Germanic given names are traditionally dithematic; that is, they are formed from two elements, by joining a prefix and a suffix. For example, King Æþelred's name was derived from æþel, for "noble", and ræd, for "counsel".
The oldest known Germanic names date to the Roman Empire period, Arminius (probably a latinized form of Hermann) and his wife Thusnelda in the 1st century, and in greater frequency in the late Roman Empire, in the 4th to 5th centuries (the Germanic Heroic Age). [1]
A great variety of names is attested from the medieval period, falling into the rough categories of Scandinavian (Old Norse), Anglo-Saxon (Old English) and continental (Frankish, Old High German and Low German) forms. By the High Middle Ages, many of these names were abbreviated or corrupted, so that their etymology is not always clear.
Of the large number of medieval Germanic names, a comparatively small set remains in common use today. The most frequent name of Germanic origin in English has traditionally been William (Bill), from an Old High German Willahelm, followed by Robert and Charles (Carl, after Charlemagne). Very few names of native English (Anglo-Saxon) origin survive into current use, the most common of these being Alfred.
Contents |
| element | meaning | prefix | suffix | examplhes | notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| act, aht, oht | fearsome(?)[2] | Ohthere, Ohtrad, Actumerus, Octric, Actulf; Actohildis, Octolindis | |||
| *agi-; eg, ecg, egg, ekk, agin, egin | sword, blade | Egbert, Ecgbald, Ecgwine, Ekkehart, Ecgric, Eginolf/Agilulf; Ecgwynn | Some names in ag-, eg- may be unrelated in origin; see Förstemann, 9. | ||
| agil, ail, eil | ? | Agilperht, Agilfrid, Egilger, Agilmar, Egilrat; Alruna, Agilburgis, | uncertain etymology; like agin perhaps a hypostatis of the older ag-; Förstemann, 22. See Agilaz. | ||
| ala | all | Alafrid, Alager, Alamunt, Alarad, Alaric, Alaruna, Alasuind | Some names in ala- have this etymology; others are corruptions of names in aþal-. Förstemann, 39. | ||
| ald, eald | old | —[3] | Altopold, Altiperht, Aldfrid, Aldegar, Aldman, Aldwig, Aldwin; Aldedrudis, Aldeberga/Aldburg, Aldigart, Altagund, Aldelindis | ||
| *albi-; ælf, elf, alf | elf | —[4] | Ælfwine, Ælfric, Alfred, Ælfweard, Ælfsige[5]; Ælfflæd, Ælfwaru, Ælfwynn | ||
| *alh, alah, ealh | protection | Ealhhelm, Alhred, Ealhwine/Alcuin; Ealhswith, Ælgifu(?)[6] | perhaps related to runic alu | ||
| amala | work(?) | Amaleberga, Amalafrida, Amalrica, Amalaswintha/Melisende/Millicent, Ealhswith | c.f. Amalia, Amelie. This element's etymology is uncertain, but it is frequently compared to Old Norse aml "work". | ||
| angil, engel; ingal/ingel | angel | Angilbald, Angilberht/Engelbert, Engilfrit, Angalgar, Angilhelm/Ingelhelm, Engilhoh; (Ingalberta), Angilburga, Angildruda, Engilgund | Names in angil- may arise with Christianization, by conflation with the prefix ingal-, an extension of the theophoric ing- prefix; see Förstemann, 89. | ||
| *aþal-, adall, æthel, od, ead | wealth, heritage; noble | Odomir, Æthelhard, Æthelred, Adolph, Adelbert, Adelbrand/Alebrand, Albert, Edgar/Audagar/Ottokar, Edmund, Eadnoth, Eadred/Edred, Edward, Eadwig, Edwin, Æthelwulf; Æthelburg, Adelaide, Æthelflæd, Eadgifu, Æthelgifu (etc.) | Extremely frequent. c.f. also Ethel, Otto, Odda | ||
