Sven is a

Scandinavia Scandinavia is a subregion#Europe, subregion of northern Europe, with strong historical, cultural, and linguistic ties between its constituent peoples. ''Scandinavia'' most commonly refers to Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. It can sometimes also ...

n masculine first name. In

Old Norse Old Norse, also referred to as Old Nordic or Old Scandinavian, was a stage of development of North Germanic languages, North Germanic dialects before their final divergence into separate Nordic languages. Old Norse was spoken by inhabitants ...

the meaning was "young man" or "servant" and the original Old Norse spelling was ''sveinn''. Variants such as '' Svend'' are found in Danish and Norwegian. Another variant, '' Svein'' is used only in the

Low Countries The Low Countries (; ), historically also known as the Netherlands (), is a coastal lowland region in Northwestern Europe forming the lower Drainage basin, basin of the Rhine–Meuse–Scheldt delta and consisting today of the three modern "Bene ...

and German-speaking countries, and is cognate with the English surname '' Swain''. In medieval Swedish, ''sven'' or ''sven av vapen'' "sven of arms", is a term for

squire In the Middle Ages, a squire was the shield- or armour-bearer of a knight. Boys served a knight as an attendant, doing simple but important tasks such as saddling a horse or caring for the knight's weapons and armour. Terminology ''Squire'' ...

. The female equivalent, Svenja, though seemingly Dutch and Scandinavian, is not common anywhere outside of German-speaking countries. Sven can also be spelled with a "w" - Swen - but is pronounced as Sven. The Icelandic version is ''Sveinn'' (); the Faroese version is Sveinur ().

Entertainment and music

* Sven Einar Englund (1916–1999), Finnish composer * Sven Epiney (born 1972), Swiss television, radio host and editor *

Sven Grünberg Sven Grünberg (born 24 November 1956, Tallinn) is an Estonian synthesizer and progressive rock composer and musician best known for his meditation, meditative organ (music), organ and electronic music, electronic works involving the concepts of ...

(born 1956), Estonian synthesizer and progressive rock composer and musician * Sven August Körling (1842–1919), Swedish composer *

Sven Lõhmus Sven Lõhmus, also known as Beatboy, (born 13 July 1972) is an Estonian pop-composer, lyricist, and producer at Moonwalk Studios, a music company featuring Estonian artists. He has worked with leading artists of Estonia, including Vanilla Ni ...

(born 1972), Estonian composer, producer and lyricist *

Sven Maes Sven Maes (; born 27 January 1973), also known as Svenson, is a Belgian DJ and trance music Record producer, producer. His work, especially in partnership with fellow Belgian Johan Gielen, has produced some of trance music's biggest hits. He has b ...

(born 1973), Belgian producer *

Sven Martin t.A.T.u. (, ) were a Russian pop duo consisting of Lena Katina and Julia Volkova. The two started out as part of the children's musical group Neposedy before being managed by producer and director Ivan Shapovalov and signing with Russian reco ...

, German keyboardist and sound-director *

Sven Nordström Sven is a Scandinavian masculine first name. In Old Norse the meaning was "young man" or "servant" and the original Old Norse spelling was ''sveinn''. Variants such as '' Svend'' are found in Danish and Norwegian. Another variant, '' Svein'' ...

(1801–1887), Swedish organ builder *

Sven Regener Sven Regener (born 1 January 1961) is a German musician and writer living in Berlin. In 1982 he recorded his first LP with the band ''Zatopek'' and in 1984 he joined ''Neue Liebe''. In 1985 he founded the Berlin band Element of Crime together ...

(born 1961), German musician and writer *

Sven Sachsalber Sven Sachsalber (8 May 1987 – December 2020) was an Italian artist.
de24.news < ...

(1987–2020), Italian performance artist *

Sven-Bertil Taube Sven-Bertil Gunnar Evert Taube (24 November 1934 – 11 November 2022) was a Swedish singer and actor. Internationally, he was perhaps better known for his acting career. Taube played Henrik Vanger in the film ''The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo'' ...

(1934–2022), Swedish singer and actor *

Sven Väth Sven Väth (born 26 October 1964) is a German DJ and electronic music producer. He is a three-time DJ Awards winner, with a career in electronic music spanning over 30 years. The release of the single " Electrica Salsa" with OFF in 1986 launched ...

(born 1964), German electronic music DJ/producer *

Sven Wollter Sven Justus Fredrik Wollter (11 January 1934 – 10 November 2020) was a Swedish actor, writer, and political activist. Wollter is one of the most renowned Swedish actors, he was awarded Best Swedish actor twice. In his native country, he becam ...

(1934–2020), Swedish actor * Sven van Veen (DJ Sven), one half of Dutch Hip Hop duo "MC Miker G & DJ Sven"

Politics

Sven Alkalaj Sven Alkalaj (; born 11 November 1948) is a Bosnian diplomat who has served as List of ambassadors of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the United States, Bosnia and Herzegovina ambassador to the United States since June 2023. He previously served as the ...

