Hruodhel

Hruodhel is a masculine given name from the Germanic linguistic sphere, known only from a small number of medieval records and primarily of interest to onomastics as an example of name formation rather than as a bearer of widely attested historical figures. The name is usually treated as a compound of elements common in Germanic names, with the first element linked to a root meaning glory or renown. The second element, often rendered as a suffix such as -hel or -hal in various manuscripts, is less clearly interpreted in surviving texts, and its precise meaning cannot be established with certainty. Because of manuscript variation, the exact form and sense of Hruodhel are reconstructed by comparison with related names rather than by direct, well-attested usage.

Attestations and usage: Hruodhel does not appear in major chronicles or charters as a clearly identifiable person. It is regarded as rare in the surviving record, illustrating the broader diversity of medieval Germanic anthroponymy rather than representing a common naming pattern in any single region.

Variants and cognates: Orthographic variants arise from different manuscript traditions and language contexts. Related or analogous forms include names built from the hrōd- (glory) element with various suffixes, such as Hruodhal or Hroþhel in some reconstructions. These connections help linguists situate Hruodhel within the wider family of Germanic names.

See also: Germanic names, hrōd- name elements, onomastics.