Kriemhild

Kriemhild is a female first name that is considered a modernized version of the Old German name Grimhilde. Translated, the name means something like "the fighter with the helmet", "the fighter with the mask", "the ghost fighter", or "the grim warrior".

What does the name Kriemhild mean?

Kriemhild is a girl's name that represents a younger form of the Old German name Grimhilde. The meaning refers to "the one fighting with a helmet", "the fighter with the mask", "the ghost fighter", or "the grim warrior". Its roots lie in the Old High German language and consist of the elements grim, which means "wild", "grim", "to thunder", or "the one who wears a helmet or a facial mask", and hiltja, which means "the fight" or "the warrior". The name gained popularity through the Middle High German Nibelungenlied, in which one of the main characters bears this name. The story is based on Ildikó, the wife of the Hun king Attila, who died on their wedding night. In the Nibelungen saga, she is presented as Kriemhild and in Wagner's opera "Der Ring des Nibelungen" as Gutrune. Variants of the name include Grimhilt, Krimhild, Krimhilde, Kriemhilde, and Kriemhilda. The male form Hildegrim is also common.

Where does the name Kriemhild come from?

The name Kriemhild has its roots in the Old Germanic and Old High German language area and means "the one fighting with a helmet". The word components consist of grim, which means "wild", "grim", or "to thunder", and hiltja, which means "the fight" or "the warrior". The Old High German terms grima or grimo stand for "the mask", "the helmet", or "the ghost".

How do you pronounce Kriemhild?

The sound and pronunciation of Kriemhild are characterized by a dense, sonorous flow that conveys historical weight. Generally, the name is pronounced as "Kriem-hild" [ˈkʁiːmhɪlt], beginning with an elongated, bright vowel that first creates openness. The following consonants immediately lend weight and seriousness to the sound. The distinctive ending further enhances this effect. Kriemhild thus sounds powerful and strict – compact, impressive, and with a strongly tradition-laden, almost epic presence.

When is the name day of Kriemhild?

The name day for Kriemhild is celebrated on June 19.

Popularity

In Germany, Kriemhild is a rather rare first name. In 2021, it ranked 5,220th on the list of the most common female first names. Its best ranking was in 2014 at 4,003rd. In the last ten years, Kriemhild has been given as a first name fewer than 10 times, placing it 9,317th in the statistics for the last ten years. From 2010 to 2024, it ranks 9,410th.

Nicknames & pet names

Kriemi

Famous people

• Kriemhild (character from the "Nibelungenlied")
• Kriemhild Buhl (writer from Germany)
• Kriemhild Hausmann (German athlete)
• Kriemhild Jahn (German singer)
• Kriemhild Siegel (German singer)