The word “Viking” is derived from the Old Norse víkingr, meaning “pirate, raider”. The Vikings were known as Ascomanni (“ashmen”) by the Germans for the ash wood of their boats, Dubgail and Finngail by the Irish, Dene by the Anglo-Saxons. The people of Scandinavia themselves tended to use other terms when referring to themselves and their region, including Norðmanna (northmen), Áttmenn (oarsmen), Austmenn (east men) and Vestmenn (west men).
In popular culture, the word Viking often refers to the Scandinavian people as a whole, but this is a false etymological association. The Vikings were actually people who came from what is now Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. They were also known as Northmen or Normans.
In Old Norse literature, the Vikings are portrayed as bold and courageous warriors who sailed the seas in search of adventure and plunder. The sagas tell of their battles with giants and dragons, and their heroic deeds are celebrated in song and story. The Vikings were also master craftsmen, able to build beautiful ships and intricate works of art.
For centuries, historians have debated the origins of the Vikings. Some believe they were descendants of the ancient Germanic tribes who settled in Scandinavia during the Migration Period (c. 300-700 AD). Others believe they were more recent arrivals from Britain or Ireland who had come to escape persecution or poverty at home. Whatever their origins, there is no doubt that the Vikings were a powerful force in medieval Europe.
The word “Viking” is derived from the Old Norse víkingr, meaning “pirate” or “raider”. The Vikings were a group of people who came from Scandinavia and raided other parts of Europe from the 8th to the 11th centuries. The people who lived in Scandinavia during this time were known as the Norse.
The word Viking was first used in English in the 18th century, and it has since become a popular name for people of Scandinavian descent. In Scandinavia, the word Viking is used to refer to someone who goes on an adventure, or someone who is brave and adventurous.
So what did the Vikings call themselves? The answer is that they called themselves many things, depending on where they came from and what their occupation was. Some common names for Vikings include: berserkers, huscarls, jarls, raiders, sailors, and warriors.