Kunigunde

The feminine first name Kunigunde can be interpreted as 'the fighter of her gender' or 'the warrior of the kin.' The freer interpretation 'the struggle of the dynasty' also applies. This two-part name has its roots in Old High German and is composed of the components kunni, which means 'the lineage,' 'the kin,' or 'the dynasty,' and gund, which means 'the struggle' or 'the warrior.'

What does the name Kunigunde mean?

Kunigunde is a feminine first name whose meaning broadly encompasses 'the fighter for her kin' or 'the warrior of the lineage.' The interpretation 'the struggle of the dynasty' is also possible. The roots of the name lie in Old High German, where kunni means 'the lineage,' 'the kin,' or 'the dynasty,' and gund means 'the struggle' or 'the warrior.' The name was particularly popular in the Middle Ages, especially among the nobility. The veneration of Saint Empress Kunigunde, who was the wife of Henry II in the 11th century, contributed to its popularity. In folk tradition, Kunigunde is often depicted as a castle maiden, supported by various poems and ballads, such as Schiller's poem 'The Glove' or the folk song 'When We Were Recently in Regensburg.' Other variants of the name include Kunigunda, Kunegunda, Cunegonda, Cunegonde, Cunegundes, Cunegund, Cunigunda, Cunegunda, Cunegunde, Kuniza, and Kinga.

Where does the name Kunigunde come from?

The name Kunigunde has Old High German roots and means 'the fighter for her kin.' It is composed of the Old High German components kunni, which means 'the lineage,' 'the kin,' or 'the dynasty,' and gund, which means 'the struggle' or 'the warrior.' The language is German.

How do you pronounce Kunigunde?

The pronunciation of Kunigunde is four to five syllables and is characterized by a clear consonant structure. In German, the name is usually pronounced as 'Ku-ni-gun-de' [kuːniˈɡʊndə]. The dark U sound shapes the name through the multiple syllables, while the recurring nasals create a dense and compact sound structure. The final schwa softens the sound somewhat without compromising the distinctive structure. Thus, Kunigunde conveys a powerful and historically resonant presence – dignified, steadfast, and tradition-conscious.

When is the name day of Kunigunde?

The name days for Kunigunde are March 3 (in honor of Empress Kunigunde), June 16 (in honor of Kunigunde of Rapperswil), July 13 (in honor of Empress Kunigunde), and July 24.

Popularity

In Germany, Kunigunde is considered a rare first name. In 2016, it ranked 4,471st on the list of the most common female baby names. In the last ten years, the name has been given less than 10 times, placing it 9,317th in the ten-year statistics. From 2010 to 2024, Kunigunde ranks 11,574th. The global popularity and frequency of the name are reflected in its rankings in the name charts of various countries.

Nicknames & pet names

Gunda / Gunde / Gundi / Gundl / Kuh / Kuku / Kunda / Kuni / Kunigund

Similar first names

Famous people

• Kunigunde Ansion (Austrian writer)