Frideswide

FRYS-wide, FRY-des-wide (modern); FRID-es-with (older)

English

"strong and peaceful"

Frideswide Origin and Meaning

The name Frideswide is a girl's name meaning "strong and peaceful".

An ancient saint's name (St Frideswide was an 8th-century English princess who founded a convent in Oxford, which later became Christ Church cathedral). St Frideswide was adopted as patron of Oxford University in the early 15th century and later as the patron of the whole city of Oxford. Her popularity as a historical figure explains why her name – unlike most Old English names – survived the Norman invasion and remained in use until the 15th century, although rare and in various variant forms.