fromme

Fromme can refer to two related things in German-language usage and onomastics. In German, fromme is the feminine singular inflection of the adjective fromm, meaning devout or pious. It is used to describe someone who is religiously devout, for example in phrases like eine fromme Frau (a devout woman) or die fromme Mutter (the devout mother). The base adjective fromm derives from older Germanic roots associated with piety and virtue and appears in historical and literary texts as well as everyday language.

As a surname, Fromme is of German origin. It most likely originated as a nickname-based surname for someone who was notably devout, or less commonly as a byname tied to a place or family lineage. The surname is found in German-speaking regions and among descendants of German emigrants in other countries, including North America. In contemporary contexts, Fromme is encountered primarily as a proper noun in person names rather than as a common word.

Overall, Fromme functions in German as both an inflected adjective describing piety and as a hereditary surname reflecting historical naming practices. Its use in English-language contexts is largely limited to discussions of German language, literature, or individuals bearing the surname.