Vormsi (Vormsi)
Fourth largest island in Estonia, between Hiiumaa and mainland. Along with neighboring mainland region of Noarootsi (Sw. Nuckö, poss. From Est. nukk:nuka, point/tip, i.e. cape, of which there are many), historical colonial homeland to Swedes known as Rannarootsi (coastal Swedes or, in Sw. Estlandssvenskar, Estonian Swedes) until WWII when most were evacuated or escaped to Sweden. Its original Swedish name, Ormsö, Snake/Worm island, with possible influence of its German name Worms, seems to have generated its Estonian counterpart through vernacular pronunciation of foreign words. Previously also called Hiiurootsi saar, Swedish Hiiumaa island. Part of an Estonian island group, see Aegna.







