Nerthus
Preserved but no longer current.
Also seen as: Hertha
The name given by Tacitus to a German or Scandinavian goddess of fertility, or "Mother Earth," who was wor- shipped on the island of Rugen. She roughly corresponds with the classical Cybele; and is probably confused with the Scandinavian god Njorthr or Niordltr, the protector of sailors' and fishermen. Nerthus and Njorthr alike mean "benefactor.
Era: ca. 1898 (Victorian)
Sources & notes
Reproduced from Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (1898 edition, public domain; archive.org, retrieved 2026-07-31; OCR text, minor errors possible). Reflects the scholarship and attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “Nerthus” mean?
The name given by Tacitus to a German or Scandinavian goddess of fertility, or "Mother Earth," who was wor- shipped on the island of Rugen. She roughly corresponds with the classical Cybele; and is probably confused with the Scandinavian god Njorthr or Niordltr, the protector of sailors' and fishermen. Nerthus and Njorthr alike mean "benefactor.
Is “Nerthus” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.