Surname Vik - Meaning and Origin
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Vik: What does the surname Vik mean?
The surname Vik, originates from the Scandinavian countries, primarily Norway and Sweden. The term "Vik" signifies 'bay' or 'inlet' in Old Norse, which was a language spoken by the Vikings. It's believed to be a topographical surname referring to families that lived near a bay or in an area with bays. Due to the heavily indented coastline of Scandinavian countries, 'Vik' is a common element in geographic names. Therefore, it is very plausible people received the surname based upon their residence in such locations. Given the Viking era of exploration, settlement, and naming places, the surname Vik could be found beyond the Scandinavian borders. It's also probable the Vik surname was taken by those who migrated from their original 'vik' homestead. However, the interpretation of the surname can change depending on cultural and regional contexts.
Order DNA origin analysisVik: Where does the name Vik come from?
The last name Vik is a rather rare surname found primarily in Norway, with lesser numbers of people in Sweden, Denmark, and very few in other countries. Today, the highest concentrations of people with the Vik last name can be found in the Scandinavian countries, particularly in Norway where the surname originated. According to the 2019 Norwegian Counts of Persons with the Same Surname report, it is estimated that over 14,500 Norwegians have the Vik last name, making up 0.3 percent of the Norwegian population. Furthermore, the popularity of the Vik last name in Norway is concentrated primarily in the Rogaland and Hordaland regions. In total, 4.9 percent of the people living in Rogaland have the Vik last name and it is estimated that it makes up 2.8 percent of the total population in Hordaland.
Moreover, the available data did not show any notable number of people with the Vik last name residing in the other Scandinavian countries. As a conclusion, the majority of people with the Vik last name can be found primarily in Norway with very few scattered across Sweden and Denmark with 0.02 percent and 0.001 percent of their respective population.
Variations of the surname Vik
The surname Vik is a popular Norwegian surname with variants spelled as Vika, Viken, Viker, Viger, and Vig. In its Anglicized version, the surname is sometimes spelled as Wyck. In its Swedish version, it is sometimes spelled as Wik.
The surname Vik is derived from the Old Norse name Vík, which means 'bay' or 'inlet'. It is thought to be of habitational origin, likely referring to places in Norway named Vík. It may be connected with an Old Norse word, vík, meaning 'inlet'.
The surname Vik is very common across Norway, where it is also found among other countries, though with different spellings. In the Netherlands, it is spelled as Vik or Wijk, and in Germany, it is spelled as Wieck. The surname is also found across other Scandinavian countries such as Denmark, Sweden, and Finland. In the United Kingdom, the spelling is more closely related to the spelling Vik, with Wyck being the most common spelling.
The Vik surname may also appear in different languages. The Russian version is spelled as Vyka or Vig, while other Slavic languages have variations like Vigo and Wig. The surname may also appear as a German-Jewish name, most commonly spelled as Wyg or Wyck.
In the United States, the surname is most commonly seen in the form of Wyck, mainly among descendants of Norwegian immigrants. Interestingly, the pronunciation also tends to vary regionally; in the Midwestern United States, it is sometimes pronounced as if it is spelled Wick.
Famous people with the name Vik
- Saif Vik: actor and former Mister Norway
- Dina Vik: Norwegian singer
- Kim Vik: author, artist, and musician
- Katrina vik Davis: American musician and songwriter
- Fredrik Vik: former football player and current coach for the Norwegian Tippeligaen
- Vik Sahay: Canadian actor best known for his role on the NBC series Chuck
- Azalea Vik: Spanish actress
- Kari Vik: Norwegian actress
- Michael Vik: American photographer
- Hanna Vik: Norwegian journalist, TV presenter, and author