söder

Söder is the Swedish word for "south" and is used in language and naming to indicate the southern part of a city, region, or landscape. In Swedish toponymy, söder often marks location relative to a central reference point and appears in many compound place names.

In geography, the term is seen in well-known districts and regions. Södermalm is a district in Stockholm that lies south of the old town and has a long urban history and diverse neighborhoods. Södermanland is a historic province situated to the south of Stockholm and is one of Sweden’s traditional lands. Other examples include Söderåsen, a national park in Skåne known for its forested landscape and ravines, and Söderköping, a town in Östergötland County whose name reflects its southern position within its larger historical area. The form also appears in various municipal and neighborhood names across Sweden.

In addition to geographic usage, söder functions as a common element in Swedish surnames. Söder is a surname found among Swedish-speaking populations, often derived from toponymic origins tied to a southern locality or region. Surname usage is widespread enough that it appears in genealogical records and contemporary name lists.

As a general term, söder is part of everyday language for indicating directions and regional parts of places. It contrasts with norr ("north"), öster ("east"), and väster or väst ("west"), and it appears in common phrases describing locations, such as south of a town or city center.