Sigurd (name)

Sigurd is a masculine given name of Old Norse origin. It is derived from the elements sigr meaning "victory" and vǫrðr meaning "guardian" or "warden." Thus, the name can be interpreted to mean "victorious guardian" or "guardian of victory."

The name is most famously associated with the legendary hero Sigurd (also known as Siegfried in German tradition) of Norse mythology. Sigurd is a central figure in the Völsunga saga and the Poetic Edda, where he is portrayed as a dragon-slayer and a hero of great strength and courage. He is often depicted with the sword Gramr, which he used to kill the dragon Fafnir. His story is a foundational element of Germanic heroic legend and influenced later works such as Richard Wagner's opera cycle Der Ring des Nibelungen.

The name Sigurd has been used in Scandinavian countries for centuries. Its popularity has varied over time, but it remains a relatively common name in Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. The name also appears less frequently in other parts of the world due to cultural exchange and historical connections with Scandinavia.

Variants of the name include Sigurðr (Old Norse), Siegfried (German), and Sigurdas (Lithuanian). Diminutives and related names exist in various Scandinavian languages.