gunDer

Gunder is a masculine given name used in parts of Scandinavia. It is generally regarded as an older or regional variant of Gunnar, a name widely used in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark.

The name's roots lie in Old Norse, with the form Gunnarr appearing in medieval sources. The element gunn- means "war" or "battle," and the suffix -arr or -ar is common in masculine names, giving the overall meaning "warrior" or "fighter."

In modern usage, Gunnar is by far the more common form, and Gunder is now relatively rare outside historical texts or families that preserve traditional spellings. The name may be encountered in genealogical records, on regional inscriptions, or in literature that references Scandinavian naming traditions.

Related names include Gunnar, Gunther (a Germanic form), and Gunner, which share the same etymological roots. The spelling Gunder may reflect regional pronunciation or transliteration practices in historical Swedish or Norwegian contexts.