meaning of a name
Can you tell me the meaning of the Norweigan name Haakon. thanks for your help.
Replies
The name of Haakon has been borne by several kings of Norway -- King Haakon the First is notable for having been the ruler who tried unsuccessfully to introduce Christianity into his country in the 10th century A.D. Although he failed in his attempt to completely convert his countryfolk, he did succeed in altering the pagan celebration of Jul (Yule) and moving it to the date of Dec. 25th, to coincide with the Christian world's celebration of the birth of Jesus. He was a crafty s.o.b.
As for the meaning of the name... *A World of Baby Names* (by Teresa Norman) states that the name is derived from the elements "ha" ("high", "chosen") and "konr" ("son", "descendant").
*The Melting Pot Book of Baby Names* (by Connie Lockhart Ellefson) interprets the name as meaning: "of the chosen race".
-- Nanaea
As for the meaning of the name... *A World of Baby Names* (by Teresa Norman) states that the name is derived from the elements "ha" ("high", "chosen") and "konr" ("son", "descendant").
*The Melting Pot Book of Baby Names* (by Connie Lockhart Ellefson) interprets the name as meaning: "of the chosen race".
-- Nanaea
I've also seen the derivation of this name in Old Norse as coming from "hawk", but despite the similarities in pronunciation (Haakon=HAW-kon), it's not reflected in modern Scandinavian and is probably erroneous.
For being the name of several kings of Norway and its antecedents, Haakon's not an especially popular name there: fewer than 2,000 Norwegian males bear it as a first name.
Personally, I think it's a pretty cool name, tho, and it beats heck out of "Shaggy" or "vladimir".
For being the name of several kings of Norway and its antecedents, Haakon's not an especially popular name there: fewer than 2,000 Norwegian males bear it as a first name.
Personally, I think it's a pretty cool name, tho, and it beats heck out of "Shaggy" or "vladimir".