Björneborg
Swedish
Etymology
Superficially derived from björn (“bear”) and borg (“(fortified) castle or city”). There are multiple theories about this name, including that it derives from björna (“to dun (a debt)”), (folk-etymologically) from bära (“to bear”) (in uppbära (“to levy (a tax)”); assuming the name developed from Bärnäs to *Björnnäs), from the male given name Björn, or that it is a reference to the coat of arms (although this is unlikely, as it is unlikely to be older than the name).[1]
Proper noun
Björneborg
References
- ^ Sirkka Paikkala, editor (2007), Suomalainen paikannimikirja [The Book of Finnish Place Names] (in Finnish), Helsinki: Karttakeskus, Kotimaisten kielten tutkimuskeskus, →ISBN