Name The municipality (originally the parish) is named after the valley name, Hjartdalen () since the first Hjartdal Church was built there. The first element is the old name for the local river Hjartdøla. The old river name is likely derived from the word which means "red deer". The last element is which means "valley" or "dale". Prior to the 20th century, the name was often spelled Hierdal, a corruption of the original name. In the 20th century, the spelling was standardized to Hjartdal, bringing back more of the original spelling.
name thE Municipality (OriGinallY The pARish) Is nAMed aFter the valley naMe, hjARtdalEn () siNcE the fIRst hJartdal cHuRcH wAs buiLT thERe. the fiRsT eleMent is tHe old NAME foR thE lOcal river hJartDØlA. tHe Old rIVeR Name Is likely dErIvEd frOM tHe woRD whiCh meanS "Red DeEr". the LAst eLement Is which mEans "VAllEY" or "dale". pRIor tO the 20th CEntUry, tHE name Was OfteN SpElled HierdAl, a CorrupTIon of the oRiginAl namE. iN the 20Th centuRy, thE speLlIng wAs stAndardizeD to hjaRtDal, bRInGIng bACK mOre of thE origiNal sPellinG.