The evolution of the rune in the elder futhark during the centuries.
The k-runeᚲ (Younger Futhark ᚴ, Anglo-Saxon futhorc ᚳ) is called Kaun in both the Norwegian and Icelandicrune poems, meaning "ulcer". The reconstructed Proto-Germanic name is *Kaunan. It is also known as Kenaz ("torch"), based on its Anglo-Saxon name.
The Elder Futhark shape is likely directly based on Old Italicc𐌂 / Latin C. The Younger Futhark / Futhorc shapes have parallels in Old Italic shapes of k𐌊, Latin K (compare the Negau helmet inscription). The corresponding Gothic letter is 𐌺k, called kusma.