Origin and Meaning of Humphrey
Meaning & Origin
Peaceful warrior
Origin: Old German - Derived from the Germanic elements 'hun' meaning 'hound' or 'warrior' and 'frid' meaning 'peace'.
Interesting Facts
- Humphrey was historically common in medieval England and was borne by several notable figures, including several kings and saints.
- The name has variations in other cultures, notably 'Onofrio' in Italian and 'Humfrid' in Scandinavian countries.
- Notable bearers of the name include Humphrey Bogart, a famous American actor, and Humphrey Appleby, a fictional character from the British television series 'Yes Minister'.
- Humphrey has seen fluctuating popularity; it was more common in the early to mid-20th century but has significantly decreased in use in recent years.
- Cognates and variations include Humfrid, Humbert, and the diminutive 'Humph', which is sometimes used informally.