Er det så sikkert at alle er namn? Ein merknad om metode og personnamn i urnordiske runeinnskrifter

Abstract

This article discusses how we can determine which nouns in the Proto-Scandinavian runic corpus are names and which are bynames or appellatives. With regard to making definite distinctions, it seems that the criteria have neither been formulated nor discussed very much. The article presents a critical view of the way in which the problem has been handled hitherto and considers the different criteria that have been applied. Unfortunately, I cannot offer new, better methods for identifying names; my aim is to argue in favour of more explicit criteria and a more careful approach when it comes to pointing out names in the Proto-Scandinavian corpus.