| *ans-, ON ás, OHG ans, AS os | god | — | Oswin, Oswald, Ansgar, Ásleikr/Anslech/Oslac,[7] Ansfridus, Anshelmus, Ansgisus, Ansbrecht, Answald; Osburh, Osgyth, Osthryth | ||
| ar, ara, ari, arni, earn | eagle | </ref> | Arafrid, Aramund, Arswind, Arfrid, Arnipert, Arnold, Arnulf | Many of these names cannot be distinguished with certainty from the corresponding name in hari-. | |
| arb, erb, erf | inheritance | —[8] | Arbogastis, Erbhart, Erphari, Erpolach, Erflind, Erbemar, Erpmund, Erferat, Erferih, Erpwin, Erpulf | hypocorism Aribo, Erbo | |
| asc, æsc | ash, spear | Aschari, Asclind, Ascarich, Ascwin, Asculf | c.f. Oisc, Ask | ||
| aun, on, ean | ? | Eanhere, Aunefrit/Eanfrith, Aunemund, Onerich, Aunulf; Eanflæd | Etymology unknown; see Förstemann, 181. | ||
| aus, aust, eost | radiant; a goddess | Auripert, Aurendil/Orendil/Aurvandil, Aurulf; Ostheri, Austrad, Austrobert, Austraberta, Ostarpurc, Aostarger, Aostargart, Austrigisil, Ostarhilt, Ostremund, Austrad, Australd, Ostruin, Austrulf | possibly theophopric, see Eostre, Aurvandil | ||
| bald | bold | Baldwin; Theobald, etc. | very frequent, and often conflated with the wald element. | ||
| baud, bad, bud | ? | Baudigisil, Baudegund, Baudemund, Baudulf | uncertain etymology; mostly in old names (before the 8th century) Förstemann, 216f. | ||
| baug | ring | Baugegundus, Bauglind, Baugulf | |||
| *berht-; beraht, bryht, briht | bright | Byrhtnoth, Bertrand, Beorhtric, Brihtwyn; Cuthbert, Albert, Albright, Robert, Adelbert | hypocorism Bert. One of the most frequent elements, but not attested before the 6th century. | ||
| burg, beorg | fortress | Burchard/Burkhart, Burgred; Eadburh/Æthelburg, Osburh, Redburga, Walpurga | The suffix is feminine only. See also Burke | ||
| bera, bern, berin, beorn | bear | Berengar, Berahart/Bernhard, Berhildis, Berahoch, Bermar, Berimund, Beornwulf | c.f. Beorna, Berig | ||
| bil | lightness(?) | Biligrim,[9] Bilihelm, Bilihild, Belimar, Bilidruda, Pilolf | among the Saxons often monothematic, as Bilo, Pilicho, Pillin, Billung | ||
| blic | lightning | Blictrud, Blicger, Blicgart, Plechelm, Blicildis | |||
| blid | blithe | Bliddruda, Bllithar, Blithelm, Blidhild, Blidmar, Blidulf | |||
| bord | shield | — | Herebord, Hiltiport, Saelbort, Willipord | ||
| brand | sword | Branthildis, Branthoc, Brandulf; Adelbrand, Hildebrand, Hadubrand, Theudebrand | c.f. Brant. Attested from the 7th century, with the exception of Gothic Brandila | ||
| brun | armour, protection; brown | Brunfrid, Brunger, Brunric, Brunward, Brunulf; Brunhild; Adalbrun, Hiltibrun, Liefbrun, Liutbrun. | The words for "armour" and for "brown" are unrelated, but a distinction of these two elements is impossible. | ||
| dag, tag | ? | Tagapald/Dacbold, Dagaperht/Dagobert, Tachiprand, Dagafrid, Dachelm, Tagarat/Dagred, Dagaric, Dagewin, Dagaulf; Alfdag, Osdag, Heridag, Helmdag, Hildidag, Hroddag, Wendildag, Wulfdag, | Possibly a conflation of several roots, perhaps brightness, day, and a loan of Celtic dago "good". | ||
| dis, idis | lady | Disibod, Disnot | Names with this prefix are probably theophoric. In Nordic feminine names with the suffix -dis, the meaning is "woman". | ||
| diur, deor | ? | Deurtrudis, Thiurhilt, Deorold, Deorulf | The meaning of this element may be either "animal" (deer) or "dear". See also Deor. | ||
