Sven

Sven (in Danish and Norwegian also Svend and in Norwegian also Svein) is a Nordic first name which is used throughout Scandinavia, Estonia and Germany. The name itself is Old Norse for "Young man" or "Young warrior." The original spelling in Old Norse was "sveinn". Over the centuries, many northern European rulers have carried the name including Sweyn I of Denmark (Sven Gabelbart), who established Danish rule over Norway and successfully invaded England in the year 1002. An old legend relates the pagan king Blot-Sven ordered the execution of the Anglo-Saxon monk Saint Eskil.

In older Swedish "sven" is a term for a male virgin. In medieval Swedish "sven" (or "sven av vapen" (sven of arms) is a term for squire. The female equivalent "Svenja", though seemingly scandinavian, is not common anywhere outside of german-speaking countries.

The Icelandic and Faroese version of Sven/Svend is Sveinn (pronounced "Svay-dn" in Icelandic).

Entertainment, Music

* Sven-Bertil Taube, singer and actor (Swedish)
* Sven August Körling, composer (Swedish)
* Sven Einar Englund, Finnish composer
* Sven Lõhmus, Estonian music producer
* Sven Maes, Belgian producer
* Sven Regener, musician and writer (German)
* Sven Wollter, actor (Swedish)
* Sven Martin, Keyboardist (German)

Politics

* Sven Otto Littorin, Swedish Moderate Party politician and government minister
* Sven Arrestad, Norwegian temperance campaigner
* Sven Lindgren, politician (Swedish)
* Sven Ranck, statesman (Swedish)
* Sven Rydenfelt, Swedish economist and political writer

port

* Sven-Göran Eriksson, Swedish football (soccer) manager
* Sven-Ole Thorsen, Danish actor, stuntman and athlete
* Sven Butenschön, German ice hockey player
* Sven Davidson, Swedish tennis player
* Sven Fischer, German biathlete
* Sven Habermann, German-Canadian football (soccer) player
* Sven Hannawald, German ski jumper
* Sven Kramer, Dutch speed skater
* Sven Meinhardt, German field hockey player
* Sven Nylander, Swedish hurdler
* Sven Nys, Belgian cyclist
* Sven Ottke,German Boxer
* Sven Riederer, Swiss athlete
* Sven Rydell, Swedish football (soccer) player
* Sven Vermant, Belgian footballer

Fictional

* "Svën Höek", an episode of "Ren and Stimpy" (Swedish)
* Sven Hjerson, fictional Finnish detective
* Sven Holgersson, a member of the Voltron Lion Force (original pilot of Blue Lion). (Swedish)
* Sven the Berserk, a character in the 1989 film Erik the Viking, played by Tim McInnerny
* Sven, the silent scorer sometimes appearing on the BBC radio show "I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue"
* "Sven from Swiss Cottage" was a character used by Peter Cook when participating in radio phone-ins
* Sven - Rogue Knight, one of the many heroes featured in the custom Warcraft III custom map, Dota Allstars. He is a strength based hero which is known for his powerful ultimate which increases his attack by 150%.
* Sven Bømwøllen, the protagonist black sheep in a self-titled series of German computer games
* Sven Bianchi, a character from the web-comic Questionable Content
* Sven Vollfied, a character in the manga and anime Black Cat

Other

* Sven Hedin, explorer and geographer (Swedish)
* Sven Huebner, Australian criminal
* Sven O. Høiby, father of Mette-Marit, Crown Princess of Norway
* Sven Jaschan, German computer programmer
* Sven Lidman (clergyman)
* Sven Markelius, architect (Swedish)
* Sven Nykvist, cinematographer (Swedish)
* Sven Imiela, Australian preacher
* Sweyn I "Forkbeard" (Danish: Svend Tveskæg) [pronounced Sven] , king of Denmark 986-1014
* Sven Kuechler, a knight who lived in the late 18th century
* Sven - The Rogueknight, hero in the popular Warcraft III map named DotA.

Institutions

* Sven and Ole, a type of joke told by Swedish-Americans
* Sven Co-op, a modification for "Half-Life" (Swedish)
* Sven Erikssons Gymnasiet, a school in Borås

See also

* Svensson (son of Sven)
* Svante (name)
* Svendborg (city in Denmark)
* Swedenborg (Svendberg - surname)