The modern name Sweden is derived through back-formation from Old English Sweoðeod, which meant "people of the Swedes" (Old Norse Svíþjóð, Latin Suetidi). This word is derived from Sweon/Sweonas (Old Norse Sviar, Latin Suiones). The Swedish name Sverige literally means "Kingdom of the Swedes", excluding the Geats/Goths in Götaland and the Sami people in the north Sweden.

Variations of the name Sweden are used in most languages, with the exception of Danish and Norwegian using Sverige and the more notable exception of some Finno-Ugric languages where Ruotsi (Finnish) and Rootsi (Estonian) are used, names commonly considered etymologically related to the English name for Russia, referring to the vikings from now a days Sweden who was called , Rus in the east', the name derive from the coastal areas of Uppland — Roslagen.

The etymology of Swedes, and thus Sweden, is generally not agreed upon, but may derive from Proto-Germanic Swihoniz meaning "one's...