indicate the level to which a name has been verified.
Meaning & History
The meaning and origin of the first element of this Germanic name is very uncertain - at least five possible meanings exist. We know that it comes from varin, but we don't know where varin itself comes from. It may very well refer to the Varini or Varni, an obscure Germanic tribe whose name has an equally uncertain meaning. It is generally thought that both varin and the name of the Varini probably comes from Gothic varjan "to defend." Other possible meanings are: Old High German warôn "to save, to preserve", Old High German war "house, domain", Gothic vars "cautious, sober, watchful" and Gothic vair "man." The second element of this name is derived from Old High German mâri "famous."