Håkon

Håkon is a masculine given name of Scandinavian origin, most commonly used in Norway. The Norwegian spelling Håkon is often Anglicized as Haakon or Hakon in English texts. The name has long-standing historical associations with Norwegian royalty and with Norwegian cultural life.

The name derives from the Old Norse Hákon. The exact meaning is uncertain, but it is generally treated as a traditional name element with roots in Norse naming practices. The form Håkon became standard in Norwegian from the late Middle Ages onward.

Usage and history: Håkon has been borne by several Norwegian kings and princes, including Haakon IV Haakonsson (c. 1204–1263) and Haakon VII (1872–1957), who reigned as King of Norway after the dissolution of the union with Sweden in 1905. The name continues in Norway today in the form Håkon, as well as in the Anglicized Haakon.

Notable people: Contemporary figures include Håkon Wium Lie (born 1963), a Norwegian computer scientist who helped develop CSS, and Håkon Bleken (born 1929), a Norwegian painter. The name is also used for various athletes and professionals in Norway.