Dithematic Names
| element | meaning | prefix | suffix | examples | notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| act, aht, oht | fearsome(?) | Y | Ohthere, Ohtrad, Actumerus, Octric, Actulf; Actohildis, Octolindis | ||
| *agi-; eg, ecg, egg, ekk, agin, egin | sword, blade | Y | Egbert, Ecgbald, Ecgwine, Ekkehart, Ecgric, Eginolf/Agilulf; Ecgwynn | Some names in ag-, eg- may be unrelated in origin; see Förstemann, 9. | |
| agil, ail, eil | ? | Y | Agilperht, Agilfrid, Egilger, Agilmar, Egilrat; Alruna, Agilburgis, | uncertain etymology; like agin perhaps a hypostatis of the older ag-; Förstemann, 22. See Agilaz. | |
| ala | all | Y | 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 | Y | — | Altopold, Altiperht, Aldfrid, Aldegar, Aldman, Aldwig, Aldwin; Aldedrudis, Aldeberga/Aldburg, Aldigart, Altagund, Aldelindis | |
| *albi-; ælf, elf, alf | elf | Y | — | Ælfwine, Ælfric, Alfred, Ælfweard, Ælfsige; Ælfflæd, Ælfwaru, Ælfwynn | |
| *alh, alah, ealh | protection | Y | Ealhhelm, Alhred, Ealhwine/Alcuin; Ealhswith, Ælgifu(?) | perhaps related to runic alu | |
| amala | work(?) | Y | 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 | Angels tribal name | Y | 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, od, ead | wealth, heritage; noble | Y | Odomir, Æthelhard, Æthelred, Adolph, Adelbert, Adelbrand/Alebrand, Albert, Edgar/Audagar/Ottokar, Edmund, Eadnoth, Eadred/Edred, Edward, Eadwig, Edwin, Æthelwulf; Æthelburg, Adelaide, Æthelflæd, Eadgifu, Æthelgifu (etc.) | Extremely frequent. c.f. also Ethel, Otto, Odda | |
| *ans-, ON ás, OHG ans, AS os | god | Y | — | Oswin, Oswald, Ansgar, Ásleikr/Anslech/Oslac, Ansfridus, Anshelmus, Ansgisus, Ansbrecht, Answald; Osburh, Osgyth, Osthryth | |
| ar, ara, ari, arni, earn | eagle | Y | 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 | Y | — | Arbogastis, Erbhart, Erphari, Erpolach, Erflind, Erbemar, Erpmund, Erferat, Erferih, Erpwin, Erpulf | hypocorism Aribo, Erbo |
| asc, æsc | ash, spear | Y | Aschari, Asclind, Ascarich, Ascwin, Asculf | c.f. Oisc, Ask | |
| *audaz, aud, od | wealth | Y | Audeca, Audofleda, Auduin, Odotheus, Odoacer | ||
| aun, on, ean | ? | Y | Eanhere, Aunefrit/Eanfrith, Aunemund, Onerich, Aunulf; Eanflæd | Etymology unknown; see Förstemann, 181. | |
| aus, aust, eost | radiant; a goddess | Y | 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 | Y | Y | Baldwin; Theobald, etc. | very frequent, and often conflated with the wald element. |
| baud, bad, bud | ? | Y | Y | Baudigisil, Baudegund, Baudemund, Baudulf | uncertain etymology; mostly in old names (before the 8th century) Förstemann, 216f. |
| baug | ring | Y | Baugegundus, Bauglind, Baugulf | ||
| *berht-; beraht, bryht, briht | bright | Y | Y | 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 | Y | Y | Burchard/Burkhart, Burgred; Eadburh/Æthelburg, Osburh, Redburga, Walpurga | The suffix is feminine only. See also Burke |
| bera, bern, berin, beorn | bear | Y | Berengar, Berahart/Bernhard, Berhildis, Berahoch, Bermar, Berimund, Beornwulf | c.f. Beonna, Berig | |
| bil | lightness(?) | Y | Biligrim, Bilihelm, Bilihild, Belimar, Bilidruda, Pilolf | among the Saxons often monothematic, as Bilo, Pilicho, Pillin, Billung | |
| blic | lightning | Y | Blictrud, Blicger, Blicgart, Plechelm, Blicildis | ||
| blid | blithe | Y | Bliddruda, Bllithar, Blithelm, Blidhild, Blidmar, Blidulf | ||
