Solveig (SOL-vay) is a given name of Scandinavian origin. It comes from Old Norse, and its exact meaning is not certain. The name has two parts, each of which could have different meanings.
- Sol-
- sól = sun
- salr = big hall
- sölr = sun-coloured, yellow
- -veig
- veig = strength
- víg = battle
- vé = devoted
- weg = road, path in german
In some accounts, Solveig is the name of the goddess in Norse mythology who leads, or is pursued by, the Sun (Old Norse "Sol") through the sky. Solveig is also a central character in Henrik Ibsen's Peer Gynt and the opera, based on the play, by Edvard Grieg. She sings the famous "Solveig's Song." Ibsen uses sun imagery in association to the character (scene 10, act 5), indicating that Ibsen may have favored the idea that the name is etymologically associated with the Old Norse.
Versions
Generally speaking, the most common version is Solveig. However, alternate versions are used in Norway, Iceland, Denmark, Sweden and Russia. Norwegian, Swedish, and Danish:
- Sólveig
- Solvei
- Solveij
- Solveg
Icelandic:
- Sólveig
- Sólveigu
- Sólveigu
- Sólveigar
Russia:
- Solveiga
