Edda

The name could either be from the Italian form of Hedda, or from the name of a compilation of Medieval poetry written in 13th-century Iceland. Its usage in Northern Europe is most likely in reference to the latter.

The Poetic Edda and Prose Edda are a compilation of poetry and prose written in Medieval Icelandic, many of its stories are taken from much older sources going all the way back to the beginning of the Viking age.

The origin of the name is debated, it has been suggested to be from an Old Norse source meaning “great-grandmother” or that it is related to the Norse, óðr  (poetry). A most likely etymology is that is it a Norse corruption of the Latin, credo (creed).

The eddas are considered Iceland’s oldest piece of literature.

Currently, Edda is the 326th most popular female name in Germany, (2011).