Meaning & History
Reinhardt is a German variant form of Reynard, derived from the Germanic name Raginhard. This name is composed of the elements regin meaning "advice, counsel, decision" and hart meaning "hard, firm, brave, hardy". The Proto-Germanic form *Raginaharduz follows the same components: *raginą ("counsel") and *harduz ("strong").
The name was brought to England by the Normans in the form Reinard, but it never became common there. In medieval European fables, the name Reynolds (or Renard in French) was famously borne by the anthropomorphic fox Reynard the Fox, a sly trickster figure. This literary association led to the French word renard meaning "fox".
As a surname, Reinhardt is particularly frequent in Germany and among German-speaking populations. In the United States, according to the 2010 census, it ranks 2,973rd in frequency, with over 12,000 bearers, the majority of whom are White (93%). Variants include Reinhard (German) and related forms such as Rainard (Germanic), Raynard (English), Renard (French), and Reindert (Frisian).
- Meaning: "Counsel-hard" (advice + strength)
- Origin: German, from Proto-Germanic
- Type: First name and surname
- Usage regions: Germany, German-speaking Europe, United States (as a surname)
Related Names
Sources: Wiktionary — Reinhardt