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This is probably best known as the name of the witch in the fairy tale Rapunzel (especially the Disney version, but I think the Brothers Grimm used it in their version too). I think the name has something to do with the Goths. But I'm not sure of it. Of course, I know that no one in Germany would use it, just like they wouldn't use Rapunzel.
Does anyone know any history of the name Gothel?
Does anyone know any history of the name Gothel?
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It sometimes pops up on Jewish surname forums
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It seems that it's not a proper name, but a dialect word meaning "godmother".
(My mother tongue is German, but I never heard this word form, only the form "Gotte". Maybe "Gothel" fell out of use a long time ago, or is in use only in some regional dialects.)
I found this German text about the fairy tale that gives this meaning:
http://www.gabriele-uhlmann.de/rapunzel3.htm
And this text confirms, in a context that has nothing to do with the fairy tale, that the word existed and really had this meaning:
http://www.sagen.at/doku/volksleben/geburt_kindstaufe.html
(My mother tongue is German, but I never heard this word form, only the form "Gotte". Maybe "Gothel" fell out of use a long time ago, or is in use only in some regional dialects.)
I found this German text about the fairy tale that gives this meaning:
http://www.gabriele-uhlmann.de/rapunzel3.htm
And this text confirms, in a context that has nothing to do with the fairy tale, that the word existed and really had this meaning:
http://www.sagen.at/doku/volksleben/geburt_kindstaufe.html
1
Thanks!
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