björn

Bjørn is a Norwegian word meaning bear and a common male given name in Norway and other Nordic countries. It is cognate with the Swedish Björn and the Danish Bjørn.

The word derives from Old Norse bjǫrn, related to other Germanic forms for the animal. In modern usage, the definite form is bjørnen and the plural is bjørner.

Biologically, bjørn refers to the brown bear (Ursus arctos) in everyday language. For polar bears, the term is isbjørn. In zoological contexts, the general term bear covers multiple species, including the brown bear, polar bear, and others.

As a given name, Bjørn has been common in Norway since the Middle Ages and remains widely used today. It is often found in compound names and longer forms, and it remains a recognizable element of Norwegian identity.

Notable people named Bjørn include Bjørn Dæhlie, the Norwegian former cross-country skier and Olympic champion; Bjørn Lomborg, the Danish author and statistician; and Bjørn Sundquist, the Norwegian actor. The name also appears in literature and media as a cultural marker of Norse heritage and rugged Nordic imagery.

In Nordic contexts, the bear motif associated with the word bjørn appears in folklore, place names, and art, reflecting the animal’s significance in regional culture. The term functions both as a common noun for the animal and as a personal name with long-standing historical usage.