Similar to the latin letters, the runes each represent one or more sounds. As the language developed the sounds of the runes has changed as well. Below you will see the 16 runes from the younger futhark. Click the runes and hear how the sounded.
According to medieval records, each of the individual runes had a name. With a few exceptions, these names were words which began with the sound denoted by the rune. Here are the names reconstructed in their original form.
f = fé (property or cattle)
u = ūrr (ox)
th = thurs (torn)
a = áss (as, god)
r = reið (vogn)
k = kaun (boil)
h = hagall (haiul)
n = nauð (need, danger)
i = ís (ice)
a = ár (year)
s = sól (sun)
t = Týr (the god Tyr)
b = bjarkan (birch)
m = maðr (man)
l = logr(water, liquid)
R = ýr (yew)
