Sverker I of Sweden

Gender: Masculine
Origin: Old Norse
Meaning: “black spear.”

The name is a modern form of the Old Norse Svartgeirr, which is composed of the elements svart meaning “black; dark” and geirr meaning “spear.” The name appears on a rune stone which dates back to the last millenium, in Fröberg, Södermanland, Sweden, which translates as follows: “Vighjälm and Ödmund erected this stone in honour of their dear brother, Sverker.”

As of December 31, 2008, there were approximately 1,872 registered persons in Sweden with the name Sverker. Its designated name-day is November 4.

The name was borne by two Swedish kings, Sverker I (1130-1156) and Sverker II, (1196-1208).

Another form is Sverkir.