Where does “Anselm” come from?
Anselm is derived from Old High German helm, which traces through Proto-Indo-European h₂énsus and h₂ems- to the root ḱel-, meaning to conceal or cover.
Ancestry of “Anselm”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Old High German | ans | deity, god |
| 2 | Proto-West Germanic | *ansu | god |
| 3 | Proto-Germanic | ansuz | deity, god; name of the A-rune |
| 4 | Old High German | helm | helmet |
| 5 | Proto-West Germanic | helm | helmet |
| 6 | Proto-Germanic | helmaz | helmet |
| 7 | Proto-Germanic | halmaz | halm; stem; stalk; straw; hay |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | ḱolh₂mos | stalk |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | ḱelh₂- | to pierce, strike; to stick; prick; stab |