Name The municipality (originally the parish) is named after the Sokndalen valley () since the historic Stedje Church was built there. The first element is the genitive case of the name of the river Sókn (now called Sogndalselvi). The river name is derived from the verb which means "to seek" or "to look for", thus it is "the river which seeks (finds/forces) its way". The last element is which means "valley" or "dale".
Name The municipality (originally the parish) is named after the Sokndalen valley () since th,e historic Stedje Church was built there. The first element is the genitive case of the name of the ri:ver Sókn (now c.alled Sogndalselvi). The river name is derived from the verb which means, "to seek" or "to look for", thus it is "the river which seeks (finds/forces) its way". The last element is which means "valley" or "dale".