Sweden (English)

Where does "Sweden" come from?

The name 'Sweden' originated in Middle Dutch and was borrowed into English via Scots, initially referring to the Swedish people rather than the land itself. Over time, it displaced native Old English terms like 'Swēoland', literally 'Swede land', to become the standard name for the country by the late 17th century.

Full etymology tree

• Sweden (English), 'A country in Scandinavia in Northern Europe. Official name: Kingdom of Sweden.'
  • borrowed Swethin (Scots)
    • borrowed Sweden (Middle Dutch)
  • borrowed Swadne (Scots)
    • borrowed Sweden (Middle Dutch)
  • borrowed Swaden (Scots), 'Sweden (a country in Scandinavia in Northern Europe)'
    • borrowed Sweden (Middle Dutch)

Direct ancestors

• Sweoland (Old English)

Updated July 2026

Etymology data from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · About Miraris