From Ferdinando, the old Spanish form of a Germanic name composed of the elements fardi "journey" and nand "daring, brave". The Visigoths brought the name to the Iberian Peninsula, where it entered into the royal families of Spain and Portugal. From there it became common among the Habsburg royal family of the Holy Roman Empire and Austria, starting with the Spanish-born Ferdinand I in the 16th century. A notable bearer was Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan (1480-1521), called Fernão de Magalhães in Portuguese, who was the leader of the first expedition to sail around the earth.
Usage: Ancient Germanic, Czech, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Slovene
Name day: April 3rd: Sweden May 30th: Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Slovakia July 13th: Croatia
Famous People: Ferdinand Magellanwiki (Explorer, 1480, Portugal), Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austriawiki (Nobleman, 1863, Austria), Ferdinand de Saussurewiki (Linguist, 1857, Switzerland), Karl Ferdinand Braunwiki (Inventor, 1850, Germany), Ferdinand II of Aragonwiki (Politician, 1452, Spain), Rio Ferdinandwiki (Soccer Player, 1978, United Kingdom), Ferdinand Marcoswiki (Politician, 1917, Philippines), Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperorwiki (Politician, 1503, Spain), Ferdinand II, Holy Roman Emperorwiki (Politician, 1578, Austria), Ferdinand Porschewiki (Designer, 1875, Czech Republic)