Germanic name

Germanic given names are traditionally dithematic; that is, they are formed from two elements, by joining a prefix and a suffix. For example, King Æþelred's name was derived from æþel, for "noble", and ræd, for "counsel". However, there are also from an early time names which seem to be monothematic, consisting only of a single element. These are sometimes explained as hypocorisms, short forms of originally dithematic names, but in many cases the etymology of the supposed original name cannot be recovered.^[1]

The oldest known Germanic names date to the Roman Empire period, Arminius and his wife Thusnelda in the 1st century, and in greater frequency, especially Gothic names, in the late Roman Empire, in the 4th to 5th centuries (the Germanic Heroic Age).^[2]

A great variety of names are attested from the medieval period, falling into the rough categories of Scandinavian (Old Norse), Anglo-Saxon (Old English), continental (Frankish, Old High German and Low German), and East Germanic (see Gothic names^[3]) forms. By the High Middle Ages, many of these names were abbreviated or corrupted, so that their etymology is not always clear.

Of the large number of medieval Germanic names, a comparatively small set remains in common use today. The most frequent name of Germanic origin in English has traditionally been William (Bill; from an Old High German Willahelm), followed by Robert and Charles (Carl, after Charlemagne). Very few names of native English (Anglo-Saxon) origin survive into current use, the most common of these being Edward, Edmund, Edgar, Alfred and Harold for males; the female name Audrey continues the Anglo-Norman (French) form of the Anglo-Saxon Æðelþryð.

