Meaning & History
Sunna is a feminine given name of Icelandic origin, functioning chiefly as a short form of Sunneva or Súsanna. While its usage is predominantly Icelandic, it gained wider recognition through Margit Sandemo's The Legend of the Ice People series (first published in 1982), where a character bears the name.
Etymology and Historical Roots
Sunna traces back to the name Sunniva, a Scandinavian form of the Old English name Sunngifu, meaning "sun gift" from the elements sunne "sun" and giefu "gift". This name belonged to a legendary English saint who, according to tradition, was shipwrecked in Norway and killed by local inhabitants. Saint Sunniva is venerated as the patron saint of the Norwegian diocese of Bjørgvin and is a significant figure in Norwegian and Faroese religious history.
Cultural Significance in Literature
The name Sunna specifically appears in Margit Sandemo's popular Swedish-language novel series The Legend of the Ice People (original Swedish: Sagan om isfolket), which comprises 47 volumes published between 1982 and 1989. The series is a family saga blending supernatural elements with historical fiction, and its widespread readership across Scandinavia has contributed to the name's modest yet notable presence.
Related and Variant Forms
The Anglo-Saxon original Sunngifu is a direct ancestor, while related forms include Susanna and its cross-linguistic variants such as Slovenian Suzana, Armenian Shushan, Arabic Sawsan, and Ukrainian Susanna. However, these are separate names etymologically distinct from the Old English-derived Sunna; their inclusion reflects modern linguistic adaptation rather than a shared origin.
Key Facts
- Meaning: Short form of Sunneva or Súsanna; ultimately derived from Old English "sun gift"
- Origin: Icelandic
- Type: Hypocoristic revival linked to a legendary saint
- Regions of use: Iceland, moderately known in Scandinavia through literature