Where does “Sven” come from?

Sven (Dutch) comes from Swedish sven, from Old Norse sveinn, from Proto-Germanic swainaz, from Proto-Indo-European swé — self.

Ancestry of “Sven”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Swedishsvena young man, especially if still a virgin or...
2Old Norsesveinnboy, lad; servant, lackey
3Proto-Germanicswainazrelative; kinsman; young man; herder; herdsman,...
4Proto-Indo-Europeanswéself
Every word from Proto-Indo-European swé →Every word from Proto-Germanic swainaz →Every word from Old Norse sveinn →