Kjell is a

Scandinavia Scandinavia; Sámi languages: /. ( ) is a subregion in Northern Europe, with strong historical, cultural, and linguistic ties between its constituent peoples. In English usage, ''Scandinavia'' most commonly refers to Denmark, Norway, and Swe ...

n male given name. In

Denmark ) , song = ( en, "King Christian stood by the lofty mast") , song_type = National and royal anthem , image_map = EU-Denmark.svg , map_caption = , subdivision_type = Sovereign state , subdivision_name = Kingdom of Denmark , establishe ...

, the

cognate In historical linguistics, cognates or lexical cognates are sets of words in different languages that have been inherited in direct descent from an etymological ancestor in a common parent language. Because language change can have radical e ...

is Kjeld or Keld. The name comes from the

Old Norse Old Norse, Old Nordic, or Old Scandinavian, is a stage of development of North Germanic languages, North Germanic dialects before their final divergence into separate Nordic languages. Old Norse was spoken by inhabitants of Scandinavia and t ...

word ''kętill'', which means "

kettle A kettle, sometimes called a tea kettle or teakettle, is a type of pot specialized for boiling water, commonly with a ''lid'', ''spout'', and ''handle'', or a small electric kitchen appliance of similar shape that functions in a self-contained ...

" and probably also "helmet" or perhaps "cauldron". Examples of old spellings or forms are ''Ketill'' (Old Norse), ''Kjætil'' (Old Swedish) and ''Ketil'' (Old Danish). An equally likely meaning is a source, a hope that the boy will get ample resources to draw upon later in life. Kjell has a

name day In Christianity, a name day is a tradition in many countries of Europe and the Americas, among other parts of Christendom. It consists of celebrating a day of the year that is associated with one's baptismal name, which is normatively that of ...

on July 11 in

Norway Norway, officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic country in Northern Europe, the mainland territory of which comprises the western and northernmost portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula. The remote Arctic island of Jan Mayen and t ...

and July 8 in Sweden, and in

with the variant ''Kjeld''.

Prevalence

In 2007, there were 59,011 men in Sweden with "Kjell" as their first name, making it the 42nd most common masculine name in Sweden. In Swedish and Norwegian it is pronounced with the

voiceless alveolo-palatal sibilant fricative The voiceless alveolo-palatal sibilant fricative is a type of consonantal sound, used in some spoken languages. The symbol in the International Phonetic Alphabet that represents this sound is ("c", plus the curl also found in its voiced counter ...

� There were 30,809 men in Norway with "Kjell" as their first name. This makes it the 5th most common masculine name in Norway. In Denmark, 8079 men were called "Kjeld" and 5491 "Keld". In

Finland Finland ( fi, Suomi ; sv, Finland ), officially the Republic of Finland (; ), is a Nordic country in Northern Europe. It shares land borders with Sweden to the northwest, Norway to the north, and Russia to the east, with the Gulf of Bo ...

, the number of men called Kjell in 2008 was 1405. The name began to be widely used in the 1600s when it took over from the older name form ''Kætil'' or ''Ketill'', which were also precursors of the name

Kjetil Kjetil is a Norwegian masculine given name. It may refer to: *Kjetil Aleksander Lie (born 1980), Norwegian chess player, Norway's eighth International Grandmaster *Kjetil André Aamodt (born 1971), Norwegian former alpine ski racer * Kjetil Bang-H ...

, and a loan from

Latin Latin (, or , ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally a dialect spoken in the lower Tiber area (then known as Latium) around present-day Rome, but through the power ...

''catillus'', which is the diminutive of ''catinus'' (= barrel, bowl). ''Kætil/Ketill'' was probably one of the most common male names in Old Norse times. In

Landnámabók (, "Book of Settlements"), often shortened to , is a medieval Icelandic written work which describes in considerable detail the settlement () of Iceland by the Norse in the 9th and 10th centuries CE. is divided into five parts and over ...

