näss

Næss is a Norwegian surname and place name. The spelling uses the æ ligature, and in non-Norwegian contexts the name is often written as Naess. It occurs as a toponym in various locations in Norway, reflecting a long-standing practice of using geographic descriptions as place identifiers. As a surname, Næss is part of the broader category of Norwegian family names that derive from farm names and landscape features.

Etymology and usage often tie Næss to topographic terms describing natural features such as ridges, headlands, or promontories. The exact element and regional pronunciation can vary, but the underlying idea is a connection to the landscape itself. The name is found among Norwegian communities and has spread to diaspora groups in other countries, sometimes through transliteration or spelling variants.

Notable people with the surname include Arne Næss (1912–2009), a Norwegian philosopher and mountaineer who became a leading figure in environmental ethics and the deep ecology movement; he helped develop the concept of ecosophy. His son, Arne Næss Jr. (1937–2004), was a Norwegian businessman and climber known for international business activities and mountaineering.

In summary, Næss is both a surname and a place-name element in Norway, rooted in topography and geography, and it is associated with a number of prominent individuals in philosophy, ecology, and business. The name is often anglicized as Naess in English-language texts.