Lilla Hoparegränd

Lilla Hoparegränd is an alley in Gamla stan, the old town of Stockholm, Sweden. Passing between Skeppsbron and Österlånggatan, it forms a parallel street to Ferkens Gränd, Gaffelgränd, Pelikansgränd, and Johannesgränd.

Map of Lilla Hoparegr%C3%A4nd, 111 30 Stockholm, Sweden

The street appears in historical records as Wargzfrenden in 1550, Warge Grenden in 1646, Vargsgränden during the 16th-17th centuries, and finally as Lilla Hopare gr. in 1771. Why the alley was originally called Varggränd ("Wolf Alley") is not known, Varg is however a still common proper name in Sweden, so it might refer to an individual associated with the alley. The present name refers to a Michel Hoper or Hopare, Hoper being of Dutch or Frisian origin, meaning hooper (e.g. maker of barrels).