Gautulf as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Gautulf

What is the meaning of the name Gautulf ?

The baby name Gautulf is a Male name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced GOW-tulf (IPA: /ˈɡaʊtʊlf/).

Gautulf is Germanic in Origin.

Gautulf is a rare Germanic compound built from Gaut- and -ulf. Gaut- can denote the Geats (Old Norse Gautar) and by extension the Goths, and also appears as Gautr, a poetic name of Odin; -ulf/-ulfr means “wolf.” The resulting sense is “Geat/Gaut wolf,” often interpreted as “tribal wolf” or “Odin’s wolf,” echoing the wolf’s warrior symbolism in early Germanic culture. Old Norse would shape it as Gautulfr; medieval Latin documents show Gautulfus or Gauzulfus.

Use is sparsely attested in the early Middle Ages, especially in Frankish and Lombard milieus, before fading as Christian naming patterns spread. Variants and cognate spellings include Gautulfr, Gautulfus, Gauzulf, Gauzolf, and German Gossolf/Gosolf. The -ulf element links it to better-known names such as Randolph, Gundulf, and Adolph. While feminine counterparts are extremely rare, a historical-style formation like Gautild/Gauthild (with -hild “battle”) follows traditional Germanic naming morphology.

⚙ We can't find Gautulf in any of the birth registries or name datasets we track. Names like this are usually very rare, tied to a particular region or tradition, or freshly invented. Whatever the reason, hardly anyone else has it.