Gudrun

Meaning & origin

Gudrun is a name of Old Norse origin that reached its peak popularity in the United States in 1915, when it was given to approximately 120 babies per million that year. Since then, its usage has declined steadily, and in the latest year (2023) it was given to fewer than five girls nationwide, making it an exceptionally rare choice. Despite its scarcity, Gudrun retains a strong literary and mythological presence, appearing in the Norse Völsunga saga and the German Nibelungenlied. The name was first recorded in the U.S. in 1895, and while it never ranked among the top 500 names, it saw modest use during the early 20th century, particularly in communities with Scandinavian heritage. Its trajectory has remained stable at near-zero usage for decades, with no significant revival. Gudrun's top states historically included Minnesota and Wisconsin, reflecting concentrations of Norwegian and German immigrants.

Gudrun derives from the Old Norse Guðrún, composed of guð meaning 'god' and rún meaning 'secret' or 'magical sign'. The name appears in the medieval German epic Nibelungenlied as Kriemhild's counterpart, and in Norse mythology as the wife of Sigurd. It was common in medieval Scandinavia and Germany and saw a revival in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.