Name profile

BoyPronounced Swedish /ˈɡɵn.nar/; Norwegian /ˈɡʉn.nɑɾ/; Icelandic /ˈɡʏn.nar/Norwegian language family

Gunnar

A name of Old Norse origin.

Quick answer

Gunnar is a boy name with Old Norse roots.

Pronunciation: Swedish /ˈɡɵn.nar/; Norwegian /ˈɡʉn.nɑɾ/; Icelandic /ˈɡʏn.nar/.

GenderBoy
OriginOld Norse
PronunciationSwedish /ˈɡɵn.nar/; Norwegian /ˈɡʉn.nɑɾ/; Icelandic /ˈɡʏn.nar/
Language familyNorwegian

Meaning and history

This name comes from the Old Norse name Gunnarr, which was derived from the elements gunnr "war" and herr "army, warrior" (making it a cognate of Gunther ). In Norse legend Gunnar was the husband of Brynhildr. He had his brother-in-law Sigurd murdered based on his wife's false accusations that Sigurd had taken her virginity.

Notes and context

Usage: swedish, norwegian, danish, icelandic, norse mythology