Baldwin
/ˈbɔːld.wɪn/noun
A male given name and surname of Germanic origin.
Did you know?Baldwin comes from a Germanic name built from *baldaz* (“bold, brave”) + *wini* (“friend”), the same ancient root behind words like “win” and “friend” in old name-forming traditions.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*balþaz
“bold, brave”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*winiz
“friend”
Early Germanic
Germanic
*Balþawini
“bold friend”
Old High German / Old French
OHG / OF
Baldawin / Baudouin
“Germanic personal name adopted into Romance usage”
Middle English
English
Baldwin
“personal name and surname”
Modern English
English
Baldwin
“a male given name or family name”
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