Þórbjörn

Þórbjörn is a masculine given name of Old Norse origin. It combines the theophoric element Þór- (Thor) with bjǫrn (bear), yielding the meaning “Thor’s bear.” In Old Norse spelling it appears as Þórbjǫrn; in modern Icelandic it is Þórbjörn. Scandinavian languages later produced variants such as Torbjørn (Norwegian) and Torbjörn (Swedish). The name is typically pronounced approximately as [ˈθoːrˌbjœrn] in Icelandic, with Norwegian and Swedish forms adapted to their phonologies.

Throughout medieval Norse literature and genealogies, Þórbjørn occurs as a compound given name and is associated with several men of note in sagas and annals. It remained in use in Iceland and the broader Nordic world into the early modern period and persists in contemporary Nordic societies, especially within Icelandic naming traditions. As a theophoric name, it is part of a wider class of Nordic bearers combining a god’s name with a natural or animal element.

Variants and related names include Torbjörn in Norwegian and Swedish contexts, and Þorbjörn is sometimes encountered in Icelandic texts. The name is not tied to a single historical figure but rather documents a common naming pattern in Norse culture, reflecting the esteem for the god Thor and the strength associated with bears. In modern usage, Þórbjörn may appear in genealogical records, literature, and personal naming within Nordic communities.