Yngre

Yngre is a term used in Norwegian, with cognates in Swedish (yngre) and Danish (yngre), that means younger. It derives from the Old Norse word yngri and functions as both an adjective and an epithet in historical and linguistic contexts. In modern usage, yngre describes someone who is younger in age or status relative to another person or group.

In historical and onomastic contexts, Yngre is used to distinguish two individuals who share the same given name. In written sources, you may encounter formats such as X Yngre or X den Yngre, which translate to "the Younger X" or “X the Younger.” This usage helps differentiate, for example, a son from his father or two officeholders with the same name in genealogies, chronicles, and parish records. The corresponding term for the elder counterpart is often denoted as X den Eldre (or X den Eldre).

In contemporary language, yngre functions as a straightforward comparative adjective: it describes people, groups, or things that are younger in age. It is also used in phrases referring to younger generations or younger segments of society, such as "yngre mennesker" (younger people) or "yngre slekter" (younger generations).

Overall, Yngre reflects a common Scandinavian naming and descriptive practice: a concise way to indicate a younger variant of a person with the same name or to describe relative age. See also elder, the Younger, and Scandinavian onomastic conventions.