(born 1948), Bosnian politician *

Sven Arrestad Sven Eivindsen Aarrestad (8 October 1850 – 19 January 1942) was a writer, politician, and leader in the Norwegian temperance movement during the 19th century. Biography Sven Aarrestad was born at Varhaug in Rogaland county, Norway. He ...

(1850–1942), Norwegian temperance campaigner * Sven Aspling (912–2000), Swedish politician * Sven Hulterström (born 1938), Swedish politician * Sven Lehmann (born 1979), German politician * Sven Lindgren (born 1946), Swedish politician * Sven Otto Littorin (born 1966), Swedish politician * Sven Mikser (born 1973), Estonian politician * Sven Ranck (1616–1684), Swedish statesman * Sven Romanus (1906–2005), Swedish civil servant, Minister for Justice * Sven Rydenfelt (1911–2005), Swedish economist and political writer * Sven Spengemann (born 1966), Canadian politician

Sports

Sven Andrighetto Sven Andrighetto (born 21 March 1993) is a Swiss professional ice hockey winger for the ZSC Lions of the National League (NL). He was selected in the third-round, 86th overall, by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2013 NHL entry draft. Andrighett ...

(born 1993), Swiss ice hockey player (playing in NHL) * Sven Axbom (1926–2006), Swedish footballer * Sven Bartschi (born 1992), Swiss ice hockey player (playing in NHL Vancouver Canucks) * Sven Bender (born 1989), German footballer (playing in Borussia Dortmund) * Sven Butenschön (born 1976), German ice hockey player * Sven

Magnus Carlsen Sven Magnus Øen Carlsen (born 30 November 1990) is a Norwegian Grandmaster (chess), chess grandmaster. Carlsen is a five-time World Chess Championship, World Chess Champion, five-time World Rapid Chess Championship, World Rapid Chess Champio ...

(born 1990), Norwegian chess Grandmaster * Sven Coster (born 1978), Dutch sailor *

Sven Davidson Sven Viktor Davidson (13 July 1928 – 28 May 2008) was a Sweden, Swedish tennis player who became the first Swede to win a Grand Slam (tennis), Grand Slam title when he won the French Championships in 1957 French Championships – Men's singles ...

(1928–2008), Swedish tennis player *

Sven-Göran Eriksson Sven-Göran Eriksson (; 5 February 1948 – 26 August 2024) was a Swedish association football, football player and Coach (sport), manager. After a playing career as a right-back, Eriksson went on to experience major success in club management ...

(1948–2024), Swedish football (soccer) manager * Sven Fischer (born 1971), German biathlete * Sven Habermann (born 1961), German-Canadian football (soccer) player * Sven Hannawald (born 1974), German ski jumper * Sven Kaldre (born 1991), Estonian basketball player * Sven Kramer (born 1986), Dutch speed skater * Sven Loll (born 1964), East German judoka * Sven Lundgren (1896–1960), Swedish athlete * Sven Meinhardt (born 1971), German field hockey player * Sven Mikaelsson (born 1943), Swedish alpine skier * Sven Nylander (born 1962), Swedish hurdler * Sven Nys (born 1976), Belgian cyclist * Sven Ottke (born 1967), German boxer * Sven Riederer (born 1981), Swiss athlete * Sven Rydell (1905–1975), Swedish footballer * Sven Schultze (born 1978), German basketball player *

Sven Thorgren Sven Thorgren (born 4 October 1994) is a Swedish snowboarder who competes in slopestyle. He started snowboarding when he was seven years old. He practiced every day after school on a small mountain called Väsjöbacken. Thorgren qualified for t ...

(born 1994), Swedish snowboarder * Sven Tumba (1931–2011), Swedish ice hockey player * Sven-Ole Thorsen (born 1944), Danish actor, stuntman and athlete * Sven Vermant (born 1973), Belgian footballer

Other

* Sven Allard (1896–1975), Swedish diplomat * Sven Backlund (1917–1997), Swedish diplomat * Sven Dahlvig, Swedish philatelist * Sven Hassel (1917–2012), Danish-born soldier and writer * Sven Hedin (1865–1952), Swedish explorer and geographer * Sven O. Høiby (1936–2007), father of

Mette-Marit, Crown Princess of Norway Mette-Marit, Crown Princess of Norway (born Mette-Marit Tjessem Høiby, , on 19 August 1973) is a member of the Norwegian royal family. She is married to Crown Prince Haakon, the heir apparent to the Norwegian throne. A Norwegian commoner ...

Sven Jaschan Sven Jaschan (born 29 April 1986) is a former black-hat, black-hat hacker turned white-hat and a security expert/consultant and creator of the Netsky (computer worm), NetSky worms, and Sasser (computer worm), Sasser computer worms. History Jas ...

(born 1986), German computer programmer *

Sven Lidman (clergyman) Sven Fredrik Lidman (11 December 1786 – 9 March 1845) was a Swedish priest and Oriental studies, Orientalist. Lidman was born in Norrköping, Sweden and received a PhD from Uppsala University in 1806 and became an ordained priest in the ...

