What does he name Eibe mean?
My husband's ggrandfather from the moorland of northern Germany near Bremen had the first name of EIBE. I understand it is an old name and not used today. Curious of its origin/definition. Anyone care to take a guess?
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In modern German, Eibe is the name of a tree (yew). But the name has probably nothing to do with it.
It is a Frisian short form of names with the first element "Eg(i)" or "Ag(i)". This is from Germanic "agi" (fright, fear), and was later influenced by Old High German "ekka" (point, edge i.e. of a sword or knife).
So where does the B come in? Probably from a second element starting with a B, most likely "beraht" (bright, famous).
So Eibe may once have been something like Egilbrecht or Eginbald or Einbert.
Whether or not the name was later associated with the name of the tree or Eber (boar) I can't tell; I think it is well possible)Andy ;—)
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