Dieter

Dieter is a German masculine name derived from the Old High German elements theod, meaning people or nation, and hari, meaning army or warrior, making its full sense something like warrior of the people. It is the German contracted form of the older name Dietrich, which spread widely across medieval Europe through Germanic migrations and the influence of Theodoric the Great, the Ostrogothic king whose legend endured for centuries. The name remains closely associated with German-speaking countries and enjoyed particular popularity in Germany throughout the twentieth century. Related forms include Dietrich, Dirk, and the Latinized Theodoric.