Håkan is a common Swedish

given name A given name (also known as a forename or first name) is the part of a personal name quoted in that identifies a person, potentially with a middle name as well, and differentiates that person from the other members of a group (typically a f ...

. It has a common origin with the Norwegian

Haakon (modern Norwegian Håkon, Danish Hakon) in the

Old Norse Old Norse, also referred to as Old Nordic or Old Scandinavian, was 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 ...

''Hákon''. The meaning of the name is disputed but a possible meaning is "high son" from

''há-'' (

Proto-Norse Proto-Norse (also called Ancient Nordic; Danish and ; ; ; ) was an Indo-European language spoken in Scandinavia that is thought to have evolved as a northern dialect of Proto-Germanic in the first centuries CE. It is the earliest stage of a c ...

''hauha-'') (high) and ''konr'' (kin). On Swedish

runestone A runestone is typically a raised stone with a runic alphabet, runic inscription, but the term can also be applied to inscriptions on boulders and on bedrock. The tradition of erecting runestones as a memorial to dead men began in the 4th centur ...

s the name is usually written ''Hakun'' and in medieval documents usually ''Haquon'' or in the Latinised versions ''Haqvin''/''Haqvinus''. From the 16th century and onwards the name is usually written Håkan. Although in some western regions the name can be found as Håkon and Håka as late as in the 18th century. In

Old East Slavic Old East Slavic (traditionally also Old Russian) was a language (or a group of dialects) used by the East Slavs from the 7th or 8th century to the 13th or 14th century, until it diverged into the Russian language, Russian and Ruthenian language ...

the name was written Yakun (

Cyrillic The Cyrillic script ( ) is a writing system used for various languages across Eurasia. It is the designated national script in various Slavic, Turkic, Mongolic, Uralic, Caucasian and Iranic-speaking countries in Southeastern Europe, Ea ...

: Якун). For example, the

Primary Chronicle The ''Primary Chronicle'', shortened from the common ''Russian Primary Chronicle'' (, commonly transcribed ''Povest' vremennykh let'' (PVL), ), is a Rus' chronicle, chronicle of Kievan Rus' from about 850 to 1110. It is believed to have been or ...

mentions the

Varangian The Varangians ( ; ; ; , or )Varangian
," Online Etymology Dictionary were

Yakun Yakun or Jakun (), nicknamed the Blind (), was a Varangians, Varangian (Viking) leader who is mentioned in the ''Primary Chronicle'' and in the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, Kiev Pechersk Lavra. The chronicle tells that he arrived in Kievan Rus' in the year ...

that arrived in

Kievan Rus' Kievan Rus', also known as Kyivan Rus,. * was the first East Slavs, East Slavic state and later an amalgam of principalities in Eastern Europe from the late 9th to the mid-13th century.John Channon & Robert Hudson, ''Penguin Historical At ...

in the year 1024 and fought in the Battle of Listven. The name never became popular as a Slavic name but at least two high rank

Novgorod Veliky Novgorod ( ; , ; ), also known simply as Novgorod (), is the largest city and administrative centre of Novgorod Oblast, Russia. It is one of the oldest cities in Russia, being first mentioned in the 9th century. The city lies along the V ...

officials had the name: the

posadnik A posadnik (, ) was a representative of the prince in some towns during the times of Kievan Rus', and later the highest-ranking official (mayor) in Novgorod (from 1136) and Pskov (from 1308). In the early 12th century, Novgorod won the right to ...

Yakun Andreevich (

: Якун Андреевич) (mentioned 1167) and the

tysyatsky A tysiatskii ( rus, тысяцкий, p=ˈtɨsʲɪt͡skʲɪj, " thousandman"), sometimes translated '' dux'' or ''herzog'', was a military leader in Kievan Rus' who commanded a people's volunteer army called a ''thousand'' (). In the Novgorod Repub ...

