Steinarr is an Old Norse masculine given name, from which the modern Steinar is derived. The name is composed of the elements steinn ("stone") and herr ("army, warrior") or -varr ("defender"). The first component, steinn, is common in Germanic naming traditions and symbolizes strength and endurance. The second element may come from Proto-Norse *warjaʀ meaning "defender," or from *harjaʀ meaning "warrior," both fitting for a name carried by skalds and settlers in the Viking Age.
In Old Norse sources, the name Steinarr appears in runic inscriptions and the Landnámabók. Notably, it occurs as the name of a Norwegian skald mentioned in Snorri Sturluson's Skáldskaparmál. The name underwent phonetic changes as Norse spread across Scandinavia and migrated to Iceland and the Faroe Islands.
Steinarr's descendants include Icelandic and Faroese Steinar, Norwegian Steinar (dialectal Steinår), Old Swedish Stenar, Swedish Stenar, and Danish Stener. The variant Steinar remains common today, while Steinarr itself might be used as a revival form given to children to reflect traditional spelling and historical accuracy.
Key facts:
- Meaning: "Stone army" or "defender of stone"
- Origin: Old Norse (Proto-Norse *Stainawarijaʀ)
- Type: Given name
- Usage regions: Scandinavia (historical), Iceland, Faroe Islands
Sources: Wiktionary — Steinarr