| bord | shield | — | Y | Herebord, Hiltiport, Saelbort, Willipord | |
| brand | sword | Y | Y | 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 | Y | 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 | ? | Y | Y | 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 | Y | Y | Dissibod, Disnot | Names with this prefix are probably theophoric. In Nordic feminine names with the suffix -dis, the meaning is "woman". |
| diur, deor | ? | Y | Deurtrudis, Thiurhilt, Deorold, Deorulf | The meaning of this element may be either "animal" (deer) or "dear". See also Deor. | |
| dom | judgement | Y | ? | Dombert, Domedrudis, Domegerdis, Domalde, Duomolf | |
| druht, droc, druc | people | Y | Droctbold, Drocberta, Drutberga, Drucfred, Druhtgang, Truhthari, Droctelm, Dructildis, Druhtmar, Dructimund, Dructuin, Dructulf | ||
| ebur, eber, eofor | boar | Y | Eparpert/Everbert, Eureberga, Euurdag, Ebertrudis, Eparfrid, Eberger, Eberhard/Eoforheard, Ebarhelm, Eburhilt, Ebirmuot, Ebermunt, Ebarolt, Eberwin/Ebroin, Eberulf, Eboric | ||
| era, eri, erin, ern | honour | Y | Erarich, Eranbald, Erambert, Ernulf | Probably a genuine element, but difficult to distinguish from hari, which is also often reduced to eri-, er-. The form erin-, on the other hand, is often conflated with the irm- element. | |
| ercan, erchen, archen, eorcen | ? | Y | Ercanberaht/Eorcenberht, Ercanbold, Ercamberta, Ercanpurh, Ercantrud, Ercanfrid, Ercangar, Ercanhilt, Erchensinda, Erchanold, Archanolf/Erchenulf | Förstemann, 377 connects OGH ercan "sublime, pure, holy". Perhaps theophoric, from a name of Teiwaz. | |
| erl, eorl | warrior, noble | Y | Erlabald, Erlefrida, Erligar, Erlemund, Erliwin, Erlulf | ||
| ewa, ew, eu, eo | ever | Y | Euin, Eubert, Eomar, Eumund, Ewirat, Eric, Eowig, Eolf | ||
| far, fara; fart, fard | journey, travel | Y | Y | Farabert, Faregar, Feriher, Farohildis, Ferlinda, Faraman, Faramod, Faramund, Faroald, Faruin, Faraulf, Farnulf; Farthilt, Fartman, Ferdinand, Fardulf, ; Adalfer, Leobafar, Sicfara, Theudifara | |
| fast | firm, fast | Y | — | Fastburg, Fastrada, Fastrih, Fastwin, Fastulf | |
| fili | much/many(?) | Y | Filibert, Feologild?, Filuliub, Filomar, Filomuot | ||
| *friþu-; ON friþ, OHG fridu | protection, peace | Y | Y | Fredegar, Ferdinand, Frithuwold; Godfried, Dietfried, Sigfrid/Siegfried; Frithugyth; Friedrich | |
| flad, flæð | purity, glory, beauty | Y | Y | 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 | Y | Frambold, Frambert, Framsindis, Franemund, Franswinda | almost exclusively Frankish names. | |
| franc | tribal name | Y | Francobert, Frangomere, Franchrih | ||
| fraw, fro, frea; fri | lord | Y | Frowin, Frawibald, Frawiprecht, Frawihilt, Frowimund, Frowini, Frauirat, Frawisinda, Freawaru; Friher, Frehild, Friulf | c.f. Fróði; theophoric (see Fraujaz, Frijjō). | |
| frig, freh | bold | Y | Frigobert, Frehholt, Friculf | ||
| frod | wise, prudent | Y | Frotbald, Frodobert, Frotfar, Frotfrid, Frodegard, Frothard, Frotland, Frotmir, Frotmund, Frodwin, Frodulf | hypocorisms Frodo, Frutilo, Frodin | |
| frum | good, beneficial | Y | Frumiger, Frumihilt, Frumirat, Frumirih, Frumold, Frumolf, Frumar | ||
| fulc, folc, volc | people, folk | Y | Y | 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 | eager, brave | — | Y | Amdefuns, Adalfuns/Alphons, Bernefons, Hadufuns, Sigifuns, Valafons | |