| dom | judgement | ?[10] | Dombert, Domedrudis, Domegerdis, Domalde, Duomolf | ||
| druht, droc, druc | people | Droctbold, Drocberta, Drutberga, Drucfred, Druhtgang, Truhthari, Droctelm, Dructildis, Druhtmar, Dructimund, Dructuin, Dructulf | |||
| eber, eofor | boar | Eparpert/Everbert, Eureberga, Euurdag, Ebertrudis, Eparfrid, Eberger, Eberhard/Eoforheard, Ebarhelm, Eburhilt, Ebirmuot, Ebermunt, Ebarolt, Eberwin/Ebroin, Eberulf | |||
| era, eri, erin, ern | honour | Erarich, Eranbald, Erambert, Ernulf | Probably a genuine element, but difficult to distinguish from hari, which is also often reduced to eri-, er-. The form erin-, on the other hand, is often conflated with the irm- element. | ||
| ercan, erchen, archen, eorcen | ? | Ercanberaht/Eorcenberht, Ercanbold, Ercamberta, Ercanpurh, Ercantrud, Ercanfrid, Ercangar, Ercanhilt, Erchensinda, Erchanold, Archanolf/Erchenulf | Förstemann, 377 connects OGH ercan "sublime, pure, holy". Perhaps theophoric, from a name of Teiwaz.[11] | ||
| erl, eorl | warrior, noble | Erlabald, Erlefrida, Erligar, Erlemund, Erliwin, Erlulf | |||
| ewa, ew, eu, eo | ever | Euin, Eubert, Eomar, Eumund, Ewirat, Eric, Eowig, Eolf | |||
| far, fara; fart, fard | journey, travel | Farabert, Faregar, Feriher, Farohildis, Ferlinda, Faraman, Faramod, Faramund, Faroald, Faruin, Faraulf, Farnulf; Farthilt, Fartman, Ferdinand,[12] Fardulf, ; Adalfer, Leobafar, Sicfara, Theudifara | |||
| fast | firm, fast | — | Fastburg, Fastrada, Fastrih, Fastwin, Fastulf | ||
| fili | much/many(?) | Filibert, Feologild?, Filuliub, Filomar, Filomuot | |||
| *friþu-; ON friþ, OHG fridu | protection, peace | Fredegar, Ferdinand,[12] Frithuwold; Godfried, Dietfried, Sigfrid/Siegfried; Frithugyth | |||
| flad, flæð | purity, glory, beauty | Fladebert, Flatberta, Flatberga, Fladrudis, Fledrad, Flidulf; Albofledis/Ælfflæd, Ansfledis, Audofleda/Aethelflaed, Berhtflat, Burgofledis, Druhtflat, Ermenfleda, Gerflat, Gundiflat, Hrotflat, Ratflad, Sigiflat, Wynflæd | The suffix is feminine only. | ||
| fram | spear, javelin | Frambold, Frambert, Framsindis, Franemund, Franswinda | almost exclusively Frankish names. | ||
| franc | tribal name | Francobert, Frangomere, Franchrih | |||
| fraw, fro, frea; fri | lord | Frowin, Frawibald, Frawiprecht, Frawihilt, Frowimund, Frowini, Frauirat, Frawisinda, Freawaru; Friher, Frehild, Friulf | c.f. Fróði; theophoric (see Fraujaz, Frijjō). | ||
| frig, freh | bold | Frigobert, Frehholt, Friculf | |||
| frod | wise, prudent | Frotbald, Frodobert, Frotfar, Frotfrid, Frodegard, Frothard, Frotland, Frotmir, Frotmund, Frodwin, Frodulf | hypocorisms Frodo, Frutilo, Frodin | ||
| frum | good, beneficial | Frumiger, Frumihilt, Frumirat, Frumirih, Frumold, Frumolf | |||
| fulc, folc, volc | people, folk | Folcbald, Forlberaht/Volcbert, Fulcdag, Folhker/Folcger, Folchard, Fulchar/Volker, Volkhard, Fikcgzbm Folcleih, Fulclindis, Folcman, Folcmar/Volkmar, Folcnand, Fulcrad, Fulcrich, Folcswind, Fulcuald, Folcward, Folcwin, Fulculf; Heidifolc, Herifolch, Hrodfolc, Ratfolc, Sigifolc, Saelfolc | |||
| funs | eager, brave | — | Amdefuns, Adalfuns/Alphons, Bernefons, Hadufuns, Sigifuns, Valafons | ||
| gail, gel | gay | — | Gelbold, Geilindis, Geilamir, Gailswindis, Geilwib, Geilwih, | hypocorism Gailo, Geliko | |
