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At a Glance
- Meaning
- Brave, bold — linked to Proto-Germanic *Baldraz ('hero, prince')
- Origin
- Old Norse / Proto-Germanic
- Pronunciation
- BAHL-der
Baldr is an Old Norse name with roots in Proto-Germanic *Baldraz, a word meaning 'hero' or 'prince.' It carries the sense of brave and bold, and it's pronounced BAHL-der. You may see it said to mean 'bright' or 'shining,' but that comes from the character of the Norse god Baldr, not from the name's actual origin, which points to bravery.
Meaning & Origin of Baldr
Meaning: Brave, bold — linked to Proto-Germanic *Baldraz ('hero, prince').
Origin: Old Norse / Proto-Germanic.
A common claim: Often described as meaning 'bright' or 'shining,' reflecting the Norse god Baldr's mythological beauty. Actually: The 'bright/shining' gloss reflects Baldr's mythological character rather than the name's actual etymology, which traces to a Germanic word for 'brave/bold,' not 'bright.'
Source: Wiktionary.
How to Pronounce Baldr
BAHL-derIPA /ˈbɑːl.dər/
Popularity of Baldr
Baldr does not appear in U.S. Social Security birth-name records (38,443 names on file, 1880–present) — likely too rare, too new, or recorded under a different spelling. No popularity rank or trend is shown rather than an invented one.
FAQ
What does the name Baldr mean?
Brave, bold — linked to Proto-Germanic *Baldraz (‘hero, prince’). (Source: Wiktionary)
How do you pronounce Baldr?
Baldr is pronounced BAHL-der (IPA: /ˈbɑːl.dər/).
Make Baldr Name Art
Free printable nursery art for Baldr, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.
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