Dithematic names

element	meaning	prefix	suffix	examples	notes
act, aht, oht	fearsome(?)[4]			Ohthere, Ohtrad, Actumerus, Octric, Actulf; Actohildis, Octolindis
*agi-; eg, ecg, egg, ekk, agin, egin	sword, blade			Egbert, Ecgbald, Ecgwine, Ekkehart, Ecgric, Eginolf; Ecgwynn	Some names in ag-, eg- may be unrelated in origin; see Förstemann, 9.
agil, ail, eil	?			Agilperht, Agilfrid, Agilulf, Egilger, Agilmar, Egilrat; Alruna, Agilburgis,	uncertain etymology; like agin perhaps a hypostatis of the older ag-; Förstemann, 22. See Agilaz.
ala	all			Alafrid, Alager, Alamunt, Alarad, Alaric, Alaruna, Alasuind	Some names in ala- have this etymology; others are corruptions of names in aþal-. Förstemann, 39.
ald, eald	old		—[5]	Altopold, Altiperht, Aldfrid, Aldegar, Aldman, Aldwig, Aldwin; Aldedrudis, Aldeberga/Aldburg, Aldigart, Altagund, Aldelindis
*albi-; ælf, elf, alf	elf		—[6]	Ælfwine, Ælfric, Alfred, Ælfweard, Ælfsige;[7] Ælfflæd, Ælfwaru, Ælfwynn
*alh, alah, ealh	hall, temple			Ealhhelm, Alhred, Ealhwine/Alcuin; Ealhswith, Ælgifu(?)[8]	perhaps related to runic alu
amala	work(?)			Amaleberga, Amalafrida, Amalrica, Amalaswintha/Melisende/Millicent, Ealhswith	c.f. Amalia, Amelie. This element's etymology is uncertain, but it is frequently compared to Old Norse aml "work".
angil, engel; ingal/ingel	Angles tribal name			Angilbald, Angilberht/Engelbert, Engilfrit, Angalgar, Angilhelm/Ingelhelm, Engilhoh; (Ingalberta), Angilburga, Angildruda, Engilgund	Names in angil- may arise with Christianization, by conflation with the prefix ingal-, an extension of the theophoric ing- prefix; see Förstemann, 89.
*aþal-, adall, æthel	noble			Æthelhard, Æthelred, Adolph, Adelbert, Adelbrand/Alebrand, Albert, Æthelwulf; Æthelburg, Adelaide, Æthelflæd, Æthelthryth/Audrey	see ethel, odal
*ans-, ON ás, OHG ans, AS os	god		—	Oswin, Oswald, Ansgar, Ásleikr/Anslech/Oslac,[9] Ansfridus, Anshelmus, Ansgisus, Ansbrecht, Answald; Osburh, Osgyth, Osthryth
ar, ara, ari, arni, earn	eagle			Arafrid, Aramund, Arswind, Arfrid, Arnipert, Arnold, Arnulf	Many of these names cannot be distinguished with certainty from the corresponding name in hari-.
arb, erb, erf	inheritance		—[10]	Arbogastis, Erbhart, Erphari, Erpolach, Erflind, Erbemar, Erpmund, Erferat, Erferih, Erpwin, Erpulf	hypocorism Aribo, Erbo
asc, æsc	ash, spear			Aschari, Asclind, Ascarich, Ascwin, Asculf	c.f. Oisc, Ask
*audaz, aud, od, euþ, auþ, euth, ead, eod, jóð	wealth, prosperity			Audeca, Audofleda, Auduin, Odotheus, Odoacer, Odomir, Edgar/Audagar/Ottokar, Edmund, Eadnoth, Eadred/Edred, Edward, Eadwig, Edwin, Eadgifu, Æthelgifu (etc.)	Extremely frequent. c.f. also Ethel, Otto, Odda, Auðr
aun, on, ean	?			Eanhere, Aunefrit/Eanfrith, Aunemund, Onerich, Aunulf; Eanflæd	Etymology unknown; see Förstemann, 181.
aus, aust, eost	radiant; a goddess			Auripert, Aurendil/Orendil/Aurvandil, Aurulf; Ostheri, Austrad, Austrobert, Austraberta, Ostarpurc, Aostarger, Aostargart, Austrigisil, Ostarhilt, Ostremund, Austrad, Australd, Ostruin, Austrulf	possibly theophopric, see Eostre, Aurvandil
bald	bold			Baldwin; Theobald, etc.	very frequent, and often conflated with the wald element.
baud, bad, bud	?			Baudigisil, Baudegund, Baudemund, Baudulf	uncertain etymology; mostly in old names (before the 8th century) Förstemann, 216f. In later use indistinguishable from bald
baug	ring			Baugegundus, Bauglind, Baugulf
*berht-; beraht, bryht, briht	bright			Byrhtnoth, Bertrand, Beorhtric, Brihtwyn; Cuthbert, Albert, Albright, Robert, Adelbert	hypocorism Bert. One of the most frequent elements, but not attested before the 6th century.
burg, beorg	fortress			Burchard/Burkhart, Burgred; Eadburh/Æthelburg, Osburh, Redburga, Walpurga	The suffix is feminine only. See also Burke
bera, bern, berin, beorn	bear			Berengar, Berahart/Bernhard, Berhildis, Berahoch, Bermar, Berimund, Beornwulf	c.f. Beonna, Berig
bil	blade, sword			Biligrim,[11] Bilihelm, Bilihild, Belimar, Bilidruda, Pilolf	among the Saxons often monothematic, as Bilo, Pilicho, Pillin, Billung
blic	lightning			Blictrud, Blicger, Blicgart, Plechelm, Blicildis
blid	blithe			Bliddruda, Bllithar, Blithelm, Blidhild, Blidmar, Blidulf, Blidemund, Plittelmi
bord	shield	—		Herebord, Hiltiport, Saelbort, Willipord