| gamal, gam | old | — | Gamalbold, Gamalbert, Gamalberga, Gamaltrudis, Gamalfred, Gamalher, Camalrat, | ||
| gaman | joy | Gamanhilt, Gamanolt, Gamanulf | only Old High German, rare | ||
| gan | magic | Gannibald, Ganefard, Ganhart ; Adalgan, Audiganus, Wolfgan | |||
| gand, gend | (?) | Gantberga, Gentfrid, Ganthar/Ganther, Gendrad, Gandaricus, Gandulf ; Gredegand, Charigand, Hrodogand, Gislegendis | hypocorisms Gando, Gantalo, Gandin; c.f. Gandalfr (mythological) | ||
| gang | path, journey | Gangperht, Gangulf; Bertegang, Druhtgang, Hildigang, Hrodegang, Wiligang, Wolfgang | |||
| gar, ger, earlier gais | spear | Gerald, Gerhard/Gerard, Gerbrand; Edgar, Hrothgar/Roger | hypocorism Gero, Gerry. Very frequent both as prefix and as suffix. | ||
| gard | enclosure | Gardrad, Gardulf; Hildegard, Irmgard, Liutgart, etc. | Rare as a prefix, very frequent as a suffix. The great majority of names with this suffix are feminine. Gerðr is the wife of Freyr in Norse mythology. | ||
| gast | guest; spirit | Castald, Gestilind, Gestiliub, Gastrad; Altgast, Alpkast, Andragast, Arbogast, Cunigast, Hartigast, Hiltigast, Hungast, Lindigast, Milgast, Nebiogast, Salagast, Suabgast, Widogast, Visogast | Mostly as suffix; frequent in early (3rd to 4th century) names; frequent conflation with Slavic names (Radegast, Gustaph). | ||
| gaud, gaut, gaus, got, goz | tribal name | Gauzebald/Cozpolt/Gausbolda, Gaucibert/Gozperaht, Gauseprand, Gausburgis, Gauttrudis, Caozflat, Gautfred, Gozger, Gauter/Kozheri, Gautshelm, Gauthildis, Gozleih, Gautlindis, Gautrekr, Gaudoin, Gaudulf; Algaut, Amalgaud, Ansegaud, Ariugaud, Ostgaus/Aostargaoz, Berengaud, Danegaud, Trutgaud, Ebregaud, Ercangaud, Erlegaud, Faregaud, Gisalgoz, Helmigaud, Hildegaud, Hohgaud, Hungoz, Irmegaus, Ermengaud, Teutgaud, Ulgaud, Waldegaud, Wihgoz, Vuldargoza. | the tribal name of the Geats/Goths. Hypocorisms Gaudo, Gaudila, Gauzilin, Gaudin. These names are popular during the 6th to 11th centuries. The forms in got are difficult to distinguish from the element god "god". | ||
| geld, gild; gold | worthy; gold | Giltbert, Gelther, Gildemir, Giltrada, Geldirih, Goldrun, Geltwif, Geltwig, Gildewin, Geldulf; Amalgaldis, AUsigildis, Adalgildis, Athanagild, Beregildis, Bertegildis, Trutgildis, Faregildis, Framengildis, Fredegildis, Frotgiliis, Gislegildis, Herigilid, Hleokelt, Lantegildis, Rihgelt, Sparagildis, Teutgildis, Wandegildis, Witgildis, Wolfgelt, etc. | hypocorisms Gildo, Gilting, Coldin, Gilticho | ||
| gifu; geb, gib | gift | Gibbold, Gibborga, Gibitrudis, Giffrid, Gebhard, Gebaheri, Gibohildis, Gebahoh, Gebalinda, Geberad, Geberic, Gebawin, Gibulf; Ælgifu/Ælfgifu, Ælthelgifu/Eadgifu, Godgyfu/Godiva, Ottogeba, Thialgif, Willigip | hypocorisms Gabilo, Gibilin, Gebi, Gabo, Gibicho, etc. | ||
| gisil, gisel | hostage, pledge | Giselbert, Giselric, Giselhard; Giselberga | hypocorism Gisela, c.f. Giselle | ||
| god, got | god | Godfrid/Godfrey, Godscalc, Gothard, Gotwald | |||
| grim | helmet, mask | Grimwald; Grimhild/Krimhild | |||
| *gunþ-; gund, gud, gyþ, gyð | battle, war | Gunther/Gunter, Gunnhild; Gudrun; Eadgyð, Ealdgyð/Edith, Frithugyth | |||
| helm | protector | Diethelm, Ealhhelm, Cwichelm, Nothhelm, Wilhelm | hypocorism Helmo | ||
| hadu | battle, combat | Hadubrand, Hadufuns; Hedwig | |||
| *haim-; OHG haim, heim, AS hæm | home | Henry, Heimwart | hypocorism Haimo | ||
