Theobald

Meaning: (People, Race, Bold, Brave, God, Derived from the Germanic elements Theud "People" and Bald "Bold". The Normans brought the name to England, where it joined an existing Old English cognate. The medieval forms Tibald and Tebald were commonly Latinized as Theobaldus. It was rare by the 20th century.

The Latinized form was recorded in the 11th century Domesday Book. The name was borne by Theobald of Bec (-1161), an archbishop of Canterbury; he was of Norman origin. Medieval forms of the name include Tebald, Tedbald, Tibert, and Tybalt. The form Tybalt or Tibert was known as the name of the cat in the French folklore Reynard the Fox, thus giving rise to the nicknames Tibs and Tibby being used for cats. The form Tybalt was later used by Shakespeare for the name of Juliet's cousin in Romeo and Juliet (1595).

Recorded in over one hundred forms ranging from Theobald, Tudball and Dyball in England, to Thibald, Thibaud and Thibout in France, Thibou in Belgian, Theobald, Thibaut, and Diebald in Germany, Tibold in Hungary, and many more, this interesting surname is of pre 7th century Germanic origins. It derives from the the elements "theudo", meaning people, and "bald"- bold or brave, and as such was a very popular name in the period of history known as 'The dark ages'. The personal name and the subsequent surname of the 12th century is believed to have been introduced into England by followers of William, The Conqueror, after the Norman Invasion of 1066, and it was in that country where the earliest examples of the surname recording are to be found. Examples of the recordings illustrating the hereditary surname development include: Hugo Tebaud, in the Pipe Rolls of the county of Lincolnshire in the year 1202; William Theobald, in the court rolls known as the Feet of Fines for Suffolk in 1250, and Simon Tebalde in the register of Ramsey Abbey, in 1255. In Germany Stammfolge Theopolt was recorded in Hildburghausen in 1420, Thiebaud von Worms in 1435, and Christoph Theobald of Rudolstadt in 1529. Examples taken from early surviving English church registers include: the marriage of Francis Theobald and Judith Conquest on February 20th 1622, at St. Dunstan's in the East, Stepney, London. The first recorded spelling of the family name anywhere in the world is believed to be that of: Tomas Teobald. This was dated 1199, in the Pipe Rolls of the county of Gloucestershire, England. This was during the reign of the famous King Richard 1st of England, known as "Coeur de Leon", 1189 - 1199. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling. http://www.surnamedb.com/Surname/Theobald )

Origin: (English (Rare), Ancient Germanic, French)

Pronunciation: (THEE-ə-bawld (English), DHIY-owBaoLD)

Gender: Male

I was watching a movie the other day and I’m not sure if the character had this spelling but when they said his name I saw it in my head as this spelling so I added it to my list. The meanings are strong and the look of the name is old fashioned but is handsome and brave looking as well. I really like this name a little more each day.

Maldwyn

Meaning: (Bold Friend, Brave Friend, Welsh form of Baldwin derived from the Germanic elements bald “Bold, Brave” and win “Friend”. In Middle Ages this was a popular name in Flanders and among the Normans, who brought it to Britain. It was borne by one of the leaders of the First Crusade, an 11^th Century nobleman from Flanders. After the crusades conquered Jerusalem, he was crowned as the King of the Kingdom of Jerusalem.)

Origin: (Welsh, English, Ancient Germanic, Nordic)

Pronunciation: (MAWLD-win, MAOLDWihN)

Gender: Female, Possibly Uni-Sex

I was looking up the meaning of Mal *see on list of posts* and I saw this name. I love the strong meanings and it has a connection to Baldwin and thus has a long history of use. I love this name and find it to be an absolutely beautiful. I could see this name fitting in one of my series or trilogies.

Athanaric

Meaning: (Year King, King for the Year, From the Gothic name Athanareiks, derived from the Germanic element athana meaning "year" combined with ric meaning "power, ruler". Athanaric was a 4th-century ruler of the Visigoths.)

Origin: (Ancient Germanic)

Pronunciation: (athuh-naric, Ahth-uh-nar-ic, Atha-naric)

Gender: Male

I can’t remember where I saw this but I think it was on the show information for some show on TV. I think this is a strong masculine name that reminds me of Alareiks which is the Gothic form of Alaric, both names I have used before in novels. Now Athanaric has a nice long history of use and is a very handsome powerful ruler name.

Now the pronunciation is my best guess on it as I could not find a phonetic pronunciation for this name. If any one knows if I am pronouncing it wrong please do tell me.

Adalind

Meaning: (Noble and Tender, from the Germanic elements adal "noble" and linde "soft, tender".)

Origin: (Ancient Germanic)

Pronunciation: (ada-lind, ada-lyn)

Gender: Female

I saw this when I read information for an episode of the TV Series Grimm. My parents are obsessed with that show. Anyway one of the characters is named this. I however do not watch the show as it is on the same time as one of my shows. Adalind looks like a really pretty name. It has a unique look but still uses common elements. I like the meanings a lot as well. It is just such a cute and pretty name. I could see this on nobility maybe in a sci-fi / fantasy setting.

Otto

Meaning: (Wealth, Fortune, Prosperity, From the Old High German Otho and Odo, which are derived from Auda (Rich). The name was borne by Otto I (912-73, 10^th Century), a King of Germany and the first Emperor of Holy Roman Empire he was known as Otto the Great. The older form Odo is also bestowed, but it is much less common. This was the name of four kings of Germany. This name was also borne by a 19th-century king of Greece who was originally from Bavaria. Another notable bearer was the German chancellor Otto von Bismarck (1815-1898). Common in English-speaking countries until Otto von Bismarck's German armies became threateningly powerful in the early 20th century. Ottone is the Italian form. The Ottoman Empire was one of the most successful, creative and prosperous civilizations in the last 1000 years. At their height during the 16th Century, their Muslim influence can still be seen in architecture, religion and culture. Otto is the name of a volatile and highly fragrant essential oil obtained from the petals of roses. As short a name as Otto is, it is actually based on even shorter compound personal names containing the Germanic elements "od" and "ot" -- derivatives of prosperity, wealth, fortune and riches. (A similar example is how the English "ead" is used in names such as Edward and Edwin). Otto has a rich religious and royal history, and the name has maintained its popularity through the ages by having christened those important and wealthy surviving families during what were for many turbulent times.)

Origin: (German, Nordic, Scandinavian, Dutch, English, Finnish, Ancient Germanic)

Pronunciation: (AH-toh, AW-to (German), AH-to (English), AW-toh, OT-toe) 

Gender: Male

I was watching a furniture commercial the other day. It was a commercial where the furniture introduced there selves and the ottoman said his name was Otto. I have heard this name before and I thought to add this now. The meanings are lovely. It’s got a very long interesting history. I love that it is short and the pronunciation is fun (say Otto over and over and see).

Clovis

Meaning: (Famed Warrior, Shortened form of Clodovicus, a Latinized form of Chlodovech, Clovis was a Frankish King who united France under his rule in the 5^th Century.)

Origin: (Ancient Germanic, English, French)

Pronunciation: (KLO-vis) 

Gender: Uni-Sex

I was reading a magazine about books the other day and it was advertising a book set in the early 1900's and one of the main characters daughters was named Clovis. At first I didn't like it and then it sort of reminded me of Clover *a name on my list of posts.* Clovis is usually a male name but in the book it was a female name so I put it as a Uni-Sex name here on my blog. It is unique but still old fashioned.