Enkidu was a mythological figure from Sumerian texts of the 3rd millennium BC.
The story about Enkidu, a "wild man" of the forest, and his friend king Gilgamesh was among the oldest literary works of mankind. According to legend, they fought each other but later became friends, fighting the Great Bull of Heaven; in that battle, Enkidu was killed and mourned by his friend Gilgamesh. Their story was told by Captain Picard to the Tamarian Dathon, whose species communicated through stories and tales. (TNG: "Darmok")
The story of Gilgamesh and Enkidu at Uruk is itself a metaphor for the situation of Picard and Dathon at El-Adrel: two people, initially combatants, come together to become friends and fight a common foe, a battle in which one of them is struck down and the other mourns his loss. (Mission Overview: Year Five, TNG Season 5 DVD special features)
The Federation starship USS Enkidu, which was in service during the early 25th century, was named for Enkidu. (PIC: "Farewell")