Hrólfs

Hrólfs is the genitive singular of the Old Norse masculine given name Hrólfr. In medieval Scandinavian literature the form Hrólfs appears as a name element and in reference to figures named Hrólfr. The most prominent bearer is Hrólfr Kraki, a legendary Danish king whose life and deeds are central to the saga tradition, especially in Hrólfs saga kráka (the Saga of King Hrólfr Kraki). The name also occurs in other Norse sources within the same heroic milieu, where Hrólfr and his circle of warriors figure in tales of loyalty, feast, and feuding.

Etymology and forms of the name in Old Norse sources are not always consistent. Hrólfr is commonly treated as a compound name, with scholarly expectations that it derives from elements associated with fame or glory and a wolf figure. The exact linguistic origin is uncertain, and the form varies across manuscripts and transliterations.

Literary context and significance: Hrólfs saga kráka is part of the legendary saga tradition that preserves heroic material from the early Norse world. The narrative framework centers on Hrólfr Kraki and his champions, exploring themes such as kingship, hospitality, trust, and betrayal. The Hrólfr cycle has influenced later Norse and Icelandic literature and is frequently cited in discussions of European heroic legend. While legendary rather than historical, the Hrólfr material provides insight into early Scandinavian conceptions of rulership and heroism.

See also: Hrólfs saga kráka, Hrólf (name).