Character Name
Hedwig
Hedwig Hedwig is a name whose martial etymology sits in fascinating tension with its modern association with a loyal, graceful owl — the double battle-element of the original name suggests fierce protectiveness, while the Harry Potter association gives it a quality of devoted, unquestioning loyalty. Characters named Hedwig can carry either register: the austere medieval noblewoman or the faithful, quietly extraordinary companion who is easily underestimated.
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Famous characters named Hedwig
Hedwig
Harry Potter series — J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter's snowy owl and loyal companion throughout the series — a character whose name gives the ancient Germanic battle-name a whimsical, affectionate new meaning as the faithful familiar of a young wizard.
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Related names
Hildegard
Old High German · “A Germanic feminine name composed of "hild" meaning "battle" and "gard" meaning "enclosure", "stronghold", or "protection" — thus "battle-stronghold" or "protected in battle". Hildegard of Bingen (1098–1179) was a Benedictine abbess, visionary mystic, composer, natural philosopher, and medical writer — one of the most remarkable intellectual figures of the Middle Ages and now a Doctor of the Catholic Church.”
Adelheid
Old High German · “A Germanic feminine name composed of "adal" meaning "noble" and "heid" meaning "kind", "type", or "appearance" — thus "of noble kind" or "noble type". It is the original Germanic form of the name that became Adelaide in French and English. The name was borne by Saint Adelaide of Italy (931–999), Empress of the Holy Roman Empire, and by Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen, Queen consort of William IV of Britain.”
More Old High German names
Enno
“Enno is a Low German and Frisian masculine name, a short form of names beginning with the Old High German element "agi" or "agni" (edge of a sword) or alternatively a pet form of names beginning with "erm-" or "irm-" (whole, great). It was common in medieval East Frisia and the Low Countries, where several Frisian chieftains bore the name. It remains in use in northern Germany and the Netherlands.”
Eckhard
“A Germanic masculine name composed of "ek" or "ag" meaning "edge" (of a sword) and "hard" meaning "brave", "hardy", or "strong" — thus "strong at the sword's edge" or "brave blade". The name is philosophically significant through Meister Eckhart (c.1260–c.1328), the Dominican theologian and mystic whose sermons on the inner life of the soul were among the most intellectually radical of the Middle Ages.”
Ewald
“A Germanic masculine name composed of "ewa" meaning "law", "custom", or "eternity" and "wald" meaning "rule" or "power" — thus "ruler of the law" or "eternal power". The name was borne by two Anglo-Saxon martyrs known as the Black Ewald and White Ewald (died c.695), who were missionaries among the Old Saxons and are venerated as saints in the Catholic Church. The name belongs to the tradition of Germanic law-giving leadership.”
Otfried
“A Germanic masculine name composed of "od" or "aud" meaning "wealth", "fortune", or "prosperity" and "frid" meaning "peace" — thus "peaceful wealth" or "prosperous peace". The name is historically significant as the name of Otfrid of Weissenburg (c.800–c.875), the Frankish monk who composed the Evangelienbuch, the earliest surviving major literary work in the Old High German language — making the name associated with the very origins of German literature.”
Walburga
“Walburga is an Old High German feminine name composed of "waltan" meaning "to rule, to have power" and "burg" meaning "fortress, stronghold". It thus means "powerful fortress" or "ruling strength". Saint Walburga (c. 710–779) was an Anglo-Saxon missionary nun who became the abbess of Heidenheim in Bavaria; she is venerated widely in Germany, and Walpurgis Night (April 30) is named in her honour.”
Villiam
“Villiam is the Danish and Norwegian form of William, itself from the Old High German name "Willahelm", composed of "wil" meaning "will, desire" and "helm" meaning "helmet, protection". It thus means "resolute protector" or "strong-willed guardian". The name was introduced to England by William the Conqueror and became one of the most widespread masculine names in the Germanic and English-speaking world.”
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