Conrad
/ˈkɒnræd/
noun
Origin
Germanic
kuon + rad — bold + advice
Overview
Meaning Now
- A masculine given name of Germanic origin.
Literal older meaning
bold advisor or wise counselor
Language path
Proto-Germanic → Old High German → English
Earliest form
Kuonrad
Earliest period
8th century
Journey
The name became widely known in Europe due to its prevalence among the German nobility and the popularity of Saint Conrad of Constance (c. 900–975). It was later cemented in English literary history by the novelist Joseph Conrad.
Evolution
- Proto-Germanic
*kōniz + *rēdaz
“bold council”
Compound formation of two roots.
- Old High German
Kuonrad
“bold advisor”
Early recorded form appearing in historical chronicles.
- Middle High German
Konrad
“bold advisor”
Standardized spelling in medieval manuscripts.
- English
Conrad
“bold advisor”
Adopted into English, primarily through noble and literary influence.
Connections
Word parts
con-
root
bold
-rad
root
advice
Related across languages
German
Konrad
bold advisor
Italian
Corrado
bold advisor
Explore next
Related to Conrad
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.