Eckhard

Eckhard is a masculine given name of German origin. It is derived from the Old High German Ecgheard, formed from ecg meaning “edge” or “sword” and hard meaning “brave” or “hardy.” The name is often interpreted as conveying strength or valor.

Usage and variants of the name are most common in German-speaking regions and among descendants of German communities abroad. Spelling variants include Eckart, Eckhart, Eckardt, and Eckard, with some forms emphasizing different endings or consonant clusters. In historical contexts, closely related names such as Eckhart (as in Meister Eckhart) appear, reflecting shared roots.

Notable people with the given name or closely related variants include Eckhard Pfeiffer, a German-American businessman and former CEO of Compaq Computer Corporation. Another bearer is Eckhard Henscheid, a German writer and essayist. The variant Eckhart is widely recognized due to Meister Eckhart (Eckhart von Hochheim), a medieval German theologian and mystic whose influence extends into philosophy and religious thought.

The name Eckhard remains in occasional use today, primarily within German-speaking communities. Its meaning and heritage reflect the broader Germanic tradition of compound names that emphasize strength and virtue.