Germanic name

{{Short description|Type of given name}} {{distinguish|German name}} {{more citations needed|date=June 2024}} Germanic given names are traditionally dithematic; that is, they are formed from two elements (stems), by joining a prefix and a suffix. For example, King Æþelred's name was derived from ''{{Wikt-lang|ang|æþele}}'', meaning "noble", and ''{{Wikt-lang|ang|ræd}}'', meaning "counsel".{{cite-needed|date=April 2025}} The individual elements in dithematic names do not necessarily have any semantic relationship to each other and the combination does not usually carry a compound meaning. Dithematic names are found in a variety of Indo-European languages and are often derived from formulaic epithets of heroic praise.<ref name="albris-2020">{{Cite journal| doi = 10.34158/ONOMA.55/2020/5| volume = 55| pages = 77–97 (pp 80–81)| last = Albris| first = Sofie Laurine| title = Animal art and personal names in Iron Age Scandinavia: Different media – corresponding cultural codes?| journal = Onoma| date = 2020| url = https://onomajournal.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Onoma-55-1.04-Albris-final-web-August.pdf}}</ref> Another suggestion is that they reflected wishes for newborns.<ref name=wila>{{ill|Willy van Langendonck|nl|}}, {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=B7jOGz7zMnwC&pg=PA83|title=Theory and Typology of Proper Names|publisher=Walter de Gruyter|year=2007|isbn=978-3-11-019086-1|pages=83–|author=}}</ref>

There are also names dating from an early time 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.<ref>e.g. the names of kings Penda, Pybba, Offa, Wuffa, and Sebbi, all Anglo-Saxons born in the 6th or 7th centuries</ref>

The oldest known Germanic names date to the Roman Empire period, such as those of ''Arminius'' and his wife ''Thusnelda'' in the 1st century CE, and in greater frequency, especially Gothic names, in the late Roman Empire, in the 4th to 5th centuries (the Germanic Heroic Age).<ref>The oldest attested Germanic name may be ''Harigast'', written ''harikast'' in the Negau helmet inscription, but there are dissenting minority opinions.</ref>

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<ref>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; cf. {{cite book|last=Boullón Agrelo|first=Ana Isabel|author-link=Ana Isabel Boullón Agrelo|title=Antroponomia medieval galega (ss. VIII - XII)|year=1999|publisher=Niemeyer|location=Tübingen|isbn=978-3-484-55512-9}} and {{cite book|last=Förstemann|first=Ernst|title=Altdeutsches Namenbuch|year=1900|publisher=P. Hanstein|location=Bonn|edition=3|url=http://sul-derivatives.stanford.edu/derivative?CSNID=00003871&mediaType=application/pdf|access-date=2022-04-02|archive-date=2016-03-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305094219/http://sul-derivatives.stanford.edu/derivative?CSNID=00003871&mediaType=application%2Fpdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>) forms.

By the High Middle Ages, many of these names had undergone numerous sound changes and/or were abbreviated, so that their derivation is not always clear.{{cn|date=October 2025}}

Of the large number of medieval Germanic names, a comparatively small set remains in common use today. For almost a thousand years, the most frequent name of Germanic origin in the English-speaking world has traditionally been William (from the Old High German {{lang|goh|Willahelm}}), followed by Robert, Richard and Henry.{{cn|date=October 2025}}

Many native English (Anglo-Saxon) names fell into disuse in the later Middle Ages but experienced a revival in the Victorian era.{{cn|date=October 2025}} Some of these are Edwin, Edmund, Edgar, Alfred, Oswald and Harold for males; the female names Mildred and Gertrude also continue to be used in present day, ''Audrey'' continues the Anglo-Norman (French) form of the Anglo-Saxon {{lang|ang|Æðelþryð}}, while the name ''Godiva'' is a Latin form of {{lang|ang|Godgifu}}.

Some names, like Howard and Ronald, are thought to originate from multiple Germanic languages, including Anglo-Saxon.{{cn|date=October 2025}}

