The list below presents all elements (or roots) of the Germanic given names found in the Low Countries before 1150.
|
| root | meaning | frequency as first element | frequency as second element | total | |||||
| male | female | male | female | ||||||
| Aba | endearment for Alb*, Adelb*, Agb*, etc. | 21 | 21 | ||||||
| Abar | powerful, effective | 2 | 2 | ||||||
| Af | ancestor / power | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Ag | sword edge / fear | 45 | 1 | 46 | |||||
| Agil | sword edge / fear (=Ag) | 29 | 1 | 2 | 32 | ||||
| Agin | sword edge / fear (=Ag) | 16 | 1 | 17 | |||||
| Agis | horrifying | 8 | 2 | 10 | |||||
| Aiva | law | 12 | 3 | 15 | |||||
| Alda | old | 47 | 5 | 52 | |||||
| Alfi | elf | 39 | 12 | 51 | |||||
| Alhi | temple | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Alja | different | 5 | 5 | ||||||
| Aljan | strength | 4 | 4 | ||||||
| Amal | labour | 21 | 5 | 26 | |||||
| Amat | ? effort, zeal | 2 | 2 | ||||||
| Ambr | tribal name: Ambrones | 3 | 3 | ||||||
| An | grandfather, ancestor / to favour | 15 | 1 | 16 | |||||
| And | spirit / jealousy | 7 | 7 | ||||||
| Angil | angle (sting) / angel | 62 | 17 | 79 | |||||
| Ansi | god | 70 | 6 | 3 | 79 | ||||
| Ansti | thank | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Aper | ? from Abar, Ebur, or abbreviation or Adalbert | 6 | 6 | ||||||
| Arin | bird name: eagle | 93 | 93 | ||||||
| Asca | tree name: ash | 21 | 21 | ||||||
| Atha | father / goods, property | 20 | 3 | 23 | |||||
| Athal | noble | 231 | 43 | 274 | |||||
| Auda | wealth, possession | 117 | 26 | 143 | |||||
| Austa | eastern | 5 | 2 | 7 | |||||
| Avi | favourable | 11 | 31 | 42 | |||||
| Aza | father / goods, property (= Atha) | 27 | 3 | 30 | |||||
| Badu | battle | 14 | 9 | 3 | 26 | ||||
| Baga | battle | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Balda | courageous, bald | 98 | 3 | 232 | 2 | 335 | |||
| Bana | to strike down, to kill / order | 1 | 1 | 2 | |||||
| Banda | banner | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Barda | giant | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Barna | child, offspring | 4 | 4 | ||||||
| Bav | abbreviation of Baduwald etc. | 8 | 8 | ||||||
| Bera/Berin | bear | 80 | 10 | 20 | 2 | 112 | |||
| Berhta | brilliant | 42 | 28 | 561 | 4 | 635 | |||
| Bero | second element -bera/berin or -berhta | 12 | 12 | ||||||
| Bib | to tremble, to shiver | 2 | 3 | 5 | |||||
| Bili | mild, peaceful / battle axe, sword | 4 | 2 | 6 | |||||
| Bland | blond | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Blic | shine | 2 | 2 | ||||||
| Blidi | glad | 10 | 1 | 11 | |||||
| Bob | boy | 2 | 2 | ||||||
| Bod | to command | 5 | 35 | 40 | |||||
| Boj | tribal name: Boyar | 7 | 7 | ||||||
| Bon | good | 2 | 2 | ||||||
| Boran | birth / bearer, son | 1 | 2 | 3 | |||||
| Bord | shield | 1 | 2 | 3 | |||||
| Bosi | angry | 14 | 14 | ||||||
| Branda | sword | 58 | 58 | ||||||
| Brodar | brother | 3 | 3 | ||||||
| Brord | spear point | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Brunja | breast(shield) / brown | 17 | 1 | 2 | 20 | ||||
| Bun | to live | 2 | 2 | ||||||
| Burgi | to protect | 9 | 1 | 85 | 95 | ||||
| Carl | man, bloke | 2 | 2 | ||||||
| Chinda | child, offspring | 2 | 1 | 3 | |||||
| Chnuz | strong | 1 | 1 | 2 | |||||
| Clar | clear | 1 | 1 | 2 | |||||
| Crafti | power | 2 | 2 | ||||||
| Cuni | couragious, bald | 23 | 4 | 27 | |||||
| Dadi | deed | 3 | 1 | 4 | |||||
| Daga | day | 3 | 1 | 16 | 20 | ||||
| Dava | habit | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Deurja | dear, expensive | 4 | 2 | 6 | |||||
