Germanic name

Germanic given names are traditionally dithematic; that is, they are formed from two elements, by joining a prefix and a suffix. For example, King Æþelred's name was derived from æþel, for "noble", and ræd, for "counsel".

The oldest known Germanic names date to the Roman Empire period, Arminius (probably a Latinized form of Hermann) and his wife Thusnelda in the 1st century, and in greater frequency in the late Roman Empire, in the 4th to 5th centuries (the Germanic Heroic Age).

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 (corresponding to the names of Goths, Vandals ands Sueves, among other nations) forms. By the High Middle Ages, many of these names were abbreviated or corrupted, so that their etymology is not always clear.

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

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	angel	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	</ref>	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
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. Beorna, 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
eber, eofor	boar	Y		Eparpert/Everbert, Eureberga, Euurdag, Ebertrudis, Eparfrid, Eberger, Eberhard/Eoforheard, Ebarhelm, Eburhilt, Ebirmuot, Ebermunt, Ebarolt, Eberwin/Ebroin, Eberulf
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
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
god, got	god	Y		Godfrid/Godfrey, Godscalc, Gothard, Gotwald
grim	helmet, mask	Y		Grimwald; Grimhild/Krimhild
*gunþ-; gund, gud, gyþ, gyð	battle, war	Y	Y	Gunther/Gunter, Gunnhild; Gudrun; Eadgyð, Ealdgyð/Edith, Frithugyth
helm	protector		Y	Diethelm, Ealhhelm, Cwichelm, Nothhelm, Wilhelm	hypocorism Helmo
hadu	battle, combat	Y		Hadubrand, Hadufuns; Hedwig
*haim-; OHG haim, heim, AS hæm	home	Y		Henry, Heimwart	hypocorism Haimo
hard, heard	brave, hardy		Y	Æthelhard, Richard, Gerhard
*hari, her	army	Y	Y	Diether, Hereweald/Harold, Herbert, Herleif, Herman/Arminius, Ariovistus, Ariouualdus	hypocorism Harry; Heri(?)
heah, hoch	high	Y		Heaberht, Hámundr	c.f. Huoching/Haki
heit	rank, state		Y	Adelaide
hild-	war	Y	Y	Gunnhild, Hildebrand, Hildegard
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/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,, Filimer/Filimir, Marvin, Odomir, Ricimer, Theodemir, Thiudimer, Valamir, Waldemar, Vidimir/Widemir, Wulfmar/Wulfomir
mund	protection		Y	Edmund, Sigmund
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
run	rune, secret		Y	Gudrun, Walaruna
rīki-; OHG rihhi, AS rīc	ruler	Y	Y	Richard, Richimir, Roderick, Sigeric, Theodoric, Henry
sax, seax	seax; tribal name	Y		Sexred; Seaxburh
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.
þeod	people	Y		Theodoric/Dietrich/Derick/Dirk, Detlef, Diether, Diethelm, Theobald, Dietfried, Theudebert; 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.

Monothematic names

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

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

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

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

Uncertain etymology

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

See also

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

References

• Olof von Feilitzen, The Pre-conquest Personal Names of Domesday Book (1937).
• E. Förstemann, Altdeutsches Namenbuch (1856; online facsimile)
• Förstemann, Ernst (1900). Altdeutsches Namenbuch (3 ed.). Bonn: P. Hanstein. http://sul-derivatives.stanford.edu/derivative?CSNID=00003871&mediaType=application/pdf. 
• Lena Peterson, Nordiskt runnamnslexikon, 4th ed. (2002); 5th ed. (2007).
• P. R. Kitson, (2002). How Anglo-Saxon personal names work. Nomina, 24, 93.
• F. C. Robinson, (1968). The significance of names in old English literature. Anglia, 86, 14–58.
• Justus Georg Schottel, De nominibus veterum Germanorum, in: Ausführliche Arbeit Von der Teutschen Haubt-Sprache, Zilliger (1663), book 5, chapter 2, pp. 1029–1098.[1]
• Friedrich Wilhelm Viehbeck, Die Namen der Alten teutschen: als Bilder ihres sittlichen und bürgerlichen Lebens (1818; online facsimile)
• H. B. Woolf, (1939). The old Germanic principles of name-giving. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press.
• H. C. Wyld, (1910). Old Scandinavian personal names in England. Modern Language Review, 5, 289–296.
• Charlotte Mary Yonge, History of Christian names, vol. 2, Parker and Bourn, 1863.

External links

• Germanic names (behindthename.com)
• Ancient Germanic names (behindthename.com)
• Old Norse Names (vikinganswerlady.com)
• Names in the Low Lands before 1150 (.keesn.nl)
• Gothic and Suevic Names in Galicia (NW Spain) before 1200 (celtiberia.net)
• Germanic Names in the Earliest Runic Inscriptions (vikingrune.com)
• Germanic personal names