Ryklef m West FrisianWest Frisian form of
Rijklof, though this can also be a different name. In that case, the first element is derived from the Germanic element
rîcja "powerful, strong, mighty." This element is also closely related to Celtic
rîg or
rix and Gothic
reiks, which all mean "king, ruler." The second element comes from
laifa, which in turn is derived from Gothic
laiba (
leiba in Old High German and
leifr in Old Norse) "remnant, remains." By that, they actually meant the person that is left behind after one's death, so
laifa is best translated (depending on the context) as "heir" or "survivor."