Unn is a Norwegian feminine given name that derives from the Old Norse name Unnr. The meaning of the root name is disputed: it may come from the Old Norse element unnr meaning “wave” or from unna “to love.” These two distinct etymologies reflect different aspects of Norse culture—the sea as a source of life and danger, and love as a central human emotion.
Etymology and Historical Context
In Old Norse, Unnr occurs as a given name for both women and mythical figures. The element unnr (“wave”) links the name to the sea, a vital realm for the Vikings, while unna (“to love”) ties it to affection and kinship. According to Wiktionary, Unn is formed from Old Norse unna, which was a popular component in female names, though the wave association also persists. The name appears in Norse mythology as Unnr, a sea giantess or wave personification, daughter of the sea god Ægir.
Usage and Variants
Today, Unn is used throughout Norway. Related names include the Old Norse original Unnr and its Icelandic counterpart Unnur. It has historically been combined with other name elements to form compounds like Ingunn, Jorunn, Reidun, and Torunn and serves as a short form for these names, as well as for Unni.
Notable Bearers
While the brief provides no Wikipedia extract specifically for Unn, Old Norse sources and sagas mention women named Unn, such as the legendary Unnr djúpúðga (“the deep-minded”) in Laxdæla saga, an early settler of Iceland, which helped maintain the name’s presence in Nordic onomastics.
- Meaning: “wave” or “to love”
- Origin: Old Norse
- Type: First name
- Usage regions: Norway and broader Nordic region
Sources: Wiktionary — Unn