| Disja | wise | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Dod | abbreviation of -dolf names, or corruption of Dadi or Theuda | 21 | 2 | 23 | |||||
| Doma | judgement, judge | 2 | 2 | ||||||
| Don | bowstring | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Drog | warrior | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Drudi | sweet, trusted | 13 | 3 | 37 | 53 | ||||
| Dubon | dark, grey / bird name: dove | 1 | 2 | 3 | |||||
| Dug | powerful, effective | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Ebur | wild boar | 81 | 5 | 86 | |||||
| Ed | from Atha or Id | 4 | 4 | ||||||
| Er | honour | 8 | 1 | 9 | |||||
| Era/Erin | from Era or Harja | 24 | 4 | 28 | |||||
| Ercan | noble | 19 | 5 | 24 | |||||
| Erla | noble, count (English: earl) | 14 | 14 | ||||||
| Ermin | God's name: Ermin, Irmin | 10 | 27 | 37 | |||||
| Ernust | serious | 5 | 5 | ||||||
| Erpa | dark, grey | 15 | 15 | ||||||
| Fag | joy | 6 | 6 | ||||||
| Falc | pale, shiny /bird name: falcon | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Fara | family | 2 | 2 | ||||||
| Fasti | solid, firm | 8 | 2 | 10 | |||||
| Filu | many | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Fin | tribal name: Finns | 2 | 2 | ||||||
| Fladi | pure, clean / floor, house | 2 | 2 | ||||||
| Flan | quick, impertinent | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Flor | ? from the Latin Florus, flower / floor, bottom | 3 | 3 | ||||||
| Forth | fright / speed, progress | 2 | 2 | 4 | |||||
| Fram | fame | 2 | 1 | 3 | |||||
| Franc | tribal name: Franks | 24 | 24 | ||||||
| Fravi | lord | 11 | 1 | 12 | |||||
| Frisa | tribal name: Frisians | 2 | 2 | 4 | |||||
| Frithu | peace | 48 | 15 | 181 | 4 | 248 | |||
| Froda | wise | 2 | 2 | ||||||
| Fruma | thoroughly | 6 | 6 | ||||||
| Fulca | folk | 130 | 16 | 2 | 148 | ||||
| Funsa | charging forward | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Gad | bond, alliance | 2 | 2 | ||||||
| Gaila | frivolous | 32 | 9 | 41 | |||||
| Gairu | spear | 203 | 37 | 211 | 451 | ||||
| Gairu/Harja | second element -er from Gairu or Harja | 15 | 15 | ||||||
| Gaman | joy | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Gardi | (fenced) garden | 3 | 3 | 90 | 96 | ||||
| Gavja | residence | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Gib | gift | 16 | 3 | 11 | 30 | ||||
| Gild | moneyt | 16 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 23 | |||
| Gin | to seduce | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Gisil/Gis | hostage | 49 | 11 | 14 | 74 | ||||
| Glis | to glitter | 2 | 2 | ||||||
| Goda | God or good / progenitor of the Goths (incl. roots Gauta and Guda) | 167 | 17 | 55 | 1 | 240 | |||
| Goltha | gold | 1 | 4 | 5 | |||||
| Grima | cruel / mask, helmet | 12 | 2 | 24 | 38 | ||||
| Grisja | grey | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Guma | man | 13 | 13 | ||||||
| Gundi | battle | 27 | 3 | 6 | 36 | ||||
| Hab | possession | 2 | 1 | 3 | |||||
| Hag/Hagan | advantage | 9 | 9 | ||||||
| Haidu | elegant appearance | 9 | 9 | ||||||
| Haila | healthy, whole | 14 | 25 | 39 | |||||
| Haimi | house | 80 | 1 | 81 | |||||
| Halida | hero | 3 | 2 | 5 | |||||
| Han | ? bird name: cock | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Hardu | hard, powerful | 19 | 1 | 405 | 2 | 427 | |||
| Harja | army | 112 | 10 | 224 | 346 | ||||
| Hathu | battle | 50 | 10 | 3 | 63 | ||||
| Hauha | high | 4 | 1 | 1 | 6 | ||||
| Havik | bird name: hawk | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Helan | covering, shell | 3 | 3 | ||||||
| Helma | helmet | 6 | 1 | 103 | 110 | ||||
| Hildi | battle, combat | 51 | 25 | 62 | 138 | ||||
