Find out how popular the first name Siegfried has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Siegfried by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Siegfried is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 7 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Siegfried.

The history of the first name Siegfried

The given name Siegfried has its origins in the Germanic languages, specifically Old High German and Old Norse. It is a compound name derived from the words "sigu" meaning "victory" and "frithu" meaning "peace" or "protection." Together, the name Siegfried can be interpreted as "victory and peace" or "victorious protector."

The name Siegfried is closely associated with the legendary hero of the same name in the Nibelungenlied, a famous epic poem from medieval German literature. In this epic, Siegfried is portrayed as a brave and powerful warrior who slays a dragon and acquires a cloak of invisibility. His story has been a prominent part of Germanic folklore and mythology.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Siegfried can be found in the Hildebrandslied, an Old High German heroic poem dating back to around the 8th century. This text mentions a character named Sigifridu, which is an early variation of the name Siegfried.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Siegfried. One of the most famous was Siegfried I, Count of Anhalt (1107-1184), a German nobleman and military leader who played a significant role in the conflicts between the Holy Roman Emperor and the Welf dynasty.

Another prominent figure was Siegfried Sassoon (1886-1967), an English poet and writer known for his works depicting the horrors of World War I. His autobiographical works, such as "Memoirs of a Fox-Hunting Man" and "Memoirs of an Infantry Officer," are considered literary classics.

In the field of music, Siegfried Wagner (1869-1930), the son of the renowned composer Richard Wagner, was a notable conductor and opera composer in his own right. He composed several operas, including "Der Bärenhäuter" and "Der Heidenkönig."

The name Siegfried has also been associated with scientists and inventors. Siegfried Marcus (1831-1898) was a German inventor who is credited with producing the first gasoline-powered automobile in 1870, predating Karl Benz's famous Motorwagen by several years.

Lastly, Siegfried Sassoon's contemporary, Siegfried Loraine Sassoon (1886-1967), was a British soldier and writer who served in World War I and became known for his anti-war poetry and memoirs, such as "Memoirs of an Infantry Officer" and "Sherston's Progress."

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Siegfried was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Siegfried, please contact us.

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