Gunnvaldr is an Old Norse masculine given name, the original form of Gunvald. The name is composed of two elements: gunnr, meaning "war" or "battle", and valdr, meaning "ruler" or "power". Thus, the name translates to "ruler of war" or "battle ruler".
In ancient Norse society, names bearing martial connotations were common, reflecting the valor and warrior ethos of the Viking Age. Gunnvaldr fits into a broader naming tradition where compound names—so-called -valdr names—emphasized leadership and dominion in a martial context.
The name is attested in Old Norse sources, including runic inscriptions and medieval sagas, though it never became as widespread as some other compounds. Its modern form Gunvald survived into Scandinavian onomastics, particularly in Norway and Sweden.