Ada 1 f English, Italian, Spanish, German, Dutch, Norwegian, Polish, Finnish, Germanic [1]Originally a short form of Germanic names such as
Adelaide or
Adelina that begin with the element
adal meaning "noble"
[2]. Saint Ada was a 7th-century Frankish abbess at Le Mans. This name was also borne by Augusta Ada King (1815-1852), the Countess of Lovelace (known as Ada Lovelace), a daughter of Lord Byron. She was an assistant to Charles Babbage, the inventor of an early mechanical computer.
Adallinda f Germanic [1]Derived from the Old German elements
adal "noble" and
lind "soft, flexible, tender"
[2][3]. Adallinda (or Adalindis or Ethelind) was the name of one of the concubines of
Charlemagne, with whom she had at least two children.
Adela f English, Spanish, Romanian, Polish, Slovak, Germanic [1]Originally a short form of names beginning with the Old German element
adal meaning
"noble" (Proto-Germanic *
aþalaz)
[2][3][4]. Saint Adela was a 7th-century Frankish princess who founded a monastery at Pfalzel in France. This name was also borne by a daughter of William the Conqueror.
Adolf m German, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Czech, Hungarian, Polish, Germanic [1]From the Old German name
Adalwolf, which meant
"noble wolf" from the elements
adal "noble" and
wolf [1][2][3]. It was borne by several Swedish kings as a first or second name, most notably by Gustav II Adolf in the 17th century. Association with Adolf Hitler (1889-1945), the leader of the Nazi party in Germany during World War II, has lessened the use of this name.
Agilulf m Germanic [1]Old German name derived from the elements
agil meaning "edge, blade" and
wolf meaning "wolf"
[2]. This name was borne by a 6th-century king of the Lombards and by an 8th-century saint (a bishop of Cologne).
Ago m Germanic [1]From the Old High German element
ekka, Old Saxon
eggia meaning
"edge, blade" (Proto-Germanic *
agjō)
[2][3][4]. Alternatively it could be from Old High German
egi meaning
"fear" (Proto-Germanic *
agaz)
[4][5][6]. This was the name of a 7th-century Duke of Friuli.
Aimeric m Germanic [1]Probably a variant of
Heimirich. Aimeric (or Aimery) was the name of several viscounts of Narbonne between the 11th and 13th centuries. It was also borne by the first king of Cyprus (12th century), originally from Poitou, France.
Alberich m Germanic [1], Germanic MythologyDerived from the Old German elements
alb "elf" and
rih "ruler, king"
[2][3]. It was borne by two Lombard dukes of Spoleto in the 10th century. It was also the name of a 12th-century French saint who helped found the Cistercian Order.
... [more] Albert m English, German, French, Catalan, Polish, Czech, Russian, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Icelandic, Finnish, Romanian, Hungarian, Albanian, Germanic [1]From the Germanic name
Adalbert meaning
"noble and bright", composed of the elements
adal "noble" and
beraht "bright"
[1][2][3][4]. This name was common among medieval German royalty. The Normans introduced it to England, where it replaced the Old English cognate
Æþelbeorht [5]. Though it became rare in England by the 17th century, it was repopularized in the 19th century by the German-born Prince Albert, the husband of Queen Victoria
[6].
... [more] Alboin m Germanic [1]From the Old German elements
alb "elf" and
wini "friend"
[2][3][4]. It is a cognate of
Ælfwine. This was the name of a 6th-century king of the Lombards who began the Lombard conquest of Italy.
Aldebrand m Germanic [1]Old German name derived from the elements
alt meaning "old" and
brant meaning "fire, torch, sword"
[2][3]. Saint Aldebrand was a 12th-century bishop of Fossombrone in Italy.
Aldegund f Germanic [1]Germanic name, derived from the elements
alt "old" and
gunda "war"
[2][3]. Alternatively, it could be a metathesized form of
Adalgund. Saint Aldegund (or Aldegundis or Adelgundis) was a 7th-century Frankish abbess at Maubeuge.
Amalberga f Germanic [1]Variant of
Amalaberga, as borne by the Frankish saints Amalberga of Maubeuge (7th century) and Amalberga of Temse (8th century).
