It has as its base the name of Germanic origin Arduìno, formed from *hardhu- "strong, brave" and *wini- "friend, companion", with the meaning of "brave friend". Documented in Italy from the 9th century in the forms Ardovinus, Ardoinus and Arduinus, the name acquired special prestige when Arduin of Ivrea, on the death of the emperor Otto III, was crowned king of Italy in the year 1002. Bongioanni records an Arduin, archbishop of Turin (1188–1206), of the Arduinic family of the counts of Valperga, and a Saint Arduin of Rimini (11th century, 15 August). He also notes that the Lombard forms Duina and Duvina may be in competition with Balduino and other similar names, and that Vinardi could arise by inversion of the syllables of Arduino. Widespread throughout the North and also in central Italy.