Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Lothar

Lothar was an that ravaged from 25 to 28 December 1999, striking with rapid intensification and hurricane-force gusts that caused widespread structural failures, power outages, and across , , , and adjacent regions. The storm formed over and accelerated eastward, attaining central pressures around 960 hPa and sustaining average winds of over 120 miles per hour (193 km/h) as it traversed in mere hours. Gusts reached 210 km/h at sites like the Palace of Versailles, shattering windows, dislodging roofs, and toppling thousands of historic trees. Economic losses from Lothar alone exceeded €8 billion, with insured damages compounded by uninsured forestry and infrastructure costs, marking it as one of the costliest European windstorms on record. In Switzerland, the cyclone uprooted approximately 14 million cubic meters of timber—equivalent to three years of normal harvesting—prompting long-term ecological regeneration studies and adaptive practices. Lothar exemplified the destructive potential of mid-latitude cyclones driven by strong dynamics and low-pressure bombogenesis, occurring alongside the subsequent to amplify regional recovery challenges. Its impacts underscored causal factors in propagation, including oceanic heat release and atmospheric baroclinicity, informing subsequent meteorological modeling without reliance on unsubstantiated attribution to long-term trends.

Etymology and Historical Context

Origins and Meaning

The name Lothar originates as a Germanic compound, formed from the elements hlud (or hlut in Proto-Germanic, denoting "fame," "renown," or "loud") and heri (or harjaz, signifying "" or ""). This etymological structure yields a semantic core of "famous army" or "renowned warrior," reflecting the valor and prominence associated with in early Germanic tribal societies. The name thus embodies a descriptive ideal of distinction through military prowess, distinct from mere appellative functions. Lothar represents a direct continuation of the ancient Germanic Hlothar, with Latinized adaptations such as Lothair (Lotharius) appearing in Frankish historical records to denote rulers emphasizing hereditary fame in warfare. In Hungarian linguistic adaptation, it manifests as Lotár, preserving the phonetic and semantic essence while accommodating local phonology. Etymologically, Lothar differs from superficially similar names like , which derives from liud ("people") combined with heri to mean "people's army," underscoring the need to prioritize Proto-Germanic root distinctions over phonetic resemblances or folk derivations.

Early Historical Usage

The name Lothar, rendered as Chlothar in Frankish Latin sources, first appears prominently among Merovingian rulers in the , denoting elite status within Germanic warrior society. (c. 497–561), son of , inherited the kingdom of in 511 and progressively absorbed territories from his brothers, achieving unification of the Frankish realms by 558 after their deaths. , in his Historia Francorum, records 's equal division of the paternal inheritance with siblings , , and Childebert, highlighting the name's association with dynastic succession and martial consolidation. The name recurred among later Merovingians, including (584–629), who unified and by 613 and promulgated the Edict of Paris on October 18, 614, to regulate offices, curb corruption, and secure aristocratic loyalty amid Frankish expansion. (r. 657–673) and a brief Chlothar IV (r. 717) further exemplify its persistence in royal lineages. Charters from this era, such as one dated 560 naming Clotarius as son of Clodoveus, attest to the name's documentation in legal and ecclesiastical records across Frankish territories. Transitioning to the Carolingian era, (795–855) embodied the name's imperial dimension, co-ruling with his father from 817, governing from 818, and receiving via the 843 ; his era's charters reflect elite continuity in Germanic-speaking regions. By the , in contexts, Lothair III of Supplinburg (c. 1075–1137), a Saxon of lineage, ascended as in 1125 and in 1133, underscoring the name's enduring link to martial nobility and among Germanic elites. Chronicles and diplomata from the 5th to 9th centuries, spanning Frankish annals to Carolingian diplomas, confirm its prevalence in regions like and , tied to rulers' roles in warfare and governance.

Usage as a Given Name

Distribution and Variants

The given name Lothar exhibits its highest incidence in German-speaking countries, with approximately 256,853 bearers in , 1,796 in , and 935 in . Smaller numbers appear in the (1,438) and (826), reflecting historical migration patterns from . Usage remains negligible in English-speaking regions beyond immigrant communities, where it ranks as the 6,394th most popular name in the with an estimated 1,676 individuals. In Scandinavian contexts—, , and —the name is linguistically attested but lacks significant demographic prevalence in available incidence data. Variants of Lothar trace to its Germanic roots in Hlothar, including ancient forms like Chlothar and Latinized Lothair employed by Carolingian rulers such as (795–855). Modern adaptations encompass Lother and regional equivalents like Lotár, though these occur infrequently, with Lothár recording only 10 incidences globally. Diminutives are rare, with no widespread standardized shortenings documented in primary naming corpora. In , Lothar peaked in popularity during and , when it was frequently given to newborns, but has since declined sharply; only about 220 instances occurred in the last decade, and roughly 30 as a first name from 2010 to 2024. This trend aligns with post-1945 shifts toward contemporary naming conventions, reducing reliance on traditional Germanic forenames amid broader European demographic changes.

