Hildebrand is, as we know from old German and Danish poems, the companion and friend of Dietrich of Bern.  He had, like some hero in every cycle of story, married and deserted a young wife; and after assisting his master in many adventures, and much dragon killing, and being the sole survivor of all Dietrich's men in the great massacre of the Nibelung, he encountered, without knowing him, his young son, Alebrand.  In a single combat, where both do their devoir, the old knight is wounded, the younger overthrown.  Then they discover each other, by the tokens that Hildebrand had left with the mother, and

"Up rose the youthful Alebrand,
And into Bern they ride;
What bears he on his helmet?
A little cross of gold.
And what on his right hand bears he?
His dearest father old."

So, recommended by fame, Hildebrand continued a knightly name in England and Germany for many ages, and belonged to the battle-sword of the Church, who, on his election to the papacy, was called Gregory VII., though we still continue to think of him as Pope Hildebrand; and the eccentric Dr. Wolff tells us that one of the dreams of his youth was to wear the tiara by the name of Hildebrand!... (History of Christian Names, Yonge, 1884)