==Dithematic names==

{|class="wikitable sortable" !Element!!Meaning!!First element!!Second element!!Examples!!Notes |- |''act, aht, oht'' || fearsome(?) || {{tick}} || || Ohthere, Ohtrad, Actumerus, Octric, Actulf; Actohildis, Octolindis || Pokorny<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indo-european.info/pokorny-etymological-dictionary/ank-1.htm|title=ank-1|website=indo-european.info}}</ref> suggests rather the root of OHG āhta `hostile pursuit', Germ.. Acht, OE. ōht 'pursuit, harassment'<ref>cf. OE ''ehtan''</ref>< *anhtō, in OE conflated with ōht 'terror', from the preterite of ag- "fear".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indo-european.info/pokorny-etymological-dictionary/agh.htm|title=agh-|website=indo-european.info}}</ref> These represent perhaps two or more roots which are indistinguishable without |- | ''*agi-''; ''eg'', ''ecg'', ''egg'', ''ekk'', ''agin, egin'' || sword, blade ||{{tick}}|| || Egbert, Ecgbald, Eggert, Ecgwine, Ekkehart, Ecgric, Eginolf; Ecgwynn, Egon || Some names in ''ag-, eg-'' may be unrelated in origin; see Förstemann, 9. |- |''agil, ail, eil'' ||dread or weapon edge ||{{tick}} || || Agilperht, Agilfrid, Agilulf, Egilger, Agilmar/Ilmar/Elmar, Egil, Egilrat; Alruna, Agilburgis, || Uncertain etymology; like ''agin'' perhaps a hypostatis of the older ''ag-''; Förstemann, 22. See Agilaz. |- |''ala'' || all || {{tick}}|| ||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 || {{tick}} || —<ref>names terminating in ''-ald'' are from ''-wald''.</ref> || Altopold, Altiperht, Aldfrid/Aldfrith, Aldegar, Aldman, Ealdred/Aldred, Aldwig, Aldwin/Audoin/Alduin, Ealdwulf/Aldwulf; Aldedrudis, Aldeberga/Aldburg, Aldigart, Altagund/Ealdgyð, Aldelindis, Aldis |- | ''*albi-''; ''ælf'', ''elf'', ''alf'' || elf ||{{tick}}|| —<ref>Vestralpus, the name of an Alamannic king, may be a rare instance of this element occurring in the second part of a name.</ref>|| Ælfwine, Ælfric, Alfred, Ælfweard, Ælfsige;<ref name="aelsinus">attested as latinized Ælsinus</ref> Ælfflæd, Ælfwaru, Ælfwynn |- || ''*alh, alah, ealh'' || hall, temple || {{tick}} || || Ealhhelm, Ealhmund/Alcmund, Alhred, Ealhwine/Alcuin; Ealhswith, Ælgifu(?)<ref>perhaps reduced from Ælfgifu, or Ælthelgifu.</ref> || Perhaps related to runic ''alu'' |- |''amala'' || work(?) || {{tick}} || || Amaleberga, Amalafrida, Amalrica, Amalaswintha/Melisende/Millicent || cf. Amalia, Amelie. This element's etymology is uncertain, but it is frequently compared to Old Norse ''aml'' "work". |- |''angil, engel; ingal/ingel'' || a tribal name || {{tick}} || || 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 ||{{tick}}|| || Æthelhard, Æthelred, Adolf/Æthelwulf, Alphonse, Albert/Adelbert, Adelbrand/Alebrand, Æthelburh, Adelaide, Æthelstan, Æthelflæd, Adalsinda, Adelmar, Æthelthryth/Audrey, Aðils, Æthelgifu || see ethel, odal, |- || ''*anô-'', ON ''anu'' or ''ái'', OHG ''ano'' || ancestor ||{{tick}}|| (?) || Olaf || Hypocorisms Ole, Åke/Åge |- || ''*ans-'', ON ''ás'', OHG ''ans'', AS ''os'' || god ||{{tick}}||— || Asbjørn/Osborne, Ansgar/Osgar,<ref>the name Oscar is an unrelated name of Irish origin meaning "deer-friend"</ref> Oswin, Oswald/Ansaldo/Answald, Ansleth, Ásleikr/Anslech/Oslac,<ref>this name survives in corrupted form in the given name Axel and in the surnames Aslock, Hasluck</ref> Ansfridus, Anshelmus/Anselm, Ansgisus/Ansegisus, Ansbrecht/Osbert, Osburh, Osgyth, Osthryth |- |''ar, ara, ari, arni, earn'' || eagle || {{tick}} || ||Arafrid, Aramund, Arswind, Arfrid, Arnipert, Arnold, Arnulf, Arvid ||Many of these names cannot be distinguished with certainty from the corresponding name in ''hari-''. |- |''arb, erb, erf'' || inheritance || {{tick}} || —<ref>some possible rare exceptions, such as Fulcarb.</ref> || Arbogastis, Erbhart, Erphari, Erpolach, Erflind, Erbemar, Erpmund, Erferat, Erferih, Erpwin, Erpulf || Hypocorisms Aribo, Erbo |- |''asc, æsc'' || ash, spear (made of ash tree) || {{tick}} || || Askold, Aschari, Asclind, Ascarich, Ascwin, Asculf ||cf. Oisc, Ask |- |''*audaz, aud, od, euþ'', ''auþ'', ''euth'', ''ead'', ''eod'', ''jóð''|| wealth, prosperity || {{tick}} || || Audeca, Audofleda, Auduin, Odotheus, Audovacar/Odoacer, Odomir/Otmar/Ottomar/Othmar/Ademar, Edgar/Audagar/Ottokar, Edmund, Eadnoth, Eadred/Edred, Edward, Eadwig, Eadwulf, Edwin, Eadgifu, Edith. Eadgils (etc.) || Extremely frequent. cf. also Ethel, Otto, Odda, Auðr |- |''aun, on, ean'' || one (?) || {{tick}} || || Eanhere, Aunefrit/Eanfrith, Aunemund, Onerich, Aunulf; Eanflæd || Possibly "one" due to vowel being pronounced farther back in the mouth. At the time, and given those bearing the name, slowly becoming Old English "an", meaning "one'. But officially the etymology is unknown; see Förstemann, 181. |- |''aus, aust, eost'' || radiant; a goddess || {{tick}} || || Auripert, Aurendil/Orendil/Aurvandil, Aurulf; Ostheri, Austrad, Austrobert, Austraberta, Ostarpurc, Aostarger, Aostargart, Austrigisil, Ostarhilt, Ostremund, Austrad, Australd, Ostruin, Austrulf || Possibly theophoric, see Eostre, Aurvandil |- | ''bald'' || bold ||{{tick}} || {{tick}}|| Baldwin; Theobald, Ubaldo, etc. || Very frequent, and often conflated with the ''wald'' element. |- || ''band'' || band, loop ||{{tick}} || ?|| Pandulf/Pandolfo |- |''baud, bad, bud, badu, beadu, both'' || battle? || {{tick}}||{{tick}} || Baudigisil, Baudegund, Baudemund, Baudulf, Beadohild, Beaduhelm, Beaduwine, Bothvildr || Uncertain etymology; mostly in old names (before the 8th century) Förstemann, 216f. In later use indistinguishable from ''bald'' |- |''baug'' || ring || {{tick}} || || Baugegundus, Bauglind, Baugulf |- | ''*berht-''; ''beraht, bryht, briht'' || bright ||{{tick}}||{{tick}}|| Byrhtnoth, Bertrand, Bertram, Bertold/Berthold, Beorhtric, Bertrude, Brihtwyn; Cuthbert, Aribert, Albert/Albright/Adelbert, Rigobert, Robert/Rupert, Herbert, Humbert, Hubert, Norbert, Wilbert, Delbert/Dagobert, Engelbert, Egbert, Lambert, Sindbert, Bertstan, Lubbert, Ludbert, Engilbrecht, Thuringbert, Wolfbert||hypocorism Bert. One of the most frequent elements, but not attested before the 6th century. |- || ''burg, beorg'' || fortress ||{{tick}} || {{tick}}|| Burchard/Burkhart, Burgred; Cuthburh, Eadburh, Æthelburh, Notburga, Osburh, Redburga, Seaxburh, Walpurga, Werburgh || The suffix is feminine only. See