An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Annotated/Gevatter

by Friedrich Kluge

Gevatter, masculine. ‘godfather, sponsor, gossip,’ from Middle High German gevatere, Old High German gifataro, ‘spiritual co-father, godfather’; an imitation of eccles. Latin compater. From this was also formed Old High German gifatara, Middle High German gevatere, feminine, ‘godmother.’ Compare also Vetter and Pate.