Surname Bakke - Meaning and Origin
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Bakke: What does the surname Bakke mean?
The surname Bakke is of Norwegian origin and it translates to "hill" or "slope" in English. The name is topographic, a type of surname that was given to a person who resided near a physical feature such as a hill, stream or forest. In this case, Bakke was likely given to people who lived near or on a hill. The name is fairly common in Norway and can also be found in Danish communities, though it is less common there. It should be noted that in some cases, surnames like Bakke could also be derived from farm names, as it was common in Scandinavia to name farms after their geographical features.
Order DNA origin analysisBakke: Where does the name Bakke come from?
The surname Bakke is of Nordic origin, specifically from Norway. The name is derived from the Old Norse word 'bakki', which translates to 'slope' or 'hill'. It is a topographic name often given to families who resided near or on a hill. In certain cases, it could also be a habitational name from any of the various farmsteads so named in Norway.
Today, the last name Bakke continues to be common in Norway. It is also fairly common in other countries of the Nordic region. Additionally, due to migration patterns over time, the surname can be found among people of Norwegian descent in the United States, particularly in areas with high concentration of Scandinavian immigrants such as Minnesota and Wisconsin. However, the largest population of people with the Bakke surname still resides in Norway.
Variations of the surname Bakke
The surname Bakke is rooted in Norse origins, correlating to geographical features such as hills or ridges. The spelling can vary depending on the region and translation. Some variations might include Bakken, Bakker, and Backe. It may also extend to form more complex Nordic surnames such as Bakkesen or Bakkejord, based on local naming traditions.
In certain regions like Denmark or the Netherlands, the variant "Bakker" is commonly used. Besides, the Dutch variant could translate to "baker". In English, this spelling can sometimes be seen as Backer.
Not all variations are directly linked to geography. In Germany, it could also appear as Bakke or Bach, the latter meaning "stream" or "creek".
Moreover, different linguistic interpretations and misspellings over time can lead to additional versions of the name, making it possible for the surname Bakke to have even more variations.
Bakke could also be an anglicized version of another surname, for example, the Irish surname Beag, which sounds similar.
As with all surnames, the exact variations and their origins often depend on personal, historical, and regional factors, and can be best understood in their specific context.
Famous people with the name Bakke
- Allen Bakke: He is known for his involvement in the landmark U.S Supreme Court case, Regents of the University of California v. Bakke, which ruled on the constitutionality of racial quotas in college admissions.
- Reidar Bakke: A former Norwegian footballer who played as a goalkeeper for the Norway national team in the 1930s.
- Seth Bakke: An American trial lawyer specializing in criminal defense.
- William A. Bakke: an American film director, producer and writer in the 1930s: 1940s.
- Buster Bakke: An American former basketball player who played for the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers in the late 1930s.
- Erik Bakke: A retired Norwegian professional footballer who is most famous for his time at Leeds United.
- Erna Bakke: A retired Norwegian high jump player who competed in the 1968 Summer Olympics.
- Einar Bakke: A Norwegian politician for the Centre Party, serving as mayor and deputy mayor of Modalen.
- Børre Rognlien: Born as Børre Bakke, he is a Norwegian sports official and politician for the Conservative Party.
- Gunnar Bakke: Norwegian businessperson and politician for the Conservative Party who has served as mayor of Bergen.