As I have mentioned, I am using Anglo-Saxon sources for the Rjurik as well
as Viking and Celtic ones. This is both a product of the similarities
between Anglo-Saxon and Viking language and culture and the fact that I have
plenty of source material.

Here is a small guide to what names mean based on words I have been able to
unravel.

"frith" as in Aldfrith, Ceolfrith, Ecgfrith, and possibly Wilfrid and other
"frid"`s
"frith" means protector, peace maker, and restorer of rights

"ald" (or "eald") as in Aldfrith, Aldred, and possibly Aldberht
"ald" means old. I will use it as in indicator that the named person is the
oldest son, and probabaly designated heir.

"here" as in Aethelhere, Hererinc, Heretoga, and Wulfhere
"here" means dignity

"aart" (or "arth") as in Arthur
"aart" means like an eagle, Arthur would mean he who is like and eagle

"wulf" as in Wulfric, Wulfrum, Aethelwulf, Aldwulf, Beowulf, Eardwulf, &c
"wulf" means like a wolf, or cruel like a wolf, given the fact that wolf is
the totem of Reynir, this is probabaly a positive naming item, and not just
one to suggest fierceness.

"beorht" (or "bert") is in Aldbeorht, Beorhtwald, Cuthbert, Ethelbert
"beorht" means bright, and can convey a sense of specialness, nobility, and
excellence.

"cuth" as in Cuthbert or Cuthwin
"cuth means famous, often famous for excellence.
Cuthbert often means famous for being bright, or intelligent

"beo" as in Beowulf, Abeodan
"beo" means bee, the industrious insect

Acwellen (also Acwel) means killer

"beald" (or "bald" or "bawd") as in Aethelbald, Archibald, Baldlice,
Eadbald, &c
"beald" means bold, brave, strong, confident
Baldlice means bold one

"aethel" as in Aethelbald, Aethelbert, Aethelfrith, Aethelhere, Aethelred,
Aethelwulf
"aethel" means noble, and so appears frequently, as in this list of kings
Aethelbald means noble and bold
Aethelbert means noble+noble, or exceptionally noble, shining noble
Aethelfrith means noble protector, noble peacemaker
Aethelhere combines nobility and dignity
Aethelred means noble counsilor, or wise noble
Aethelwulf means fierce noble

Abrecan means storm (good name for a follower of Kirken)

Agiefan means to be generous (See the a+verb form in old english, as in "I`m
a-fixin` to build a barn", and then note the a-givin` here.)

Aiken means oaken, probabaly a favorite among the Rjurven.

"ceol" as in Ceolfrith, Ceolwuld, and Ceolred
"ceol" means ship, probably popular among fisher and sailor folk.

"ed" as in Edward, Edmund, Edith, Edwin, and Edgar
"ed" means wealthy

"mund" as in Edmund, Almund, Osmund
"mund" means defender

"wald" (and "wold") as in Oswald, Alwalda, Aethelwold, Berhtwald, Eorpwald
"wald" means ruler
Waldo means ruler, so if you have to look for Waldo, there must be trouble

Anhaga means solitary, not a bad name for a druid

Ann means graceful
Anwaelda means graceful ruler, as in "your grace"

Awiergan means cursed, which might mean a predominant doom, or it may mean
that a seer fortold a cursed future, &c. Not a good name for cohorts.

"bar" means boar

"ric" as in Cynric, Edric, Godric, Kenric, Osric, Rice, Sihtric
"ric" is an ending that comes from rice, which is a cognate of the German
Reich. It basically means powerful man, man of high rank, man with a great
domain.
Cynric means leader of a kin group, clan leader
Edric means wealthy leader
Godric means rules with god (good druid name)
Kenric means war leader
Osric means divine ruler
Rice means powerful ruler
Sihtric means ruler from the marsh or ruler of the marsh

"ward" as in Edward
"ward" means protector, as in spells that ward, and a warden

combining these and using them with invented componants allows you to name
characters based on what they are like, or what they seem to be like.

Kenneth Gauck
kgauck@mchsi.com

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