Notable Bearers

The surname is uncommon, with an estimated global incidence of around 300 bearers, predominantly in where it numbers approximately 184 individuals, reflecting its concentration in German-speaking regions per genealogical databases. This contrasts with the given name 's greater historical prevalence tied to medieval Frankish rulers, underscoring the surname's limited cultural prominence despite shared etymological roots. Ernst Lothar (1890–1974) was a Moravian-Austrian , theater director, and producer who directed the Theater in der Josefstadt in before emigrating to the amid Nazi persecution in 1938; he later contributed to postwar Austrian theater reconstruction under U.S. military auspices. Susanne Lothar (1960–2012) was a and actress recognized for her roles in Michael Haneke's (1997) and (2009), as well as (2008), earning acclaim as a leading in cinema before her death at age 51. Rudolf Lothar (1865–1943), born Rudolf Spitzer in , was an Austrian playwright, librettist, critic, and essayist who contributed to Viennese cultural journals and authored works including The Golem: A Legend of Old (1896), a retelling of that influenced later adaptations.

Usage as a Surname

Notable Bearers

The Lothar is uncommon, with an estimated global incidence of around 300 bearers, predominantly in where it numbers approximately 184 individuals, reflecting its concentration in German-speaking regions per genealogical databases. This contrasts with the Lothar's greater historical prevalence tied to medieval Frankish rulers, underscoring the surname's limited cultural prominence despite shared etymological roots. Ernst Lothar (1890–1974) was a Moravian-Austrian , theater director, and producer who directed the Theater in der Josefstadt in before emigrating to the amid Nazi persecution in 1938; he later contributed to postwar Austrian theater reconstruction under U.S. military auspices. Susanne Lothar (1960–2012) was a and actress recognized for her roles in Michael Haneke's (1997) and (2009), as well as (2008), earning acclaim as a leading in cinema before her death at age 51. Rudolf Lothar (1865–1943), born Rudolf Spitzer in , was an Austrian playwright, librettist, critic, and essayist who contributed to Viennese cultural journals and authored works including The Golem: A Legend of Old (1896), a retelling of that influenced later adaptations.

Fictional and Cultural Representations

In Video Games and Media

In the franchise, Anduin Lothar represents a heroic , aligning with the name's etymological roots in Germanic terms denoting fame in battle. Depicted as the last descendant of the ancient Arathi bloodline and Champion of Stormwind, he leads human forces during the First War against the invading orcish in Warcraft: Orcs & Humans, released on , 1994. Following Stormwind's fall, Lothar organizes the refugee exodus across the Great Sea to Lordaeron, establishing him as a symbol of and strategic command. Lothar's role expands in Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness (1995), where he assumes the title of of the newly formed of Lordaeron, coordinating multi-kingdom resistance in the Second War. His campaigns culminate in a fatal duel with Orgrim Doomhammer at Blackrock Spire, a sacrifice that galvanizes the 's victory and underscores themes of personal valor amid existential threats. The 2016 film , directed by , adapts Lothar as a central defender of , portrayed by as the brother of Queen Taria Wrynn and uncle to Varian, emphasizing his tactical prowess against fel-corrupted orcs. This cinematic iteration, while diverging from game canon in familial ties, reinforces Lothar's archetype as a noble leader bridging diplomacy and warfare, appearing in key battles like the defense of Stormwind and confrontations with warlock Gul'dan. Lothar's enduring presence in expanded media, including references in expansions and novels, sustains fan engagement with his Arathi ancestry and , often debated in communities for its implications on faction .

