ekonom

Ekonom is a term used in several European languages to designate either an economist or a person who manages resources and finances, such as the administration of an estate or household. The word derives from the Greek oikonomos, meaning “household steward,” via Latin oeconomus, and has spread into Germanic and Slavic languages with related meanings. In many languages, the form ekono- or ökonom- has retained the older sense of someone who oversees the economic or managerial affairs of a household, estate, or institution. In modern usage, especially in German, Scandinavian languages, and Polish, the primary meaning is “economist” (a professional who studies, analyzes, and advises on economic matters). The older sense survives in certain institutional contexts, where an ekonom or ökonom may refer to a steward, manager, or administrator responsible for finances, provisioning, and property.

The term's exact sense varies by language and period. In contemporary usage, economists are formally trained professionals in economics or finance, while in historical contexts an ekonom might have been a lay or court official who oversaw estate accounting. The word illustrates how economic roles evolved from household management to professional specialization in modern economies. Overall, ekonom serves as a cross-lertilized term reflecting both the historical roots of resource management and the modern profession of economic analysis.