Ferdinand

This name derives from the West Gothic “Fridunand,” composed of two elements: “*friþuz” (peace, tranquility, friendship) plus “*nanþi-” (bold, to be bold, daring, to dare). The name means “bold protector, brave in peace.” Romance languages adopted the name from its use in the Visigothic Kingdom. It is reconstructed as either Gothic Ferdinanths or Frithunanths. It became popular in German-speaking Europe only from the 16th century, with Habsburg rule over Spain. 1) Ferdinand I, called “the Great” (El Magno), was the Count of Castile from his uncle’s death in 1029 and the King of León after defeating his brother-in-law in 1037. According to tradition, he was the first to have himself crowned Emperor of Spain (1056), and his heirs carried on the tradition. 2) Ferdinand I, called “of Antequera” and also” the Just or the Honest,” was King of Aragon, Valencia, Majorca, Sardinia and (nominal) Corsica and king of Sicily, duke (nominal) of Athens and Neopatria, and count of Barcelona, Roussillon, and Cerdanya (1412–1416). He was also regent of Castile (1406–1416).