# Godiva

> English word · Proper noun · IPA /ɡəˈdaɪ.və/ · frequency rank #60,833

## Definitions
1. An 11th-century Anglo-Saxon noblewoman who, according to legend, rode unclothed through the streets of Coventry to gain a remission of the oppressive taxation that her husband had imposed on his tenants.

## Etymology
From Middle English Godiva, a Latinised form of Old English Godġifu (literally “God gift”), from god (“god”) + ġifu (“gift”). Doublet of Goody, Goodey.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/godiva