also Burke |- | ''bera, bern, berin, beorn'' || bear || {{tick}}|| || Berengar, Berahart/Bernhard/Bernard, Berhildis, Berahoch, Bermar, Berimund, Beornwulf || cf. Beonna, Berig |- |''bil'' || blade, sword || {{tick}} || || Biligrim,<ref>often conflated with Latin Pilgrim, Peregrinus</ref> Bilihelm, Bilihild, Billfrith, Belimar, Bilidruda, Pilolf || among the Saxons often monothematic, as Bilo, Pilicho, Pillin, Billung |- |''blic'' || lightning ||{{tick}}|| || Blictrud, Blicger, Blicgart, Plechelm, Blicildis |- |''blid'' || blithe || {{tick}} || || Bliddruda, Bllithar, Blithelm, Blidhild, Blidmar, Blidulf, Blidemund, Plittelmi |- |''bord'' || shield || — || {{tick}} || Herebord, Hiltiport, Saelbort, Willipord |- | ''brand'' || fire, as a kenning for "sword" ||{{tick}} || {{tick}}|| Branthildis, Branthoc, Brandulf; Adelbrand, Gerbrand, Hildebrand, Hadubrand, IJsbrand, Liutprand, Rembrandt, Theudebrand || cf. Brant. Attested from the 7th century, with the exception of Gothic Brandila |- | ''brun'' || armour, protection; brown || {{tick}} || || Brunfrid, Brunger, Brunric, Brunward, Brunulf/{{linktext|Brynolf}}/Brunolf/Brynjolfr/Brunulphe; 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'' || day || {{tick}} ||{{tick}} || 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". |- |''deor'' || dear || {{tick}} || || Deorwine / Darwin / Derwin |- |''dis, idis'' || lady || {{tick}}||{{tick}}||Dissibod, Disnot ||Names with this prefix are probably theophoric. In Nordic feminine names with the suffix ''-dis'', the meaning is "woman". |- |''diur, deor'' ||animal || {{tick}} || ||Deurtrudis, Thiurhilt, Deorold, Deorulf ||The meaning of this element may be either "animal" (deer) or "dear". See also Deor. |- |''dom'' || judgement (doom) || {{tick}} || ?<ref>perhaps as a suffix in certain names latinized as ''-domus''.</ref> || Dombert, Domedrudis, Domegerdis, Domalde, Duomolf |- |''druht, droc, druc'' || people || {{tick}} || || Droctbold, Drocberta, Drutberga, Drucfred, Druhtgang, Truhthari, Droctelm, Dructildis, Druhtmar, Dructimund, Dructuin, Dructulf |- |''ebur, eber, eofor, ever'' || boar || {{tick}}|| || Eparpert/Everbert, Euerberga, Euurdag/Everdei/Eofordæg, Ebertrudis, Eparfrid, Eberger, Eberhard/Eoforheard/Everard/Evorhart/Euerart/Everett, Ebarhelm/Evorhelm, Eburhilt, Ebirmuot, Ebermunt, Ebarolt/Euerwolt, Eberwin/Ebroin, Eberulf/Everwolf/Everolf, Eboric/Everik, Eoforwulf, Everrod, Everbalt, Everwacchor |- |''era, eri, erin, ern'' || honour || {{tick}} || ||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<ref>cf. 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-", cf. Ulfilan Gothic ''arkaggilus'' for ''archangelus''). Formerly (Diefenbach 1851) also compared to Sanskrit ''arh-'' "to be worthy".</ref> || {{tick}} || || Ercanberaht/Eorcenberht/Erchempert, Ercanbold/Archibald, Ercamberta, Ercanpurh, Ercantrud, Ercanfrid, Ercangar, Ercanhilt, Erchensinda, Erchinoald/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.<ref>''Erchtag'' was a name of Tuesday in Bavarian dialect; see Grimm, ''Deutsche Mythologie'', 113; 182—185.</ref> |- |''erl, eorl'' || warrior, noble ||{{tick}} || || Erlabald/Erlembald, Erlefrida, Erligar, Erlemund, Erlwin, 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 || {{tick}} || || Euin, Eubert, Eomar, Eumund, Ewirat, Eric, Eowig, Eolf |- |''far, fara; fart, fard'' || journey, travel || {{tick}} || {{tick}}|| Farabert, Faregar, Feriher, Farohildis, Ferlinda, Faraman, Faramod, Faramund, Faroald, Faruin, Faraulf, Farnulf; Farthilt, Fartman, Ferdinand,<ref name="ferdinand"/> Fardulf; Adalfer, Leobafar, Sicfara, Theudifara || |- |''fast'' || firm, fast || {{tick}} || —|| Fastburg, Fastrada, Fastrih, Fastwin, Fastulf |- |''fili'' || much, many(?) || {{tick}} || || Filibert, Feologild?, Filuliub, Filomar, Filomuot |- || ''*friþu-''; ON ''friþ'', OHG ''fridu'' || protection, peace ||{{tick}}||{{tick}}||Fredegar, Ferdinand,<ref name="ferdinand">apparently a Gothic name; perhaps from ''fardi'' "travel" (Förstemann, 401), perhaps also from ''frithu'' "protection".</ref> Fredegund/Frithugyth, Friedrich/Frederick, Frithuwold, Fridthjof/Fritiof; Billfrith, Dietfried, Ecgfrith/Ecgfrida, Ermenfrid, Godfried, Gottfried, Sigfrid/Siegfried, Walfrid/Walfried<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jQKoDQAAQBAJ&q=fri%C3%BE|title=Women's Names in Old English|last=Okasha|first=Elisabeth|date=2016-12-05|publisher=Routledge|isbn=9781351871211|language=en}}</ref> |In Old English, used almost exclusively for male names; Ecgfriþ is noted exception<ref name=":0" /> |- | ''flad, flæð'' || purity, glory, beauty || {{tick}} || {{tick}}|| 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 ||{{tick}} || || Frambold, Frambert, Framsindis, Franemund, Franswinda || Almost exclusively Frankish names |- |''franc'' || a tribal name || {{tick}} || || Francobert, Frangomere, Franchrih |- |''fraw, fro, frea; fri'' || lord ||{{tick}}|| || Frowin, Frawibald, Frawiprecht, Frawihilt, Frowimund, Frowini, Frauirat, Frawisinda, Freawaru; Friher, Frehild, Friulf || cf. Fróði; theophoric (see Fraujaz, Frijjō). |- |''frig, freh'' || bold || {{tick}}|| || Frigobert, Frehholt, Friculf |- |{{anchor|Frod}} ''frod'' || wise, prudent || {{tick}} || || Frotbald, Frodobert, Frotfar, Frotfrid, Frodegard, Frothard, Frotland, Frotmir, Frotmund, Frodwin, Frodulf || hypocorisms Frodo, Frutilo, Frodin |- |''frum'' || good, beneficial || {{tick}} || || Frumiger, Frumihilt, Frumirat, Frumirih, Frumold, Frumolf, Frumar |- |''fulc, folc, volc'' || people, folk || {{tick}} ||{{tick}} || Folcbald, Forlberaht/Volcbert, Fulcdag, Folhker/Folcger, Folchard, Fulchar/Volker, Volkhard, Folcleih, Fulclindis, Folcman, Folcmar/Volkmar, Folcnand, Fulcrad, Fulcrich, Folcswind, Fulcuald, Folcward, Folcwin, Fulculf; Heidifolc, Herifolch, Hrodfolc, Ratfolc, Sigifolc, Saelfolc |- |''funs, fús'' || eager, brave || — || {{tick}} || Amdefuns, Adalfuns/Alphonse, Bernefons, Hadufuns, Sigifuns, Valafons |- |''gail, gel'' || gay, merry||{{tick}} || — || Gelbold, Geilindis, Geilamir, Gailswindis, Geilwib, Geilwih, ||hypocorism Gailo, Geliko |- |''gamal, gam'' || old || {{tick}} || — || Gamalbold, Gamalbert, Gamalberga, Gamaltrudis, Gamalfred, Gamalher, Camalrat, |- |''gaman'' || joy || {{tick}} || || Gamanhilt, Gamanolt, Gamanulf || Only Old High