Orkney

The story

1. Proto-Celtic · derived from*orkā“pine”
2. Proto-Celtic · derived from*ɸorkos“young pig”
3. Ancient Greek · derived fromΌρκάδες
4. Old Norse · derived fromørkn“seal”
5. Old Norse · derived fromOrkneyjar“seal islands”
6. English todayOrkney

From Old Norse Orkneyjar (“seal islands”), from Old Norse ørkn (“seal”) + ey (“island”). The modern form is singular. Ninth-century Norwegian settlers reinterpreted the Pictish/Proto-Brythonic name for the islands, recorded as Ancient Greek Όρκάδες (Órkádes), which was derived from Proto-Celtic *ɸorkos (“young pig”). Less common theories include a connection with Welsh erch (“speckled”) (on the basis of the Welsh form Erch) or Proto-Celtic *orkā (“pine”) (however, these islands are known for their lack of trees).