| Hilp | help | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Himila | heaven | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Hloda | loud, clear, famous (of whom is spoken) | 5 | 2 | 7 | |||||
| Horsca | boisterous, cheerful | 2 | 2 | ||||||
| Hraban | bird name: raven | 18 | 1 | 41 | 60 | ||||
| Hraid | famous | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Hroc | to croak (like a crow) / careful | 4 | 7 | 11 | |||||
| Hroma | fame | 7 | 7 | ||||||
| Hrothi | fame | 206 | 9 | 215 | |||||
| Hugu | intellect | 68 | 68 | ||||||
| Hund | headman | 1 | 1 | 2 | |||||
| Huni | tribal name: Huns | 23 | 1 | 1 | 25 | ||||
| Husa | house | 7 | 7 | ||||||
| Hvelp | cub (young wolf) | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Hwadal | dazzling | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Ib | from Ebur, Id, Iv, etc. | 3 | 3 | ||||||
| Ic | from Ag or Id | 1 | 2 | 3 | |||||
| Id | zeal | 3 | 19 | 22 | |||||
| Ig | from Ag or Id | 4 | 1 | 5 | |||||
| Im | from Ermin | 26 | 26 | 52 | |||||
| In | house, inn | 1 | 11 | 1 | 13 | ||||
| Ing | descendant of | 33 | 33 | ||||||
| Ingvi | tribal name: Ingvaeones | 4 | 4 | ||||||
| Ir | ? | 2 | 1 | 3 | |||||
| Is/Isan | ice, iron | 22 | 2 | 24 | |||||
| Iv | tree name: yew | 2 | 2 | ||||||
| Ka | no meaning | 7 | 10 | 17 | |||||
| Kin | no meaning | 53 | 11 | 64 | |||||
| Ko | no meaning | 81 | 81 | ||||||
| La | no meaning | 34 | 34 | ||||||
| Lac/Lec | from Lac (wizard, sooth-sayer), Laic (to play, to dance) or Lav (unknown meaning) | 9 | 9 | ||||||
| Laifa | survivor, son or daughter | 28 | 5 | 33 | |||||
| Laitha | to lead | 17 | 1 | 2 | 20 | ||||
| Landa | land | 79 | 10 | 7 | 96 | ||||
| Lauga | to bathe, clean | 4 | 4 | ||||||
| Leuba | dear, precious | 31 | 6 | 1 | 38 | ||||
| Leudi | folk | 117 | 25 | 142 | |||||
| Lin | no meaning | 78 | 4 | 82 | |||||
| Lindi | tree name: linden / snake / child / well (source) | 1 | 35 | 36 | |||||
| Lis | to go, to follow | 3 | 3 | ||||||
| Lo | no meaning | 33 | 33 | ||||||
| Lobbe | softy | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Mag | child / sword | 9 | 9 | ||||||
| Magan | strong | 71 | 19 | 90 | |||||
| Mahti | might | 3 | 14 | 17 | |||||
| Mana | man | 9 | 74 | 83 | |||||
| Marca | horse / border | 12 | 3 | 15 | |||||
| Maru | famous | 1 | 99 | 100 | |||||
| Matha | eer | 1 | 1 | 2 | |||||
| Mathal | gathering | 10 | 3 | 13 | |||||
| Maura | tribal name: Moors | 5 | 1 | 6 | |||||
| Mim | God's name: Mimir | 2 | 2 | 4 | |||||
| Min | small, sweet | 2 | 2 | ||||||
| Moda | courage / spirit | 2 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 13 | |||
| Mulv | God's name: Mullo | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Munda | protection | 1 | 34 | 3 | 38 | ||||
| Muni | though / amiable | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Nanthi | to dare | 8 | 5 | 13 | |||||
| Nitha | fighting spirit | 4 | 4 | ||||||
| Nivja | new, young | 2 | 2 | ||||||
| Nodi | necessary | 8 | 2 | 29 | 39 | ||||
| Northa | northern | 7 | 7 | ||||||
| Ob | from Auda or other A-roots | 2 | 2 | ||||||
| Othal | legacy | 35 | 12 | 47 | |||||
| Radi | council, advice | 72 | 9 | 100 | 37 | 218 | |||
| Ragan | council / the Gods | 168 | 38 | 206 | |||||
| Randu | brim of a shield | 3 | 3 | ||||||
| Reif | ? circle, ribbon | 3 | 3 | ||||||
| Ricja | rich / king | 60 | 29 | 378 | 467 | ||||
| Rim | snow, frost | 2 | 2 | ||||||
| Risi | giant | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Runa | secret / rune-character | 1 | 1 | 2 | |||||
| Sahs | tribal name: Saxons | 24 | 24 | ||||||
| Salva | black | 5 | 5 | ||||||
| Sarva | armament | 2 | 4 | 6 | |||||
| Scalca | servant | 17 | 17 | ||||||