Yakun Namnezhich (

: Якун Намнежич) (mentioned 1214). An old English name form ''Hacon'' has survived in English placenames like

Haconby Haconby is a village and civil parish in the South Kesteven district of Lincolnshire, England. The population of the civil parish at the 2001 census was 448 increasing to 532 at the 2011 census. It is situated on the western edge of the Lincoln ...

which literally means ''Hacon's Village'', originating through Norse settlers in

England England is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is located on the island of Great Britain, of which it covers about 62%, and List of islands of England, more than 100 smaller adjacent islands. It ...

. Some famous people by this name are *

Håkan Algotsson Håkan Ulf Göran Algotsson (born August 5, 1966, in Tyringe, Sweden) is a retired Swedish ice hockey goaltender. Algotsson began his career with his hometown Tyringe SoSS in 1983. In 1988, Algotsson joined Västra Frölunda and would spend ...

(born 1966), ice hockey player *

Håkan Andersson (motorcyclist) Håkan Andersson (born 29 June 1945) is a Swedish former professional motocross racer. He competed in the Motocross World Championships from 1966 to 1979. Andersson began his career as a member of the Husqvarna factory racing team before moving t ...

(born 1945), Swedish motocross rider *

Håkan Andersson (ice hockey) Håkan Andersson (born 19 February 1965 in Stockholm, Sweden) is a Swedish amateur hockey scout who currently serves as the Director of European Scouting for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League (NHL). Formerly a fishing guide, ...

(born 1965), ice hockey executive *

Håkan Bergman Carl-Håkan Bergman (born 1954) is a Swedish politician and former member of the Riksdag, the national legislature. A member of the Social Democratic Party, he represented Örebro County Örebro County () is a county or '' län'' in central Swe ...

(born 1954), Swedish politician *

Håkan Carlqvist Håkan Carlqvist (15 January 1954 – 6 July 2017) was a Swedish professional motocross racer. He competed in the Motocross World Championships from 1974 to 1988. Carlqvist was a two-time world champion who was known for his fierce competit ...

(1954–2017), motocross rider *

Håkan Dahlby Håkan Dahlby (born 15 September 1965) is a Swedish double trap shooter, the winner of the 2003, 2004, and 2012 European Championships. He won a silver medal at the 2012 Olympics after having the best final round of all finalists and moving from ...

(born 1965), double trap shooter *

Håkan Eriksson (orienteer) Håkan Eriksson (born 20 August 1961) is a Swedish orienteering competitor. He received a silver medal in the ''relay'' at the 1989 World Orienteering Championships in Skövde, and received a bronze medal in 1999. He received a silver medal i ...

(born 1961), orienteering competitor * Håkan Eriksson (ice hockey) (born 1956), ice hockey player *

Håkan Fredriksson Renegade Five is a Swedish rock band from Karlstad, Sweden. It consists of Anders Fernette (Singing, vocals), Håkan Fredriksson (Keyboard instrument, keyboard), Per Lidén (guitar), Jimmy Lundin (bass guitar, bass) and Marcus Nowak (Drum kit, d ...

, producer and musician *

Håkan Hagegård Nils Olov Håkan Hagegård (born 25 November 1945)

(born 1945), baritone * Håkan Hardenberger (born 1961), trumpeter *

Håkan Hellström Håkan Georg Hellström (; born 2 April 1974) is a Swedish musician. He made his breakthrough in Sweden in 2000 with the song "Känn ingen sorg för mig Göteborg" and the album with the same name. He has released eleven studio albums to date w ...

(born 1974), musical artist * Håkan Isacson (1943–2002), Swedish intelligence agent * Håkan Jeppsson (1961–2018), Swedish football executive *

Håkan Juholt Håkan Juholt (born 16 September 1962) is a Swedish politician who was Swedish Social Democratic Party, Leader of the Social Democrats from 2011 to 2012. He was List of members of the Swedish Riksdag, 2006-2010, member of the Parliament of Swede ...

(born 1962), politician * Håkan Jörgensen, author and freelance journalist * Håkan Karlsson (born 1970), freestyle swimmer *

Håkan Lans Anders Håkan Lans (born 2 November 1947 in Enskede) is a Swedish inventor, employed by the Swedish National Defence Research Institute (FOA), and then Stockholm University. whose primary contribution is the Self-Organized Time Division Multipl ...

