Arnulf

Arnulf is a male given name of Germanic origin. It derives from Old High German elements meaning “eagle” (arn) and “wolf” (wulf), yielding the sense of an eagle-wolf. The name appeared in Frankish and East Frankish contexts from late antiquity into the Middle Ages and is found in Latinized forms such as Arnulfus or Arnolphus in historical texts. It has been used by nobility and clergy in Germanic-speaking regions.

Notable bearers include Arnulf of Metz (circa 582–640), a Frankish bishop of Metz who is regarded as an early progenitor of the Carolingian dynasty; in later tradition he is named as an ancestor of Pepin the Short and Charlemagne. Another prominent figure is Arnulf of Carinthia (circa 850–899), also known as Arnulf I of Carinthia, who served as Duke of Carinthia and then as King of East Francia from 896 until his death. His reign helped consolidate the eastern realm that would later contribute to the foundations of the Holy Roman Empire.

The name Arnulf thus appears in early medieval royal and ecclesiastical records and reflects the naming patterns of Germanic-speaking aristocracy of the period. While less common today, related forms and variants such as Arnulph continue to appear in historical writings and in some modern names. See also Arnulf (variant spelling) and related given names in historical sources.