brand	sword			Branthildis, Branthoc, Brandulf; Adelbrand, Hildebrand, Hadubrand, Theudebrand	c.f. Brant. Attested from the 7th century, with the exception of Gothic Brandila
brun	armour, protection; brown			Brunfrid, Brunger, Brunric, Brunward, Brunulf; Brunhild; Adalbrun, Hiltibrun, Liefbrun, Liutbrun.	The words for "armour" and for "brown" are unrelated, but a distinction of these two elements is impossible.
dag, tag	?			Tagapald/Dacbold, Dagaperht/Dagobert, Tachiprand, Dagafrid, Dachelm, Tagarat/Dagred, Dagaric, Dagewin, Dagaulf; Alfdag, Osdag, Heridag, Helmdag, Hildidag, Hroddag, Wendildag, Wulfdag,	Possibly a conflation of several roots, perhaps brightness, day, and a loan of Celtic dago "good".
dis, idis	lady			Dissibod, Disnot	Names with this prefix are probably theophoric. In Nordic feminine names with the suffix -dis, the meaning is "woman".
diur, deor	?			Deurtrudis, Thiurhilt, Deorold, Deorulf	The meaning of this element may be either "animal" (deer) or "dear". See also Deor.
dom	judgement		?[12]	Dombert, Domedrudis, Domegerdis, Domalde, Duomolf
druht, droc, druc	people			Droctbold, Drocberta, Drutberga, Drucfred, Druhtgang, Truhthari, Droctelm, Dructildis, Druhtmar, Dructimund, Dructuin, Dructulf
ebur, eber, eofor	boar			Eparpert/Everbert, Eureberga, Euurdag, Ebertrudis, Eparfrid, Eberger, Eberhard/Eoforheard, Ebarhelm, Eburhilt, Ebirmuot, Ebermunt, Ebarolt, Eberwin/Ebroin, Eberulf, Eboric
era, eri, erin, ern	honour			Erarich, Eranbald, Erambert, Ernulf	Probably a genuine element, but difficult to distinguish from hari, which is also often reduced to eri-, er-, or from ari, arni. The form erin-, on the other hand, is often conflated with the irm- element.
ercan, erchen, archen, eorcen	"pure, genuine"[13]			Ercanberaht/Eorcenberht, Ercanbold, Ercamberta, Ercanpurh, Ercantrud, Ercanfrid, Ercangar, Ercanhilt, Erchensinda, Erchanold, Archanolf/Erchenulf	Förstemann, 377 connects OGH ercan "sublime, pure, holy" (the general sense in Gothic as well). In OE and ON used in compounds designating various "precious" stones. Perhaps theophoric, from a name of Teiwaz.[14]
erl, eorl	warrior, noble			Erlabald, Erlefrida, Erligar, Erlemund, Erliwin, Erlulf	Pokorny suggests a tentative link with ari-, arni- "eagle", an 'l' suffix form of which is found in the Balto-Slavic languages.
ewa, ew, eu, eo	ever			Euin, Eubert, Eomar, Eumund, Ewirat, Eric, Eowig, Eolf
far, fara; fart, fard	journey, travel			Farabert, Faregar, Feriher, Farohildis, Ferlinda, Faraman, Faramod, Faramund, Faroald, Faruin, Faraulf, Farnulf; Farthilt, Fartman, Ferdinand,[15] Fardulf, ; Adalfer, Leobafar, Sicfara, Theudifara
fast	firm, fast		—	Fastburg, Fastrada, Fastrih, Fastwin, Fastulf
fili	much/many(?)			Filibert, Feologild?, Filuliub, Filomar, Filomuot
*friþu-; ON friþ, OHG fridu	protection, peace			Fredegar, Ferdinand,[15] Frithuwold; Godfried, Dietfried, Sigfrid/Siegfried; Frithugyth; Friedrich
flad, flæð	purity, glory, beauty			Fladebert, Flatberta, Flatberga, Fladrudis, Fledrad, Flidulf; Albofledis/Ælfflæd, Ansfledis, Audofleda/Aethelflaed, Berhtflat, Burgofledis, Druhtflat, Ermenfleda, Gerflat, Gundiflat, Hrotflat, Ratflad, Sigiflat, Wynflæd	The suffix is feminine only.
fram	spear, javelin			Frambold, Frambert, Framsindis, Franemund, Franswinda	almost exclusively Frankish names.
franc	tribal name			Francobert, Frangomere, Franchrih
fraw, fro, frea; fri	lord			Frowin, Frawibald, Frawiprecht, Frawihilt, Frowimund, Frowini, Frauirat, Frawisinda, Freawaru; Friher, Frehild, Friulf	c.f. Fróði; theophoric (see Fraujaz, Frijjō).
frig, freh	bold			Frigobert, Frehholt, Friculf
frod	wise, prudent			Frotbald, Frodobert, Frotfar, Frotfrid, Frodegard, Frothard, Frotland, Frotmir, Frotmund, Frodwin, Frodulf	hypocorisms Frodo, Frutilo, Frodin
frum	good, beneficial			Frumiger, Frumihilt, Frumirat, Frumirih, Frumold, Frumolf, Frumar
fulc, folc, volc	people, folk			Folcbald, Forlberaht/Volcbert, Fulcdag, Folhker/Folcger, Folchard, Fulchar/Volker, Volkhard, Fikcgzbm Folcleih, Fulclindis, Folcman, Folcmar/Volkmar, Folcnand, Fulcrad, Fulcrich, Folcswind, Fulcuald, Folcward, Folcwin, Fulculf; Heidifolc, Herifolch, Hrodfolc, Ratfolc, Sigifolc, Saelfolc
funs, fús	eager, brave	—		Amdefuns, Adalfuns/Alphons, Bernefons, Hadufuns, Sigifuns, Valafons
gail, gel	gay		—	Gelbold, Geilindis, Geilamir, Gailswindis, Geilwib, Geilwih,	hypocorism Gailo, Geliko