(born 1947), inventor * Håkan Larsson (politician), politician *

Håkan Loob Håkan Per Loob (born 3 July 1960) is a Swedish former professional ice hockey player for Färjestad BK of the Elitserien and the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League (NHL). He is the head of European Scouting for the Calgary Flames af ...

(born 1960), ice hockey player * Håkan Magnusson, 14th-century king of Sweden *

Håkan Malmrot Håkan Malmrot (29 November 1900 – 10 January 1987) was a Swedish breaststroke swimmer. He won two gold medals at the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp, in the 200 m and 400 m events, both times with Swedish Thor Henning as silver medalist. In 1 ...

(1900–1987), swimmer *

Håkan Malmström Håkan Malmström (born 16 July 1977) is a Sweden, Swedish Association football, footballer. He was a Defender (football), defender in the Swedish football club IF Brommapojkarna. He came to Brommapojkarna in the 2004 season, previously he has ...

(born 1977), football player *

Håkan Mild Stig Håkan Mild (born 14 June 1971) is a Swedish former professional footballer who played as a central midfielder. He is best remembered for his time with IFK Göteborg, with which he won four Swedish Championships. A full international betwe ...

(born 1971), football player *

Håkan Nesser Håkan Nesser (born 21 February 1950) is a Swedish author and teacher who mainly writes crime fiction. He has won Best Swedish Crime Novel Award three times, and his novel ''Carambole'' won the prestigious Glass Key award in 2000. His books ha ...

(born 1950), author * Håkan Persson, musical journalist *

Håkan Pettersson (orienteer) Håkan Pettersson is a Sweden, Swedish orienteering Competition, competitor. He received a silver medal in the ''sprint distance'' at the 2002 European Orienteering Championships in Sümeg.Håkan Samuelsson Håkan Samuelsson (born 19 March 1951) is a Swedish businessman who is chairman of the executive board (CEO) of Volvo Cars Corporation AB from October 2012 to January 2022. Previously, he was CEO of MAN SE from January 2005 to November 2009. E ...

(born 1951), Swedish businessman * Håkan Sandell (born 1962), poet * Håkan Spegel (1645–1714), 17-18th century writer *

Håkan Svensson Alf Tommy Håkan Svensson (born 20 January 1970) is a Swedish former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. He is best remembered for representing Halmstads BK between 1990 and 2002, with which he won two Allsvenskan titles as well ...

(born 1970), football player *

Håkan Syrén General Håkan Erik Gunnar Syrén (born 31 January 1952) is a retired officer of the Swedish Coastal Artillery/Swedish Amphibious Corps and former chairman of the European Union Military Committee. He was the Supreme Commander of the Swedish Arme ...

(born 1952), general *

Håkan Södergren Karl Håkan Södergren (born 14 June 1959) is a retired professional ice hockey player, often a recurring color commentator in Viasat's ice hockey broadcast productions. Playing career Södergren played for Djurgårdens IF Hoc ...

(born 1959), ice hockey player *

Håkan Westergren Håkan Karl Leonard Westergren (29 April 1899 – 15 October 1981) was a Swedish actor. He was mostly known for his roles in Swedish comedy movies during the 1930s and 1940s, but was sometimes seen in more serious roles. He was married to Sw ...

(1899–1981), actor *Håkan Wirenstrand, keyboardist for

Little Dragon Little Dragon are a Swedish electronic music band from Gothenburg, Sweden, formed in 1996. The band consists of Yukimi Nagano (vocals, percussion), Erik Bodin (drums), Fredrik Wallin (bass) and Håkan Wirenstrand (keyboards). Little Dragon's ...

Håkan the Red Håkan the Red ( Swedish: ''Håkan Röde'') was a King of Sweden, reigning for about half a decade in the second half of the 11th century.''Håkan Röde'' in ''Nationalencyklopedin'': There is little information on him, and it is mostly contradic ...

, 11th-century king of Sweden

See also