The Frøyhov inscription and early Germanic *ing-

The bronze figurine from Froyhov bears a short and difficult early runic text which seems to represent some sort of name. First published in the late nineteenth century, the inscription may most regularly be interpreted as Inga(n)da, a form which features the early Germanic onomastic element (star)ing-. Germanic (star)ing- seems best to be etymologised as a reflex of IE (star)h(2)nek-/h(2)nenk- 'reach, attain' and the Froyhov form taken either to be a maker's inscription or a theonym, the fig- urine itself clearly representing a religious expression.