sven

Sven is a male given name that is common in the Nordic countries and in German-speaking regions. It derives from the Old Norse Sveinn, meaning “boy” or “youth,” and became established in medieval Scandinavia before spreading to other parts of Europe.

In contemporary usage, Sven is most common in Sweden, Norway, and Denmark, and is also found in Germany and the Netherlands. It is often associated with Nordic heritage in English-speaking contexts.

Notable people named Sven include Sven-Göran Eriksson, the Swedish football manager; Sven Ulreich, the German goalkeeper; Sven Nykvist, the Swedish cinematographer; Sven Väth, the German DJ; Sven Ottke, the German boxer; and Sven Kramer, the Dutch speed skater. The name appears across a range of professions and nationalities, reflecting its broad cultural reach.

In popular culture, Sven is the name of the loyal reindeer companion of Princess Anna in Disney’s Frozen. As a given name, it has given rise to surname forms such as Svensson and Svensen in Scandinavia.