, it is the male name that occurs most often - even more frequently than the most widely used compositions with ''Tor-''. There are 44 found

runic Runes are the letters in a set of related alphabets known as runic alphabets native to the Germanic peoples. Runes were used to write various Germanic languages (with some exceptions) before they adopted the Latin alphabet, and for specialised ...

inscriptions from the Viking era that contain the name ''Kætill'', which is why it is the 13th most used male name in this material. Five of the inscriptions are found in Denmark and three in Norway, most others have unknown sites. The name was most often written with runes like ᚲᛖᛏᛁᛚ (''ketil''), ᚲᛁᛏᛁᛚ (''kitil'') or ᚲᚨᛏᛁᛚ (''katil''). In

the name appears in many village (''torp'') names, so there are nearly 20 places named Kelstrup or Kjelstrup. However, the name does not appear in compositions with ''-lev'', and it can only be explained that it was not used at the time when ''-lev'' names were formed. Consequently, we can date the period when ''Kætil/Ketill'' was used as a name, at the time between the end of the

Migration Period The Migration Period was a period in European history marked by large-scale migrations that saw the fall of the Western Roman Empire and subsequent settlement of its former territories by various tribes, and the establishment of the post-Roma ...

and the beginning of the

Viking Age The Viking Age () was the period during the Middle Ages when Norsemen known as Vikings undertook large-scale raiding, colonizing, conquest, and trading throughout Europe and reached North America. It followed the Migration Period The ...

. But the reason that the name gained such tremendous prevalence within a few centuries, we do not know.Kristian Hald: ''Personnavne i Danmark – oldtiden'' (s. 63), Dansk historisk fællesforenings håndbøger, København 1974 The name ''Kjell'' is known in Norway from the 1400s. In recent times, the name was widely used in the 1940s and 50s, but is now rarely used for newborn boys. In Sweden, the name was most popular in the 1940s. ''Kjell'' is today a common name in Norway and Sweden, and ''Kjeld'' or ''Keld'' is common in Denmark. The following table provides a detailed overview of the popularity of the male name ''Kjell'' and its variants in some of the countries where statistics are available.

Name compositions

''Kjell'' is found in many name compositions, both of the old date, written in one word, or in new ones, which are written in two words. *Female names:

Kjellaug Kjellaug is a given name. Notable people with the name include: * Kjellaug Nakkim (1940–2022), Norwegian politician * Kjellaug Nordsjö (1926–2021), Swedish-Norwegian artist * Kjellaug Pettersen (1934–2012), Norwegian senior government offici ...

, Kjellrun, Kjellfrid, Audkjell, Kjella, Kjellbjørg *Male names: Torkel, Arnkjell, Askjell, Finnkjell, Grimkjell, Hallkjell, Kjellbjørn, Kjellfred, Torkjell :Newer: Kjell Inge, Kjell Magne, Kjell

Einar Einar is a Scandinavian given name deriving from the Old Norse name Einarr, which according to Guðbrandur Vigfússon is directly connected with the concept of the einherjar, warriors who died in battle and ascended to Valhalla in Norse mytholo ...

osv. ''Kjell'' is also present in at least one notable Swedish surname: Kjellberg.

People

A–F

Kjell Almskog Kjell Erik Almskog (born 5 January 1941) is a Norwegian businessman. He is the former chief executive officer (CEO) of several companies, including the Norwegian division of the ABB Group and Kværner. Personal life and education He was born in O ...

(born 1941), Norwegian businessman *

Kjell Askildsen Kjell Askildsen (30 September 1929 – 23 September 2021) was a Norwegian writer probably best known for his minimalistic short stories. Personal life Askildsen was born in Mandal as a son of bailiff and politician Arne Askildsen (1898–1982) ...

(1929–2021), Norwegian writer *

Kjell Aukrust Kjell Aukrust (19 March 1920 – 24 December 2002) was a Norwegian author, poet, artist and humorist. Aukrust is principally known for his Flåklypa stories and Flåklypa drawings. Personal life Aukrust was born in Alvdal in Hedmark, Norway a ...