| gail, gel | gay | Y | — | Gelbold, Geilindis, Geilamir, Gailswindis, Geilwib, Geilwih, | hypocorism Gailo, Geliko |
| gamal, gam | old | Y | — | Gamalbold, Gamalbert, Gamalberga, Gamaltrudis, Gamalfred, Gamalher, Camalrat, | |
| gaman | joy | Y | Gamanhilt, Gamanolt, Gamanulf | only Old High German, rare | |
| gan | magic | Y | Y | Gannibald, Ganefard, Ganhart ; Adalgan, Audiganus, Wolfgan | |
| gand, gend | (?) | Y | Y | Gantberga, Gentfrid, Ganthar/Ganther, Gendrad, Gandaricus, Gandulf ; Gredegand, Charigand, Hrodogand, Gislegendis | hypocorisms Gando, Gantalo, Gandin; c.f. Gandalfr (mythological) |
| gang | path, journey | Y | Y | Gangperht, Gangulf; Bertegang, Druhtgang, Hildigang, Hrodegang, Wiligang, Wolfgang | |
| gar, ger, earlier gais | spear | Y | Y | Gerald, Gerhard/Gerard, Gerbrand; Edgar, Hrothgar/Roger | hypocorism Gero, Gerry. Very frequent both as prefix and as suffix. |
| gard | enclosure | Y | Y | 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 | Y | Y | 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 century) names; frequent conflation with Slavic names (Radegast, Gustaph). |
| gaud, gaut, gaus, got, goz | tribal name | Y | Y | 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 | Y | Y | 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 | Y | Y | 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 | Y | Giselbert, Giselric, Giselhard; Giselberga | hypocorism Gisela, c.f. Giselle | |
| glis | gleam | Y | Glismot, Glisnot | ||
| god, got | god / good | Y | Godfrid/Godfrey, Godscalc, Gothard, Gotwald | in most cases, the etymologies guda "deus" and goda "bonus" cannot be distinguished with certainty. | |
| graus | horror, terror | Y | Crosmuat (8th c.), Grausolph (9th c.) | simplex Grauso, Chroso, Cros, Kros, etc.; | |
| graw, gra | grey | Y | Graobart, Grahilt (8th c.), Graman (8th c.), Graulf (8th c.) | ||
| grim | helmet, mask | Y | Grimwald; Grimhild/Krimhild | ||
| guma | man | Y | Gomadrudis, Gomoharius, Gomahilt, Gomaleih, Gomlinda, Gumemar, Gumarich, Gumesind, Gumoalt, Gomolf | ||
| *gunþ-; gund, gud, gyþ, gyð | battle, war | Y | Y | Gunther/Gunter, Gunnhild; Gudrun; Eadgyð, Ealdgyð/Edith, Frithugyth | |
| hag, hagan; hah | (?) | Y | 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 | Y | Y | Haidrich, Heidfolc, Chaideruna; Adelaide etc. | extremely frequent as second element in feminine names (83 listed by Förstemann). |
| hail, heil; hailag | whole, healthy | Y | Y | Hailbert, Hailburch, Hailtruda, Heilmunt, Hailrat, Hailwin; Halagmund, Halegred, ; Rihheil, Sarahailo | Hailo, Halicho (8th c.); conflated with the elements agil and hal. |
| *haim-; OHG haim, heim, AS hæm | home | Y | Henry, Heimwart | hypocorism Haimo | |
| haist, heist | furious, violent(?) | Y | Haisthilt, Haistulf | c.f. Old English hæst; also compared with the tribal name of the Aesti. | |
| hamar | hammer | Y | Hamerard, Hamarolf | rare; limited to a handful of names of the 8th century. | |
| hand | hand(?) | Y | Hantbert, Hantker, Handegis, Hantwin, Handolf | rare, 8th and 9th centuries. | |
| harc | altar(?) | Y | Harcmot, Hercrat, Harchellindis (f.), Horcholt | rare, 9th and 10th centuries; c.f. the entries under ercan. | |
| hard, heard | brave, hardy | Y | Y | Hartman, Hartmut (etc.); Æthelhard, Richard, Gerhard (etc.) | very frequent, recorded from as early as the 3rd century. |
