Humbert

Etymology

Humbert is a masculine given name of Germanic origin, derived from the Old German elements hun meaning "bear cub" or "warrior" and beraht meaning "bright." The name was Latinized as Humbertus and introduced to England by the Normans, though it has never been common there. The Germanic form Hunberht is a direct cognate, while Anglo-Saxon had Hunbeorht.

Historical and Religious Significance

The name Humbert was borne by a 7th-century Frankish saint, Humbert of Maroilles (died 680), who founded Maroilles Abbey in what is now France. Another early notable is Humbert of Silva Candida (1015–1061), a Roman Catholic cardinal and Benedictine oblate who played a role in the East-West Schism. The name was also used among royalty: Humbert I (1844–1900) and Humbert II (1904–1983) were kings of Italy (called Umberto in Italian; see Umberto), who reigned in the late 19th and mid-20th centuries respectively. In medieval times, the name appeared among the Counts of Savoy, notably Humbert I (980–1047/8), the progenitor of the House of Savoy, and Humbert II, III, and a bastard of Savoy. It was also used in the Dauphiné of Viennois by Humbert I (1240–1307) and Humbert II (1312–1355).

Notable Bearers

Beyond royalty, Humbert has been carried by various figures: Humbert of Romans (died 1277), master general of the Dominicans; Humbert V de Beaujeu (1198–1250), a French nobleman; and Humbert Achamer-Pifrader, an Austrian jurist and SS member during the Nazi era. In literature, the name is immortalized by Humbert Humbert, the narrator and protagonist of Vladimir Nabokov's novel Lolita (1955), whose complex character has made the name culturally recognizable.

Related Forms and Variants

Variants and cognates across languages include the Italian Umberto, Spanish Humberto, French feminine Ombeline, and the German surname Hummel 1, derived from a pet form of the name.

• Meaning: Bear cub / warrior, bright
• Origin: Germanic
• Type: Given name (cognates also used as surnames)
• Usage: English, French, German, Germanic; historically in Italy as Umberto