(1786-1845), Swedish priest and Orientalist * Sven Markelius (1889–1972), Swedish architect *

Sven Nykvist Sven Vilhem Nykvist (; 3 December 1922 – 20 September 2006) was a Swedish cinematographer and filmmaker, best known for his collaboration with directors Ingmar Bergman and Woody Allen. Often considered to be one of the greatest cinematographers ...

(1922–2006), Swedish cinematographer * Sven Salander (1894–1965), Swedish Army lieutenant general

Fictional characters

* Sven Hjerson, fictional Finnish detective * " Svën Höek", an episode of ''

The Ren & Stimpy Show ''The Ren & Stimpy Show'', commonly referred to as simply ''Ren & Stimpy'', is an American animated Comedy film, comedy television series created by John Kricfalusi for Nickelodeon. The series follows the misadventures of Ren Höek, an emotion ...

'' * Sven Holgersson, from the Voltron franchise * Sven the Berserk, in the 1989 film '' Erik the Viking'', played by

Tim McInnerny Timothy L. McInnerny ( ; born 18 September 1956) is a British actor. He is known for his many roles on stage and television, including as Lord Percy Percy and Captain Kevin Darling in the 1980s British sitcom ''Blackadder''. Early life McInner ...

* Sven, the silent scorer sometimes appearing on the BBC radio show ''

I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue ''I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue'' is a BBC radio comedy panel game. Billed as "the antidote to panel games", it consists of two teams of two comedians being given "silly things to do" by the host. The show was launched in April 1972 as a parody of ...

'' * "Sven from Swiss Cottage", a character used by

Peter Cook Peter Edward Cook (17 November 1937 – 9 January 1995) was an English comedian, actor, satirist, playwright and screenwriter. He was the leading figure of the British satire boom of the 1960s, and he was associated with the anti-establishmen ...

when participating in radio phone-ins * Sven – Rogue Knight, one of the many heroes featured in the custom ''Warcraft III'' map ''

Defense of the Ancients ''Defense of the Ancients'' (''DotA'') is a multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) mod (video gaming), mod for the video game ''Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos'' (2002) and its expansion, ''The Frozen Throne'' (2003). The objective of the game is ...

'', and its sequel ''

Dota 2 ''Dota 2'' is a 2013 multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) video game by Valve Corporation, Valve. The game is a sequel to ''Defense of the Ancients'' (''DotA''), a community-created Mod (video gaming), mod for Blizzard Entertainment's ''War ...

'' * Sven, in the '' Witches of East End'' novel series by

Melissa de la Cruz Melissa de la Cruz (born September 7, 1971) is a Filipina-American writer known for young adult fiction. Her young-adult series include ''Au Pairs'', the '' Blue Bloods'', and ''The Beauchamp Family''. Early life and education Melissa de la Cruz ...

* Sven Dufva, main character in the poem "Sven Dufva" of ''

The Tales of Ensign Stål ''The Tales of Ensign Stål'' (Swedish language, Swedish original title: , , or year 2007 translation ) is an epic poem written in Swedish by the Finland-Swedish author Johan Ludvig Runeberg, the national poet of Finland. It was published in two ...

'', written by J. L. Runeberg * Sven Cal Bayang, from '' Mobile Suit Gundam SEED C.E. 73: Stargazer'' * Sven "The Governator", in the movie ''

Cars A car, or an automobile, is a motor vehicle with wheels. Most definitions of cars state that they run primarily on roads, seat one to eight people, have four wheels, and mainly transport people rather than cargo. There are around one billio ...

'', voiced by

Jess Harnell Jess Harnell (born December 23, 1963) is an American voice actor. His roles include Wakko Warner in ''Animaniacs'', Captain Hero in '' Drawn Together'', Jerry in the first two seasons of '' Totally Spies!'', Ironhide in the first three ''Tr ...

* Sven, from the Georgia Nicolson book series by Louise Rennison * Sven, Kristoff's pet reindeer in the movie ''Frozen'' * Sven, the name of a puffin in '' Happy Feet Two'' * Sven, a Nord character in '' The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim'' * Sven and Ole, a character in a type of joke told by Scandinavian-Americans * Sven Joergenson, Sven Pilson and Sven Johansson, from the series ''

How I Met Your Mother ''How I Met Your Mother'' (often abbreviated as ''HIMYM'') is an American sitcom created by Craig Thomas (screenwriter), Craig Thomas and Carter Bays for CBS. The series, which aired from September 19, 2005, to March 31, 2014, follows main char ...

'' * Sven, the name of

PewDiePie Felix Arvid Ulf Kjellberg (born 24 October 1989), better known as PewDiePie, is a Swedish YouTuber, best known for his gaming videos. Kjellberg's popularity on YouTube and extensive media coverage have made him one of the most noted online pe ...

's pet wolf in his Minecraft YouTube series

References