German, rare |- | ''gan'' || walk? || {{tick}} || {{tick}} || Gannibald, Ganefard, Ganhart; Adalgan, Audiganus, Wolfgan |- |''gand, gend'' || magic || {{tick}} || {{tick}} || Gantberga, Gentfrid, Ganthar/Ganther, Gendrad, Gandaricus, Gandulf ; Gredegand, Charigand, Hrodogand, Gislegendis || Hypocorisms Gando, Gantalo, Gandin; cf. Gandalfr (mythological) |- |''gang'' || path, journey || {{tick}} || {{tick}} || Gangperht, Gangolf; Bertegang, Druhtgang, Hildigang, Hrodegang, Thiotcanc, Uligang, Widugang, Wiligang, Wolfgang |- | ''gar, ger, '' earlier ''gais''|| spear ||{{tick}}|| {{tick}}|| Gerald, Gerhard/Gerard, Gerbrand, Gerwin, German; Berengar, Edgar, Oscar, Hrothgar/Roger, Thøger/Tøger/Theodgar || hypocorism Gero, Gerry. Very frequent both as prefix and as suffix. Gerðr is the wife of Freyr in Norse mythology. |- | ''gard'' || enclosure || {{tick}} || {{tick}}||Gardrad, Gardulf; Hildegard, Irmgard, Liutgart, Richardis, etc. || Rare as a prefix, very frequent as a suffix. The great majority of names with this suffix are feminine. |- |''gast'' || guest; spirit || {{tick}} || {{tick}} || 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'' || a tribal name || {{tick}} || {{tick}} ||Gauzebald/Cozpolt/Gausbolda, Gaucibert/Gozperaht, Gauseprand, Gausburgis, Gauttrudis, Caozflat, Gautfred, Gozger, Gauter/Kozheri, Gautastabaz/Göstaf/Gösta/Gustav, Gautshelm, Gauthildis, Gozleih, Gautlindis, Gautrekr, Goswin/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, payment, yield || {{tick}} || {{tick}} || 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 || {{tick}} || {{tick}}|| 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 || {{tick}}|| || Giselbert, Giselric, Giselhard; Giselberga || Hypocorism Gisela, cf. Giselle |- | ''glis'' || gleam || {{tick}}|| || Glismot, Glisnot || |- | ''god, got'' || god; good || {{tick}} || || 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 alternative form of ''Gund'' |- | ''graus'' || horror, terror || {{tick}} || || Crosmuat (8th century), Grausolph (9th century) || simplex Grauso, Chroso, Cros, Kros, etc.; |- | ''graw'', ''gra'' || grey || {{tick}} || || Graobart, Grahilt (8th century), Graman (8th century), Graulf (8th century) || |- | ''grim'' || helmet, mask || {{tick}} || {{tick}} || Grimwald, Grimoald, Grimhild/Krimhild/Kriemhild; Isegrim/Isengrim |- | ''guma'' || man || {{tick}} || || Gomadrudis, Gomoharius, Gomahilt, Gomaleih, Gomlinda, Gumemar, Gumarich, Gumesind, Gumoalt, Gomolf |- |''*gunþ-''; ''gund'', ''gud'', ''gyþ, gyð'' || battle, war ||{{tick}}||{{tick}}||Günther/Gunther/Gunter/Guntar/Gundar, Gundoald, Gundulf, Gunnhild, Gudrun; Eadgyth/Edith, Ealdgyð, Fredegund/Frithugyth, Sigith/Sigesgundia, Hildegund/Hildegunn, Rigunth |- | ''hag(i, o)'', ''hagan''; ''hah'' ||enclosure, yard || {{tick}} || || 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 ||{{tick}} || {{tick}}|| 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 || {{tick}} || {{tick}}|| 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 ||{{tick}}|| || Henry/Heinrich, Heimwart || hypocorism Haimo |- |''haist, heist'' || furious, violent(?) ||{{tick}}|| || Haisthilt, Haistulf, Hailun || cf. Old English ''{{linktext|hæst}}''; also compared with the tribal name of the ''Aesti''. |- | ''hamar'' || hammer ||{{tick}}|| || Hamerard, Hamarolf, Hamarbert || Rare; limited to a handful of names of the 8th century. |- |''hand, hant'' || hand(?) ||{{tick}}|| || Hantbert, Hantker, Handegis, Hantwin, Handolf || Rare, 8th and 9th centuries. |- |''harc'' || altar(?) ||{{tick}}|| || Harcmot, Hercrat, Harchellindis (f.), Horcholt || rare, 9th and 10th centuries; cf. the entries under ''ercan''. |- | ''hart, hard, heard'' || brave, hardy, strong, heavy || {{tick}} ||{{tick}}|| Hartman, Hartmut (etc.); Æthelhard, Richard, Gerhard, Gotthard, Bernard/Bernhard (etc.) || Very frequent, recorded from as early as the 3rd century. |- | ''*hari'', ''her'' || army ||{{tick}}||{{tick}}||Diether, Luther, Haraldr/Hereweald/Harold, Herbert, Herleif, Herman/Arminius, Ariovistus, Ariouualdus, Ælfhere/Alfarr/Alfheri, Hereric, Wulfhere, Herebeald, Eanhere, Oshere, Hermóðr/Heremod/Herimout, Herbrandr, Ívarr, Yngvarr/Ingvarr, Hloþhere, Æþelhere, Walter || 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''), or possibly in the 1st century BC (''Negau helmet B'', ''Harigasti'') |- | ''hath, had, hada, hadu'' || battle, combat ||{{tick}}||{{tick}} || Hadubrand, Hadufuns, Hedwig; Rihhad, Willihad, Wolfhad, Vunnihad || Frequent, from the 6th century, formally indistinguishable from ''haid''. |- |''hedan, haidan'' || heathen, pagan || {{tick}}||{{tick}} || Hedenold, Hedenulf; Wolfhetan || rare; 7th to 9th centuries. |- | ''helm'' || protector ||{{tick}} || {{tick}}|| Helmut, Helmdrud, Helmfrid; Diethelm, Ealhhelm, Anselm, Cwichelm, Nothhelm, Wilhelm/William || Hypocorism Helmo. Comparatively frequent from the 6th century. |- |''heah, hoch'' || high || {{tick}}|| || Heaberht, Hámundr|| cf. Huoching/Haki |- | ''hild-'' || war ||{{tick}}||{{tick}}|| Actohildis, Berhildis, Branthildis, Brunhild, Clotilde, Farohildis, Ermenhild/Imelda, Gauthildis/Gauthildr, Gerhild, Gibohildis, Grimhild/Krimhild/Kriemhild, Griselda, Gunnhild, Matilda, Judelhildis, Landohildis, Nanthild, Richilda, Wanthildis; Childebert, Hildebrand, Hildegard, Hildegund/Hildegunn (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. Hypocorism Hilda. |- |''hilp, help'' ||aid, help || {{tick}} || — || Chilperic, Helpoald, Helpuin, Helpwolf || rare; Chilperic is from the 5th century, other names with this element occur only in the 8th and 9th centuries. |- |''*heltą'', hilt, hilz, helz || hilt || {{tick}} || —<ref>perhaps conflated with ''hild-'' from an early time.</ref>|| Hilcekin, Helzuni, Helzolt || rare; 8th to 11th centuries |- |''{{linktext|himil}}'' || heaven || {{tick}} || || Himildrud, Himilger, Himilrad || rare, 8th to 10th centuries. |- |''hir-/heru'' || sword || {{tick}} || || Hiring, Hiribert, Hirburc, Hiriger, Hiriward || 9th century; Gothic ''hairus'', Anglo-Saxon ''heoro-'' "sword", also in the tribal name of the Cherusci. |- |''{{linktext|hiruz}}, hiriz, herz'' || hart, stag || {{tick}} || || Hirizpero, Herzrad(?); dim. Hirzula || rare |- | ''hleo'' || protection ||{{tick}}|| || Hleoperht, Hlevagastir |- | ''{{linktext|hlud}}, hloda'' || fame ||{{tick}}|| || Clotilde, Clovis/Chlodwig/Ludwig/Louis, Hlothhere, Ludolf, Lothar/Chlothar/Lothaire, Chlodomir; Chlodoswintha |- | ''hog, huog'' || dexterous, nimble(?) ||{{tick}}|| || Huogobert, Huoging, Huogulf, Hogo |- | ''hol'' || crafty, devious(?) ||{{tick}}|| || Holebert, Holomot, Holemund, Holosint |- | ''hord, hort'' || hoard, treasure ||{{tick}}|| || Hortbert, Horthari, Hordold, Hordward, Horduin, Hordolf |- | ''hraban, hram'' || raven || {{tick}} || {{tick}}|| Bertram, Wolfram | 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 || {{tick}} || (?)