 Nov 2009 From: Julia Smith Greetings from the Academy of Saint Gabriel! You asked about the name as a woman's name in Old Norse. This is what we have found. First, we'd like to apologize for the time this letter has taken; we hope the information is still of use to you. The name is more accurately spelled (the represents an acute accent over the previous letter). was never a common name, but it was used occasionally in Iceland from about 900 at least through the 12th century. We have no record of its use anywhere else, though it may have been used occasionally in Norway in the 9th century or so. [1, 2] The name is not found in Iceland in the Old Norse period. Forms of it are found in Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. However, it is not found in Norway until the late 12th century. [3] Because the two names do not appear to have been in use at the same time, we cannot recommend that you use it with . Instead, you might want to consider (the represents the Icelandic o-ogonek, an o with a backward-comma-shaped hook hanging from the bottom). The masculine name was in use in Norway from early times and appears in Iceland by the end of the 12th century. [4, 5] Note also that the more accurate spelling of is (with the acute accent) and that patronymic bynames were generally written as two words rather than as one word. In summary, while and are plausible name elements, there is no time and place in which they are both likely to have occurred together. As an alternative, we suggest as a likely name either in 12th century Iceland or in 9th century Norway. I hope this letter has been useful. Please write us again if any part of it has been unclear or if you have other questions. I was assisted in researching and writing this letter by Talan Gwynek, Anplica Fiore, Riocus, and Aryanhwy merch Catmael. For the Academy, Juliana de Luna 2 November 2009 References [1] Lind, E.H. Norsk-Isla"ndska Dopnamn ock Fingerade Namn fra*n Medeltiden (Uppsala & Leipzig: 1905-1915, sup. Oslo, Uppsala and Kobenhavn: 1931); s.n. Arno/ra. (Here stands for a-umlaut, and stands for an with a small circle directly above it.) [2] Kruken, Kristoffer, ed. Norsk personnamnleksikon, 2nd ed. (Oslo: Det Norske Samlaget, 1995); s.n. Arnor. [3] The name is discussed extensively in the Academy of Saint Gabriel report #2696. http://www.s-gabriel.org/2696 [4] Lind, E.H. Norsk-Isla"ndska Dopnamn ock Fingerade Namn fra*n Medeltiden (Uppsala & Leipzig: 1905-1915, sup. Oslo, Uppsala and Kobenhavn: 1931); s.n. [5] Insley, John, _Scandinavian personal names in Norfolk: a survey based on medieval records and place-names_ (Uppsala: Royal Gustavus Adolphus Academy; Stockholm: Distributor, Almqvist & Wiksell International, 1994), p. 320