Old English Names

Male Names
  • Alfred (English) - Elf counsel [English speaking countries]

    From the Old English elements 'ælf' (elf) and 'ræd' (counsel).

    Alfred the Great was King of the Anglo-Saxons in southern England in the 9th century. His reign was well-documented by a contemporary Welsh Monk named Asser, in his 'Life of Kin

  • Alvin (English) - Friend of elves [English speaking countries]

    Probably from the Old English elements 'ælf' (elf) and 'wine' (friend).

    Alvin and the Chipmunks was a cartoon about a chipmunk band.

  • Brandon (English) - Broom hill [English speaking countries]

    Originally a surname which was derived from a place name meaning "broom hill" in Old English. Brandon is the name of the second-largest city in the Canadian province of Manitoba, and is the name of several towns throughout the U.S. and U.K.

  • Braxton (English) - Bracc's settlement [English speaking countries]
  • Brent (English) - Burnt; steep [English speaking countries]

    Originated as a surname for those who lived by or in an area that had been burned. Also comes from a old Celtic word that meant "steep" or "steep hill" and was granted to those living on one.

    It was also a reference to those who had been

  • Brenton (English) - Settlement associated with Bryni [English speaking countries]
  • Chad (English) - N/A [English speaking countries]

    Chad is a country in central Africa. Lake Chad is a large wetland area in the country.

    St Chad was an early English saint, who was Bishop of Northumbria and later Bishop of Mercia.

  • Chadrick (English) - N/A [English speaking countries]

    Name composed of the Old-English element 'ceadda' and the Germanic 'rijk'. The latter is one of the most common Germanic name elements and has been associated with 'powerful, might' but the meaning of 'ceadda' is uncertain.

  • Charles (Germanic) - Free man [English and French speaking countries]

    From the Germanic word karl meaning "free man", akin to Old English ceorl "man".
    Charles is the French form of the name. There have been ten French kings named Charles, including Charlemagne (Charles the Great). Under Charlemagne's rule the Frankis

  • Clifton (English) - Slope settlement [English speaking countries]
  • Clinton (English) - Settlement on the river Glyme [English speaking countries]

    Could also mean 'fence settlement' from old English.

    Famous bearers include American President Bill Clinton and his wife, Secretary of State, Hilary Rodham Clinton, funk musician George Clinton.

  • Darnell (English) - Hidden alcove, hidden niche [English speaking countries]

    Darnell is a name that has become a given name but originated as an Old English habituation surname given to or taken by those who lived in a hidden copse or a hard to find area. Another line of etymology points to an Old French origination brought to En

  • Deacon (English) - Deacon [English speaking countries]

    A deacon is the name given to someone who works in the Christian church but is not a priest or minister - the role can change from denomination to denomination. As a verb, to deacon has various meanings. It can mean 'to pack fruit or vegetables so that on

  • Dillon (Welsh) - N/A [English speaking countries]
  • Dryden (English) - Dry valley [English speaking countries]
  • Edgar (English) - Protector of the good [English, French and Polish speaking countries]

    From the Anglo-Saxon 'eád' or German 'ôt' - 'good, property, inheritance' and 'gar' or 'ger' meaning 'spear'. This combines in the meaning 'spear of prosperity', 'protector of the good (with the spear)'.

    Originally and English name which b

  • Edmund (English) - Prosperous protection [English and Polish speaking countries]

    From the Old English elements 'ead' (prosperity, fortune) and 'mund' (protection). This concludes in the meaning 'prosperous protection' but another possible meaning is 'protector of prosperity (or inheritance)'.
    The most famous Edmund was King St

  • Edward (English) - Wealth protector [English speaking countries]

    From the Old English Eádweard; a compound name composed of the elements "ead" (riches, prosperity, fortune) and "weard" (guardian, protector). Hence: 'protector of the riches, inheritance', or maybe 'rich guardian', 'fortunate protector'.
    It is mo

  • Edwin (English) - Rich friend [English speaking countries]

    Saint Edwin was the first Christian king of Northumbria and a martyr. The name was also born by astronomer Edwin Hubble, and is the real first name of astronaut Buzz Aldrin.

  • Elton (English) - Ella's town; eel town [English speaking countries]

    There are many places of this name in England; it is impossible to decide from which the family appellation is derived.
    Multiple origins are considered. It could mean, from the Old English, "Ella's town". Or the derivation might be from the Saxon

  • Elvin (English) - Friend of elves [English speaking countries]

    Variant of Alvin.

  • Eric (Norse) - Eternal ruler [English and French speaking countries]

    Derived from the Old Norse Eirìkr (eternal ruler), a compound name composed of the elements ei (ever, always) and ríkr (ruler). The origin of the name is debated. Most believe in the Norse etymology, but there are some who think it comes to the Old Norse

  • Haden (English) - Heathen [English speaking countries]
  • Hank (Hebrew) - God is gracious [English speaking countries]

    Originally a pet form of Hankin, which itself was a medieval diminutive for John, Hank is now also used as a nickname for Henry. It experienced a sudden rise in popularity in the United States in the 1940s but has since become very rare on babies.

