Meaning & History
Synne is a Norwegian feminine given name, primarily used as a short form of Synnøve.
Etymology
The name traces its roots through Synnøve to the Old English name Sunniva, which is derived from Sunngifu, meaning "sun gift" (sunne "sun" + giefu "gift"). The name arrived in Scandinavia through the cult of an English saint.
Historical and Cultural Significance
Saint Sunniva (10th century) is the patron saint of the Diocese of Bjørgvin and all of Western Norway. According to legend, she was an English princess who, fleeing a forced marriage, was shipwrecked on the island of Selja in Norway. She and her companions sought refuge in a cave, but were killed by the local inhabitants. Their remains were later discovered and miracles were reported, leading to her veneration. Her story is preserved in the Latin hagiography Acta sanctorum in Selio, composed around 1170, and in later Norse works such as Óláfs saga Tryggvasonar. Sunniva is sometimes associated with her brother Alban, identified with the British martyr Saint Alban.
Related Forms
Synne is an abbreviation of Synnøve, the Norwegian variant of Sunniva. Other related forms include the original Anglo-Saxon Sunngifu, the Icelandic Sunneva and Sunna, the Medieval Scandinavian Sunnifa, and the Swedish Synnöve.
Popularity
Synne is used in Norway, but data on its frequency is not included.
- Meaning: Short form of Synnøve, ultimately meaning "sun gift"
- Origin: Old English via Norwegian
- Type: Diminutive/short form
- Usage: Norwegian
Related Names
Sources: Wikipedia — Sunniva