| hard, heard | brave, hardy | Æthelhard, Richard, Gerhard | |||
| *hari, her | army | Diether, Hereweald/Harold, Herbert, Herleif, Herman/Arminius, Ariovistus, Ariouualdus | hypocorism Harry; Heri(?) | ||
| heah, hoch | high | Heaberht, Hámundr | c.f. Huoching/Haki | ||
| heit | rank, state | Adelaide | |||
| hild- | war | Gunnhild, Hildebrand, Hildegard | |||
| hlud | fame | Hlothhere, Chlodwig/Ludwig/Louis, Chlodomir; Chlodoswintha | |||
| *hrōþ-; hruot | fame | Hrothgar/Roger, Hrodberht/Robert, Roderick Rodney, Roland | |||
| hun | ? | Hunferthus, Hunbeorht; Andhun, Berthun; Ælfhun | c.f. Hun of East Anglia | ||
| hyg | courage | Hygelac | |||
| ing | a god | Inga, Ingeborg, Inger, Ingvar, Ingrid | |||
| irm(en), erm(en) | strong, whole | Eormenred, Ermenrich/Emmerich/Emery/Amerigo; Ermegard/Irmgard, Ermendrud/Ermintrud/Irmtrud | possibly theophoric, see Irminsul; hypocorisms Irma, Armin, Emma | ||
| ise(n) | iron | Isebert/Isebrecht, Isenhart | Isegrimm may in origin have been a kenning for "wolf". | ||
| karl, carl, ceorl | man | Carlofred, Carlman; Altcarl, Gundecarl | rare; possibly extensions from the simplex. | ||
| *kōni-; cen, coen | fierce, keen | Conrad/Konrad, Cynric, Coenwulf | |||
| *kun(n)i-, OHG kuni, chun, also chim, chin, chind; AS cyne | kin, offspring, child | Kunibert, Kunimund, Cynewulf; Kunigunde, Cynethryth; Chindasvinth; Adelchind, Drudchind, Widukind, Willekind | hypocorism Kuno, Chintila | ||
| *kunþ-; cuþ | renowned | Cuthbert, Cuthred | |||
| kwik-; cwic | alive, lively | Cwichelm | |||
| land | land | Landfrid, Landulf/Landolf, Landwart, Lantiradus; Landshilda | |||
| laf | survivor, heir | Wiglaf, Herleif, Detlef | |||
| leof | desirable, friendly | Leofwine | |||
| liuti | people | Liutger, Lutold; Liutgard | |||
| magan, megin; maht | might, strength | Manfred, Maganradus/Meinrad; Mathilde, Meinfrida | |||
| *mēri-; mære, mer, mar, mir | famous | Chlodomir, , Filimer/Filimir, Marvin, Odomir, Ricimer, Theodemir, Thiudimer, Valamir, Waldemar, Vidimir/Widemir, Wulfmar/Wulfomir | |||
| mund | protection | Edmund, Sigmund | |||
| noþ, OHG nand[13] | courage | Nothhelm; Byrhtnoth, Eadnoth, Ferdinand, Wieland/Wayland | |||
| ræð | counsel, wisdom | Radegast, Radwig, Radulf; Alfred, Eadred, Conrad, Tancred, Wihtred; Ratberga/Redburga | |||
| ragin | counsel | Raginald/Reginald/Reynold, Reginbert, Reginmund; Regintrud | |||
| run | rune, secret | Gudrun, Walaruna | |||
| rīki-; OHG rihhi, AS rīc | ruler | Richard, Richimir, Roderick, Sigeric, Theodoric, Henry | |||
| sax, seax | seax; tribal name | Sexred; Seaxburh | |||
| sind | travel | Sindolf/Sindulf, Sindram, Sindbald, Sindbert | Sinthgunt as "Sun's sister" in the Merseburg Incantations | ||
| sig, sigi, sige | victory | Sigborg/Siborg, Sigebald/Sibbald/Sibold, Sigbod/Sibot, Sigibert, Sibrand, Sigmar,Sigmund, Sighart, Sighelm, Sigher/Siger, Sigrad, Sigeric, Sigtrygg, Sigward, Sigwald, Sigulf/Sigewulf; Ælfsige[5]; Sigelinde/Siglind, Sigtrud | possibly theophoric in origin, in reference to Teiwaz, and later Odin, the god of victory.[14] Hypocorisms Sigo, Sike, Sikke. | ||
| stan | stone | Æthelstan, Thorsten, Wulfstan | also in simplex Sten, from Scandinavian Steinn | ||
| swint | strength | Swinthibald; Amalaswintha | |||
| tank | thought, counsel | Tancred/Dancrad, Dancmar | |||
