What was Hamlet named after?

Answer 1

Etymology of HamletHamlet's name is filled with meaning and controversy. The name Hamlet occurs as early as the 10th century. His name is easily derived in form from Belleforest and the lost play from Amlethus of Saxo, and remaining in this form is then derived from its Latin form of the old Jutish Amlethoe. From this point the name can be divided into sections with common meanings. In terms of etymology the root name of Hamlet is an Icelandic noun, Amlooi, meaning 'fool.' However, this name is derived from the way that Hamlet acts in the play and is not in all actuality the true etymology of the name. The second way of translating the name is by analyzing the noun aml-ooi into 'raving mad' and the second half, amla into 'routine'. Later these names were incorporated into Irish dialect as Amlodhe. As phonetic laws took their course the name's spelling changed eventually leaving it as Amlaidhe. This Irish name was given to a hero in a common folk story. The root of this name is 'furious, raging, wild.' These are all meanings Shakespeare would have been aware of when deciding on the name for his longest play.[1]

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_Hamlet

Answer 2

I'm not sure but it was probably named after his only son - Hamnet, as he passed away when he was only 11.

Answer 3

Yes. It was written for his son Hamnet after his death.

Answer 4

It was there in his source. Hamlet was always called Hamlet (or some variation on that spelling), although some of the other characters had different names in other versions of the story.