Meaning & History
Arnis is a Latvian masculine given name, originally a short form of Arnolds, though it is now used as an independent name. Like many Latvian names, it falls into the category of endearing shortenings of longer Germanic-derived names that become established as given names in their own right. The underlying root name, Arnold, comes from a Germanic name meaning “eagle power,” combining the elements arn (“eagle”) and walt (“power, authority”). The name Arnold was introduced to England by the Normans, where it replaced the Old English cognate Earnweald. Although Arnold fell out of common use in England after the Middle Ages, it experienced a revival in the 19th century.
Notable historical figures associated with Arnold include an 8th-century musician in the court of Charlemagne, a French bishop from the 11th century who later became the patron saint of brewers, and Arnold of Brescia, a 12th-century Augustinian monk known for his rebellion against the Church, for which he was ultimately executed. In modern times, the name has been famously borne by golfer Arnold Palmer (1929–2016) and actor-bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger (born 1947).
Arnis is also the name of the national martial art of the Philippines, derived from the Old Spanish arnés, meaning “armor.” However, this is distinct from the personal name; the Spanish origins of the martial art trace back to the word for armor used in traditional Moro-moro stage plays. The name Arnis as a Latvian male name remains relatively common in Latvia and is representative of the naming tradition favoring short, affectionate forms.
Related forms and variants in other languages include Catalan Arnau, Polish Arnold, Dutch Arnoud and Arnout, along with their shortened forms such as Dutch Aart and Arend. These all trace back to the same Germanic root.
- Meaning: Eagle power (through related name Arnold)
- Origin: Latvian (short form of Arnolds)
- Type: Masculine given name
- Usage regions: Latvia