The suffix '-by' derives from the Old Norse 'bý' or 'bær', meaning a farm, settlement or village. It is one of the most common place-name elements in Scandinavia and in areas of Viking settlement, particularly northern and eastern England (the Danelaw), where Danish and Norwegian Vikings settled from the late 9th century. The '-by' suffix is found in hundreds of English village names.
| Country | Canada |
| Region | 08 |
| Population | 138,501 |
| Language of origin | Old Norse/Scandinavian |
| Type of name |
Etymology & History
Whitby is a ppl located in 08, Canada. With a population of approximately 138,501, it is one of many communities whose name tells a story about the region's past.
Understanding why places are named as they are gives us a window into history — the languages spoken, the people honoured, the landscapes encountered and the cultures that shaped the world we live in today. The field of toponymy (the study of place names) reveals that almost every name has a meaning, even when that meaning has been obscured by centuries of linguistic change.