Hrothbert

Hrothbert is a male given name of Old English origin. It is formed from two common Germanic elements: hroth- meaning glory or fame, and -berht (or beorht) meaning bright. The combination is usually interpreted as “fame-bright” or “glory-bright,” reflecting the naming practices of early medieval England.

The name is attested in Anglo-Saxon records and medieval Latin texts, where several individuals bearing Hrothbert appear in ecclesiastical and hagiographic sources. As with many Old English names, Hrothbert circulated in various forms and spellings over time, and Latinized renderings such as Rothbertus appear in church histories and saintly lists. The name is therefore viewed as part of the broader tradition of Germanic personal names that combined prestige-bearing elements.

In contemporary usage, Hrothbert is rare. It is primarily of interest to scholars of onomastics, medieval history, or enthusiasts of historical fiction seeking period-appropriate names. Modern writers may revive it for authenticity, while linguistic studies continue to examine its formation and the way such compound names reflect cultural values of early English society.