Skarvik

Skarvik is the name used for several coastal localities in Norway. As a toponym, it refers to small villages, farmsteads, or geographic features found along the Norwegian coastline, rather than to a single, centralized town.

Etymology and meaning are explanatory of its distribution. The name combines Old Norse elements that are commonly found in Norwegian coastland toponyms: skar, meaning a notch, gap, or cutting, and vik, meaning a bay or inlet. Together, the components describe a landscape characteristic of coastal areas, such as a retreating shore, protective harbor, or sheltered inlet.

Geographic distribution and usage. Skarvik appears in multiple coastal regions of Norway, with local instances often serving as names for rural settlements or neighborhoods within municipalities. The same name can arise independently in different places, reflecting its descriptive nature rather than inheriting from a single founding location. In some cases, Skarvik may be found as part of a larger farm name or as a district designation within a town.

History and characteristics. The toponym is longstanding in Norwegian record-keeping and parish histories, with variants in spelling that reflect dialect and orthographic changes over time. Settlements bearing the name have traditionally been tied to maritime activities such as fishing or coastal farming, though modern residents may have diverse economic connections. The name’s continued use reflects a broader pattern of descriptive coastal naming in Norway.

See also. Related coastward toponyms include variants such as Skårvik, which share the same linguistic roots.