Harald

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A Scandinavian masculine name borne historically by several Norwegian and Danish kings
2. A male forename of Norse origin, particularly associated with medieval rulers of Scandinavia
3. A male personal name of Scandinavian tradition, used notably by Norwegian and Danish monarchs

Etymology: Harald combines two Germanic elements: "harjaz," meaning "army," and "waldaz," meaning "ruler." The name therefore means something like "army ruler." The same parts appear in Old English "Hereweald" and Old High German "Heriwalt," so the name was shared across the Germanic peoples before the Scandinavian form became common. Two Scandinavian kings made the name famous. According to the sagas, Harald Fairhair vowed not to cut his hair until he ruled all of Norway, and his nickname comes from the result. Harald Bluetooth, a Danish king, united Denmark and parts of Norway. His nickname is usually explained as referring to a dark or discoloured tooth, though the evidence for that explanation is uncertain. The wireless technology Bluetooth was named after Harald Bluetooth because its developers saw a parallel in his role of uniting separate groups, much as the standard was meant to link different devices.