Meaning & History
Hildegund is a Germanic feminine given name, composed of the Old High German elements hilt "battle" and gunda "battle, war". The name thus embodies a repeated martial theme, common in ancient Germanic onomastics.
The name is most notably borne by a 12th-century German saint, Saint Hildegund (also known as Hildegund of Schönau). According to hagiographic accounts, she was a nun who lived as a hermit near Schönau Abbey and was revered for her piety and asceticism. Her feast day is celebrated on February 6.
Related forms in other Germanic languages also echo the same ancient roots. The Old Norse Hildigunnr and Old Germanic Hildigunþī share the same two elements organized slightly differently. In modern Scandinavia, names like Hildegunn (Norwegian) and Hildigunnur (Icelandic) survive. The German form can also appear as Hildegunde.
- Meaning: "Battle-war" from hilt "battle" + gunda "war"
- Origin: Germanic
- Type: Given name (female)
- Usage Regions: Germany, Scandinavia (historical)