Where does “Bergen” come from?

Bergen (French) comes from Norwegian Bokmål Bergen, from Old Norse Bjǫrgvin, from Old Norse bjarg, from Proto-Germanic bergaz, from Proto-Indo-European bʰerǵʰ- — to rise; high, lofty; hill, mountain.

Ancestry of “Bergen”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Norwegian BokmålBergen—
2Old NorseBjǫrgvinmeadow between the mountains
3Old NorsebjargAlternative form of berg; cliff
4Proto-Germanicbergazhill; mountain; refuge; shelter
5Proto-Indo-Europeanbʰerǵʰ-to rise; high, lofty; hill, mountain
Every word from Proto-Indo-European bʰerǵʰ- →Every word from Proto-Germanic bergaz →Every word from Old Norse Bjǫrgvin →