Rembrandt

Rembrandt is a male given name of Dutch origin, derived from Old Dutch and Old High German elements. The name is formed from the roots ragin, meaning advice or counsel, and brand, meaning sword. An older form of the name was Ragemprand. While historically rooted in Germanic naming traditions, the name achieved international recognition almost exclusively through the fame of the Dutch painter, draftsman, and graphic artist Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn (1606 to 1669), who is known mononymously as Rembrandt. As of 2014, there were 203 persons with Rembrandt as a given name in the Netherlands.

The etymological meaning of the name Rembrandt combines the Germanic elements ragin, signifying advice or counsel, and brand, signifying sword. This compound reflects a traditional Germanic naming structure that conveys martial and strategic virtues. Variants of the name include Rembrand and Rembrant. In the Catholic calendar, it is an adespota name, meaning it is not borne by any saint, and its onomastic is therefore celebrated on November 1, the feast of All Saints.

The most notable bearer of the name is Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn (1606 to 1669), the Dutch painter, draftsman, and graphic artist. Other historical figures named Rembrandt include the American painter Rembrandt Peale (1778 to 1860), the Italian sculptor Rembrandt Bugatti (1884 to 1916), the American architect and painter Rembrandt Lockwood (1815 to 1889), the Australian lithographer Rembrandt McClintock (1901 to 1968), the American naval officer Rembrandt C. Robinson (1924 to 1972), and the Dutch jazz pianist Rembrandt Frerichs (born 1977). The name also appears in fiction, for characters in the American television series Sliders and the film The Warriors.