gamal, gam	old		—	Gamalbold, Gamalbert, Gamalberga, Gamaltrudis, Gamalfred, Gamalher, Camalrat,
gaman	joy			Gamanhilt, Gamanolt, Gamanulf	only Old High German, rare
gan	magic			Gannibald, Ganefard, Ganhart ; Adalgan, Audiganus, Wolfgan
gand, gend	(?)			Gantberga, Gentfrid, Ganthar/Ganther, Gendrad, Gandaricus, Gandulf ; Gredegand, Charigand, Hrodogand, Gislegendis	hypocorisms Gando, Gantalo, Gandin; c.f. Gandalfr (mythological)
gang	path, journey			Gangperht, Gangulf; Bertegang, Druhtgang, Hildigang, Hrodegang, Wiligang, Wolfgang
gar, ger, earlier gais	spear			Gerald, Gerhard/Gerard, Gerbrand; Edgar, Hrothgar/Roger	hypocorism Gero, Gerry. Very frequent both as prefix and as suffix.
gard	enclosure			Gardrad, Gardulf; Hildegard, Irmgard, Liutgart, etc.	Rare as a prefix, very frequent as a suffix. The great majority of names with this suffix are feminine. Gerðr is the wife of Freyr in Norse mythology.
gast	guest; spirit			Castald, Gestilind, Gestiliub, Gastrad; Altgast, Alpkast, Andragast, Arbogast, Cunigast, Hartigast, Hiltigast, Hungast, Lindigast, Milgast, Nebiogast, Salagast, Suabgast, Widogast, Visogast	Mostly as suffix; frequent in early (3rd to 4th centuries) names; frequent conflation with Slavic names (Radegast, Gustaph).
gaud, gaut, gaus, got, goz	tribal name			Gauzebald/Cozpolt/Gausbolda, Gaucibert/Gozperaht, Gauseprand, Gausburgis, Gauttrudis, Caozflat, Gautfred, Gozger, Gauter/Kozheri, Gautshelm, Gauthildis, Gozleih, Gautlindis, Gautrekr, Gaudoin, Gaudulf; Algaut, Amalgaud, Ansegaud, Ariugaud, Ostgaus/Aostargaoz, Berengaud, Danegaud, Trutgaud, Ebregaud, Ercangaud, Erlegaud, Faregaud, Gisalgoz, Helmigaud, Hildegaud, Hohgaud, Hungoz, Irmegaus, Ermengaud, Teutgaud, Ulgaud, Waldegaud, Wihgoz, Vuldargoza.	the tribal name of the Geats/Goths. Hypocorisms Gaudo, Gaudila, Gauzilin, Gaudin. These names are popular during the 6th to 11th centuries. The forms in got are difficult to distinguish from the element god "god".
geld, gild; gold	worthy; gold			Giltbert, Gelther, Gildemir, Giltrada, Geldirih, Goldrun, Geltwif, Geltwig, Gildewin, Geldulf; Amalgaldis, AUsigildis, Adalgildis, Athanagild, Beregildis, Bertegildis, Trutgildis, Faregildis, Framengildis, Fredegildis, Frotgiliis, Gislegildis, Herigilid, Hleokelt, Lantegildis, Rihgelt, Sparagildis, Teutgildis, Wandegildis, Witgildis, Wolfgelt, etc.	hypocorisms Gildo, Gilting, Coldin, Gilticho
gifu; geb, gib	gift			Gibbold, Gibborga, Gibitrudis, Giffrid, Gebhard, Gebaheri, Gibohildis, Gebahoh, Gebalinda, Geberad, Geberic, Gebawin, Gibulf; Ælgifu/Ælfgifu, Ælthelgifu/Eadgifu, Godgyfu/Godiva, Ottogeba, Thialgif, Willigip	hypocorisms Gabilo, Gibilin, Gebi, Gabo, Gibicho, etc.
gisil, gisel	hostage, pledge			Giselbert, Giselric, Giselhard; Giselberga	hypocorism Gisela, c.f. Giselle
glis	gleam			Glismot, Glisnot
god, got	god / good			Godfrid/Godfrey, Godscalc, Gothard, Gotwald	in most cases, the etymologies guda "deus" and goda "bonus" cannot be distinguished with certainty, while in older continental names this is often an alternate form of Gund
graus	horror, terror			Crosmuat (8th century), Grausolph (9th century)	simplex Grauso, Chroso, Cros, Kros, etc.;
graw, gra	grey			Graobart, Grahilt (8th century), Graman (8th century), Graulf (8th century)
grim	helmet, mask			Grimwald; Grimhild/Krimhild
guma	man			Gomadrudis, Gomoharius, Gomahilt, Gomaleih, Gomlinda, Gumemar, Gumarich, Gumesind, Gumoalt, Gomolf
*gunþ-; gund, gud, gyþ, gyð	battle, war			Gunther/Gunter, Gunnhild; Gudrun; Eadgyð, Rigunth, Ealdgyð/Edith, Frithugyth
hag, hagan; hah	(?)			Hagibert, Hagihar, Hachirat, Hagoald, Hagiwolf; Hahger, Hahmund, Hahwart, Haholf	Attested from the 7th century in forms such as Hago, Chaino etc. From an early time conflated with names in Ag-, Agin-. See also Haguna.
haid, heit	rank, state			Haidrich, Heidfolc, Chaideruna; Adelaide etc.	extremely frequent as second element in feminine names (83 listed by Förstemann), apparently due to early confusion with similar words for heath.
hail, heil; hailag	whole, healthy			Hailbert, Hailun, Hailburch, Hailtruda, Heilan, Heilmunt, Hailrat, Hailwin; Halagmund, Halegred, ; Rihheil, Sarahailo	Hailo, Halicho (8th century); conflated with the elements agil and hal.
*haim-; OHG haim, heim, AS hæm	home			Henry, Heimwart	hypocorism Haimo