<ref>names with this second element have been conflated with names in ''-rad''. Förstemann 1900:875.</ref>|| Hradperaht, Hradpurh, Hradgast, Hrathari, Hradwin || |- | '' hraid, hreid'' || famous(?) || {{tick}} || || Hreiðmarr, Hreidperaht, Hreidgaer, Hreitolf, Hraidmund/Raymond || also in the name of the Hreiðgoths. |- | '' hring, ring'' || ring || {{tick}} || (?)<ref>names with this second element are uncertain, most of the candidates could contain the simple suffix ''-ing''. Förstemann 1900:877.</ref>|| Hringuni, Rhincbold, Ringhelm, Hringweald, Hringolf || Förstemann 1900:877 suggests that the "ring" element in origin refers to ring-mail |- | '' hroc, roc'' || rook (bird) || {{tick}} || {{tick}} || Ferderuchus, Unhroch, Wolfhroc; Rocbert, Hrohhart, Hrocculf, Ruocswint, Berthroc || 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, fame || {{tick}} ||— || Ruombald/Rumbold/Rombout, Rumbert, Ruumker, Hrumheri, Ruomlind, Romuald, Romulf || since the 5th century; hypocorisms Ruom, Roma, Rumo. Förstemann 1900:883 |- || ''*hrōþ-''; ''hruot'' || fame, glory, honour<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nordicnames.de/wiki/HROD | title=HROD - Nordic Names }}</ref> ||{{tick}}|| {{tick}}|| Rotilde, Hrothgar/Roger/Rüdiger, Hrodberht/Rupert/Robert, Hrodulf/Rudolph, Roderick/Rodrigo, Roland, Rodney, Roald; Adalrod, Fridarut, Hartrod, Liutrod, Sigirod || 8th century; hypocorisms Chrodius, Hrodo, Hrodio, Hroda; Förstemann 1900:883 |- | ''hug(o, i), hyg'' || spirit, courage ||{{tick}}|| ( {{tick}}) || Hugibald/Ubaldo, Hygelac/Hyglac, Hugubert/Hubert, Hugibrant, Hucger, Hugilind; Adalhug, Kerhuge || hypocorisms Hugh, Hugo  |- |''hun, hum'' || swelling; chip, block; offspring, (bear) cub; warrior||{{tick}}||{{tick}} || Hunferthus, Humboldt, Hunbeorht/Humbert; Andhun, Berthun; Ælfhun|| cf. Hun of East Anglia |- || ''ing'' || a god ||{{tick}}|| || Inga, Ingeborg, Inger, Ingvar/Igor, Ingrid, Ingemar/Ingmar |- |{{anchor|Irmen}} ''irm(en), erm(en)'' || strong, whole || {{tick}} || || Eormenred, Ermenrich/Hermeric/Emmerich/Emery/Amerigo; Ermendrud/Ermintrude/Irmtrud, Ermenfrid, Ermengarde/Ermegard/Irmgard, Ermengild/Hermenegild, Ermenhild/Imelda || possibly theophoric, see Irminsul; hypocorisms Irma, Armin, Emma |- |''ise(n)'' || iron || {{tick}} || {{tick}} || Isebert/Isebrecht, Isegrim/Isegrimm/Isengrim, Isenhart, IJsbrand || Isegrim may in origin have been a kenning for "wolf". |- |''jut-'' || a tribal name || {{tick}} || || Judida, Judinga, Jutcar, Judilidis, Jutrad, Joduin, Judelhildis || probably from the name of the Juthungi or the Jutes |- |''jung'' || young || {{tick}} || || Jungarat, Jungericus, Jungulf, Jugenprand || 8th to 10th century, rare (used more rarely than ''ald-'' "old") |- |''karl, carl, ceorl'' || free (about man) || {{tick}} || {{tick}} || Carlofred, Carlman; Altcarl, Gundecarl || rare; possibly extensions from the simplex. |- | ''*kōni-''; ''cen'', ''coen'' || fierce, keen ||{{tick}}|| || Conrad/Konrad, Cynric, Coenwulf |- | ''*kun(n)i-'', OHG ''kuni, chun'', also ''chim, chin, chind''; AS ''cyne'' || royal, of a king; kin, offspring, child ||{{tick}}|| || Kunibert, Kunimund, Cynewulf, Kunigunde, Cynegyth, Cynethryth, Cyneric, Chindasuinth, Adelchind, Drudchind, Widukind, Willekind ||hypocorism Kuno, Chintila |- | ''*kunþ-''; ''cuþ'' || renowned ||{{tick}}|| || Cuthbert, Cuthred, Cuthwulf |- | ''kwik-''; ''cwic'' || alive, lively ||{{tick}}|| || Cwichelm |- |''laik'' || play, dance ||{{tick}} || {{tick}} || Ekkileich, Albleih, Amalleih, Ásleikr/Oslac, Audolecus, Perlaicus, Perahteih, Chinileihc, Dagaleich, Fridileih, Frotalaicus, Folcleih, Gozleih, Gundelaicus, Halulec, Hildelaicus, Hugilaih/Hyglac, 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 || ({{tick}}) || {{tick}}||Eggileib, Albleib, Olaf, 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 || {{tick}} || {{tick}}|| Ansleth, Wolfleit; Leitbraht, Leitfrid, Leither, Leidmuot, Laidarat, Laidoin, Laidulf|| rare |- |''land, lant'' || land|| {{tick}}|| {{tick}}||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, Roland, Landon, Gagentland, Ricland, Sigilant, Wariland, Wiclant, Vulfland; Landolin, Landbold, Lambert/Landberta, Lampert, Landeberga, Lamprand, Lantbodo, Landfrid, Lampfrid, Landagar, Landegaus, Landgrim, Landegunda, Lantheida, Landohard, Lanthar, Landohildis, Landerich, Landswinda, Landoald, Landwih, Landuin, Landulf || Name by place of residence, origin, birth |- |''laug'' || bride(?)|| || {{tick}} || 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, Sturlaug, 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)"<ref>Lena Peterson ''Nordiskt runnamnslexikon'' (2002)</ref> |- |''leon'' || lion || {{tick}} || || Leonard |- |''lind'' || soft, mild, alternatively "shield" (made of linden tree) in ON, OHG and OE) || ({{tick}}) || {{tick}} || Gislinde, Heidelinde, (H)Ermelinda, Kristlind, Odelinde, Siglind/Sieglinde, Theodolinda, Þórlindur; Linddís, Lindolf, Lindvald, Lindvardh, Linveig || very frequent as a second element in feminine names |- | ''liub, leof'' || loved, beloved, dear ||{{tick}} || || Leofric, Leofwine, Leofwynn, Leofgyth |- || ''liut(i)'' || people ||{{tick}}|| || Liutger/Leodegar, Luther, Lutold; Liutgard, Leudwinus/Liutwin, Luitpold/Leopold, Liutprand |- | ''magan, megin; maht'' || might, strength ||{{tick}}|| ||Maganradus/Meinrad; Mathilde, Meinfrida, Meinhard |- | ''man, mann'' || man, person ||{{tick}}||{{tick}}||Manfred, Herman, German, Norman |- | ''*mēri-''; ''mære'', ''mer'', ''mar'', ''mir'' || famous ||{{tick}}||{{tick}}||Adelmar, Chlodomir, Marwig, Miro, Filimer/Filimir, Hreiðmarr, Odomir/Otmar/Ottomar/Othmar/Ademar, Dietmar, Agilmar/Ilmar/Elmar, Ricimer, Richimir, Theodemir, Theodemar, Thiudimer, Sigmar, Ingemar/Ingmar, Valamir, Waldemar/Vladimir, Wilmer, Vidimir/Widemir, Wulfmar/Wulfomir |- || ''mund, mond'' || protection || || {{tick}}|| Edmund, Erlemund, Kunimund, Sigmund, Rechimund, Reginmund/Raymond, Remismund, Normund |- |''niw, niwi, niu, nia'' || new || {{tick}} || {{tick}} || Adalniu, Baudonivia, Dagný, Folcniu, Nibumir, Nivulf, Niwirat, Niwirich, Odalniu, Signý/Sigeneow, Teudonivia |- || ''noþ'', OHG ''nand''<ref>cognate to Old Irish ''néit'' "combat", see Pokorny (1959), p. 755.