Beowulf

The name Beowulf/Beówulf is more likely composed from the elements beado (battle, war, slaughter) and wulf (wolf) making the meaning: war-wolf or battle-wolf. The first element beo/beó would hence be a contraction of the longer beado. It seems unlikely that a person, however mythic, would receive a kenning such as bee-wolf in lieu of a more belligerent name that properly advertises his prowess in battle. [noted -ed]

Beowulf is the oldest poem in the english language, or just about anyway. I had to read it once, and analyse it. Hated it. It'd be kind of funny to have a boy named Beowulf.

J.R.R. Tolkien claimed that the name originally meant a "bee hunter", which in turn could mean a "bear", but also a "woodpecker", or anything else that feeds on bees.

---

My original impression of this name was that it refers to a "white wolf", because of the similarity to the Polish word "bialy" which means "white". It's probably a coincidence though.