haist, heist	furious, violent(?)			Haisthilt, Haistulf, Hailun	c.f. Old English hæst; also compared with the tribal name of the Aesti.
hamar	hammer			Hamerard, Hamarolf	rare; limited to a handful of names of the 8th century.
hand	hand(?)			Hantbert, Hantker, Handegis, Hantwin, Handolf	rare, 8th and 9th centuries.
harc	altar(?)			Harcmot, Hercrat, Harchellindis (f.), Horcholt	rare, 9th and 10th centuries; c.f. the entries under ercan.
hard, heard	brave, hardy			Hartman, Hartmut (etc.); Æthelhard, Richard, Gerhard (etc.)	very frequent, recorded from as early as the 3rd century.
*hari, her	army			Diether, Hereweald/Harold, Herbert, Herleif, Herman/Arminius, Ariovistus, Ariouualdus	hypocorism Harry; Heri(?). Very frequent, Förstemann lists 289 names with -hari as second element. As first element recorded as early as the 1st century (in Chariovalda).
hath, had, hada, hadu	battle, combat			Hadubrand, Hadufuns, Hedwig; Rihhad, Willihad, Wolfhad, Vunnihad	frequent, from the 6th century, formally indistinguishable from haid.
hedan, haidan	heathen, pagan			Hedenold, Hedenulf ; Wolfhetan	rare; 7th to 9th centuries.
helm	protector			Helmut, Helmdrud, Helmfrid; Diethelm, Ealhhelm, Cwichelm, Nothhelm, Wilhelm	hypocorism Helmo. Comparatively frequent from the 6th century.
heah, hoch	high			Heaberht, Hámundr	c.f. Huoching/Haki
hild-	war			Gunnhild, Childebert, Hildebrand, Hildegard (etc.)	One of the most frequently used stems both as prefix and as suffix, attested since the 3rd century. Among the Franks its use especially for feminine names is "almost excessive" according to Förstemann, who counts 281 names with this suffix, of which only four are masculine.
hilp, help	aid, help		—	Chilperic, Helpoald, Helpuin, Helpwolf	rare; Chilperic is from the 5th century, other names with this element occur only in the 8th and 9th centuries.
hilt, hilz, helz	hilt		—[16]	Hilcekin, Helzuni, Helzolt	rare; 8th to 11th centuries
himil	heaven			Himildrud, Himilger, Himilrad	rare, 8th to 10th centuries.
hir-	sword			Hiring, Hiribert, Hirburc, Hiriger, Hiriward	9th century; Gothic hairus, Anglo-Saxon heoro- "sword", also in the tribal name of the Cherusci.
hiruz, hiriz, herz	hart, stag			Hirizpero, Herzrad(?); dim. Hirzula	rare
hleo	protection			Hleoperht, Hlevagastir
hlud, hloda	fame			Hlothhere, Chlodwig/Ludwig/Louis, Chlodomir; Chlodoswintha
hog, huog	dexterous, nimble(?)			Huogobert, Huoging, Hogo
hol	crafty, devious(?)			Holebert, Holomot, Holemund, Holosint
hord, hort	hoard, treasure			Hortbert, Horthari, Hordold, Hordward, Horduin,
hraban	raven				frequent in the 7th to 9th centuries; surely from the ravens of Wodanaz originally (as was wulf-). Förestemann counts 125 masculine and 15 feminine with this suffix. The simplex Hraban (and variants) is recorded from the 6th century. The Gothic name Valarauans if it contains this root would be the oldest record of the element (4th century).
hrad'	quick, fast		(?)[17]	Hradperaht, Hradpurh, Hradgast, Hrathari, Hradwin
hraid, hreid'	famous(?)			Hreiðmarr, Hreidperaht, Hreidgaer, Hreitolf	also in the name of the Hreiðgoths.
hring, ring	ring		(?)[18]	Hringuni, Rhincbold, Ringhelm, Hringweald, Hringolf	Förstemann 1900:877 suggests that the "ring" element in origin refers to ring-mail
hroc, roc	?			Ferderuchus, Unhroch, Wolfhroc; Rocbert, Hrohhart, Hrocculf, Ruocswint,	Förstemann 1900:878f. surmises an early conflation of two elements (1) hrauc "roar, bellow, (battle-)cry" and (2) rōc "care, circumspection", and both were further conflated with hrōþ- as first element, and with -rih as second. As a second element since the 5th century. Crocus, the 4th-century king of the Alamanni, presumably had a name formed from this element, as did Rocco bishop of Autun (7th century) and Rocho bishop of Bourges (8th century).
hrom, hruom, rom	glory		—	Ruombald, Rumbert, Ruumker, Hrumheri, Ruomlind, Romuald, Romulf	since the 5th century; hypocorisms Ruom, Roma, Rumo. Förstemann 1900:883
*hrōþ-; hruot	fame			Hrothgar/Roger, Hrodberht/Robert, Roderick, Roland; Adalrod, Fridarut, Hartrod, Liutrod, Sigirod	8th century; hypocorisms Chrodius, Hrodo, Hrodio, Hroda; Förstemann 1900:883
hug, hyg	spirit, courage		( )	Hugibald, Hygelac, Hugubert, Hugibrant, Hucger, Hugilind; Adalhug, Kerhuge
