Coming up with an appropriate name...

[Hallbjorn]

So, I came up with a name I was going to use, but have been catching occasional flak for it, and have had a couple people recommend I change it before it catches on. I was planning on going with "Adalwolf de Weck". Adalwolf being an older German name, roughly meaning "noble wolf". However, what I didn't notice immediately is that it's the root for "Adolf". I've been told people might get upset by it.

I'm shooting for a mid-to-late 14th century Swiss persona. I tend to like names that have somewhat appropriate meanings. Once I can "officially" have arms, I intend to include eagle(s) on them. I'm a big guy. This points me toward "Anzo" for "giant" and "Arn" for "eagle". Going by "Arnanzo" would be inappropriate. I want something that's not so common as to confuse 30 other people with it.

I tempted to go with "Wolfgang" or "Wulfrect" if something better doesn't come up, just because I like the sound of them. (I've been known to tell people that I'd name my firstborn son "Gilligan Wulfrect".)

I've been using "Behind the Name" as my primary source for inspiration. Anyone know of any other good web-resources for ancient/old German/Swiss names? Any suggestions?

[Ottar]

Personally, I would keep the current name and ignore anyone that is offended by a name that is simmilar to Adolf. But if you want more names to look through, I would check here: http://www.s-gabriel.org/names/german.shtml

[Baron Alcyoneus]

If you like Adalwolf, use it.

[Livia Tasia]

I agree. If you like it, keep it. I think it sounds cool.

Tasia

[chris19d]

However, what I didn't notice immediately is that it's the root for "Adolf"

And? If they actually cry about something silly like that screw em they you probably wouldn't have enjoyed talking to em anyway.

I really doubt anyone is retarded enough to actually get offended because your name is similar to Adolf, and if they do refer to point 1

[Hallbjorn]

My main concern is that it may be difficult to find a herald who won't be worried about offending someone by registering the name.

Odd thing is that no one has come out and said they're offended, or that its an offensive name. They just tell me it could offend someone.

[Karen Larsdatter]

But if you want more names to look through, I would check here: http://www.s-gabriel.org/names/german.shtml

This. (and http://heraldry.sca.org/laurel/names.html#germany too, but I think there's nothing different there.) "Behind the Name" doesn't really work well as a resource for finding a historically-accurate name.

If the <wolf> name-element is important to you, some 14th century options would also include Wölfel, Wolferam, or Wolfhart (see Medieval German Given Names from Silesia). The 14th century is a little late to see it as Adalwolf, though (that's a much earlier form); here, it's listed as Adolfus.

(The Manesse Codex respectfully suggests Wolfran, FWIW.) For Swiss names in particular, there's also 14th-16th C Names from Valais, Switzerland and 14th-15th C Given Names in Latin from Switzerland.

I suspect the 14th century would be a little late for the early Germanic name-combination you're considering as a surname (though admittedly German onomastics are not my specialty) I'd actually suggest looking for something using the later German word for a giant, riese; this is seen in medieval German surnames like Rise or der Rise (see Some Early Middle High German Bynames).

[Hallbjorn]

But if you want more names to look through, I would check here: http://www.s-gabriel.org/names/german.shtml

This. (and http://heraldry.sca.org/laurel/names.html#germany too, but I think there's nothing different there.) "Behind the Name" doesn't really work well as a resource for finding a historically-accurate name.

(The Manesse Codex respectfully suggests Wolfran, FWIW.) For Swiss names in particular, there's also 14th-16th C Names from Valais, Switzerland and 14th-15th C Given Names in Latin from Switzerland.

I suspect the 14th century would be a little late for the early Germanic name-combination you're considering as a surname (though admittedly German onomastics are not my specialty) I'd actually suggest looking for something using the later German word for a giant, riese; this is seen in medieval German surnames like Rise or der Rise (see Some Early Middle High German Bynames).

These are giving me some great options. Thanks for the suggestions and the advice. Now that I understand "Adalwolf" has other "problems" (being a bit too old) I'm more likely to change it. Now is a better time than 2 months down the road when I sit down with a herald and discuss things (I have no idea who the local herald is in Thescorre).

After 2 minutes, I'm thinking to Richartz der Rise or Richartz der Rote (which works for multiple reasons).

[ursulageorges]

My main concern is that it may be difficult to find a herald who won't be worried about offending someone by registering the name.

I wouldn't expect this to be a problem-- the SCA does have a rule against blatantly offensive names, but returns based on that rule are incredibly rare.

Sounds like you've found some better options for your persona, though!

Ursula Georges
Green Staff Herald.

[Baron Alcyoneus]

My main concern is that it may be difficult to find a herald who won't be worried about offending someone by registering the name.

Odd thing is that no one has come out and said they're offended, or that its an offensive name. They just tell me it could offend someone.

That should be a clue that it doesn't really offend anyone. Really, deciding that a few hundred years later that it changes form, and a few hundred years later that some dickweed shares that name, so it should offend someone reenacting a time period more than 500 years earlier is rather dumb, if you ask me.

And you did.

[Karen Larsdatter]

(I have no idea who the local herald is in Thescorre).

I think it might be Kadlin Sigvaldakona.

[Hallbjorn]

...if you ask me.

And you did.

You're right. I did.

(I have no idea who the local herald is in Thescorre).

I think it might be Kadlin Sigvaldakona.

There you go trumping me at my own game. Well played.
I need to get off my butt and make it to more than just a fighter practice.

[Thomas Powers]

If Gustavus Adolphus had only known!