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Gandalf
Fact sheet
- Name
- Gandalf
- Gender
- Boy name
- Syllables
- 2
The male first name Gandalf is a newer variant of the Old Norse name Gandálfr. Its direct translation is 'the elf staff'.
What does the name Gandalf mean?
Gandalf is a modern spelling of the Old Norse name Gandálfr. Its translation is 'the elf staff'. The name is composed of the Old Norse terms gandr, which means 'the magic staff', 'the staff', 'sorcery', 'magic', or 'witchcraft', and álfr, which means 'the elf', 'the supernatural being', 'to shine', or 'to glimmer'. The name appears in the Edda as that of a dwarf and was used by Tolkien for the characters in 'The Hobbit' and 'The Lord of the Rings'.
Where does the name Gandalf come from?
The name Gandalf has its roots in Old Norse and means 'the elf staff'.
How do you pronounce Gandalf?
Gandalf is pronounced similarly to 'Gand-alf'.
Popularity
In Germany, Gandalf is a rather rare name. In 2015, it ranked 3,972nd on the list of the most popular male first names. Its best placement was in 2010 at 2,204th. Over the last ten years, Gandalf has been given as a first name fewer than ten times, placing it at 8,008th in the ten-year statistics. Between 2010 and 2024, it ranks 7,040th.
Nicknames & pet names
Galfi / Ganda / Gandi / Gandodo
Famous people
- Gandalf (from The Lord of the Rings trilogy)
Frequently asked questions about the name Gandalf
What is the origin of the name Gandalf?
The name Gandalf has its roots in Old Norse and means 'the elf staff'.
What does the name Gandalf mean?
Gandalf is composed of the Old Norse terms for 'magic staff' and 'elf', making it a name of magic and the supernatural.
How popular is the name Gandalf?
Gandalf has become well-known primarily through the works of J.R.R. Tolkien and has gained popularity in recent years, especially among fantasy fans.