In Literature

In George R. R. Martin's novella The Mystery Knight, first published in 1980, Maester Lothar serves as the chief maester at Whitewalls, the seat of House Butterwell, during the reign of King Aerys I Targaryen in 209 AC. When the disguised Prince (Egg) presents his signet ring to identify himself amid rising suspicions at a post-rebellion tourney, Lothar escorts him to Lord Butterwell, unwittingly advancing the exposure of a Blackfyre plot. Depicted as an elderly, stooped scholar, Lothar embodies the maesters' traditional duties of , , and record-keeping in Westeros's feudal hierarchy, paralleling medieval monastic advisors without deeper personal agency in the narrative. The name Lothar recurs in contemporary fantasy novels, leveraging its Old High German origins—meaning "famous army" and linked to historical figures like Carolingian Emperor Lothair I (795–855)—to denote authoritative or warrior-like roles in pseudo-medieval worlds. In A. E. Rayne's Winter's Fury (2017), the first book of The Furyck Saga, Lothar appears as a scheming uncle and usurper who seizes the throne of Brekka from his brother, forcing his niece Jael into exile and driving central conflicts of betrayal and invasion in a Norse-flavored realm. Likewise, in John Gwynne's Malice (2012), the opening volume of The Faithful and the Fallen series, Lothar functions as battlechief to King Braster of Helveth, executing a pivotal betrayal by slaying his own lord during a war council, which escalates regional strife against giant incursions. These portrayals emphasize Lothar's utility for characters embodying martial prowess or duplicity, distinct from heroic archetypes.

Other Notable Uses

Cyclone Lothar

was an that formed over Ocean and intensified rapidly, striking northwestern on December 25, 1999, before tracking eastward across , , , , and through December 27. Characterized by , or a "meteorological bomb," it produced sustained winds exceeding 100 km/h and gusts up to 200 km/h in affected regions, with peaks of 175 km/h recorded in parts of 's region. The storm caused approximately 110 fatalities across , primarily in , with additional deaths during subsequent forest cleanup operations in (14 during the event and 15 more afterward). Economic damages totaled around €11.5 billion, including widespread failures such as power outages affecting over 4 million households and extensive structural destruction from fallen trees and debris. In alone, losses reached 14 million cubic meters of timber, equivalent to several years' harvest, exacerbating cleanup challenges and economic strain. Lothar followed Storm Anatol earlier in December 1999 and preceded Storm Martin on December 27–28, forming a cluster of intense wind events that highlighted vulnerabilities in forecasting and resilience at the time. Insured losses from Lothar exceeded several billion euros, prompting significant responses and reforms in modeling. Long-term assessments, including 25-year regeneration studies in , indicate improved biodiversity and storm resistance through natural regrowth and diversified management practices, though full economic recovery in timber sectors took years. These events spurred advancements in meteorological prediction and techniques without direct causal links to long-term trends beyond natural variability.

