Gudrun

girlOld Norse

Gudrun is an girl name of Old Norse origin, meaning “Battle secret”.

MeaningBattle secret
GenderGirl
OriginOld Norse
PronunciationGOOD-roon
TraditionModern & Classic
Used inIceland, Norway, Germany, Sweden

Meaning and origin of Gudrun

Gudrun comes from the Old Norse Guðrún, made from gunnr 'battle, war' and rún 'secret, rune'. The meaning 'God's secret' sometimes given is a misreading of the first part. Guðrún is a central heroine of Norse legend in the Poetic Edda and the Völsunga saga, wife of the hero Sigurd. The name is also the heroine of the medieval German epic Kudrun.

Is Gudrun a religious name?

Gudrun comes from Norse legend rather than any religious scripture, and today it is used as a traditional Scandinavian and German name.

How popular is Gudrun?

Still in steady use in Iceland but mostly found among older women in Germany and Scandinavia.

Gifts with the name Gudrun

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Spellings and variants of Gudrun

GuðrúnKudrun

Names similar to Gudrun

More girl names

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Gudrun mean?

Gudrun means 'Battle secret'. It is of Old Norse origin.

Does Gudrun have a religious meaning?

Gudrun comes from Norse legend rather than any religious scripture, and today it is used as a traditional Scandinavian and German name.

How do you pronounce Gudrun?

Gudrun is pronounced GOOD-roon.

Is Gudrun a boy or girl name?

Gudrun is usually a girl name.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.