</ref> || courage || {{tick}} || {{tick}}|| Nanthild, Notburga, Nothhelm; Byrhtnoth, Eadnoth, Ferdinand, Folcnand, Wieland/Wayland |- || ''nord'', ''nor'', ON ''norðr'' || north || {{tick}} || || Norman, Normund, Norbert || also in use as the first element in Norway |- || ''ræð'' || counsel, wisdom || {{tick}}|| {{tick}}|| Radegast, Radwig, Radulf; Alfred, Eadred, Conrad, Tancred, Wihtred; Ratberga/Redburga |- |''ragin, regin'' || counsel || {{tick}} || || Raginald/Reginald/Reynold/Reinhold/Reynhold/Ronald, Reginbert, Reginmund/Raymond; Regintrud, Rægenhere, Ragnar |- |''*remez'', ''remis'' || peace || {{tick}} || || Remisto, Remismund |- | ''run'' || rune, secret || || {{tick}}|| Gudrun, Walaruna |- |''rīki-''; OHG ''rihhi'', AS ''rīc, rech'' || ruler ||{{tick}}||{{tick}}||Rigobert, Alaric, Ælfric, Beorthric, Brunric, Theodoric/Dietrich, Friedrich/Frederick, Richard, Richardis, Rictrude, Richilda, Rechila, Rechiar, Rechimund, Richimir, Rickstan, Eboric, Ulrich, Haidrich/Heidrich, Leofric, Wulfric, Roderick, Sigeric, Sedrick, Cedric, Chilperic, Theodoric, Henry/Heinrich, Eric, Godric |- |''sax, seax'' || seax; a tribal name || {{tick}} || || Sexred; Seaxburh |- | ''sinþ'', ''sind'', ''siþ'' || travel, time ||{{tick}}||{{tick}}||Sindolf/Sindulf, Sindram, Sindbald, Sindbert; Adalsinda || Sinthgunt as "Sun's sister" in the Merseburg Incantations |- | ''sig, sigi, sige, sieg, sigin'' || victory ||{{tick}} || {{tick}}||Sigborg/Siborg, Sigebald/Sibbald/Sibold/{{linktext|Sinibaldo}}, Sigbod/Sibot, Sigibert/Sigebert, Sibrand, Sigmar, Sigmund, Sighart/Sicard, Sighelm, Sigher/Siger/Sighere, Sigrad/Sigered, Sigeric, Sigtrygg, Sigward/Siward, Sigfrid/Siegfried, Sigith/Sigesgundia, Sigvald, Sigwald/Siwald, Sigulf/Sigewulf/Siconulf; Ælfsige;<ref name="aelsinus"/> Sigelinde/Siglind, Sigtrud || possibly theophoric in origin, in reference to Teiwaz, and later Odin, the god of victory.<ref>Yonge, p. 306.</ref> Hypocorisms Sigo, Sike, Sikke. |- || ''stan, sten'' || stone || || {{tick}}|| Æthelstan, Thorsten, Wulfstan, Bertstan, Rickstan || also in simplex Sten, from Scandinavian ''Steinn'' |- |''swint, swiþ'' || strength || {{tick}} || {{tick}} || Swithwulf, Swinthibald; Amalaswintha, Ealhswith; Swinthila |- |''tank'' || thought, counsel ||{{tick}} || || Tancred/Dancrad, Dancmar, Tammaro |- |''trygg'' || truth || ||{{tick}}|| Sigtrygg |- | ''wand'', ''wandal'' || wander, wend || {{tick}}|| || 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), Wendilger (Old Saxon/Dutch) ||in the names of the Vandals, Wends and Aurvandil |- || ''weald, wald, walt, wold'' / valdr || power, ruling, governance / ruler || {{tick}}|| {{tick}}|| Waldemar/Vladimir, Walther; Edwald, Ewald, Frithuwold, Harold, Sigwald/Siwald, Gerald, Gundoald, Waldwolf/Waldolf, Oswald/Ansaldo, Raginald/Reginald/Reynold/Reynhold/Reinhold/Ronald, Roald, Sigvald, Walfrid/Walfried |- || ''warin; weard'' || guardian || {{tick}} || {{tick}}|| Warinhari/Wernher/Werner; Brunward, Edward, Sigward; Freawaru, Ælfwaru |- |''wiht'' || wight, spirit || {{tick}} || || Wihtred |- |''wil(l)'' || will, desire || {{tick}} || || Wilhelm/William, Wilmer, Wilfred, Wilbert, Willihad, Willigip |- | ''win, wini, wine'' || friend || {{tick}}|| {{tick}}|| Winibald, Winimund, Winibert; Ælfwine/Alboin, Alcuin, Aldoin, Baldwin, Darwin, Ecgwine, Edwin/Audoin, Erlwin, Erwin, Gerwin, Goswin, Leofwine, Oswin |- || ''wig'' || battle, war ||{{tick}}||{{tick}}|| Wiglaf, Wigbert, Wigheard/Wighard; Clovis/Chlodwig/Ludwig/Louis, Hedwig, Marwig |- || ''wal(a), wel, wæl'' || battle ||{{tick}}|| || Wieland/Wayland,<ref>see {{cite book|author=Hellmut Rosenfeld|title=Der Name Wieland|publisher=Beiträge zur Namenforschung|year=1969}}</ref> Walaman, Walarad, Walerand, Walaruna, Walesinda, Wala-anc, Walahelm, Walaram/Waleran || hypocoristic Wallia, Walica. cf. ''Valhalla, Valkyrie, Valföðr'' etc. |- || ''wod'' || fury, mad (?) ||{{tick}}|| || 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.<ref>Förstemann, 1332f.</ref> 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".<ref>Förstemann, 1224.</ref> |- || ''wid(u), wit, with'' || wood, forest || {{tick}}|| || Withhold, Widukind || hypocorism Guido, Guy |- | ''wulf, wolf'' || wolf ||{{tick}}||{{tick}}||Aethelwulf/Adolf, Arnulf, Atenulf, Beowulf, Brunulf/Brynolf/Brunolf/Brynjolfr/Brunulphe, Cuthwulf, Cynewulf, Eadwulf, Ealdwulf/Aldwulf, Eardwulf, Ernulf, Gangolf, Gundulf, Pandulf, Swithwulf, Rudolph; Wulfstan, Wolfgang, Wolfram, 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) |- | ''wyn(n)'' || joy || {{tick}}|| {{tick}}|| Wynflæd; Ælfwynn, Ecgwynn, Brihtwyn |- || ''þeod''|| people ||{{tick}}|| || Theodoric/Dietrich/Derick/Dirk, Detlef, Diether, Diethelm, Theobald, Dietfried, Theudebert, Theodemar; Dietlinde |- | ''*þegnaz'', ''degen'' || warrior, thane||{{tick}}||{{tick}}|| Degenhard, Degericus; Deitdegen, Edildegan, Drûtdegan, Heridegan, Swertdegan, Volcdegen |- | ''*þinga'', ''þing'' || thing, concern ||{{tick}}|| ||Þingfriþ |- |- | ''þras'' || quarrelling, bickering ||{{tick}}|| ||Thrassald, Þrassar |- || ''þryþ,'' OH ''þrúðr,'' OE ''þrȳð,''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nordicnames.de/wiki/%C3%9ERU%C3%90|title=ÞRUÐ - Nordic Names Wiki - Name Origin, Meaning and Statistics|website=www.nordicnames.de|language=en|access-date=2017-01-31}}</ref> ''drut, trud, thrud, thryth'' | force, strength || {{tick}}|| {{tick}}|| Drutmund; Æthelthryth, Osthryth, Cynethryth, Ermintrude, Gertrude, Bertrude, Rictrude, Sæthryth, Waltrud/Waltraut|| Names with this suffix are feminine only; Þrúðr is a daughter of Thor in Norse mythology. Short form Trudy, Trudi |- || ''þonar, donar, þór'' || (the god of) thunder || {{tick}}|| (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 || {{tick}}|| || Thusnelda (1st century; presumably 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. |}