(1920–2002), Norwegian poet, author and artist * Kjell Bækkelund (1930–2004), Norwegian classical pianist * Kjell Bäckman (1934–2019), Swedish speed skater *

Kjell Berg Kjell Berg (born March 11, 1962) is a Norwegian curler. Berg has played in the lead position for his entire international career. Berg won a silver medal at the 1983 World Junior Curling Championships playing for Pål Trulsen. He also won ...

(born 1962), Norwegian curler *

Kjell Bergqvist Kjell Bertil Leonard Bergqvist (born 23 February 1953 in Enskede, Stockholm County) is a Swedish actor. Bergqvist finished the Royal Dramatic Training Academy in 1973 and made his debut in ''En enkel melodi'' and ''Jack''. He has since cooper ...

(born 1953), Swedish actor *

Kjell Bjartveit Odd Kjell Bjartveit (14 August 1927 – 22 February 2011) was a Norwegian physician and politician for the Christian Democratic Party. He was born in Flekkefjord, took the cand.med. degree at the University of Oslo in 1951, and the dr.med. degre ...

(1927–2011), Norwegian physician and politician *

Kjell Bohlin Kjell Gotfred Bohlin (27 September 1928 – 17 June 2011) was a Norwegian politician for the Labour Party. He was born in Røros. He was elected to the Parliament of Norway The Storting ( no, Stortinget ) (lit. the Great Thing) is the suprem ...

(1928–2011), Norwegian politician *

Kjell Bondevik Kjell Bondevik (11 March 1901 – 21 December 1983) was a Norwegian politician for the Christian Democratic Party. He was born in Leikanger. He graduated with the cand.philol. and mag.art. (PhD equivalent) degrees in 1927. He worked as a tea ...

(1901–1983), Norwegian politician and uncle of Kjell Magne *

Kjell Magne Bondevik Kjell Magne Bondevik (; born 3 September 1947) is a Norwegian Lutheran minister and politician. As leader of the Christian Democratic Party, he served as the 33rd prime minister of Norway from 1997 to 2000, and from 2001 to 2005, making him, aft ...

(born 1947), former Norwegian prime minister and nephew of Kjell *

Kjell Borgen Kjell Borgen (21 October 1939 – 22 August 1996) was a Norwegian politician for the Labour Party. He served as Minister of Transport and Communications from 1986 to 1988, Minister of Local Government from 1988 to 1989 and again from 1990 to 19 ...

(1939–1996), Norwegian politician * Kjell Carlström (born 1976), Finnish cyclist * Kjell Colding (1931–2009), Norwegian diplomat and politician *

Kjell Dahlin Kjell Håkan Dahlin (born 2 March 1963) is a Swedish former professional ice hockey forward. He played for the Montreal Canadiens in the National Hockey League, NHL in the mid-1980s. NHL Dahlin was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in 1981 NHL ...

(born 1963), Swedish ice hockey player * Kjell Elvis (born 1968), Norwegian Elvis impersonator * Kjell Engebretsen (born 1941), Norwegian politician * Kjell Eriksson (born 1953), Swedish author * Kjell Espmark (1930–2022), Swedish author *

Kjell-Olof Feldt Kjell-Olof Feldt (born 18 August 1931) is a Swedish Social Democratic politician who was minister of finance between 1983 and 1990. Previously, Feldt was assistant minister of finance from 1975 to 1976 and minister of commerce and industry ...

(born 1931), Swedish politician * Kjell Fjalsett (born 1952), Norwegian musician *

Kjell Fjørtoft Kjell Fjørtoft (5 March 1930 – 14 May 2010) was a Norwegian journalist, non-fiction writer, photographer and film maker, born in Tromsø. Fjørtoft wrote books about themes such as World War II, espionage and hunters. Among his books are ''Spio ...

(1930–2010), Norwegian journalist and writer

G–M

* Kjell Grede (1936–2017), Swedish film director *

Kjell Grengmark Kjell Ivan Konrad Grengmark (January 25, 1935 - March 6, 2022) was a Swedish curler. (look for "Grengmark, Kjell") He was a two-time Swedish men's curling champion (1968, 1971) and played for Sweden in two . In 1972 he was inducted into the ...