References

  1. [1]
    Storm Catastrope Atlantic and Western Europe - 28 December 1999
    From Dec 25-28, 1999, four intensive storms developed over the Atlantic, moving into West Europe, with two, 'Lothar' and 'Martin', causing extensive damage.
  2. [2]
    Christmas 20 years ago: Storms Lothar and Martin wreak havoc ...
    On 26 December 1999, Storm Lothar hit the mainland from the Atlantic and within a few hours was moving at more than 120 miles per hour across France, ...
  3. [3]
    Winter storm Lothar over Europe | EUMETSAT - User Portal
    Around Christmas 1999 Central Europe was struck by two storms that caused severe damage in France, Germany, Switzerland and Italy.<|separator|>
  4. [4]
    The storm at Versailles, 1999 26 December 1999
    The 1999 storm at Versailles had 210 km/h winds, broke palace windows, blew off roofs, and damaged over 10,000 trees, including rare species.
  5. [5]
    Lothar - Extreme Wind Storms Catalogue
    Lothar caused 8.0bn in damage, affected France, Germany, and Switzerland, from Dec 23-28, 1999, with a max wind speed of 36.72ms-1 on Dec 26.
  6. [6]
    25 years after Lothar: How the windstorm rebuilt the forest
    Dec 18, 2024 · The winter storm “Lothar” swept across Switzerland, knocking down around 14 million cubic meters of wood, three times the annual logging volume.
  7. [7]
    Twenty years after storms Anatol, Lothar and Martin - Moody's
    Nov 18, 2019 · The 1999 windstorms Lothar and Martin caused significant damage across Europe, leading to over €14.2 billion in economic losses.
  8. [8]
    The storm Lothar 1999 in Switzerland–an incident analysis
    On 26 December1999 the storm Lothar hit Switzerland, followed by the storm Martin during the night from 27 to 28 December. High wind speeds and heavy gusts ...
  9. [9]
    Meaning, origin and history of the name Lothar
    From the Germanic name Hlothar meaning "famous army", derived from the elements hlut "famous, loud" and heri "army".
  10. [10]
    Lothar : Meaning and Origin of First Name - Ancestry
    The name Lothar has its roots in the ancient Germanic language known as Old High German. It is derived from two elements: hlud, which means fame or glory, ...
  11. [11]
    Meaning, origin and history of the name Lothair
    English form of Lothar. Related Names Family Tree·Details Roots hlud/hlut + hari/heri Other Languages & Cultures Lothaire, Clotaire(French) Lothar(German)
  12. [12]
    Austro-Hungarian Empire Given Name Equivalents - FamilySearch
    Apr 10, 2025 · Austro-Hungarian Empire Given Name Equivalents. Language; Watch · Edit ... Lotár, Lothár, Lothar, Lotar, Lotar, Lotariusz, Lotariu, Lotar, Lotar ...
  13. [13]
    Chlothar I - World History Encyclopedia
    Feb 20, 2023 · Chlothar I (lc 498-561) was a Merovingian king of the Franks, the second to rule over a unified Frankish kingdom after his father, Clovis I (lc 466-511).Missing: records | Show results with:records
  14. [14]
    Chlothar II - World History Encyclopedia
    Mar 3, 2023 · Chlothar II claimed the coveted title 'King of All the Franks' upon his victory in 613, a title which had first been used by Clovis I. To kick ...
  15. [15]
    Lothar - Dictionary of Medieval Names from European Sources
    The name of a 6th C king of the Franks, two 7th C kings of the Franks, an 8th C king of the Franks, a 9th C Holy Roman Emperor and king of Italy, a 9th C ...Missing: charters | Show results with:charters
  16. [16]
    Lothar | Dictionary of Medieval Names from European Sources
    Jun 2, 2014 · Other early examples from France include Clotarius filius Clodovei (DCEL-2, charter XXIX, dated 560), Drogo Dux Burgundiorum, filius Pipini ...Missing: 5th- 9th
  17. [17]
    Remembering and Forgetting Lothar I (Chapter 16)
    Lothar I and his son were thus commemorated firmly on Louis the German's terms, outside the former Middle Kingdom. Strikingly, Louis' only other charter ...Missing: 9th | Show results with:9th
  18. [18]
    Lothar III (1125-1138) - History of the Germans Podcast
    Lothar III is almost forgotten now, but he may have been the last Holy Roman emperor who was truly in charge, despite acting as papal groom.<|separator|>
  19. [19]
    Lothar Name Meaning, Origins & Popularity - Forebears
    Lothar is a German male given name, which comes from the Germanic words hlūdaz, meaning 'famous', 'loud', and harjaz, meaning 'warrior', 'leader'.Missing: Hungarian | Show results with:Hungarian
  20. [20]
    First Names LOTHAR National Statistics - MyNameStats.com
    LOTHAR is ranked as the 6394th most popular given name in the United States with an estimated population of 1,676. · This name is in the 97th percentile, this ...
  21. [21]
    Vorname Lothar * Herkunft, Statistik und Bedeutung
    Lothar ist ein männlicher Vorname. Der Name Lothar wurde vor allem in den 1930er und 1940er Jahren vergeben. Heutzutage werden kaum noch Kinder Lothar genannt.
  22. [22]
    Der Vorname Lothar als Babyname – Aktuelle Statistiken
    Vornamen mit Häufigkeitsstatistik ... In den Geburtsjahrgängen 2010 bis 2024 wurde Lothar in Deutschland ungefähr 30 Mal als erster Vorname vergeben.
  23. [23]
    Lothar » Name mit Bedeutung, Herkunft, Beliebtheit & mehr
    In den letzten zehn Jahren wurde Lothar etwa 220 Mal als Vorname vergeben, womit er in der Zehn-Jahres-Statistik auf dem 1.466. Platz steht. Im Zeitraum von ...
  24. [24]
    Lothar Surname Origin, Meaning & Last Name History - Forebears
