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The old French derivation from BALD is perhaps mere folk etymology in this case. Baudoin, Bauduin do occur as OF forms of Baldwin, but without context to place it in that frame, it's pure speculation to link the two. Pertinently, the prevalent recorded form is Baldwin/Baldewin until the13th. C.. Baudo is a common-Germanic word that dates back to the oldest recorded Celto-Germanic names. OE Beadu (obl. Beadwe, OE ea representing the dipthong ae+a), ON Böð (gen. Böðvar), OS Badu, OHG Batu < Gmc. *Baudwo < Kelto-Germ. bodu̯ā war, battle from a PIE root bhedh- to pierce. The Onomasticon lists 33 names starting with Beadu- in the OE period, NOT counting the Saxon and High German forms, including 4 Beaduwines, a Baduuinus and a Bathewine. Beadu- is in fact the first element of Beowulf (a punning abbreviation of Beadowulf [Beowulf=Bee-wulf, i.e. bear, a poetic word for warrior]).

This message was edited 6/22/2016, 6:48 AM