Submitted Name Revision History

The first element of this name is derived from ag, an uncertain element for which several etymologies have been proposed. The most widely accepted explanation is that it comes from Proto-Germanic *agjo meaning "sharp, pointed". By figurative extension, it also came to mean "edge", especially in the sense of the cutting edge of a sword - whence the element's modern meaning of "sword"; cf. the cognate Anglo-Saxon ecg and Old High German ekka (New High German ecke, which means "corner"). Other possibilities for the meaning and origin of ag include: Gothic agan "to fear, to be afraid", Old Norse agi "unrest, agitation", Gothic ahjan "to believe", or Old Norse aka "to do, to act". The second element of this Germanic name is derived from Proto-Germanic *harduz "hard, brave" or, figuratively, "hardy, stern" (cf. Old High German hart, Old Norse harðr, or Gothic hardus).