Talk:Rennebu

Latest comment: 13 days ago by Sinistra in topic Etymology

Etymology

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What is the source of the etymology of "Rennebu"? The etymology remains a subject of scholarly debate, particularly regarding the first element of the compound. Rygh (1901), cited in this paragraph, does not mention a relationship between the noun renna (only the element bú). An additional issue is that the hyperlink leads to the verb renna, not a noun.

The Norwegian Toponymic Encyclopedia still holds M. Olsen's theory regarding an Old Norse *renni, from rann ('house'), as plausible, even though other hypotheses are mentioned (my translation): "i Rænnabui" (1297), Old Norse 'Rennabú', where the latter element is bú n, which is found in many names of districts in the region. The first element is uninterpreted. It might be related to the verb 'renna'. M. Olsen (in ANF 1906 pp. 111-13) would rather connect it to an otherwise unknown Old Norse *renni n 'cluster of houses', derived from rann n 'house'. Rennabú would have to contain this word in plural genitive, i.e., 'the area of clusters of houses'. This goes well with the settlement pattern of the area." Sinistra (talk) 14:58, 29 September 2024 (UTC)Reply