Wolfrano

This name derives from the Old High German “Wolfhraban and Wolfhram,” composed of two elements: “*-wulfaz” (wolf) plus “*hrabnaz > raban” (raven). Wulf and Wolf were one of the most prolific elements in early Germanic and Nordic names. It could figure as the first element in dithematic names, as in Wulfstan, but especially as the second element, in the form “-ulf, / -olf.” The numerous names in -wulf, -ulf, -olf gave rise to hypocorisms (pet) from an early time, which were later also treated as given names in their own right. The wolf is a significant figure in Germanic and Norse paganism for more than a thousand years. 1) Wolfram von Eschenbach (~1170–1220) was a German knight and poet, regarded as one of the greatest epic poets of his time. As a Minnesinger, he also wrote lyric poetry. 2) Wolfram von Richthofen (1895–1945) was a German Generalfeldmarschall (General Field Marshal) of the Luftwaffe (German Air Force) during the Second World War.