Amalia f Spanish, Italian, Romanian, Greek, Finnish, Swedish, Dutch, German, Germanic (Latinized) [1]Short form of Germanic names beginning with the element
amal. This element means
"unceasing, vigorous, brave", or it can refer to the Gothic dynasty of the Amali (derived from the same root)
[2][3].
... [more] Anselm m German, English (Rare), Germanic [1]Derived from the Old German elements
ansi "god" and
helm "helmet, protection"
[2][3][4]. This name was brought to England in the late 11th century by Saint Anselm, who was born in northern Italy. He was archbishop of Canterbury and a Doctor of the Church.
Anthelm m Germanic [1]From the Old German element
anto meaning "zeal" combined with
helm meaning "helmet, protection"
[2][3][4]. Saint Anthelm was a 12th-century bishop of Belley in France.
Arnold m English, German, Dutch, Polish, Germanic [1]From a Germanic name meaning
"eagle power", derived from the elements
arn "eagle" and
walt "power, authority"
[1][2][3]. The Normans brought it to England, where it replaced the Old English cognate
Earnweald. It died out as an English name after the Middle Ages, but it was revived in the 19th century.
... [more] Arnulf m German, Germanic [1]Germanic name derived from the elements
arn meaning "eagle" and
wolf meaning "wolf"
[2][3]. This name was borne by a few early saints, notably a 7th-century Frankish bishop of Metz. It was also the name of a 9th-century Holy Roman emperor.
Audagar m Germanic [1]Derived from the Old Frankish elements
aud meaning "wealth, fortune" and
gair meaning "spear". It is a cognate of
Edgar. This was the name of an 8th-century Frankish nobleman who was exiled by
Charlemagne. He forms the basis for the character known as
Ogier in later French tales.
Ava 3 f German, Germanic [1]Originally a short form of Germanic names beginning with the element
awi, of unknown meaning. This was the name of a 9th-century Frankish saint. It was also borne by a 12th-century poet from Melk, Austria.
Avila f Germanic [1]Derived from the Old German element
awi, of unknown meaning. Rarely, this name may be given in honour of the 16th-century mystic Saint Teresa of Ávila,
Ávila being the name of the town in Spain where she was born.
Baldwin m English, Germanic [1]Means
"bold friend", derived from the Old German elements
bald "bold, brave" and
wini "friend"
[2][3][4]. In the Middle Ages this was a popular name in Flanders and among the Normans, who brought it to Britain. It was borne by one of the leaders of the First Crusade, an 11th-century nobleman from Flanders. After the crusaders conquered Jerusalem, he was crowned as the king of the Kingdom of Jerusalem.
Balthild f Germanic [1]Derived from the Old German elements
bald "bold, brave" and
hilt "battle"
[2][3]. This was the name of a 7th-century saint, the wife of the Frankish king Clovis II. She was apparently an Anglo-Saxon, her original name being the Old English cognate
Bealdhild. She is also called
Bathilde.
Berard m Germanic [1]Variant of
Bernard using the related root
bero "bear" as the first element. This was the name of a 13th-century saint from Carbio, Italy who was martyred in Morocco.
Berengar m Germanic [1]Old German name derived from the elements
bern "bear" and
ger "spear"
[2][3]. This was the name of two medieval kings of Italy and a Holy Roman emperor.
Bernard m English, French, Dutch, Polish, Croatian, Slovene, Czech, Germanic [1]Derived from the Old German element
bern "bear" combined with
hart "hard, firm, brave, hardy"
[1][2]. The Normans brought it to England, where it replaced the Old English cognate
Beornheard [3]. This was the name of several saints, including Saint Bernard of Menthon who built hospices in the Swiss Alps in the 10th century, and Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, a 12th-century theologian and Doctor of the Church. Other famous bearers include the Irish playwright and essayist George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950), the British World War II field marshal Bernard Montgomery (1887-1976) and the French cyclist Bernard Hinault (1954-).
