Hrod

Hrod is a term found in Germanic linguistic and onomastic contexts. In Old English, hrod is a noun meaning "glory" or "fame" and functioned as a meaningful element in personal names. It is part of a broader tradition in which semantic words such as glory or honor were braided into given names, a pattern common across early medieval languages.

Etymology and cognates: hrod derives from the Proto-Germanic language and has cognates in related dialects. For example, Old Norse uses the form hróðr meaning "glory" or "boasting," illustrating the shared Germanic heritage of the element. These cognates helped shape the meaning and usage of hrod in personal names across medieval northern Europe.

Notable attestations: The element appears in well-known Old English and Norse names. In Beowulf, the Danish king is referred to as Hrōðgār, anglicized as Hrothgar, with the name often interpreted as "glory spear" in the broader naming tradition. Another Beowulf figure, Hrōðulf (Hrothulf), also carries the hrod element in its form. These examples show how hrod functioned as a positive, aspirational component in heroic and royal names.

Modern usage: Today, hrod is primarily of linguistic, historical, and literary interest. It appears mainly in discussions of onomastics, philology, or fantasy literature that draws on Germanic naming conventions. In contemporary common usage, the standalone term hrod is uncommon, with its significance largely confined to historical or scholarly contexts.