<!-- to be checked |''sueb, swæf'' || tribal name(?) || {{tick}} || || Swæfberht, Swæfred Swæfheard Sæward, Sæberht, Sæbald

Eorpwald Jurmin

short names: Ludeca Odda Bryni of Sussex Pega, Pybba Ælle Cissa Eafe, Ebba Ceawlin (Celtic?) Octa Sunna (Saxon chief) -->

==Monothematic names== Some medieval Germanic names are attested in simplex form. Some of these names originated as hypocorisms of full dithematic names, but in some cases they entered common usage and were no longer perceived as such.<ref name=":1">{{Cite thesis |last=Shiels |first=Ian |title=The matter of Englaland: the story of Offa of Angel, and the narrative world of Widsith |date=August 2025 |degree=phd |publisher=University of Leeds |url=https://etheses.whiterose.ac.uk/id/eprint/38470/ |language=en}}</ref>{{Reference page|pages=93–124}} Examples include{{Citation needed|date=April 2026}} *Masculine: Aldo (whence English Aldous), Adel, Anso/Anzo/Enzo, Folki/Folke/Fulco, Gero, Helmo/Elmo, Ise/Iso, Kuno, Lanzo, Manno, Odo/Otto, Rocco, Sten, Waldo, Warin, Wido, Wine, Wolf/Wulf *Feminine: Adele, Alda, Bertha, Emma, Hilda, Ida, Isa, Linda, Oda

