Gunnar

Gunnar is a masculine given name of Old Norse origin. It derives from the elements gunnr, meaning “war” or “battle,” and arr, meaning “warrior” or “fighter,” yielding an overall meaning along the lines of “warrior” or “battle-hardened.” The name has medieval roots and remains common in Scandinavia today.

It is widely used in Sweden, Norway, and Iceland, and is also found among Swedish-speaking populations in Finland. Variants include Gunnarr in Old Norse; in modern usage the English spelling Gunner is sometimes used.

The name is attested in medieval Norse literature, including the Völsunga saga, where characters named Gunnar appear in the legendary narratives of the Volsung lineage. This literary presence reflects the name’s long-standing association with strength and valor in Nordic culture.

Notable people named Gunnar include Gunnar Myrdal (1898–1987), Swedish economist and Nobel laureate; Gunnar Nordahl (1921–1995), Swedish football forward who played for AC Milan; and Gunnar Hansen (1947–2015), Icelandic-born American actor best known for portraying Leatherface in The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. Today, Gunnar remains in use as a traditional Nordic given name in various countries and communities.