Girl name · Germanic
Hedwig
Name meaning, origin and popularity
: battle, warfareHedwig is a girl's name that comes from Germanic and means "battle, warfare". It is used in German and Polish.
- Meaning
- Battle, warfare
- Origin
- Germanic
- Gender
- Girl
- Say it
- HAYT-vikh (German)
Meaning and origin of Hedwig
As a girl's name, Hedwig comes from Germanic and means "battle, warfare". It is used in German and Polish.
In German, say HAYT-vikh. Respellings are a guide; accents vary by region.
Its meaning puts Hedwig on our names that mean warrior list.
Meanings come from published name dictionaries, led by Behind the Name. How we research names
Hedwig on Nomezo lists
What our editors wrote about Hedwig on 4 lists.
“Battle, warfare; Germanic hadu and wig. Say HAYT-vikh”
From German girl names, strong German girl names
“Battle, warfare; Germanic. Duchess of Silesia and saint, 1200s”
From Medieval names and surnames, medieval German names
“Battle, warfare; Germanic. Borne by a saint and a Polish queen”
From Names that mean warrior, girl names that mean warrior
“Battle, warfare; Germanic. Borne by a medieval duchess and saint”
From Strong female names, warrior names for girls
How popular is Hedwig?
- Recent US rank
- Fewer than 5 babies in 2025
- Best rank
- #363 in 1891
- Most babies: 159 in 1918
- Babies since 1880
- At least 3,077
- Years with under 5 are not listed
| 1880s | 115 per million |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 151 per million |
| 1900s | 101 per million |
| 1910s | 134 per million |
| 1920s | 68 per million |
| 1930s | 16 per million |
| 1940s | 8 per million |
| 1950s | 4 per million |
| 1960s | 2 per million |
| 1970s | 0 per million |
| 1980s | 0 per million |
| 1990s | 0 per million |
| 2000s | 0 per million |
| 2010s | 0 per million |
| 2020s | 0 per million |
Source: US Social Security Administration baby-name data, 1880 to 2025, as published in 2026. Each spelling is counted separately, a name given to fewer than 5 babies of one sex in a year is left out, and few people born before 1937 have records, which is why the chart shows babies per million rather than raw counts.
Other forms of Hedwig
The same name in other languages and spellings, with the same meaning and origin.
- HedvigBattle, warfare (Germanic, girl)
- HedyBattle, warfare (Germanic, girl)
Names with a similar meaning
- HildaBattle, combat (Germanic, girl)
- MatildaStrength in battle (Germanic, girl)
- ClotildeFamous battle (Germanic, girl)
- HildeBattle (Germanic, girl)
- MathildeStrength in battle (Germanic, girl)
- MatildeStrength in battle (Germanic, girl)
- MaudStrength in battle (Germanic, girl)
- HeddaBattle (Germanic, girl)
- HildBattle (Old Norse, girl)
- ImeldaGreat battle (Germanic, girl)
Middle names for Hedwig
Picked from our middle-name lists with a different first letter and a shorter length, so the full name flows.
More girl names from Germanic
- EmmaWhole, universal (Germanic, girl)
- AlinaShort form of Adelina, Albina and names ending in -alina (Germanic, girl)
- AliceNobility, of noble kind (Germanic, girl)
- CharlotteFree man, feminine of Charles (Germanic, girl)
- LouiseFamous warrior (Germanic, girl)
- AdaNoble (Germanic, girl)
- AdelaNoble (Germanic, girl)
- AdeleNoble one (Germanic, girl)
- AmeliaPossibly vigorous, brave (Germanic, girl)
- BertaBright, famous (Germanic, girl)
Hedwig: common questions
What does the name Hedwig mean?
Hedwig comes from Germanic and means "battle, warfare".
Is Hedwig a boy or girl name?
Hedwig is mainly a girl's name.
Where does the name Hedwig come from?
Hedwig comes from Germanic and means "battle, warfare". Today it is used in German and Polish.
How do you pronounce Hedwig?
In German, say HAYT-vikh. Pronunciation can vary between languages and regions.
What are other forms of Hedwig?
Forms of Hedwig with the same meaning and origin include Hedvig (Scandinavian) and Hedy (German).
What middle names go with Hedwig?
Middle names that flow well with Hedwig include Blair, Briar, Fern, Leigh and Luna. A different first letter and a contrasting length usually sound best.