(1935–2022), Swedish curler * Kjell Håkonsen (1935–2011), Norwegian harness racing coach *

Kjell Hallbing Kjell Hallbing (5 November 1934, in Bærum – 6 May 2004, in Tønsberg) was a Norwegian author of Western books. Under the pseudonym Louis Masterson, he wrote a series of books about the fictitious Texas Ranger (and later U.S. Marshal) '' ...

(1934–2004), Norwegian author * Kjell Heggelund (1932–2017), Norwegian literary researcher and lecturer *

Kjell Helland Kjell Edvard Helland (born 29 May 1940 in Melhus) is a Norwegian politician for the Labour Party. He was elected to the Norwegian Parliament from Sør-Trøndelag in 1973, and was re-elected on three occasions. On the local level he was a deputy ...

(born 1940), Norwegian politician *

Kjell Henriksen Kjell Henriksen (1 February 1938 – 3 April 1996) was a Norwegian scientist, professor at the University of Tromsø The University of Tromsø – The Arctic University of Norway ( Norwegian: ''Universitetet i Tromsø – Norges arktiske un ...

(1938–1996), Norwegian scientist * Kjell Höglund (born 1945), Swedish singer * Kjell Holler (1925–2000), Norwegian politician *

Kjell Holmström Kjell Albrekt Oliver Holmström (July 8, 1916 – March 14, 1999) was a Swedish bobsledder who competed in the 1950s and in the 1960s. He won a bronze medal in the four-man event (tied with West Germany) at the 1953 FIBT World Champions ...

(1916–1999), Swedish bobsledder * Kjell Hovda (born 1945), Norwegian biathlete * Kjell Isaksson (born 1948), Swedish pole vault world record holder * Kjell Inge Røkke (born 1958), Norwegian investor *

Kjell Jennstig Kjell Jennstig (born February 17, 1960) is a Swedish musician and composer/songwriter. As a musician he is mostly known as guitarist in Swedish motorcycle group, Kenneth & the Knutters. As a composer/songwriter, he has written for a number of Swed ...

(born 1960), Swedish musician *

Kjell Johansson (disambiguation) Kjell Johansson may refer to: *Kjell Johansson (referee) (active 1978–1982), Swedish football referee *Kjell Johansson (table tennis) Kjell Johansson (5 October 1946 – 24 October 2011) was a male table tennis player from Sweden. From 1963 ...

, various people * Kjell Jonevret (born 1962), Swedish football manager and former player * Kjell Kaspersen (born 1939), Norwegian footballer * Kjell Koserius (1943–2002), Swedish Air Force major general * Kjell Knudsen (born 1931), Norwegian politician * Kjell Larsson (1943–2002), Swedish politician *

Kjell Eugenio Laugerud García Brigadier General Kjell Eugenio Laugerud García (24 January 1930

(1930–2009), President of Guatemala *

Kjell Lauri Kjell Lauri (born 29 June 1956) is a Swedish orienteering competitor Competition is a rivalry where two or more parties strive for a common goal which cannot be shared: where one's gain is the other's loss (an example of which is a zero ...

, Swedish orienteer * Kjell N. Lindgren (born 1973), US astronaut * Kjell Lönnå (1936–2022), Swedish choir leader and composer

N–Z

* Kjell Nilsson (born 1949), Swedish weightlifter and actor *

Kjell Nordström Kjell is a Scandinavian male given name. In Denmark, the cognate is Kjeld or Keld. The name comes from the Old Norse word ''kętill'', which means " kettle" and probably also "helmet" or perhaps "cauldron". Examples of old spellings or forms a ...

(born 1949), Swedish politician *

Kjell A. Nordström Kjell Anders Nordström (born 26 February 1958) is a Swedish economist, writer and public speaker. Biography Born in Skärholmen, a suburban district in southern Stockholm, Nordström grew up on a small island in the Finland, Finnish Åland ...

