FERDINAND

From Ferdinando, the old Español forma de a Germanic name composed of the elements fardi journey and nand daring, brave. The Visigoths brought the name to the Iberian Peninsula, where it entered into the royal families of Spain and Portugal. From there it became common among the Habsburg royal family of the Holy Roman Empire and Austria, starting with the Español-born Ferdinand I in the 16th century. A notable bearer was Portugués explorer Ferdinand Magellan (1480-1521), called Fernão de Magalhães in Portugués, who was the leader of the first expedition to sail around the earth.

“FER-dee-nant (German), FER-DEE-NAHN (French), FER-dee-nahnt (Dutch), FUR-di-nand (English)”