Gynt as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Gynt

What is the meaning of the name Gynt ?

The baby name Gynt is a Male name , 1 syllables long and is pronounced Norwegian: /ɡynt/; English approximation: /ɡɪnt/ ("gint").

Gynt is Norwegian in Origin.

Gynt is a rare given name of Norwegian origin, best known from Henrik Ibsen’s 1867 verse drama Peer Gynt, itself inspired by Gudbrandsdalen folktales recorded by P. C. Asbjørnsen. In those sources, Gynt functions as a byname or surname attached to Per/Peer, likely tied to a local farm or nickname tradition rather than a standard lexeme. The precise etymology is uncertain, and no definitive Old Norse root has been established.

As a first name, Gynt emerged sporadically from the late 19th century onward, its visibility boosted by Edvard Grieg’s Peer Gynt suites. Usage remains very uncommon, appearing chiefly in Scandinavia and the English‑speaking world, and is typically masculine, though it can be treated as unisex in modern contexts. Established variants are scarce; related references include Per/Peer (the forename of the character). The name’s “meaning” is thus primarily literary, evoking the archetype of the restless wanderer and teller of tall tales.

⚙ Gynt is a genuine rarity. We hold just 3 recorded uses of it, from 3 countries.