Svaðr

Svaðr is a personal name of Old Norse origin. It is a masculine given name that appears in Norse literature and historical records. The etymology of the name is debated, but it is often linked to the Old Norse word "svaðr" which can mean "smooth" or "slippery." Another proposed etymology connects it to the Old Norse word "svárr" meaning "heavy" or "difficult."

The name svaðr is found in various sources from the Viking Age. For example, it appears in the Poetic Edda, a collection of Old Norse heroic and mythological poems. It is also attested in sagas, historical accounts of Norse settlers and their descendants, and in runestones. The prevalence of the name suggests it was a reasonably common given name among Norse men.

While not as widely recognized today as some other Old Norse names, svaðr represents a part of the linguistic and cultural heritage of the Norse people. Its presence in ancient texts provides insights into naming conventions and the language of the period. The exact meaning and connotations of the name may have varied over time and among different regions within the Norse sphere of influence.