Originally from French ("
Pays Nordiques"), the term was at first used of "
northern" (
European) countries in general. Nowadays the term has become
established as
referring exclusively to
Sweden,
Denmark,
Norway,
Finland and
Iceland.
In the
Nordic languages there is a term
Norden (or "
Pohjola", "
Pohjoismaat" in
Finnish) which is commonly used of the five Nordic countries.
(from soc.culture.Nordic FAQ)