Balder
/ˈbɔːl.dər/noun
Balder is the beloved god of light, beauty, and innocence in Norse mythology, also known as Baldr.
Did you know?In Norse myth, Balder’s death is triggered by mistletoe, after Loki exploits a loophole in a magical oath that made nearly everything swear not to harm him.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*bhel-
“To shine, flash, or appear white; this is a proposed root behind Balder’s name, though the derivation is debated.”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*Balþraz
“A reconstructed form possibly meaning “shining” or “white,” and possibly the source of the divine name.”
Old Norse
Old Norse
Baldr
“The radiant, beloved god associated with beauty, purity, and tragic death.”
13th Century
Old Icelandic
Baldr
“The god appears in the Poetic Edda and Prose Edda as the son of Odin and Frigg.”
16th Century
English
Balder
“An English rendering of the Old Norse divine name.”
Modern English
English
Balder
“A proper name referring primarily to the Norse god; it is also used in modern translations and retellings of Norse mythology.”