New Post
Search
Help
ArchivesWhy are there so many Thor-names but no Wotan/Odin- or Freya-names?
What was so special about the god Thor that so many names refer to him? Any ideas?
1
Replies
Btw Freya is written Frøya in Norwegian
And as far as I know, also in the other Scandinavin languages.
And as far as I know, also in the other Scandinavin languages.
1
Slightly off-topic but...
This was not part of the question but it might be interesting to some that the word thunder (torden in Norwegian) derives from "Thor" and "dønn" - the latter meaning "rumble" or "boom".
Pretty cool to be a little boy named after this awesome God who creates thunder and lightening - travelling in the sky in his cart, don't you think?
This was not part of the question but it might be interesting to some that the word thunder (torden in Norwegian) derives from "Thor" and "dønn" - the latter meaning "rumble" or "boom".
Pretty cool to be a little boy named after this awesome God who creates thunder and lightening - travelling in the sky in his cart, don't you think?
1
Thank you!
1
Because, in Norse mythology,...
... He was the chief god, unlike the other names. Just like Zeus names. Think about it.
... He was the chief god, unlike the other names. Just like Zeus names. Think about it.
1
I might be wrong, but I thought Odin was the chief god, not Thor. And besides, in Greece, there were plenty of Apollo-names and Hera-names.
My guess is that it's because among some ancient Norse people, Thor was the most popular god, being the honsest, hardworking blacksmith he was.
Or maybe it was simpler than that; maybe it was just that "Thor" was only one syllable and was easier to combind phrases to. Just my two cents. :-)
My guess is that it's because among some ancient Norse people, Thor was the most popular god, being the honsest, hardworking blacksmith he was.
Or maybe it was simpler than that; maybe it was just that "Thor" was only one syllable and was easier to combind phrases to. Just my two cents. :-)
1
I think you're right, if you look at this book http://tinyurl.com/l5zkr2 (shortened link to a Book on mythology on Google books) It says that although Odin was the chief God, he was worshipped as such mainly by Kings and the warrior aristocracy as he was the god of war, whereas Thor was the most popular god amongst the peasant classes 'who needed his strength and dependability' and because he controlled the weather, which farmers needed to be in their favour. If this is right, it could explain why Thor was the most popular in terms of naming.
This message was edited 8/8/2009, 4:37 AM
1
They also combined Thor (also often written Tor) with other names to create names like Torbjørn, Torstein, Tormod, Torvald, Torgrim etc. The same goes for female names, where Tora would be prolonged to make Torbjørg, Tordis etc.
For some reason I have never heard of a name that combines Odin and something else. Maybe the explanation of one syllable is correct.
All these names are in use in Norway today, although maybe not for babies at the moment (typical grandparents' names).
For some reason I have never heard of a name that combines Odin and something else. Maybe the explanation of one syllable is correct.
All these names are in use in Norway today, although maybe not for babies at the moment (typical grandparents' names).
1
I recently met a baby Odin here in the U.S. =) although it was at an anime convention so... hmm.
1