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Archiver > GEN-NORDIC > 2001-08 > 0996847809


From: (Dave Hinz)
Subject: [GEN-NORDIC] Re: Given-name "Inger"
Date: 3 Aug 2001 09:10:09 -0500
References: <877kwlr6cz.fsf@algonet.se>, <9kdpgk$3qso5$2@ID-93412.news.dfncis.de>, <87g0b9gw57.fsf@algonet.se>


Jens Arvidsson () wrote:

: Well, the simple truth is that you can not make any such simple
: assumptions. Both Ingrid and Inger are *scandinavian* names, and it is
: not possible to tell in which of the nordic countries a person by the
: name Inger, or Ingrid, would have her roots, by looking at the name.

I'd agree that Inger is a tough one. However, sometimes spelling differences
in the same name can give a clue to geographical region, and/or country.

I've noticed, for instance, that I've found "Ane" in the Trondheim area,
where in Hedmark it's spelled "Anne". "Paul" in Hedmark, is spelled "Poul"
or Povel in some Danish entries. There are some names which seem typically
Swedish, ("Pelle"), which I've never seen anywhere else, and I've never seen a
Norwegian with the patronym Madsen, but lots of Danes.

The sen/son patronymic is the most obvious of this sort of variation which
*might* give a clue towards geographical location.

For Bob, I've got lots of Ingrid's in my tree who are Norwegian, but no Inger's.
The only Inger I know is Swedish. So, on a very limited highly unscientific
sample, I'd say "Well, who knows, but I'm leaning towards Swedish".

: And that is the case regardless if it is a person living nowadays, or
: one who lived in older times.

That's another interesting subtopic, how names change over the centuries.


: Jens

Dave Hinz

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