Bertha f German, English, Germanic [1]Originally a short form of Germanic names beginning with the Old Frankish or Old Saxon element
berht, Old High German
beraht meaning
"bright" (Proto-Germanic *
berhtaz)
[1][2][3][4]. This was the name of a few early saints, including a 6th-century Frankish princess who married and eventually converted King
Æþelbeorht of Kent. It was also borne by the mother of
Charlemagne in the 8th century (also called
Bertrada), and it was popularized in England by the Normans. It died out as an English name after the Middle Ages, but was revived in the 19th century.
... [more] Bertram m English, German, Germanic [1]Means
"bright raven", derived from the Old German element
beraht "bright" combined with
hram "raven"
[2][3][4][5]. This name has long been conflated with
Bertrand. The Normans introduced it to England, and Shakespeare used it in his play
All's Well That Ends Well (1603).
Bertrand m French, English, Germanic [1]Derived from the Old German elements
beraht meaning "bright" and
rant meaning "rim (of a shield)"
[2][3][4]. From an early date it has been confused with
Bertram and the two names have merged to some degree. Saint Bertrand was an 11th-century bishop of Comminges in France. Another famous bearer was the English philosopher Bertrand Russell (1872-1970).
Blanchard m Germanic [1]Derived from the Old German elements
blanc meaning "white" and
hart meaning "hard, firm, brave, hardy"
[2][3]. This was the name of an obscure (perhaps legendary) 7th-century French saint.
Bodo m German, Germanic [1]Derived from the Old High German element
bot, Old Saxon
bod meaning
"command, order" (Proto-Germanic *
budą)
[2][3]. Saint Bodo, also called Leudinus, was a 7th-century bishop of Toul in northern France.
Brunhild f German, Germanic Mythology, Germanic [1]Derived from the Old German elements
brunna "armour, protection" and
hilt "battle"
[2][3]. It is cognate with the Old Norse name
Brynhildr (from the elements
brynja and
hildr). In Norse legend Brynhildr was the queen of the valkyries who was rescued by the hero
Sigurd. In the medieval German saga the
Nibelungenlied she was a queen of Iceland and the wife of
Gunther. Both of these characters were probably inspired by the eventful life of the 6th-century Frankish queen Brunhilda (of Visigothic birth).
... [more] Bruno m German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Croatian, Polish, Czech, Slovak, Latvian, Germanic [1]Derived from the Old German element
brunna meaning
"armour, protection" (Proto-Germanic *
brunjǭ) or
brun meaning
"brown" (Proto-Germanic *
brūnaz)
[2][3][4][5][6][7]. Saint Bruno of Cologne was a German monk of the 11th century who founded the Carthusian Order. The surname has belonged to Giordano Bruno, a philosopher burned at the stake by the Inquisition. A modern bearer is the American singer Bruno Mars (1985-), born Peter Gene Hernandez.
Burkhard m German, Germanic [1]Derived from the Old German elements
burg "fortress" and
hart "hard, firm, brave, hardy"
[2][3][4], or perhaps from the Old English cognate
Burgheard. Saint Burkhard was an 8th-century Anglo-Saxon missionary to Germany (a companion of
Boniface) who became the first bishop of Würzburg.
Carloman m Germanic [1]From an Old German name derived from
karl meaning "man" and
man meaning "person, man"
[2][3][4]. This was the name of several Frankish rulers, including the 8th-century Carloman I who ruled jointly with his brother
Charlemagne for a time.
Charibert m Germanic [1]Old German (Frankish) variant of
Haribert. This name was borne by two Merovingian kings of the Franks (6th and 7th centuries).
Childebert m Germanic [1]Old German (Frankish) form of
Hildebert. This name was borne by four Merovingian Frankish kings (between the 6th and 8th centuries).
Chlodomer m Germanic [1]Frankish name derived from the elements
hlut "famous, loud" and
mari "famous". This was the name of a 6th-century king of the Franks (a son of
Clovis).
Conrad m English, German, Germanic [1]Means
"brave counsel", derived from the Old German elements
kuoni "brave" and
rat "counsel, advice"
[1][2][3]. This was the name of a 10th-century saint and bishop of Konstanz, in southern Germany. It was also borne by several medieval German kings and dukes, notably Conrad II, the first of the Holy Roman Emperors from the Salic dynasty. In England it was occasionally used during the Middle Ages, but has only been common since the 19th century when it was reintroduced from Germany.