hun	?			Hunferthus, Hunbeorht; Andhun, Berthun; Ælfhun	c.f. Hun of East Anglia
ing	a god			Inga, Ingeborg, Inger, Ingvar, Ingrid
irm(en), erm(en)	strong, whole			Eormenred, Ermenrich/Hermeric/Emmerich/Emery/Amerigo; Ermegard/Irmgard, Ermendrud/Ermintrud/Irmtrud	possibly theophoric, see Irminsul; hypocorisms Irma, Armin, Emma
ise(n)	iron			Isebert/Isebrecht, Isenhart	Isegrimm may in origin have been a kenning for "wolf".
jut-	tribal name			Judida, Judinga, Jutcar, Judilidis, Jutrad, Joduin, Judelhildis	probably from the name of the Juthungi or the Jutes
jung	young			Jungarat, Jungericus, Jungulf, Jugenprand	8th to 10th century, rare (used more rarely than ald- "old")
karl, carl, ceorl	man			Carlofred, Carlman; Altcarl, Gundecarl	rare; possibly extensions from the simplex.
*kōni-; cen, coen	fierce, keen			Conrad/Konrad, Cynric, Coenwulf
*kun(n)i-, OHG kuni, chun, also chim, chin, chind; AS cyne	kin, offspring, child			Kunibert, Kunimund, Cynewulf; Kunigunde, Cynethryth; Chindasvinth; Adelchind, Drudchind, Widukind, Willekind	hypocorism Kuno, Chintila
*kunþ-; cuþ	renowned			Cuthbert, Cuthred
kwik-; cwic	alive, lively			Cwichelm
laik	play/dance		(?)	Ekkileich, Albleih, Amalleih, Ásleikr/Oslac, Audolecus, Perlaicus, Perahteih, Chinileihc, Dagaleich, Fridileih, Frotalaicus, Folcleih, Gozleih, Gundelaicus, Halulec, Hildelaicus, Hugilaih, Isanleih, Mathlec, Radleic, Sigelac, Wadelaicus, Walalaicho, Waldleich, Werinleih, Widolaic, Willileih, Winileih, Wolfleiga, Zitleich	possibly as first element in Leikert, Leuckart; Laigobert
laif, laf, leib	survivor, heir	()		Eggileib, Albleib, Oslef, Athulef, Adalleib, Otleib, Berahtleib, Dagalaif, Danleib, Dotleib, Truhtleib, Edilef, Fridaleib, Folkleib, Guntaleiba, Hartleib, Haduleif, Herleif, Hiltileip, Hordleif, Hunleib, Isanleib, Mahtleip, Nordleip, Ortlaip, Ratleib, Reginleib, Richleib, Sileif, Starcleib, Thiotleip, Wiglaf, Wineleib, Wolleip, Wulfleip, Wunnileif, Zehaleip; Leibuni/Leiboin, Leibher, Leibhilt, Leibrat, Leibwart	the probable original meaning "heir of" suggests that this element at first appeared only as second element; it was from an early time it conflated with liub "dear". In Old Norse also used as a simplex, Leifr "heir".
laith	dangerous, hostile			Ansleth, Wolfleit; Leitbraht, Leitfrid, Leither, Leidmuot, Laidarat, Laidoin, Laidulf	rare
lamp	fitting(?)			Lampert, Lampfrid	rare, 8th to 10th century
land	land			Acland, Ingaland, Oslant, Osterlant, Auilant, Perelant, Perahtland, Cululant, Thruadland, Frotland, Gerland, Gotlanda, Grimland, Gundoland, Artaland, Hasland, Hiltiland, Hrodlant, Itislant, INlant, Ermoland/Hermenland, Madoland, Meginland, Odallant, Ratland, Gagentland, RIhland, Sigilant, Wariland, Wiclant, Vulfland; Landolin, Landing, Landbold, Landberta, Landeberga, Lamprand, Lantbodo, Lndfrid, Landagar, Landegaus, Landgrim, Landegunda, Lantheida, Landohard, Lanthar, Landohildis, Landerich, Landswinda, Landoald, Landwih, Landuin, Landulf
laug	bride?			Alblaug/Alflaug, Adallouc/Aðallaug, Ólaug, Árlaug, Arnlaug, Áslaug, Perahtlouc, Eyðleyg/Edlaug, Droplaug, Dýrlaug, Ellaug, Ercanloug, Fastlaug, FInnlaug, Fridlaug, Grímlaug, Gerlaug, Gundlauc/Gunnlaug, Heiðlaug, Hiltilauc, Hrafnlaug, Íslaug, Jerlaug, Kristlaug, Ratlauga, Róslaug, Sigilouc/Siglaug, Sollaug, Swanaloug/Svanlaug, Sveinlaug, Týlaugr, Triulaug, Vélaug, Wiglauh/Víglaugr, Þórlaug, Þraslaug	only as a suffix in feminine names; the suffix is presumably from a root *lug "to celebrate marriage; to be dedicated, promised (in marriage)"[19]
lind	soft, mild	()		Gislinde, Heidelinde, Rosalint, Ermelind, Kristlind, Melinda, Odelinde, Sieglinde, Theodolinda, Þórlindur; Linddís, Lindolf, Lindvald, Lindvardh, Linveig	very frequent as a second element in feminine names
liub, leof	desirable, friendly			Leofric, Leofwine
liuti	people			Liutger, Lutold; Liutgard
magan, megin; maht	might, strength			Manfred, Maganradus/Meinrad; Mathilde, Meinfrida
*mēri-; mære, mer, mar, mir	famous			Chlodomir, Miro, Filimer/Filimir, Marvin, Odomir, Ricimer, Theodemir, Theodemar, Thiudimer, Valamir, Waldemar, Vidimir/Widemir, Wulfmar/Wulfomir
mund	protection			Edmund, Sigmund, Remismund, Rechimund
noþ, OHG nand[20]	courage			Nothhelm; Byrhtnoth, Eadnoth, Ferdinand, Wieland/Wayland
ræð	counsel, wisdom			Radegast, Radwig, Radulf; Alfred, Eadred, Conrad, Tancred, Wihtred; Ratberga/Redburga
