 The town was named after the old farm Hvitsten (Norse "Hvítisteinn"), since it was built on its ground.The first element is "hvítr" 'white', the last element is "steinn" m 'stone, rock'.Edvard Munch bought the property Nedre Ramme in 1910 and created some well-known works there before it was taken over by the invading Germans during World War II.