Ferdinand

Fer-di-nand · proper_noun

imported

Definitions

proper_noun

  1. 1.

    A masculine given name of Germanic origin, meaning "brave journey" or "bold voyager."

  2. 2.

    A name borne by numerous European monarchs, particularly in Spain, Portugal, and the Holy Roman Empire.

  3. 3.

    The title character of the children's book "The Story of Ferdinand" (1936) by Munro Leaf, about a peaceful bull who prefers smelling flowers to fighting.

Related words

See also: Fernando, Frederick

Etymology

From Germanic elements frith ("peace, protection") and nanth ("courage, daring"), via Spanish Fernando and Italian Ferdinando. The name became especially popular in the Iberian Peninsula through Visigothic influence and was later spread throughout Europe by Habsburg rulers.