Valhal
/ˈvɑːl.hɑːl/noun
A Scandinavian name for Valhalla, Odin’s hall where warriors slain in battle were believed to feast and prepare for Ragnarök.
Did you know?In Norse mythology, the valkyries selected fallen warriors for Valhal, while the goddess Freyja was said to receive the other half.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*welh₁-
“To choose, wish, or select”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*walaz
“The chosen or slain one”
Old Norse
Old Norse
Valhǫll
“Hall of the slain”
Medieval Scandinavian
Danish/Swedish/Norwegian
Valhal
“Valhalla; the hall of Odin”
Modern English
English
Valhal
“A Scandinavian or literary form of Valhalla”