| trygg | truth | Sigtrygg | |||
| wand, wandal | wander, wend | Wandefrid, Wandedrudis (f.), Vandebercth (7th c.), Wandemar, Wandarich, Wendulf, Wanthildis (f., 9th c.); Wandalbold (8th c.), Wandalbert (7th-9th c.), Wandalburgis (f., 10th-11th c.) | in the names of the Vandals, Wends and Aurvandil | ||
| weald | power | Waldemar, Walther; Edwald, Frithuwold, Harold | |||
| warin; weard | guardian | Warinhari/Wernher/Werner; Brunward, Edward, Sigward; Freawaru, Ælfwaru | |||
| wiht | wight, spirit | Wihtred | |||
| win, wini, wine, wyn(n) | friend / joy | Winibald, Winimund, Winibert; Ælfwine, Ecgwine, Edwin/Audoin, Erwin, Leofwine, Marvin, Oswin; Wynflæd; Ælfwynn, Ecgwynn, Brihtwyn | |||
| wig | battle, war | Wiglaf, Wigbert, Wigheard; Ludwig, Hedwig | |||
| wal(a), wel, wæl | battle | Wieland/Wayland,[15] Walaman, Walarad, Walerand, Walaruna, Walesinda, Wala-anc, Walahelm, Walaram | hypochoristic Wallia, Walica. c.f. Valhalla, Valkyrie, Valföðr etc. | ||
| wod (wad?) | fury | Wodilhilt (f.), Wodalgarta (f.), Wodilbalt (a. 969), Wodalbert (a. 773), Wodelfrid (a. 912), Wodilulf (11th c.), Vudamot (a. 821) | because of the close association with Wodanaz, these names are rare already in the OHG period, and fall out of use entirely during the High Middle Ages. Some hypocorisms such as Wote (a. 784), Woda (f., 8th c.), Wodal (a. 889), Wode, Wodtke, may derive from this element. Wotan is recorded as a given name in the early 9th century.[16] Association of most of these names with wod "fury" is uncertain, as there are the homophonic but unrelated roots of OHG watan "to wade" and wat "garment".[17] | ||
| wid(u), wit | wood, forest | Withold, Widukind | hypocorism Guido, Guy | ||
| wulf | wolf | Adolph, Beowulf, Cynewulf, Rudolph, Wulfstan (etc.) | Especially as second element, -ulf, -olf is extremely common. Förstemann explains this as originally motivated by the wolf as an animal sacred to Wodanaz, but notes that the large number of names indicates that the element had become a meaningless suffix of male names at an early time. Förstemann counts 381 names in -ulf, -olf, among which only four are feminine. | ||
| þeod | people | Theodoric/Dietrich/Derick/Dirk, Detlef, Diether, Diethelm, Theobald, Dietfried, Theudebert; Dietlinde | |||
| *þegnaz, degen | warrior, thane | Degenhard, Degericus; Deitdegen, Edildegan, Drûtdegan, Heridegan, Swertdegan, Volcdegen | |||
| þryþ, drut | force, strength | Drutmund; Æthelthryth, Osthryth, Cynethryth, Ermintrude, Gertrude | names with this suffix are feminine only; ON Þrúðr "Strength" is a daughter of Thor in Norse mythology. Hypocorism Trudy, Trudi |
Some medieval Germanic names are attested in simplex form; these names originate as hypocorisms of full dithematic names, but in some cases they entered common usage and were no longer perceived as such.
Some hypocorisms retain a remnant of their second element, but reduced so that it cannot be identified unambiguously any longer; Curt/Kurt may abbreviate either Conrad or Cunibert. Harry may abbreviate either Harold or Henry.
Other monothematic names originate as surnames (bynames) rather than hypocorism of old dithematic names. E.g. Old English Æsc "ash tree", Carl "man" (Charles), Hengest "stallion", Raban "raven" (Rabanus Maurus), Hagano/Hagen "enclosure", Earnest "vigorous, resolute".