Hreiðunn

Hreiðunn is an Old Norse feminine given name, preserved primarily in historical and linguistic records. It is the direct ancient form of the modern Reidun, which is used in Scandinavian countries such as Norway, Denmark, and Sweden.

Etymology

The name is a compound of two Old Norse elements: hreiðr, meaning “nest” or “home,” and unnr, meaning “wave.” An alternative etymological interpretation found in Wiktionary suggests the second element may derive from unna (“to love”), though this is less common. The sense of the full name could thus be interpreted as “home wave” or “beloved home,” though the exact intended nuance in the Old Norse period is unclear.

Historical Usage

Hreiðunn is attested in medieval Norse sources, including runic inscriptions and saga literature, as a woman’s name. It belongs to the broader tradition of Old Norse compound names that often combine elements from nature, domestic life, or abstract concepts (e.g., Gunnhildr “battle strife” or Þorgerðr “Thor's protection”). The name later evolved into Reidun (also Reidunn) in Norwegian and Reidun in Danish and Swedish, dropping the initial H- and simplifying the spelling as the Scandinavian languages developed.

Cultural Significance

While Hreiðunn is no longer in common use, it remains of interest in onomastics as a link to pre-Christian naming practices. The name’s elements highlight values of the Viking Age and medieval North: the concept of home (hreiðr) paired with natural forces (the wave). Its modern descendant Reidun enjoyed popularity throughout the 20th century in Norway, with notable bearers including Norwegian artist Reidun Hesjedal and athlete Reidun Meling.

• Meaning: Possibly “home wave” or “beloved home”
• Origin: Old Norse patronymic tradition
• Type: Feminine given name
• Usage Regions: Scandinavia (archaic historically)