Klaus-Peter is a dvandva or compound German masculine given name, formed by combining Klaus and Peter. Such double names are a well-established tradition in German-speaking countries, often used to honor multiple relatives or combine favored names. Klaus is a German short form of Nicholas, which originates from the Greek Nikolaos, meaning “victory of the people” (from nike “victory” and laos “people”). The name Nicholas was popularized by Saint Nicholas, a 4th-century bishop of Myra (in present‑day Turkey) who is the patron of children, sailors, and merchants, and whose legend evolved into Santa Claus. Peter, meanwhile, derives from the Greek Petros, meaning “rock” or “stone,” famously borne by the apostle Simon, whom Jesus called Peter (Matthew 16:18), considered the first Pope. In German tradition, compound names like Klaus‑Peter became especially common in the 20th century, often hyphenated and used in both formal and everyday contexts.
Notable Bearers
Several athletes and public figures have borne the name Klaus‑Peter. In East Germany, Klaus‑Peter Justus (born 1951) was a middle‑distance runner, while Klaus‑Peter Ebeling (born 1944) was a sprint canoeist. In West Germany, Klaus‑Peter Hildenbrand (born 1952) competed in the 5000 metres, and Klaus‑Peter Thaler (born 1949) was a professional cyclist and later commentator. Klaus‑Peter Hanisch (1952–2009) was a footballer, and Klaus‑Peter Schneider (born 1964) a retired javelin thrower. In other fields, Klaus‑Peter Müller (born 1944) served as chairman of Commerzbank, Klaus‑Peter Siegloch (born 1946) was a journalist, and Klaus‑Peter Lesch is a clinical psychiatrist.
Usage and Distribution
The name Klaus‑Peter remains in occasional use in Germany, and appears on birth registers into the 21st century. Its usage has waned somewhat as compound names have decreased in fashion, but it persists as a classic example of German hyphenated name‑pairing.
Sources: Wikipedia — Klaus-Peter