Meanings
alternative Brunhilda · alternative Brunhilde · alternative Brünhilde · alternative Brunnhilde · alternative Brünnhilde · alternative Brünnehilde · alternative Brunhildr · alternative Brynhild · alternative Brynhildr
- Germanichuman sciencesA shieldmaiden and valkyrie in Germanic mythology, a main character in the Nibelungenlied, Vǫlsunga saga, and some poems of the Poetic Edda.
Brunhild is a complex figure, indeed. In Hebbel's trilogy, Brunhild is one of the figures who spans both levels, those of history and myth.
1999, Mary A. Cicora, Wagner's Ring and German Drama: Comparative Studies in Mythology and History in Drama, page 792 more examples
In manuscripts A and B,^([of the Nibelungenlied]) the smiles of Gunther, Siegfried, and Brunhild are recognized as expressions of power and are greeted with the appropriate responses of retaliation, subjugation, or subjugation followed by retaliation.
2003, Kathryn Starkey, “Brunhild's Smile”, in C. Stephen Jaeger, Ingrid Kasten, editors, Codierungen von Emotionen im Mittelalter / Emotions and Sensibilities in the Middle Ages, page 160Brunhild resembles Minerva in her martial tastes, physical appearance, and wisdom; but her anger and resentment when Sigurd forgets her for Gudrun is like the wrath of Œnone, whom Paris deserts to woo Helen.
2010, H. A. Guerber, Hammer of Thor: Norse Mythology and Legends, Special edition, page 248Synonyms: Sigrdrífa
- A female given name from German.
- historicalQueen Brunhilda of Austrasia, wife of Sigebert I, who later ruled Austrasia and Burgundy as regent.
Unlike some contemporary queens who converted their husbands to orthodox belief, Brunhild was an Arian Christian who was converted to orthodoxy when she married Sigebert.
2013, Theresa Earenfight, Queenship in Medieval Europe, page 582 more examples
One of the rare women who came to great power in the early medieval world was Brunhild, daughter of the Visigothic king Athanagild and reputedly a girl of mesmerising beauty.
2014, Wim Blockmans, Peter Hoppenbrouwers, Introduction to Medieval Europe 300–1500, page 104In the Histories, Brunhild and Fredegund appear as political adversaries and moral opposites. Gregory encouraged his audience to compare the two queens by emphasising their differences. He said nothing bad of Brunhild, yet he accused Fredegund of a great many crimes, including murder, sacrilege, witchcraft and treason.
2015, E. T Dailey, Queens, Consorts, Concubines, page 119
- astronomy123 Brunhild, a main belt asteroid, named after the mythological figure.
Synonyms & antonyms
proper nounA shieldmaiden and valkyrie in Germanic mythology, a main character in the Nibelungenlied, Vǫlsunga saga, and some poems of the Poetic Edda.
Origin
- Proto-Germanic*Brunjōhildiz
- Proto-West Germanic*Brunnjuhildi
- Old High German*Brunnīhilta
- Middle High GermanBriunhilde
- GermanBrunhilde
- EnglishBrunhild
From German Brunhilde, from Middle High German Briunhilde, from Old High German *Brunnīhilta, from Proto-West Germanic *Brunnjuhildi, from Proto-Germanic *Brunjōhildiz (from *brunjǭ (“breastplate”) + *hildiz (“battle, fight”)).
More words from German, Middle High German, Old High German
Full word history & related roots →Translations
Chinese Mandarin 布倫希爾德 /布伦希尔德
- 布倫希爾德 /布伦希尔德 (bù-lún-xī-ěr-dé)valkyrie
French Brunehaut, Brunehilde
- Brunehautfemale given name
- Brunehildefemale given name
Cite this entry
Brunhild. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Brunhild
“Brunhild.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Brunhild. Accessed November 3, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Brunhild,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Brunhild.
Source: Brunhild on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.