ragin	counsel			Raginald/Reginald/Reynold, Reginbert, Reginmund; Regintrud, Rægenhere, Ragnar
*remez, remis	peace			Remisto, Remismund
run	rune, secret			Gudrun, Walaruna
rīki-; OHG rihhi, AS rīc	ruler			Richard, Rechila, Rechiar, Rechimund, Richimir, Roderick, Sigeric, Theodoric, Henry, Eric, Godric
sax, seax	seax; tribal name			Sexred; Seaxburh
sinþ, sind, siþ	travel, time			Sindolf/Sindulf, Sindram, Sindbald, Sindbert	Sinthgunt as "Sun's sister" in the Merseburg Incantations
sig, sigi, sige	victory			Sigborg/Siborg, Sigebald/Sibbald/Sibold, Sigbod/Sibot, Sigibert, Sibrand, Sigmar, Sigmund, Sighart, Sighelm, Sigher/Siger, Sigrad, Sigeric, Sigtrygg, Sigward, Sigwald, Sigulf/Sigewulf; Ælfsige;[7] Sigelinde/Siglind, Sigtrud	possibly theophoric in origin, in reference to Teiwaz, and later Odin, the god of victory.[21] Hypocorisms Sigo, Sike, Sikke.
stan	stone			Æthelstan, Thorsten, Wulfstan	also in simplex Sten, from Scandinavian Steinn
swint, swiþ	strength			Swinthibald; Amalaswintha; Swinthila
tank	thought, counsel			Tancred/Dancrad, Dancmar
trygg	truth			Sigtrygg
wand, wandal	wander, wend			Wandefrid, Wandedrudis (f.), Vandebercth (7th century), Wandemar, Wandarich, Wendulf, Wanthildis (f., 9th century); Wandalbold (8th century), Wandalbert (7th-9th centuries), Wandalburgis (f., 10th-11th centuries)	in the names of the Vandals, Wends and Aurvandil
weald	power			Waldemar, Walther; Edwald, Frithuwold, Harold
warin; weard	guardian			Warinhari/Wernher/Werner; Brunward, Edward, Sigward; Freawaru, Ælfwaru
wiht	wight, spirit			Wihtred
wil	will, desire			Wilhelm, William
win, wini, wine, wyn(n)	friend / joy			Winibald, Winimund, Winibert; Ælfwine, Ecgwine, Edwin/Audoin, Erwin, Leofwine, Marvin, Oswin; Wynflæd; Ælfwynn, Ecgwynn, Brihtwyn
wig	battle, war			Wiglaf, Wigbert, Wigheard; Ludwig, Hedwig
wal(a), wel, wæl	battle			Wieland/Wayland,[22] Walaman, Walarad, Walerand, Walaruna, Walesinda, Wala-anc, Walahelm, Walaram	hypochoristic Wallia, Walica. c.f. Valhalla, Valkyrie, Valföðr etc.
wod (wad?)	fury			Wodilhilt (f.), Wodalgarta (f.), Wodilbalt (a. 969), Wodalbert (a. 773), Wodelfrid (a. 912), Wodilulf (11th century), Vudamot (a. 821)	because of the close association with Wodanaz, these names are rare already in the OHG period, and fall out of use entirely during the High Middle Ages. Some hypocorisms such as Wote (a. 784), Woda (f., 8th century), Wodal (a. 889), Wode, Wodtke, may derive from this element. Wotan is recorded as a given name in the early 9th century.[23] Association of most of these names with wod "fury" is uncertain, as there are the homophonic but unrelated roots of OHG watan "to wade" and wat "garment".[24]
wid(u), wit	wood, forest			Withhold, Widukind	hypocorism Guido, Guy
wulf	wolf			Adolph, Aethelwulf, Beowulf, Cynewulf, Rudolph, Wulfstan, Wulf (etc.)	Especially as second element, -ulf, -olf is extremely common. Förstemann explains this as originally motivated by the wolf as an animal sacred to Wodanaz, but notes that the large number of names indicates that the element had become a meaningless suffix of male names at an early time. Förstemann counts 381 names in -ulf, -olf, among which only four are feminine. See also Offa (name)
þeod	people			Theodoric/Dietrich/Derick/Dirk, Detlef, Diether, Diethelm, Theobald, Dietfried, Theudebert, Theodemar; Dietlinde
*þegnaz, degen	warrior, thane			Degenhard, Degericus; Deitdegen, Edildegan, Drûtdegan, Heridegan, Swertdegan, Volcdegen
þryþ, drut	force, strength			Drutmund; Æthelthryth, Osthryth, Cynethryth, Ermintrude, Gertrude	names with this suffix are feminine only; ON Þrúðr "Strength" is a daughter of Thor in Norse mythology. Hypocorism Trudy, Trudi
þonar, donar, þór	(god of) thunder		(rare)	Donarperht (9th century), Donarad (8th century), Þórarin, Þórhall, Þórkell, Þórfinnr, Þórvald, Þórvarðr, Þórgeir, Þórsteinn (9th century), Thunerulf/Þórolf ; Albthonar (8th century)	These names appear from the 8th or 9th century; popular in Scandinavia during the 10th to 11th centuries. Förstemann 1199.
þurs, Thuris, Turis	giant			Thusnelda (1st century; presubambly for *Thurishilda), Thurismund (6th century), Thurisind (6th century), Turisulfus	an archaic element in names of the migration period, extinct during the medieval period. Förstemann 1200.

