Elde

Elde is a name used for several geographical features and communities in Sweden, most commonly referring to the Elde River. The river is a central watercourse in Swedish hydrology, with settlements along its banks and a historical association with mills, timber transport, and local industry. It has helped shape regional settlement patterns and local economies over many generations.

In addition to the river itself, Elde appears in the toponymy of various parishes and settlements situated near its course. The name is also encountered as a Swedish surname, used by families and individuals in genealogical records and local histories.

Etymology and usage of the name are generally tied to Swedish toponymic practice. The origin of Elde is not definitively documented, but it is characteristic of hydronyms in the region to derive from ancient language layers related to water, rivers, or landscape features. In contemporary usage, Elde is primarily encountered in Swedish-language contexts, appearing in maps, historical documents, and place names within local communities.