Astride

Astride is a French and Portuguese feminine given name derived from the Old Norse name Ástríðr, composed of the elements áss, meaning god, and fríðr, meaning beautiful or beloved. The name was borne by several Scandinavian queens, most notably Astrid of Sweden, the tenth-century wife of Olaf I of Norway, which helped spread its prestige across Europe. The French form Astride represents an adaptation of the older Nordic form into Romance-language traditions. Closely related forms include Astrid, Ástríðr, and Astrith.