Thibaut is a French given name, a variant of Thibault, which in turn derives from the Germanic name Theobald. The name Theobald is composed of the Old High German element diota (people) and bald (bold, brave), thus meaning "bold people" or "brave people." Historical Roots The name Theobald was borne by a 6th-century Frankish king of Austrasia. It was introduced to England by the Normans, where it merged with an existing Old English cognate. The medieval Latinized forms Tibald and Tebald evolved into the modern variants Thibault in French, with Thibaut as a common alternate spelling. The name became rare by the 20th century after a period of popularity during the Middle Ages. Notable Bearers Several historical figures bore the name Thibaut. Among them were Thibaut III (Theobald III, Count of Champagne, 1179–1201) and Thibaut I (Theobald I of Navarre, 1201–1253), who was also Count of Champagne as Theobald IV. In later centuries, the name was used as a surname by notable individuals in various fields, including German jurist Anton Friedrich Justus Thibaut (1772–1840), German mathematician Bernhard Friedrich Thibaut (1775–1832), and Belgian chess master Georges Pierre Thibaut (1920–unknown). In modern times, Thibaut d'Anthonay (born 1962) is a French writer. Cultural Context In French-speaking regions, Thibaut and its variant Thibaud appear both as first names and surnames. Related forms in other Germanic languages include Theudebald in Old High German and Baldo in Spanish. The name reflects a common naming tradition in Germanic societies that combined elements denoting the tribe (people) with positive traits such as bravery. Meaning: Bold people Origin: Germanic; via French Thibault Type: First name, etymologically a given name, also used as a surname Primary Region: France