    The surname Lothar is most numerous in Germany, where it is held by 184 people, or 1 in 437,530. In Germany it is most prevalent in: North Rhine-Westphalia, ...
  25. [25]
    #KUFieldWorks: Uncovering postwar theatre history in Vienna and ...
    May 29, 2024 · For example, the U.S. military appointed Ernst Lothar Müller, the former director of the Theatre in der Josefstadt and co-founder of the ...Missing: biography | Show results with:biography
  26. [26]
    Trauma and Mourning in Memoirs by Jewish Austrian Reemigres ...
    Three were well-known writers: Hilde Spiel, Elisabeth Freundlich, and Ernst Lothar, who was also a film and theatrical director. Hans J. Thalberg became a ...Missing: biography | Show results with:biography
  27. [27]
    Leading German actress Susanne Lothar dies at 51 - BBC News
    Jul 26, 2012 · Susanne Lothar, one of Germany's best-known film actresses with roles in such international hits as The Reader and The White Ribbon, has died ...
  28. [28]
    German Actress Susanne Lothar Dies at 51 - The Hollywood Reporter
    Jul 26, 2012 · Lothar was one of the most celebrated German character actors of her generation. At the German Film Awards, the local equivalent of the Oscars, ...
  29. [29]
    Rudolf Lothar - Jewish Virtual Library
    Lothar, a native of Budapest, became a contributor to the Viennese Neue Freie Presse. He wrote many dramas and comedies, some in verse. Erotic in content, they ...Missing: writer | Show results with:writer
  30. [30]
    Works by Rudolf Lothar | LibriVox
    Rudolf Lothar (born Rudolf Lothar Spitzer; 25 February 1865 – 2 October 1943) was a Hungarian-born Austrian writer, playwright, critic and essayist.
  31. [31]
    https://worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com/en-us/story/timeline/chapter-2
  32. [32]
    Warcraft: Orcs & Humans (Video Game 1994) - IMDb
    Rating 8/10 (1,374) Release date · November 15, 1994 (United States) · Country of origin. United States · Official sites. Demo · Official Site · Language. English · Also known as.
  33. [33]
    Warcraft (2016) - IMDb
    Rating 6.7/10 (291,705) As an Orc horde invades the planet Azeroth using a magic portal, a few human heroes and dissenting Orcs must attempt to stop the true evil behind this war.Travis Fimmel as Anduin Lothar · Full cast & crew · Warcraft · Parents guide
  34. [34]
    Anduin Lothar LORE Questions, Appearance & Concerns
    Dec 10, 2018 · Lothar was the last male-born descendant of the line of Arathor, to whom the High Elves owed a Blood Debt for his assistance in the Troll Wars, ...
  35. [35]
    First Read: The Mystery Knight - Tower of the Hand
    Aug 21, 2014 · This week, DanysFolly leads the discussion of "The Mystery Knight" from the perspective of a first-time reader. ... A Song of Ice and Fire TM and ...
  36. [36]
    Kings of Fate (Furyck Saga) by A E Rayne - Fantastic Fiction
    Lothar the Usurper has stolen his brother's throne. Now he sits upon ... I had actually read 'Winter's Fury' first. I fell in love with the story and ...
  37. [37]
    Malice by John Gwynne - Character List : r/Fantasy - Reddit
    Oct 3, 2024 · Lothar – battlechief of Helveth. ISILTIR. Romar – King of Isiltir. Jael – warrior of Isiltir, nephew of King Romar and cousin of Kastell ...Conn Iggulden's Inaccuracies Are Absurd : r/HistoricalFiction - Redditr/wow on Reddit: This Danath Trollbane and Faerin Lothar lore arc is ...More results from www.reddit.com
  38. [38]
    [PDF] Analysis and Forecast of Two Storms Characterized by Extreme ...
    Feb 14, 2003 · Lothar can be identified by the low-level wind maximum also evident in the 900 hPa wind (recall Figure 2). Once Lothar is situated directly ...
  39. [39]
    [PDF] CASE STUDY AT GLANCE CONTEXT - World Energy Council
    Categorized as a meteorological “bomb” due to its almost explosive generation, the hurricane reached wind speeds of 120 km/h with several peaks at 200 km/h on ...Missing: Cyclone | Show results with:Cyclone
  40. [40]
    2019-12-26 - 25th anniversary Storm Lothar in Western Europe
    Dec 26, 2019 · On December 26, 1999, hurricane Lothar ravaged Central Europe, moving from the ... wind speeds of up to 200 kilometers per hour. The storm of the ...<|separator|>
  41. [41]
    Anatol, Lothar and Martin ...
    As the storm left France, gale-force winds swept through Switzerland with peak gusts of 50 to 100 kph reported in the flatlands and 200 kph atop the Jungfrau ...
  42. [42]
    The Hurricane Lothar 1999: finding a Balance - Waldwissen.net
    Apr 26, 2005 · As a consequence of this hurricane, 14 people lost their lives and an additional 15 during the cleanup efforts in the forests. The damage to ...Missing: details | Show results with:details
  43. [43]
    Swiss forests better equipped for storms 25 years after Lothar
    Dec 26, 2024 · Lothar swept across Switzerland on the morning of December 26, 1999, dumping some 14 million cubic metres of timber on the ground. Fourteen ...Missing: loss | Show results with:loss
  44. [44]
    [PDF] 25 Years After Anatol, Lothar and Martin - Guy Carpenter
    Feb 2, 2025 · Forestry. The 1999 storms' forest damages were highest as a percent of their annual harvest (see Table 5) for France, Switzerland, Denmark.
  45. [45]
    25 Years After Anatol, Lothar and Martin: Lessons Learned ...
    The resulting losses in lives, property and financial damage motivated improvements in weather forecasting, energy security, forestry management, windstorm ...Missing: meteorological details deaths