Names

Newer German form of Brünhild.

Variant of Brünhild, referring to the Frankish queen.

Variant of Brünhild.

Derived from the Germanic elements brun “armour, protection” and hild “battle”. It is cognate with the Old Norse name Brynhildr (from the elements bryn and hildr). In Norse legend Brynhildr was the queen of the valkyries who was rescued by the hero Sigurd. In the Germanic saga the Nibelungenlied she was a queen of Iceland and the wife of Günther. Both of these characters were probably inspired by the eventful life of the 6th-century Frankish queen Brunhilda (of Visigothic birth).

Diminutive of Bruno.

Feminine diminutive of Bruno.

Feminine form of Bruno.

From a Scottish surname, of Norman origin, which probably originally referred to the town of Brix in France. The surname was borne by Robert the Bruce, a Scottish hero of the 14th century who achieved independence from England and became the king of Scotland. It has been in use as a given name in the English-speaking world since the 19th century. A notable bearer is the American musician Bruce Springsteen (1949-).

Old Norse form of Bror.

From the Old Norse name Bróðir meaning “brother”.