Find out how popular the first name Rune has been for the last 23 years (from 2001 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Rune by gender

Based on the last 23 years of data, Rune is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 85% of people named Rune being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 62 male babies and 19 female babies born with the name Rune.

The history of the first name Rune

The name Rune has its origins in Old Norse, an ancient North Germanic language spoken by the Scandinavian people during the Viking Age. It is derived from the word "rún," which means a letter or character of the runic alphabet used for writing in ancient Germanic languages. The runic alphabet was widely used for inscriptions, charms, and divination practices by the Norse people.

Runes were believed to possess mystical powers and were often associated with magic, wisdom, and the ability to foretell the future. The name Rune may have been given to individuals with a connection to runic knowledge or those believed to possess special abilities or insights.

The earliest known reference to the name Rune can be traced back to the 9th century, when it was mentioned in the Old Norse sagas and Icelandic literature. One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Rune is found in the Landnámabók, an Icelandic book describing the settlement of Iceland in the 9th and 10th centuries.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Rune. One of the earliest examples is Rune the Old, a Norwegian chieftain and one of the first settlers of Iceland in the late 9th century. Another notable figure is Rune Jonsson, a Swedish archbishop and statesman who lived from 1180 to 1251 and played a significant role in the politics of medieval Sweden.

In the realm of literature, Rune Christensen was a Danish author and poet born in 1891, known for his works exploring themes of nature and rural life. Rune Lindblad, born in 1923, was a renowned Swedish astronomer and pioneer in the study of stellar atmospheres.

Rune Gustafsson, a Swedish athlete born in 1919, won two Olympic gold medals in the javelin throw at the 1948 and 1952 Summer Olympics, making him one of the most celebrated Scandinavian athletes of his era.

While the name Rune may have originated in ancient Norse culture, it has transcended its historical roots and continues to be used as a given name in various parts of the world, particularly in Scandinavian countries and among those with Nordic heritage.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Rune was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Rune, please contact us.

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