(born 1958), Swedish economist, writer and public speaker *

Kjell Olofsson Kjell Olofsson (born 23 July 1965 in Gothenburg) is a former Swedish footballer who played as a striker. Career Dundee United 1996–97 season Olofsson joined Scottish club Dundee United during the 1996–97 season. Brought in by then mana ...

(born 1965), Swedish footballer * Kjell Opseth (1936–2017), Norwegian politician *

Kjell Oscarius Kjell Oscarius (born 1 May 1943 in Stockholm) is a Swedish curler and World Champion. He won a gold medal at the . In 1973 he was inducted into the Swedish Curling Hall of Fame Swedish Curling Hall of Fame A hall, wall, or walk of fame is ...

(born 1943), Swedish curler *

Kjell Qvale Kjell Qvale (July 7, 1919 – November 2, 2013Kjell Qvale passes at 94

(1919–2013), Norwegian-American business executive * Kjell Risvik (1941–2021), Norwegian translator * Kjell Rodian (1942–2007), Danish cyclist * Kjell Roos (born 1956), Swedish musician **

Kjell Roos Band Roosarna, also known as the Kjell Roos Band, is a dansband in Vallsta, Sweden. The band was formed in 1969 by the brothers Kjell, Anders and Sven-Åke as ''Bröderna Roos'' (the Roos brothers). In the mid-1970s they changed their name to ''Roosa ...

, a Swedish band led by Roos *

Kjell Samuelsson Kjell William Alf Samuelsson (born 18 October 1958) is a Swedish former professional ice hockey defenseman who played 14 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins and Tampa Ba ...

(born 1958), Swedish professional hockey player * Kjell Bloch Sandved (1922–2015), Norwegian author and lecturer * Kjell Scherpen (born 2000), Dutch footballer *

Kjell Schneider Kjell Schneider (born October 4, 1976 in Kiel) is a beach volleyball player from Germany who won the bronze medal in the men's beach team competition at the 2005 Beach Volleyball World Championships in Berlin, Germany, partnering with Julius Br ...

(born 1976), German beach volleyball player *

Kjell Sjöberg Kjell Allan Sjöberg (11 May 1937 – 10 September 2013) was a Swedish ski jumper. Career He competed at the 1960, 1964 and 1968 Olympics in the normal hill and large hill events with the best result of fifth place in the large hill in 1964. H ...

(1937–2013), Swedish ski jumper * Kjell Søbak (born 1957), Norwegian biathlete * Kjell-Erik Ståhl (born 1946), Swedish long-distance runner * Kjell Storelid (born 1970), Norwegian speed skater *

Kjell Stormoen Kjell Stormoen (24 March 1921 – 22 October 2010) was a Norwegian actor, scenographer and theatre director. He was born in Bergen as a son of Trygve H. Stormoen (1896–1971) and Hjørdis Henriksen (1897–1975). He was a first cousin of Guri ...

(1921–2010), Norwegian actor and theatre director *

Kjell Storvik Kjell Storvik (born 20 November 1930) is a Norwegian economist and former Governor of the Central Bank of Norway. He is a cand.oecon. by education. From 1977 to 1981 he was the vice president of the Norwegian Shipowners' Association. He was the ...

(born 1930), Norwegian economist and former Governor of the Central Bank of Norway *

Kjell Sundvall Kjell Gösta Sundvall (born 31 March 1953) is a Swedish director/producer. Sundvall has directed a series of films about the police officer Martin Beck (played by Peter Haber). Selected filmography *2015 - ''Prästen i paradiset'' *2015 - ''I ...

(born 1953), Swedish director *

Kjell Westö Kjell Westö (born 6 August 1961 in Helsinki, Finland) is a Finnish author and journalist. Westö writes in Swedish. Best known for his epic novels set in Helsinki, he has also written short stories, poetry, essays and newspaper columns. Biog ...

(born 1961), Finnish author

References

External links

Behind the Name: KjellThink Baby Names: Kjell
{{given name, Kjell, nocat Norwegian masculine given names Swedish masculine given names

Prevalence

Name compositions

People

A–F

G–M

N–Z

See also

References

External links