I like that explanation, thanks :-)

That said, the dictionary definitely focuses on wisdom, intelligence and eloquence when defining "snild", so the "kvik" part may be more focused on "fast with the right advice"?

True, but Ranulf/Rainulf/Ranulph comes from another name: "Reginúlfr", meaning advice/decision-wolf.

That is indeed one of the possibilities:

"Hove. Old Swedish form of Hófi, name of uncertain meaning. Theories include:

1. Old Norse hof = 'temple'

2. Short form of HOLM-combinations where the last element starts with a V"

It also means fast ("kvik"). From the vikingship museum in Roskilde: "Runulv, der var rådsnild, det vil sige klog og kvik til at komme med løsninger" ("Runulv, who was rådsnild, that is wise and fast with solutions").

For anyone interested, the name of the father mentioned on the runestone (Runulv den Rådsnilde) means "Rune-wolf the good/fast advisor".

Of his sons names, "Thorkild" ("helmet or cauldron of Thor") and "Thorbjørn" ("Bear of Thor") are still fairly commonly used, while “Hove" (uncertain meaning) has all but disappeared (as has Runulv).