Message: "Liam in Sweden" - Behind the Name

Liam in Sweden

by Bea and Liam

8/19/2006, 4:24 PM

I noticed that Liam is the 30th most popular boy's name in Sweden. Is it the same Liam as the Irish short form of William? Any thoughts about how or why it became as popular there as in English speaking countries?

Replies

- Navanrose +2

8/21/2006, 4:18 AM

Maybe because the Vikings trotted through Ireland 1,018 years ago and founded Dublin, and developed a fondness for the name?

- Cleveland Kent Evans (clevelandkentevans)

8/23/2006, 10:31 AM

Not likely, because William itself would only have been introduced to Ireland by the Normans, and they came after the Vikings, historically.

- Chrisell

8/21/2006, 5:10 AM

Evidence, please.

♦ Chrisell ♦

All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us. - J.R.R. Tolkien.

- Ylva

8/20/2006, 9:56 AM

Moreover it is easy to pronounce for us and a soft name, like other popular boy's names in Sweden (Linus, Emil, Leo, Love, Elias, Melvin etc).

William (pronounced as "VILL-yum" here) is also very popular now, perhaps b/c of Prince William of UK. Before the Swedish form Vilhelm was more popular.

"You may give them your love but not your thoughts. For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams."
(On Children by Kahlil Gibran)

- Satu (_satu_)

8/20/2006, 1:37 AM

Hi Bea and Liam,

Yes, Liam in Sweden is the same as the Irish Liam. Until 1990, the name was practically unknown and hardly used at all. The popularity of the actor Liam Neeson and the musician Liam Gallagher obviously made the name popular in Sweden. It's a very modern name there and you would hardly find a Liam who is younger than 12.

/ Satu

http://www.nordicnames.de/

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