Grímr

Grímr is a masculine given name of Old Norse origin. It appears in medieval Norse writings and is attested in Icelandic sagas and runic inscriptions. In scholarly editions the name is often spelled Grímr, with the accent indicating the original Old Norse pronunciation; Anglicized or unaccented forms such as Grimr also occur.

The name derives from the Old Norse word grímr, meaning “grim, fierce” or “masked.” The latter sense reflects the association with masks or helmets, a common martial imagery in Norse naming traditions.

Grímr is borne by several characters in Norse texts, though the precise identities vary among manuscripts due to spelling and manuscript tradition. The name is one of several personal names that draw on adjectives describing strength or severity.

In contemporary Icelandic onomastics, Grímr remains a recognized but relatively rare given name. Outside Iceland, it appears mainly in scholarly contexts or in discussions of Norse name grammars; the form Grimr is more typical in such transcriptions.

See also: Grímr (given name) and Norse onomastics.