Comments (Meaning / History Only)

Germanic ragin "the (Germanic) Gods, counsel, very (emphatic prefix)" + wald "power", essentially "Powerful Gods" or "Power of the Gods". Cognate to English Reynold, Ronald, French Renault, Scandinavian Ragnvald, and Spanish Reynaldo.This name was popularised by the ancient German hero figure known as Reinhold von Montalban (The Four Sons of Aymon), Reinhold von Meilan (The Dietrich Saga), and ultimately, as Saint Reinhold von Köln.The -h- is recorded as early as the 6th century in the Dietrich von Bern legendary figure De gude Reinholt van Meilan who was the only one spared the slaughter at Erminrich's castle due to his loyalty to Dietrich. Hence with the addition of the -h- the etymology is interpreted as the emphatic prefix regn- with hold making "Solemnly Loyal".
Germanic ragin "counsel" + wald "power"; name of a tenth century saint. Cognate to English Reynold and Ronald. The -h- is added by the folk etymology rein+hold "pure + graceful".

Comments are left by users of this website. They are not checked for accuracy.

Add a Comment