| *hari, her | army | Y | Y | 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 | Y | Y | Hadubrand, Hadufuns, Hedwig; Rihhad, Willihad, Wolfhad, Vunnihad | frequent, from the 6th century. |
| hedan | heathen, pagan | Y | Y | Hedenold, Hedenulf ; Wolfhetan | rare; 7th to 9th centuries. |
| helm | protector | Y | Y | Helmut, Helmdrud, Helmfrid; Diethelm, Ealhhelm, Cwichelm, Nothhelm, Wilhelm | hypocorism Helmo. Comparatively frequent from the 6th century. |
| heah, hoch | high | Y | Heaberht, Hámundr | c.f. Huoching/Haki | |
| hild- | war | Y | Y | Gunnhild, 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 | help(?) | Y | — | Chilperic, Helpoald, Helpuin, Helpwolf | rare; Chilperic is from the 5th c., other names with this element occur only in the 8th and 9th c. |
| himil | heaven | Y | Himildrud, Himilger, Himilrad | rare, 8th to 10th c. | |
| hiruz, hiriz, herz | hart, stag | Y | Hirizpero, Herzrad(?); dim. Hirzula | rare | |
| hlud | fame | Y | Hlothhere, Chlodwig/Ludwig/Louis, Chlodomir; Chlodoswintha | ||
| *hrōþ-; hruot | fame | Y | Hrothgar/Roger, Hrodberht/Robert, Roderick Rodney, Roland | ||
| hun | ? | Y | Y | Hunferthus, Hunbeorht; Andhun, Berthun; Ælfhun | c.f. Hun of East Anglia |
| hyg | courage | Y | Hygelac | ||
| ing | a god | Y | Inga, Ingeborg, Inger, Ingvar, Ingrid | ||
| irm(en), erm(en) | strong, whole | Y | Eormenred, Ermenrich/Hermeric/Emmerich/Emery/Amerigo; Ermegard/Irmgard, Ermendrud/Ermintrud/Irmtrud | possibly theophoric, see Irminsul; hypocorisms Irma, Armin, Emma | |
| ise(n) | iron | Y | Y | Isebert/Isebrecht, Isenhart | Isegrimm may in origin have been a kenning for "wolf". |
| karl, carl, ceorl | man | Y | Y | Carlofred, Carlman; Altcarl, Gundecarl | rare; possibly extensions from the simplex. |
| *kōni-; cen, coen | fierce, keen | Y | Conrad/Konrad, Cynric, Coenwulf | ||
| *kun(n)i-, OHG kuni, chun, also chim, chin, chind; AS cyne | kin, offspring, child | Y | Kunibert, Kunimund, Cynewulf; Kunigunde, Cynethryth; Chindasvinth; Adelchind, Drudchind, Widukind, Willekind | hypocorism Kuno, Chintila | |
| *kunþ-; cuþ | renowned | Y | Cuthbert, Cuthred | ||
| kwik-; cwic | alive, lively | Y | Cwichelm | ||
| land | land | Y | Landfrid, Landulf/Landolf, Landwart, Lantiradus; Landshilda | ||
| laf | survivor, heir | Y | Wiglaf, Herleif, Detlef | ||
| leof | desirable, friendly | Y | Leofwine | ||
| liuti | people | Y | Liutger, Lutold; Liutgard | ||
| magan, megin; maht | might, strength | Y | Manfred, Maganradus/Meinrad; Mathilde, Meinfrida | ||
| *mēri-; mære, mer, mar, mir | famous | Y | Y | Chlodomir, Miro, Filimer/Filimir, Marvin, Odomir, Ricimer, Theodemir, Theodemar, Thiudimer, Valamir, Waldemar, Vidimir/Widemir, Wulfmar/Wulfomir | |
| mund | protection | Y | Edmund, Sigmund, Remismund, Rechimund | ||
| noþ, OHG nand | courage | Y | Y | Nothhelm; Byrhtnoth, Eadnoth, Ferdinand, Wieland/Wayland | |
| ræð | counsel, wisdom | Y | Y | Radegast, Radwig, Radulf; Alfred, Eadred, Conrad, Tancred, Wihtred; Ratberga/Redburga | |
| ragin | counsel | Y | Raginald/Reginald/Reynold, Reginbert, Reginmund; Regintrud | ||
| *remez, remis | peace | Y | Remisto, Remismund | ||
| run | rune, secret | Y | Gudrun, Walaruna | ||
| rīki-; OHG rihhi, AS rīc | ruler | Y | Y | Richard, Rechila, Rechiar, Rechimund, Richimir, Roderick, Sigeric, Theodoric, Henry | |
| sax, seax | seax; tribal name | Y | Sexred; Seaxburh | ||
| sinþ, sind | travel | Y | Sindolf/Sindulf, Sindram, Sindbald, Sindbert | Sinthgunt as "Sun's sister" in the Merseburg Incantations | |
