Bakke

Bakke is a Norwegian surname, derived from the word bakke meaning "slope, hillside" in Norwegian. It comes from Old Norse bakki "bank, slope". This topographic surname would have identified someone living near a hill or slope.

The related Norwegian variant Bakken, meaning "the slope", uses the definite article and is also common. In Denmark, the equivalent form is Bak, though that name may have different origins (from bak "hill" or as a nickname).

Interestingly, the same spelling Bakke appears as a Dutch surname, but from a different source: Dutch bak "bucket, bin" or bakkes "face". The Dutch interpretation is unrelated to the Norwegian meaning.

According to the 2010 United States Census, Bakke was the 9,257th most common surname in the U.S., with 3,517 bearers, predominantly White (95.08%).

• Meaning: "Slope, hillside" (Norwegian)
• Origin: Norwegian, from Old Norse bakki
• Type: Topographic surname
• Usage regions: Norway, United States (diaspora)