Wolfgang
Wolfgang is a
German male given name traditionally popular in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The name is a combination of the
Old High German words ''
wolf'', meaning "wolf", and ''
gang'', meaning "path", "journey", "travel". Besides the regular "wolf", the first element also occurs in Old High German as the combining form "-olf".
The earliest reference of the name being used was in the 8th century. The name was also attested as "Vulfgang" in the in the 9th century. The earliest recorded famous bearer of the name was a tenth-century
Saint Wolfgang of
Regensburg. Due to the lack of conflict with the pagan reference in the name with Catholicism, it is likely a much more ancient name whose meaning had already been lost by the tenth century. Grimm (''
Teutonic Mythology'' p. 1093) interpreted the name as that of a hero in front of whom walks the "wolf of victory". A Latin gloss by
Arnold of St Emmeram interprets the name as ''Lupambulus''.
Provided by Wikipedia