[Jim McDougall]

Reventlov, I am so glad to have you in on this!! and you make many resounding points, especially noting the matter of scribes!!! I had not thought of that, and that is most important about their application of the crosses on documents.
The question of these names/wordings applied to blades by illiterate workmen copying these scribed documents would definitely account for the often seen variation in spellings, wording etc.
Also the well made point about symmetry makes perfect sense. Even in native cultures applying certain symbolism to material culture items, the intent is of course often magic imbuement, so aesthetics having to do with the kinds of balance key to such ethereal values would be important.

At this point, I really am compelled to agree that ULFBERHT was likely a name and as mentioned, wonder if by the character of the meaning of the name etymologically became attractive in the sense of a 'brand' in the manner centuries later with ANDREA FERARA.

While Andrea Ferara was indeed a living individual, his name in literal terms meant good steel effectively, so was readily adapted as a trademark. While obviously there were many master blademakers, their names did not carry that instant impact of direct meaning.

With ULFBERHT, the key word element 'wolf' represented the fierce and legendary 'berserk' warriors, and Vikings were attracted to such totemic similes and wordings as many named their own weapons. I personally have always felt that the ubiquitous 'running wolf of Passau' was a slightly later graphic imbuement carrying similar concept toward warriors.

If you are choosing a powerful sword to wield in battle, what better choice than such magic imbuement in the blade?

Naturally other kinds of imbuement became well known with religious invocations, phrases and mottos, in many cases abbreviated , DIC, NED etc. as you note on palindromes. including many curious acrostics which appear as mysterious jumbled letters, while the warrior ethos remained present in degree though such symbols as the wolf.