Dagobert m Germanic [1], GermanMeans
"bright day", derived from Old Frankish
dag or Old High German
tag meaning "day" combined with Old Frankish
berht or Old High German
beraht meaning "bright"
[2][3][4]. This was the name of a 7th-century Merovingian king of the Franks.
... [more] Drogo m Germanic [1]Frankish name, possibly derived from Gothic
dragan meaning
"to carry, to pull" or Old Saxon
drog meaning
"ghost, illusion". Alternatively, it could be related to the Slavic element
dorgŭ meaning
"precious, dear". This name was borne by sons of both Pepin of Herstal and Charlemagne.
Eberhard m German, Germanic [1]Old German name meaning
"brave boar", derived from the elements
ebur "wild boar" and
hart "hard, firm, brave, hardy"
[1][2][3]. This name was borne by an influential 9th-century Duke of Friuli. It was also the name of a 12th-century German saint, an archbishop of Salzburg.
Egilhard m Germanic [1]Old German name derived from the elements
agil "edge, blade" and
hart "hard, firm, brave, hardy"
[2]. Usually called Eilhart, this was a medieval German poet who wrote an early version of the Tristan and Iseult tale.
Egilmar m Germanic [1]Derived from the Old German elements
agil "edge, blade" and
mari "famous"
[2]. Egilmar (or Elimar) was the name of two counts of Oldenburg in the 12th century.
Ekkehard m German, Germanic [1]Derived from the Old German elements
ekka "edge, blade" and
hart "hard, firm, brave, hardy"
[2][3]. Eckhart von Hochheim was a 13th-century Dominican friar, philosopher and mystic who was accused of heresy during the Inquisition.
Emma f English, French, Italian, Spanish, Catalan, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Icelandic, Finnish, Latvian, Dutch, German, Hungarian, Germanic [1]Originally a short form of Germanic names that began with the element
irmin meaning
"whole" or
"great" (Proto-Germanic *
ermunaz)
[1][2][3][4][5]. It was introduced to England by Emma of Normandy, who was the wife both of King Ethelred II (and by him the mother of Edward the Confessor) and later of King Canute. It was also borne by an 11th-century Austrian saint, who is sometimes called
Hemma.
... [more] Engel m & f Germanic [1], German (Rare)Originally this may have been a short form of Germanic names beginning with the element
angil, referring to the Germanic tribe known in English as the Angles. However, from early times it has been strongly associated with the Old German word
engil meaning
"angel" (of Latin and Greek origin).
Engelbert m German, Germanic [1]Old German name composed of either the element
angil, from the name of the Germanic tribe of the Angles, or
engil meaning "angel" combined with
beraht meaning "bright"
[2][3][4]. Saint Engelbert was a 13th-century archbishop of Cologne murdered by assassins.
Erhard m German, GermanicDerived from the Old German element
era "honour, respect" combined with
hart "hard, firm, brave, hardy"
[1][2]. Saint Erhard was a 7th-century bishop of Regensburg in Bavaria.
Ermelinde f GermanicDerived from the Old German elements
irmin "whole, great" and
lind "soft, flexible, tender"
[1][2][3]. This was the name of a 6th-century Frankish saint from Meldert, Flanders.
Ermendrud f Germanic [1]Derived from the Old German elements
irmin "whole, great" and
drud "strength"
[2][3]. This was the name of the wife of the Frankish king Charles the Bald (9th century).
Ermengard f Germanic [1]Derived from the Old German elements
irmin meaning "whole, great" and
gart meaning "enclosure, yard"
[2][3]. This name was borne by the wife of the Frankish king Louis the Pious (9th century). This was also the name of one of her granddaughters, an abbess of Frauenwörth who is regarded as a saint.
Ermenrich m Germanic [1]From the Gothic name *
Airmanareiks, from the elements
airmans "great, immense" and
reiks "ruler, king"
[2][3][4]. Ermenrich (also often called Ermanaric) was a 4th-century Gothic king.
