Arnaud is a masculine given name of French origin, derived from the Germanic elements "arn" meaning "eagle" and "wald" signifying "rule". It has been used throughout history by several notable figures, such as Arnaud de Vibraye, a 12th-century French bishop known for his piety and scholarship. The name gained popularity in France during the Middle Ages and remains common today, particularly in France and Belgium. In English-speaking countries, it may be encountered as Arnold or other variant spellings.
The name Arnaud was quite popular from 1981 to 2001, with five babies named Arnaud born each decade.