kvæn

Kvän is a term originating from the historical Finnish-speaking minority in Sweden. It was used by Finns to refer to Swedes, particularly those living in the western parts of Finland during historical periods of Swedish rule. The word itself is thought to be related to the Swedish word "svensk," meaning Swedish. Historically, the term was a neutral descriptor and not necessarily derogatory, though like many such ethnonyms, its connotations could shift depending on context and the relationship between the groups.

The use of kvän became more prevalent during periods of Swedish dominance in Finland, serving as a simple way for the Finnish-speaking population to identify their Swedish neighbors and rulers. It is important to distinguish kvän from kvänland, which referred to Swedish-speaking areas of Finland, and from the term "kvänk" which has sometimes been used in a more negative or archaic sense for Finns in Sweden. The term kvän is now rarely used and is primarily of historical interest, reflecting a past linguistic and cultural interaction between Finns and Swedes.