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The German name for Austria, Österreich, means Eastern Realm. The name derives from the Old High German Ostarrîchi, which first appeared in the Ostarrîchi document of 996. This word is likely a translation of Medieval Latin Marchia orientalis into a local (Bavarian) dialect. The term probably originates as a vernacular translation of the Latin name, which means eastern borderland.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| German name for Austria | Österreich |
| Origin | Old High German |
| Meaning | Eastern realm |
| First appearance | 996 |
| First recorded | 12th century |
| Alternative theory | Slavic toponym Ostravica |
| Alternative theory meaning | Pointed hill |
| Language exception 1 | Czech: Rakousko |
| Language exception 2 | Slovak: Rakúsko |
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What You'll Learn
- The German name for Austria is Österreich, meaning Eastern realm
- Österreich is derived from Old High German Ostarrîchi, which means eastern realm
- Austria was a prefecture of Bavaria created in 976
- Austria was part of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation from 996 to 1806
- Austria was occupied and annexed by Nazi Germany in 1938
The German name for Austria is Österreich, meaning Eastern realm
The German name for Austria is "Österreich", meaning "Eastern realm". The name first appeared in the "Ostarrîchi document" in 996, referring to the territory of the Babenberg March. The word is likely a translation of Medieval Latin "Marchia orientalis" into a local (Bavarian) dialect. Austria was a prefecture of Bavaria created in 976, and the area that is now Austria was settled in pre-Roman times by various Celtic tribes.
Friedrich Heer, a 20th-century Austrian historian, stated that the Germanic form "Ostarrîchi" was not a translation of the Latin word but rather both resulted from an older term originating in the Celtic languages of ancient Austria. According to Heer, the Celtic name "Norig" (meaning "eastern") was eventually Latinised to "Noricum" after the Romans conquered the area around 15 BC. Noricum later became a Roman province in the mid-1st century AD.
Another theory, proposed by Austrian Slavistics professor Otto Kronsteiner, suggests that the term "Ostarrîchi" is derived from a Slavic toponym "Ostravica" meaning "pointed hill". However, this theory was rejected by Austrian linguist Heinz-Dieter Pohl. A further possibility is that the name comes from the Ostrogoths, who had a kingdom in what is now Austria and northern Italy.
The word "Austria" is a Latinisation of the German name and was first recorded in the 12th century. The Latin name "Austria" is also reminiscent of the native Latin term for "south", "auster". The Latin name "Austria" was used officially from 1938 to 1945 when the country was incorporated into the German Reich. The contemporary state was created in 1955 and is officially called the Republic of Austria ("Republik Österreich").
All Germanic languages other than English have a name for Austria corresponding to "Österreich". For example, in Danish, it is "Østrig", in Dutch, it is "Oostenrijk", and in Swedish, it is "Österrike". The name "Austria" or a phonetic derivative was adopted in most other languages, including Hungarian, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, and Russian.
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Österreich is derived from Old High German Ostarrîchi, which means eastern realm
The German name for Austria, Österreich, is derived from Old High German Ostarrîchi, which means "eastern realm". The term first appeared in the "Ostarrîchi document" of 996. This word is likely a translation of Medieval Latin Marchia orientalis ('eastern borderland') into a local (Bavarian) dialect. Austria was a prefecture of Bavaria created in 976, and the area that is now Austria was once settled by various Celtic tribes.
Friedrich Heer, a prominent 20th-century Austrian historian, proposed an alternative theory in his book Der Kampf um die österreichische Identität (The Struggle Over Austrian Identity). According to Heer, the Germanic form Ostarrîchi and the Latin term Marchia orientalis both originated from a much older Celtic term, Norig, which was the name of the area over 2,500 years ago. In the Celtic language, no- or nor- meant "east" or "easterns", and -rig is related to the modern German Reich, meaning "realm". Thus, Norig essentially means the same as Ostarrîchi and Österreich, translating to "eastern realm".
Another theory, put forward by Austrian Slavistics professor Otto Kronsteiner, suggests that the term Ostarrîchi is derived from a Slavic toponym, Ostravica, meaning 'pointed hill'. Austrian linguist Heinz-Dieter Pohl rejected this theory. A further possibility is that the name stems from the Ostrogoths, who once ruled a kingdom in what is now Austria and northern Italy.
The word "Austria" is a Latinisation of the German name Österreich and was first recorded in the 12th century. At this time, the Danube basin of Austria (Upper and Lower Austria) was the easternmost extent of Bavaria. The Latin name Austria is reminiscent of the native Latin term for "south", auster, which has caused some confusion.
It is worth noting that when the term "Ostarrichi" was coined, there was no unified "Germany". The Kingdom of Germany (later one of the four parts of the Holy Roman Empire) was founded in 843, while the first record of the name Austria dates back to 996.
