Nils

/nɪlz/ noun

Definition

A Scandinavian masculine given name, most famously associated with the character Nils Holgersson from Swedish children's literature.

Etymology

From Latin 'Nicolaus,' derived from Greek elements meaning 'victory of the people.' The name traveled through Germanic languages and became a common Scandinavian form, particularly in Swedish and Norwegian cultures.

Kelly Says

Nils Holgersson is one of the most beloved characters in world literature—a boy who flies across Sweden on a wild goose's back, and the book was actually written to teach children Swedish geography! The name's journey from Greek 'victory' to Nordic heritage shows how names travel and transform across cultures.

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