Kriemhild
KREEM-hilt
Kriemhild is composed of Old High German 'krimi' or 'grima', meaning mask or helmet-visor, and 'hild', meaning battle. The name thus evokes a battle maiden whose face is obscured by her war-helm, suggesting mystery, power, and hidden ferocity. Kriemhild is the central heroine of the Nibelungenlied, where her transformation from innocent princess to avenging queen drives the epic's tragedy.
At a glance
Kriemhild is the great heroine-name of medieval German literature, meaning masked battle maiden, and is one of the most dramatically resonant names in the entire Germanic tradition. She is the protagonist of the Nibelungenlied, the foundational German epic, making this name a profound literary choice. It is extremely rare in modern use, offering unparalleled distinction.
Etymology & History
The first element is disputed among scholars. The most widely accepted derivation links it to Old High German 'grima' or 'krimi', meaning mask or helmet, related to Old English 'grima' and modern German 'grimm' (fierce, grim). An alternative view derives it from 'krim' related to a root meaning to harm or injure, which would give the compound a more overtly violent meaning.
The element 'hild' is one of the most ancient and widespread of all Old High German name elements, derived from Proto-Germanic 'hildiz', meaning battle or combat. It appears in over a hundred documented Old High German female names and was the single most prestigious martial element available in the naming system of early medieval Germany.
Cultural Significance
Kriemhild is the central figure of the Nibelungenlied, the Middle High German epic written around 1200 and now considered one of the greatest works of medieval European literature. Her arc from loving bride to grief-consumed avenger is one of the most psychologically powerful trajectories in all of world literature, and the name carries the full weight of that extraordinary story.
Richard Wagner based his character Gutrune partly on Kriemhild, and the name has retained a powerful cultural charge in German-speaking countries as a symbol of both female devotion and female destructive power. Though essentially unused as a given name since the early twentieth century, it has begun to attract interest from parents who want a name with genuine epic resonance rather than a merely fashionable one.
Famous people named Kriemhild
Kriemhild (Nibelungenlied)
The Burgundian princess whose love for Siegfried and grief at his murder sets in motion the catastrophic vengeance that destroys the Burgundian royal house.
Frequently Asked Questions
Names like Kriemhild
Berthilde
“Bright battle maiden”
Berthilde is composed of two Old High German elements: beraht, meaning bright or shining, and hild, meaning battle or strife. Together the name conjures the image of a radiant warrior woman. It belongs to the Germanic tradition of compound names that celebrate both beauty and courage, evoking the valkyrie figures of Norse and Germanic mythology who were believed to guide brave souls from the battlefield. The name has an ancient, heroic quality that sets it apart from more common Germanic names.
Brunhild
“Dark battle maiden, armored warrior woman”
Brunhild is formed from Old High German 'brun', meaning dark, brown, or gleaming like armor, and 'hild', meaning battle or war. The name conjures the image of an armored shield-maiden, powerful and warlike, and is most famous from the Norse-Germanic epic tradition of the Nibelungenlied.
Hildegard
“Battle protector”
Hildegard comes from the Old High German elements hild, meaning battle or combat, and gard, meaning enclosure, protection, or stronghold. Together these convey the meaning of one who guards or protects in battle. The name rose to lasting prominence through St Hildegard of Bingen, the 12th-century abbess, composer, and visionary mystic, who remains one of the most remarkable figures of the medieval world.
Sieglinde
“Victorious serpent”
Sieglinde is composed of the Germanic elements 'sieg', meaning victory, and 'linde', which in Old High German referred to the linden tree or a shield made of linden wood, though it was also poetically associated with a soft or gentle serpent. The name thus conveys a paradoxical image of victorious gentleness or triumphant flexibility, like a serpent that endures and prevails. It belongs to the heroic naming tradition of ancient Germanic and Norse culture, where animals like serpents symbolized wisdom, transformation, and resilience.
Where you'll find Kriemhild
Kriemhild shows up in these curated collections across Namekin.