Where does “Gandalf” come from?

Gandalf (Swedish) comes from Old Norse Gandálfr, from Old Norse gandr, from Proto-Germanic gandaz, from Proto-Indo-European gʷʰen-, from Proto-Indo-European bʰon-.

Gandalf (Swedish): in occasional modern use

Definitions

  1. in occasional modern use

Ancestry of “Gandalf”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Old NorseGandálfrelf with a magic staff
2Old Norsegandrmagic wand; stick, staff; magic, monster; magic...
3Proto-Germanicgandazstick, staff
4Proto-Indo-Europeangʷʰen-to strike, slay, kill
5Proto-Indo-Europeanbʰon-—
Every word from Proto-Indo-European bʰon- →Every word from Proto-Indo-European gʷʰen- →Every word from Proto-Germanic gandaz →