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Austria was a prefecture of Bavaria created in 976
In 16 BC, the Roman Empire conquered the Celtic Kingdom of Noricum, which encompassed most of modern-day Austria and parts of modern-day Slovenia. The Romans established a province called Noricum, which lasted until 476. Following the fall of the Roman Empire, the region was invaded by the Ostrogoths, who established the Ostrogothic Kingdom. Subsequently, the area was invaded by the Alemanni, Baiuvarii, Slavs, and Avars.
Charlemagne, King of the Franks, conquered the area in 788, introduced Christianity, and encouraged colonisation. As part of Eastern Francia, the territories that now make up Austria were given to the House of Babenberg. This area was known as the marchia Orientalis and was granted to Leopold of Babenberg in 976, marking the creation of Austria as a prefecture of Bavaria.
The first recorded instance of the name 'Austria' appeared in 996, written as 'Ostarrîchi' in a document by King Otto III. This name is believed to be derived from Old High German and likely translates to "eastern realm". The term likely originated as a translation of the Latin name "Marchia orientalis", meaning eastern borderland.
Over time, Austria underwent various territorial changes and dynastic rule. It became an independent duchy in 1156 and was later elevated to the status of an archduchy in 1453. In the centuries that followed, Austria played a significant role in European history, particularly during the Napoleonic Wars and the subsequent reorganisation of the continent.
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Austria was part of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation from 996 to 1806
The German name for Austria, "Österreich", has an interesting etymology. It is derived from the Old High German "Ostarrîchi", which first appeared in the "`Ostarrîchi` document" of 996. This likely translates to "eastern realm" and is probably a vernacular translation of the Medieval Latin "Marchia orientalis" ("eastern borderland"). The area that is now Austria was indeed the easternmost extent of Bavaria at the time.
Austria has a long and complex history, with many different groups settling and ruling the region over the centuries. From 996 to 1806, Austria was part of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation. This empire, which existed from 962 to 1806, was marked by medieval, estate-based structures, such as the election of the emperor by princely electors, as established in the "Golden Bull". However, it also witnessed the development of a modern form of government, with the emergence of imperial circles and the establishment of an imperial supreme court.
During its time as part of the Holy Roman Empire, Austria was influenced by various cultures and experienced periods of conflict and instability. For example, in the 14th century, Rudolf I laid the foundation for the House of Habsburg, which would rule Austria for centuries. However, dynastic instability followed, with frequent power-sharing between family members. In the 16th century, the Empire was impacted by the confessional conflict associated with Martin Luther, which influenced domestic and foreign politics for the next 150 years.
The end of Austria's association with the Holy Roman Empire came in 1806, with the dissolution of the empire and the emergence of sovereign model states. This period also saw the creation of the Austrian Empire, officially known as the Empire of Austria, by proclamation of Francis II in 1804. The Austrian Empire was a response to Napoleon's declaration of the First French Empire and unified all Habsburg possessions under one central government. It continued to be part of the Holy Roman Empire until its dissolution in 1806, fighting against Napoleon in the Napoleonic Wars.
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Austria was occupied and annexed by Nazi Germany in 1938
The German name for Austria, "Österreich", is derived from the Old High German "Ostarrîchi", which means "eastern realm". The term likely originated as a translation of the Medieval Latin "Marchia orientalis" ("eastern borderland"), referring to the fact that the area that is now Austria was the easternmost extent of Bavaria at the time. The prefix "ostar-" is related to Old High German "ōstan" (east), while the suffix "-rich" is related to the modern German "Reich", meaning "realm".
The annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany was preceded by a conspiracy by Austrian Nazis to seize the Austrian government and unite the nation with Germany. Austrian Chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg attempted to maintain his country's independence by meeting with Adolf Hitler, but was coerced into appointing several top Austrian Nazis to his cabinet. When a national vote on the question of annexation was announced, Schuschnigg resigned under pressure from Hitler, pleading with Austrian forces not to resist the German invasion.
The occupation of Austria by Nazi Germany had significant consequences. It was followed by a wave of street violence against Jewish people and property, and the implementation of Anti-Romanyism sentiment, with thousands of Gypsy men and women arrested and sent to concentration camps. Many Austrians participated in the Nazi administration, and during World War II, 950,000 Austrians fought for the Nazi German armed forces. After the war, Austria sought to distance itself from the Nazis, with the slogan "Austria – the Nazis' first victim" becoming a part of the national self-consciousness.
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Frequently asked questions
The German name for Austria is Österreich.
Österreich means "Eastern realm".
Österreich is derived from the Old High German Ostarrîchi, which first appeared in the "Ostarrîchi document" of 996.
Ostarrîchi means "eastern realm" and is probably a translation of Medieval Latin Marchia orientalis ("eastern borderland") into a local (Bavarian) dialect.
