Wolfgang
/ˈvɔlfˌɡaŋ/
proper noun
Origin
Old High German
wulf + gang — wolf + path/stride/movement
Overview
Meaning Now
- A masculine German given name derived from Germanic elements meaning 'wolf' and 'movement' or 'path'.
Literal older meaning
wolf-path or wolf-stride
Language path
Old High German → Middle High German → German
Earliest form
Wolfgang
Earliest period
10th century
Journey
The name owes much of its historical significance to Saint Wolfgang of Regensburg (c. 930–994), an influential bishop and saint whose cult popularized the name throughout the Holy Roman Empire.
Evolution
- Old High German
Wolfgang
“wolf-path”
The name originally referred to the wolf's path or way.
- Middle High German
Wolfgang
“wolf-path”
- Modern German
Wolfgang
“masculine given name”
Popularized by Saint Wolfgang.
Connections
Word parts
Wolf
root
wolf
gang
root
path, stride, or way
Related across languages
Old English
Wulfgang
wolf-path (rarely attested)
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Related to Wolfgang
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.