Surname Balder - Meaning and Origin
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Balder: What does the surname Balder mean?
The last name Balder is derived from the Norse god Balder. In Norse mythology, Balder is known as the god of purity, beauty, and innocence. He is often portrayed in literature and art as gentle, wise, and gracious. Balder was loved and revered by all of the gods, and his death at the hands of the trickster god Loki was seen as a great tragedy.
The name Balder is of Scandinavian origin, and its meaning is uncertain. It is most likely derived from the Old Norse words bald or balli, which had multiple meanings, but could refer to strength or boldness. The name is also related to the Old German balth, which means to be bold.
Although the exact origin of the name is murky, over time it has come to represent the traits associated with the deity Balder—strength, courage, and purity. To bear the Balder surname is a sign of distinction in Scandinavian culture; it signals strength, courage, and good character. In modern times, people who bear the name Balder are often viewed as possessing these same qualities. They are viewed as deeply moral individuals with a strong sense of justice and fairness, and they are respected by their peers.
Order DNA origin analysisBalder: Where does the name Balder come from?
The last name Balder is a surname found mainly in Scandinavian countries, particularly in Sweden and Norway. The name originates from Old Norse and may have referred to individuals with a fair complexion, as “balder” translates to “bald” in its primary meaning.
Today, this surname continues to be quite common in Sweden, with around 40,000 citizens bearing it. Other countries with a significant overlap of families with this surnames include Denmark, Finland, and the United States.
In the US, Balder is the 8,167th most common surname, and it was present in all states throughout the year 2019. It is also among the surnames that grew in popularity the most in the US during the last decade.
Although its etymology might indicate a single point of origin, studies have shown that in Sweden and Norway, this surname has evolved from multiple distinct roots. A few of them are "Balder", "Baldar", "Baltar", "Balte", "Boltar", and "Boalt".
In other words, even though Balder is a single surname, it is actually the combination of several distinct family names that share a common root. Perhaps due to their similarity, many families throughout Europe have adopted Balder over the centuries, leading to its wide spread today.
Variations of the surname Balder
The surname Balder has many variants,spellings and surnames of the same origin. Some of these include Bauld, Bald, Balderson, Baulderson, Baudin, Baudins, Balding, Bolding, Bawdwin, Baudwin, Boladdin, Bolldwin, Bauldin, Baldwine, Baldwyn, Balden, Bolden and Balding.
The surname likely originates from the old English word "bald," meaning fearless or bold. It could also be derived from the Norse god Balder, the god of light, joy and happiness. This name is likely found in Greece and the Baltic countries.
In Scotland, the surname Bauld is found to be derived from the Gaelic "buadach," meaning "victor or winner." This surname is most commonly found in Ayrshire.
In Ireland, the surname Ballad is thought to have been Anglicized from the Gaelic "Ó Bealaigh." This surname was widespread in County Donegal before the 17th century and is associated with the town of Ballylawn near Letterkenny.
In Germany, the surname Bald is derived from the German word "bald," which means "bold or daring." The German surname Balder can also be a shortened version of the German surname Baldermann.
In France, the surname Baudin is derived from the personal name Baldo, an Old German name. The French variant Baudine is also found and is thought to be derived from a place called Baudeville. The name is also found as Baudinot.
Finally, the Jewish surname Balder is derived from the Yiddish word "bold" as mentioned above. It is likely derived from the Old German name Baldo.
Famous people with the name Balder
- Peter Balderasi: SVP, Content Programming & Strategy for the MLB Network.
- August Balder: Danish cyclist, who became national champion in 1896.
- Viggo Balder: Danish painter and illustrator.
- Giorgio Balderi: Italian football player and manager.
- Magnus Balderus: Swedish artist and sculptor.
- John Balderston: Hollywood screenwriter & playwright.
- Edouard Balder: French born film director & screenwriter.
- Manuel Balderas: Mexican soccer player representing Nevada Coyotes FC.
- Pavel Balder: Czech badminton player.
- Francisco Balderas: Mexican painter and sculptor.
- Bruno Balderas: Mexico professional basketball player.
- Nick Baldera: American television director, producer, & editor.
- Mario Balderas: Mexican actor, screenwriter, & film editor.
- Pantaleon Balderas: Mexican professional boxer.
- Augusto Balderas: Mexican retired soccer goalkeeper.
- Rafael Balderas: Spanish footballer & Personal Coach.
- Diego Balderas: Mexican footballer & sporting director.
- Josue Balderas: Paraguayan footballer & forward.
- Ramiro "Ram" Balderas: U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Major.