| Scirja | shining / sharp minded | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Scoran | tonsure | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Sibja | sib, kinship | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Sigu/Sigis | victory | 120 | 20 | 140 | |||||
| Sintha | trail, course, military expedition | 2 | 13 | 15 | |||||
| Snel | quick | 8 | 1 | 9 | |||||
| Staina | stone | 5 | 1 | 7 | 13 | ||||
| Stilja | silent | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Svaba | tribal name: Suebi | 2 | 2 | ||||||
| Svaid | to burn, to glow | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Svana | bird name: swan | 1 | 3 | 4 | |||||
| Svintha | strong, brave, quick, smart | 5 | 1 | 64 | 70 | ||||
| Taita | cheerful / youthful | 19 | 8 | 46 | 73 | ||||
| Thanc | thank | 16 | 1 | 17 | |||||
| Thegan | dagger / knight | 11 | 1 | 12 | |||||
| Theuda | folk | 231 | 36 | 267 | |||||
| Thinga | gathering, 'thing' | 3 | 3 | ||||||
| Thiva | servant | 17 | 17 | ||||||
| Thrasa | quick / to fight | 3 | 3 | ||||||
| Thunar | God's name: Thor / Donar | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Thuring | tribal name: Thuringii | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Ub | wild | 9 | 9 | ||||||
| Un | to give | 23 | 23 | ||||||
| Ura | aurochs | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Vacar | awake, watchful | 1 | 1 | 14 | 16 | ||||
| Vadja | agreement, pledge | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Vald | to rule | 83 | 5 | 154 | 242 | ||||
| Valha | to strike down, to kill | 45 | 3 | 13 | 61 | ||||
| Van | hope | 23 | 1 | 24 | |||||
| Vand | ? hike / twig | 9 | 5 | 14 | |||||
| Var | guard, protection / truth | 5 | 2 | 4 | 30 | 41 | |||
| Vardu | guard | 1 | 62 | 63 | |||||
| Varin | guard, protection / truth (= Var) | 65 | 4 | 69 | |||||
| Vasu | to be effective | 2 | 2 | ||||||
| Vaz | from Vadja or Varin | 24 | 24 | ||||||
| Vela | good | 1 | 2 | 3 | |||||
| Verca | work | 3 | 3 | ||||||
| Vid | forest / wide | 38 | 3 | 3 | 44 | ||||
| Vifa | woman, wife | 1 | 5 | 34 | 40 | ||||
| Viga | to battle, to defeat | 89 | 8 | 7 | 39 | 143 | |||
| Vilja | to want, to long for | 83 | 8 | 91 | |||||
| Vind/Vinid | tribal name: Wends (Sorbs) | 3 | 1 | 4 | |||||
| Vini | friend | 20 | 194 | 1 | 215 | ||||
| Vor | to wander around | 1 | 1 | 2 | |||||
| Vrac | revenge | 1 | 1 | 2 | |||||
| Vulfa | wolf | 46 | 6 | 298 | 350 | ||||
| Vulthar | fame, honour | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Vunja | happiness | 1 | 1 | ||||||
| Wi | root starting with Vi | 3 | 3 | ||||||
| Wl | abbreviation of Vilja, Vulfa or Fulca | 19 | 3 | 22 | |||||
| Za | no meaning | 1 | 14 | 15 | |||||
| Zo | no meaning | 127 | 127 | ||||||
| A* | 1 | 1 | |||||||
| B* | 14 | 14 | |||||||
| E* | 1 | 1 | |||||||
| Ha* | 9 | 1 | 10 | ||||||
| Hi* | 1 | 1 | |||||||
| Ho* | 2 | 2 | |||||||
| L* | 1 | 1 | |||||||
| Li* | 2 | 2 | |||||||
| M* | 2 | 2 | |||||||
| Ma* | 1 | 1 | |||||||
| Na* | 1 | 1 | |||||||
| No* | 1 | 1 | |||||||
| R? | 1 | 1 | |||||||
| Ra* | 3 | 3 | |||||||
| S* | 1 | 1 | |||||||
| W* | 3 | 1 | 4 | ||||||
| unknown | 8 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 18 | ||||
| none | 609 | 187 | 796 | ||||||
| total number of roots | 239 | 126 | 87 | 41 | |||||
| total number of individuals | 4926 | 866 | 4926 | 866 | |||||
|
Introduction Material & Methods Summary Regions References |
Lists: Male names Male names extended Female names Female names extended Table of roots Nicknames |
Analyses: Non-Germanic names Single rooted names Variation Bynames Composition rules Namesakes |
© Dr. Kees C. Nieuwenhuijsen
www.keesn.nl Last update: September 2012 |