Erwin m German, Dutch, Polish, Germanic [1]Derived from the Old German name
Hariwini, composed of the elements
heri "army" and
wini "friend"
[2][3][4]. It may have merged somewhat with the name
Eberwin. A notable bearer was Erwin Schrödinger (1887-1961), an Austrian physicist who made contributions to quantum theory.
Ewald m German, Dutch, Germanic [1]From an Old German name that was composed of the elements
ewa "law, custom" and
walt "power, authority"
[2][3]. This name was borne by two 7th-century saints from Northumbria who were martyred in Saxony.
Faramund m Germanic [1]Derived from the Old German elements
fara "journey" and
munt "protection"
[2][3]. This was the name of a semi-legendary 5th-century king of the Franks.
Faro m Germanic [1]Originally a short form of Germanic names containing the element
fara meaning "journey" (Proto-Germanic *
farō)
[2][3]. This was the name of a 7th-century Burgundian bishop of Meaux, France.
Faroald m Germanic [1]Derived from the Old German elements
fara "journey" and
walt "power, authority"
[2][3]. This name was borne by the first Duke of Spoleto, a 6th-century Lombard.
Filibert m Germanic [1]Means
"much brightness" from the Old German elements
filu "much" and
beraht "bright"
[2][3][4]. This was the name of a 7th-century Frankish saint, commonly called Philibert.
Fridolin m German, Germanic [1]Originally a diminutive of names containing the Old German element
fridu meaning
"peace" [2]. Saint Fridolin of Säckingen was a semi-legendary 6th-century missionary to southern Germany from Ireland.
Garibald m Germanic [1]Derived from the Old German elements
garo meaning "ready, prepared" and
bald meaning "bold, brave"
[2][3]. This name was borne by two rulers of Bavaria in the 6th and 7th centuries, as well as a king of the Lombards in the 7th century.
Gerbald m Germanic [1]Derived from the Old German elements
ger meaning "spear" and
bald meaning "bold, brave"
[2][3][4]. This was the name of a 7th-century Frankish saint, a bishop of Bayeux (also called Gerbold).
Gerulf m Germanic [1]Derived from Old German
ger meaning "spear" and
wolf meaning "wolf"
[2][3][4]. This was the name of an 8th-century saint and martyr from Drongen, Belgium.
Gervasius m Germanic (Latinized) [1]Possibly a Latinized form of a Germanic name with a first element deriving from
ger "spear"
[1][2][3]. The second element is uncertain, though some propose it to be Gaulish *
wassos "servant"
[4]. Alternatively the name could be related to the Greek word
γεραιός (geraios) "old"
[5].
... [more] Gilbert m English, French, Dutch, Germanic [1]Means
"bright pledge", derived from the Old German elements
gisal "pledge, hostage" and
beraht "bright"
[1][2][3][4][5]. The Normans introduced this name to England, where it was common during the Middle Ages. It was borne by a 12th-century English saint, the founder of the religious order known as the Gilbertines.
Gisbert m German, Germanic [1]From a Germanic name in which the second element is
beraht "bright"
[2][3]. The first element is probably a shortened form of
gisal "pledge, hostage"
[4] (making it a variant of
Gilbert), though it could be related to Gaulish *
gaisos "spear" (itself probably of Germanic origin
[5]).
Godehard m Germanic [1]Old German name derived from the elements
got "god" and
hart "hard, firm, brave, hardy"
[2][3]. This was the name of an 11th-century saint who was a bishop of Hildesheim.
Gozzo m Germanic [1]Originally a diminutive of names beginning with the Old German element
goz, which was from the name of the Germanic tribe the Geats (Proto-Germanic *
gautaz)
[2].
Hasso m German, Germanic [1]Germanic name, possibly referring to a member of the Germanic tribe of the Hessians, called the Chatti in antiquity.
Herman m English, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, Slovene, Germanic [1]Means
"army man", derived from the Old German elements
heri "army" and
man "person, man"
[2][3]. It was introduced to England by the Normans, died out, and was revived in the English-speaking world in the 19th century. It was borne by an 18th-century Russian missionary to Alaska who is venerated as a saint in the Orthodox Church, though in his case the name is an alternate transcription of
German. Another famous bearer was the American writer Herman Melville (1819-1891), the author of
Moby-Dick.