Astride is a French and Portuguese variant of the name Astrid, ultimately derived from the Old Norse name Ástríðr. The name Ástríðr is composed of the elements áss, meaning "god," and fríðr, meaning "beautiful" or "beloved," giving the name the overall sense of "divinely beautiful" or "beloved of the gods." While Astrid is common throughout Scandinavia and has gained international recognition, Astride represents a localized adaptation in French and Portuguese-speaking regions. In Portugal and Brazil, the spelling Ástride also appears as an alternative. The name entered these languages through borrowing from Danish, Norwegian, or Swedish Astrid, as noted in etymological records. In Walloon, a Romance language spoken in parts of Belgium and France, Astride is also used with the same meaning. As with its root name, Astride carries connections to notable bearers. The most famous is perhaps the Swedish author Astrid Lindgren (1907–2002), creator of Pippi Longstocking. Another prominent figure is Princess Astrid of Sweden (1905–1935), who became Queen of Belgium as the wife of Leopold III. These associations lend the name a sense of literary and royal elegance. Related forms include Asta (a Swedish short form), Ásta (Old Norse), Ástríður (Icelandic), Astrīda (Latvian), and Astri (Norwegian). These variants demonstrate the name's widespread adoption across different language families, while Astride remains a distinctive feminine name particularly in French and Portuguese contexts. Meaning: Divine beauty / beloved of the gods Origin: Old Norse, via Danish/Swedish/Norwegian Type: Female given name Usage regions: France, Portugal, Wallonia Alias: Variant of Astrid