Monothematic names

Some medieval Germanic names are attested in simplex form; these names originate as hypocorisms of full dithematic names, but in some cases they entered common usage and were no longer perceived as such.

• Masculine: Aldo (whence English Aldous), Anso, Anzo/Enzo, Folki/Folke/Fulco, Gero, Helmo, Ise/Iso, Kuno, Lanzo, Manno, Odo/Otto, Rocco, Sten, Waldo, Warin, Wido, Wine, Wolf/Wulf
• Feminine: Alda, Bertha, Emma, Hilda, Ida, Isa, Linda, Oda

Some hypocorisms retain a remnant of their second element, but reduced so that it cannot be identified unambiguously any longer; Curt/Kurt may abbreviate either Conrad or Cunibert. Harry may abbreviate either Harold or Henry.

Other monothematic names originate as surnames (bynames) rather than hypocorism of old dithematic names. E.g. Old English Æsc "ash tree", Carl "free man" (Charles), Hengest "stallion", Raban "raven" (Rabanus Maurus), Hagano/Hagen "enclosure", Earnest "vigorous, resolute".

Uncertain etymology

• Gustav has been interpreted as gaut-stafr "staff of the Geats"; it may also originate as an adaptation of the Slavic name Gostislav.
• Old English Pǣga (unknown meaning)
• Pepin
• Serlo
• Morcar
• Zotto
• Zaban
• Cleph
• Pemmo

See also

• Dutch name
• German name
• German family name etymology
• Scandinavian family name etymology
• Germanic placename etymology
• German placename etymology
• List of generic forms in British place names
• List of names of Odin
• Slavic names
• Germanic personal names in Galicia

References

1. e.g. the names of kings Penda, Pybba, Offa, Wuffa, or Sebbi, all Anglo-Saxons born in the 6th or 7th century
2. the oldest attested Germanic name may be Harigast, written harikast in the Negau helmet inscription, but there are dissenting minority opinions.
3. Gothic or pseudo-Gothic names also constitute most of the personal names in use in the Christian successor states of the Visigothic kingdom in the Iberian peninsula during High Middle Ages; c.f. Boullón Agrelo, Ana Isabel (1999). Antroponomia medieval galega (ss. VIII - XII). Tübingen: Niemeyer. ISBN 978-3-484-55512-9. and Förstemann, Ernst (1900). Altdeutsches Namenbuch (3 ed.). Bonn: P. Hanstein.
4. c.f. OE ehtan
5. names terminating in -ald are from -wald.
6. Vestralpus, the name of an Alamannic king, may be a rare instance of this element occurring in the second part of a name.
7. attested as latinized Ælsinus
8. perhaps reduced from Ælfgifu, or Ælthelgifu.
9. this name survives in corrupted form in the given name Axel and in the surnames Aslock, Hasluck
10. some possible rare exceptions, such as Fulcarb.
11. often conflated with Latin Pilgrim, Peregrinus
12. perhaps as a suffix in certain names latinized as -domus.
13. c.f. Old English eorcnan-stan "precious stone, gem". Pokorny (1959) tentatively grouped the word with PIE *arǵ- "glittering, shining", whence Latin argentum "silver"), but Gothic ark- may also represent an early loan from Greek ἀρχι- ("arch-", c.f. Ulfilan Gothic arkaggilus for archangelus). Formerly (Diefenbach 1851) also compared to Sanskrit arh- "to be worthy".
14. Erchtag was a name of Tuesday in Bavarian dialect; see Grimm, Deutsche Mythologie, 113; 182—185.
15. apparently a Gothic name; perhaps from fardi "travel" (Förstemann, 401), perhaps also from frithu "protection".
16. perhaps conflated with hild- from an early time.
17. names with this second element have been conflated with names in -rad. Förstemann 1900:875.
18. names with this second element are uncertain, most of the candidates could contain the simple suffix -ing. Förstemann 1900:877.
19. Lena Peterson Nordiskt runnamnslexikon (2002)
20. cognate to Old Irish néit "combat", see Pokorny (1959), p. 755.
21. Yonge, p. 306.
22. see Hellmut Rosenfeld, Der Name Wieland, Beiträge zur Namenforschung (1969)
23. Förstemann, 1332f.
24. Förstemann, 1224.

• Olof von Feilitzen, The Pre-conquest Personal Names of Domesday Book (1937).
• E. Förstemann, Altdeutsches Namenbuch (1856; online facsimile)
• Förstemann, Ernst (1900). Altdeutsches Namenbuch (3 ed.). Bonn: P. Hanstein.
• Lena Peterson, Nordiskt runnamnslexikon, 4th ed. (2002); 5th ed. (2007).
• P. R. Kitson, (2002). How Anglo-Saxon personal names work. Nomina, 24, 93.
• F. C. Robinson, (1968). The significance of names in old English literature. Anglia, 86, 14–58.
• Justus Georg Schottel, De nominibus veterum Germanorum, in: Ausführliche Arbeit Von der Teutschen Haubt-Sprache, Zilliger (1663), book 5, chapter 2, pp. 1029–1098.
• Franz Stark, Die Kosenamen der Germanen: eine Studie: mit drei Excursen: 1. Über Zunamen; 2. Über den Ursprung der zusammengesetzten Namen; 3. Über besondere friesische Namensformen und Verkürzungen, 1868.
• Friedrich Wilhelm Viehbeck, Die Namen der Alten teutschen: als Bilder ihres sittlichen und bürgerlichen Lebens (1818; online facsimile)
• H. B. Woolf, (1939). The old Germanic principles of name-giving. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press.
• H. C. Wyld, (1910). Old Scandinavian personal names in England. Modern Language Review, 5, 289–296.
• Charlotte Mary Yonge, History of Christian names, vol. 2, Parker and Bourn, 1863.
• Schönfeld, Moritz (1911). Wörterbuch der altgermanischen Personen- und Völkernamen (PDF). Heidelberg: C. Winter.

External links

• Germanic names (behindthename.com)
• Ancient Germanic names (behindthename.com)
• Old Norse Names (vikinganswerlady.com)
• Germanic Names in the Earliest Runic Inscriptions (vikingrune.com)
• Anglo-Saxon names, Frankish names, Norse names, Gothic names, Lombardic names (infernaldreams.com)
• Names in the Low Countries before 1150 (keesn.nl)
• Gothic and Suevic Names in Galicia (NW Spain) before 1200 (celtiberia.net)