A major study of medieval Germanic monothematic names was undertaken by Van Loon,<ref name=":2">Jozef van Loon, ''Antroponymie van Noordwest-Europa tot de twaalfde eeuw. Deel I: Vorm en betekenis van de namen'', Koninklijke Commissie voor Toponymie & Dialectologie: Werken van de Vlaamse Afdeling, 31 (Peeters: Leuven, 2021).</ref> who (as translated and summarised by Ian Shiels) suggested the following types:<ref name=":1" />{{Reference page|pages=95–96}}

# "Bare" names: a single word otherwise found in dithematic names (such as Old English ''Wig''). # Unique names of unknown etymology (e.g. Old English ''Penda''). # By-names (additional names that accompany a forename, potentially appellatives) (e.g. Old English ''Hengest'' and ''Horsa'', both meaning "horse"). Other examples may include Old English Æsc "ash tree", Carl "free man" (Charles), Hengest "stallion", Raban "raven" (Rabanus Maurus), Hagano/Hagen "enclosure", Earnest "vigorous, resolute".{{Citation needed|date=April 2026}} # Theonyms (names of gods, e.g. ''Woden''). # Names of legendary or mythical founders of peoples or dynasties (e.g. Ostrogothic ''Amal''). # Names derived from a single name-element, transferred to the weak declension, sometimes with associated vowel-changes in the root-word (e.g. Old German ''Betto'', from the ''Bert''- element of ''Bertramnus''). # Names derived from a dithematic name, contracted, and transferred to the weak declension (e.g. Old German ''Tammo'', from ''Tancmarus''). # Names derived from a single name-element or from a contracted dithematic name, with the addition of a suffix. # "Head-and-tail" contractions of dithematic names (e.g. Old Norse ''Gormr'' from—in Van Loon's view—''goð'' + ''ormr'').

=== Hypocoristic names === The processes whereby dithematic or monothematic names became hypocorisms (nicknames or pet names) were not, as of the beginning of the twenty-first century, well understood. But twenty-first-century research made some progress: Kendra Willson undertook a detailed study of Icelandic hypocorism,<ref>Willson 2007, Kendra Jean Willson, Icelandic Nicknames, unpublished Ph.D. dissertation (University of California, Berkeley, 2007).</ref> while Ian Shiels built on her work and Van Loon's to "suggest the outline [...] of an alternative approach to hypocorism [...] as a rule-based system of generative and transformational processes applied to dithematic names."<ref name=":1" />{{Reference page|pages=93–124}}

Some hypocorisms, called "head-and-tail" types by Van Loon, retain a remnant of their second element. Late medieval Flemish/Dutch examples cited by him include ''Arnoud'' > ''Arend''/''Ært''; ''Bernard'' > ''Bernd''; ''Cunrad'' > ''Kurt''; ''Diederik'' > ''Dirk''; ''Gerard'' > ''Geert''; ''Everhard'' > ''Evert''; and ''Wilhelm'' > ''Willem''.<ref name=":2" />{{Reference page|page=260}}<ref name=":1" />{{Reference page|page=116}} Whereas Loon doubted that this pattern existed in the early Germanic languages, Ian Shiels has argued that it is found in early Old Norse and Old English naming.<ref name=":1" />{{Reference page|pages=116–123}}

Sometimes the second element is so reduced that it cannot be identified unambiguously any longer: ''Curt''/''Kurt'' may abbreviate either ''Conrad'' or ''Cunibert''.{{Citation needed|date=April 2026}}

==Bynames== Germanic names often feature a range of bynames: additional names that accompany a 'forename'. These can be toponymic (locational), occupational, genealogical, or 'nicknames'.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Alphey |first1=T. K. |title=The Definite Article in Old English 'Nicknames' |journal=Notes & Queries |date=2023 |volume=70 |issue=4 |pages=223–224 |doi=10.1093/notesj/gjad103 |url=https://academic.oup.com/nq/advance-article/doi/10.1093/notesj/gjad103/7416360?searchresult=1|doi-access=free }}</ref>

==Uncertain etymology== *Gustav has been interpreted by e.g. Elof Hellquist (1864 - 1939) Swedish linguist specialist in North Germanic languages as ''gauta-stabaz'' (gauta-stabaR) "staff of the Goths" *Old English Pǣga (unknown meaning) *Waldo from Old English ''Waltheof'' (unknown meaning) *Pepin *Morcar *Zotto *Cleph *Pemmo

==References== {{reflist}}

==Reference bibliography== * {{cite book|title=The Grammar of Names in Anglo-Saxon England: The Linguistics and Culture of the Old English Onomasticon|series=Oxford linguistics|author1-first=Fran|author1-last=Colman|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=2014|isbn=9780198701675}} *Olof von Feilitzen, ''The Pre-conquest Personal Names of Domesday Book'' (1937). *E. Förstemann, ''Altdeutsches Namenbuch'' (1856; [https://archive.org/stream/altdeutschesnam00frgoog online facsimile]) *{{cite book|last=Förstemann|first=Ernst|title=Altdeutsches Namenbuch|year=1900|publisher=P. Hanstein|location=Bonn|edition=3|url=http://sul-derivatives.stanford.edu/derivative?CSNID=00003871&mediaType=application/pdf|access-date=2022-04-02|archive-date=2016-03-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305094219/http://sul-derivatives.stanford.edu/derivative?CSNID=00003871&mediaType=application%2Fpdf|url-status=dead}} *Lena Peterson, ''Nordiskt runnamnslexikon'', [https://web.archive.org/web/20110225031159/http://www.sofi.se/servlet/GetDoc?meta_id=1472 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.[https://books.google.com/books?id=-JVEAAAAcAAJ] *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; [https://archive.org/details/dienamenderalte00viehgoog 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. * {{cite book|last=Schönfeld|first=Moritz|year=1911|title=Wörterbuch der altgermanischen Personen- und Völkernamen|location=Heidelberg|publisher=C. Winter|url=https://archive.org/details/wrterbuchderal00scho}}

==External links== {{wikisource|Beowulf/List of Names}} {{Wiktionary|Appendix:Old English (Anglo-Saxon) surnames}} *[http://www.behindthename.com/glossary/view.php?title=germanic_names Germanic names] (behindthename.com) *[http://www.behindthename.com/nmc/ger-anci.php Ancient Germanic names] (behindthename.com) *[http://www.celtiberia.net/articulo.asp?id=1670 Gothic and Suevic Names in Galicia (NW Spain) before 1200] (celtiberia.net) *[http://www.nordicnames.de/wiki/Category:Name_Elements Nordic Names: Name Elements] (nordicnames.de) *[http://kurufin.ru/html/germanic.html Ancient Germanic Names] (kurufin.ru, in Russian)

Category:Names of Germanic origin Category:Germanic given names