Where does “älva” come from?

älva (Swedish) comes from Old Swedish ælf, from Old Norse Álfr, from Proto-Germanic albiz, from Proto-Indo-European albʰós — white.

älva (Swedish): A human-like creature from Swedish mythology similar to a fairy or elf. She is often a young beautiful female, and can sometimes be seen dancing in the mist. Feminine form of alv

Definitions

  1. A human-like creature from Swedish mythology similar to a fairy or elf. She is often a young beautiful female, and can sometimes be seen dancing in the mist. Feminine form of alv

Ancestry of “älva”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Old Swedishælfelf
2Old NorseÁlfr—
3Proto-Germanicalbizelf, fairy
4Proto-Indo-Europeanalbʰóswhite
Every word from Proto-Indo-European albʰós →Every word from Proto-Germanic albiz →Every word from Old Norse Álfr →