[solalf]

On your point on Normandie, you can even go further! Ethnologically speaking Normandie, comes from its inhabitants’ name: the normands. This name is composed of “nor” and “man”, so it’s literally North Men from the French perspective - aka the Vikings.

The reason the French King gave them the region as a duchy, is because the Seine river, which passes in the middle of Paris, ends its course in present day Honfleur, Normandie. So Vikings would move their drakkars ships upstream from there and sack the city. Having Rollo installed as Duke put an end to the raiding.

It is said that when Rollo was made to kneel before Charles the Simple, to swear allegiance, he grabbed onto the king’s feet and threw him in the air. I don’t know if this is a true story, but it’s always amused me!

If you drive around Normandie today, you’ll see plenty of cars with drakkar stickers on their bumpers. A sign that many still identify with this heritage.

[unhammer]

If you're the kind of person who likes names that originally meant "northman" you'll love https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murmansk#Etymology