| sig, sigi, sige | victory | Y | Y | Sigborg/Siborg, Sigebald/Sibbald/Sibold, Sigbod/Sibot, Sigibert, Sibrand, Sigmar, Sigmund, Sighart, Sighelm, Sigher/Siger, Sigrad, Sigeric, Sigtrygg, Sigward, Sigwald, Sigulf/Sigewulf; Ælfsige; Sigelinde/Siglind, Sigtrud | possibly theophoric in origin, in reference to Teiwaz, and later Odin, the god of victory. Hypocorisms Sigo, Sike, Sikke. |
| stan | stone | Y | Æthelstan, Thorsten, Wulfstan | also in simplex Sten, from Scandinavian Steinn | |
| swint | strength | Y | Y | Swinthibald; Amalaswintha | |
| tank | thought, counsel | Y | Tancred/Dancrad, Dancmar | ||
| trygg | truth | Y | Sigtrygg | ||
| wand, wandal | wander, wend | Y | Wandefrid, Wandedrudis (f.), Vandebercth (7th c.), Wandemar, Wandarich, Wendulf, Wanthildis (f., 9th c.); Wandalbold (8th c.), Wandalbert (7th-9th c.), Wandalburgis (f., 10th-11th c.) | in the names of the Vandals, Wends and Aurvandil | |
| weald | power | Y | Y | Waldemar, Walther; Edwald, Frithuwold, Harold | |
| warin; weard | guardian | Y | Y | Warinhari/Wernher/Werner; Brunward, Edward, Sigward; Freawaru, Ælfwaru | |
| wiht | wight, spirit | Y | Wihtred | ||
| win, wini, wine, wyn(n) | friend / joy | Y | Y | Winibald, Winimund, Winibert; Ælfwine, Ecgwine, Edwin/Audoin, Erwin, Leofwine, Marvin, Oswin; Wynflæd; Ælfwynn, Ecgwynn, Brihtwyn | |
| wig | battle, war | Y | Y | Wiglaf, Wigbert, Wigheard; Ludwig, Hedwig | |
| wal(a), wel, wæl | battle | Y | Wieland/Wayland, Walaman, Walarad, Walerand, Walaruna, Walesinda, Wala-anc, Walahelm, Walaram | hypochoristic Wallia, Walica. c.f. Valhalla, Valkyrie, Valföðr etc. | |
| wod (wad?) | fury | Y | Wodilhilt (f.), Wodalgarta (f.), Wodilbalt (a. 969), Wodalbert (a. 773), Wodelfrid (a. 912), Wodilulf (11th c.), 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 c.), Wodal (a. 889), Wode, Wodtke, may derive from this element. Wotan is recorded as a given name in the early 9th century. 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". | |
| wid(u), wit | wood, forest | Y | Withhold, Widukind | hypocorism Guido, Guy | |
| wulf | wolf | Y | Y | Adolph, Beowulf, Cynewulf, Rudolph, Wulfstan (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 | Y | Theodoric/Dietrich/Derick/Dirk, Detlef, Diether, Diethelm, Theobald, Dietfried, Theudebert, Theodemar; Dietlinde | ||
| *þegnaz, degen | warrior, thane | Y | Y | Degenhard, Degericus; Deitdegen, Edildegan, Drûtdegan, Heridegan, Swertdegan, Volcdegen | |
| þryþ, drut | force, strength | Y | Y | 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 | Y | (rare) | Donarperht (9th c.), Donarad (8th c.), Þórarin, Þórhall, Þórkell, Þórfinnr, Þórvald, Þórvarðr, Þórsteinn (9th c.), Thunerulf/Þórolf ; Albthonar (8th c.) | These names appear from the 8th or 9th century; popular in Scandinavia during the 10th to 11th centuries. Förstemann 1199. |
| þurs | giant | Y | Thusnelda (1st c.; presubambly for *Thurishilda), Thurismund (6th c.), Thurisind (6th c.) | an archaic name in names of the migration period, extinct during the medieval period. Förstemann 1200. |
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Famous quotes containing the word names:
“A knowledge that people live close by is,
I think, enough. And even if only first names are ever exchanged
The people who own them seem rock-true and marvelously self-sufficient.”
—John Ashbery (b. 1927)