  • Harlan (English) - Land with hares [English speaking countries]
  • Harold (English) - Leader of an army [English speaking countries]

    There have been two English kings named Harold. The second, Harold Godwinson, was killed in 1066 at the Battle of Hastings. By popular legend, he died when an arrow was shot in his eye. There have also been three Kings of Denmark named Harald and five kin

  • Harry (Germanic) - Home ruler [English speaking countries]

    Harry started out as a nickname for Henry, but is now used as a name in its own right. In the US it was the 593rd most popular name for boys in 2006. In the UK however, where it is the popular name of one of the royal princes, the name comes in fifth. It

  • Kirkland (English) - Church land [English speaking countries]
  • Landon (English) - Long hill [English speaking countries]

    Originally a surname which was derived from an Old English place name

  • Lane (English) - Lane [English speaking countries]
  • Layne (English) - Lane [English speaking countries]

    A variant spelling of the name Lane, Layne is commonly encountered as a surname.

  • Layton (English) - Water-course settlement, leek settlement [English speaking countries]

    Anglicized spelling of the surname, Leighton.

  • Lester (English) - From Leicester [English speaking countries]

    Likely from the place name, Leicester, or in the 10th century "Ligora caester" more or less meaning Ligora's fort.

  • Lyndon (English) - Lime tree hill [English speaking countries]

    Most famous bearer of this surname turned personal name is 36th President of the United States Lyndon B. Johnson. Other famous bearers include political activist and economist Lyndon LaRouche,

  • Nash (English) - At the ash tree [English speaking countries]

    Famous bearers of Nash as a surname include mathematician John Nash, whose story was told in the film 'A Beautiful Mind' and 18th century English architect John Nash, who was responsible for the design of Marble Arch and the remodelling of Buckingham Pala

  • Norris (French) - Northener [English speaking countries]
  • Paxton (English) - Settlement of Poecc [English speaking countries]
  • Peyton (English) - Settlement of Pœga [English speaking countries]
  • Ramsey (English) - Wild garlic island [English speaking countries]
  • Reid (English) - Red [English speaking countries]
  • Stone (English) - Stone [English speaking countries]
  • Tucker (English) - Someone who folds cloth [English speaking countries]

    From an English surname that was derived from Tucian. Tucian and Tucker are both occupation surnames referring to someone who fulls or increases the weight of cloth.

  • Vance (English) - Dweller of a bog [English speaking countries]

    Vance Brand is a former American astronaut.

  • Wade (English) - Ford; to go [English speaking countries]
  • Walker (English) - A fuller [English speaking countries]

    Walker-on-Tyne is a village in north-east England. There are also five US cities named Walker. Additionally, "Walker, Texas Ranger" was a popular American television show for many years.

    Walker is a common occupational surname and the mid

  • Wilbur (English) - Will; desire and fortress [English speaking countries]
  • Wilfred (English) - A wish for peace [English speaking countries]
  • Winston (English) - Joy stone; Win-'s settlement [English speaking countries]

    Winston was the first name of British prime minister Winston Churchill. His ancestor - John Churchill, the first Duke of Marlborough's father was named Winston, as it was the maiden name of this Winston Churchill's mother, Sarah Winston.

    O

  • Wyatt (English) - Brave/strong/hardy war [English speaking countries]

    Historically, Wyatt was predominantly used only as a surname, though it occasionally made an appearance as a first name (e.g. the American cowboy Wyatt Earp). It is now very popular as a first name in the U.S.

Female Names
  • Daisy (English) - Day's eye [English speaking countries]

    Daisy can also be a nickname for Margaret. The French word for "daisy" is "marguerite," and English speakers have historically adopted this parallel for themselves, translating "Margaret" into "Daisy" (though in English, these two names have no true etym

  • Edith (English) - Prosperous in war [English speaking countries]

    From the Anglo-Saxon eád-gyth, with 'eád' meaning 'good, prosperity, fortune, inheritance' and 'gyth' meaning 'battle' or 'strife'. Another possible meaning is 'warrior for the good'. Eadgyth was the name of the daughter of King Edgar (see Edgar). She is

  • Linsey (English) - Uncertain, perhaps "dark lake"; Lincoln [English speaking countries]
  • Mildred (English) - Gentle strength [English speaking countries]

    Derived from an Old English name, meaning "gentle strength, mild power".
    The name was borne by a 7th century saint and abbess.

  • Wren (English) - Wren [English speaking countries]
  • Zelda (Germanic) - N/A [English and Yiddish speaking countries]

    Zelda is a variant spelling of Selda which is of Anglo-Saxon origin (the Hebrew form of Selda is Segula), and a pet form of Griselda. It is also a Yiddish name meaning "luck".

    Zelda is also the name of the princess that has to saved by the

Gender Neutral Names
  • Devon (English) - Men of Devon [English speaking countries]

    This is the name of a county in the south of England. It comes from a British tribal name which may mean 'worshippers of the god Dumnonos'.

  • Kelby (English) - Child's town [English speaking countries]

    From the town Kilby in Leicestershire. The town was initially called Cilebi which meant Child's town, with Child being a personal name in this case. The town's name comes from the Old English cild meaning child and tun meaning town or settlement. Tun w

  • Kinsey (English) - Royal victory [English speaking countries]
  • Lee (English) - Clearing, meadow [English speaking countries]

    Lee is a surname that has become very common as a first name in English speaking countries.

    As a first name, famous Lees include actor Lee Marvin, Lee Majors, singer Lee Ryan and the assassin of John F Kennedy, Lee Harvey Oswald.

  • Lindsey (English) - Uncertain, perhaps "dark lake"; Lincoln [English speaking countries]

    Lindsey is a variant spelling of Lindsay, but can also come from a Middle English phrase meaning "Lelli's island."

  • Long (Vietnamese) - Dragon [English and Vietnamese speaking countries]

    The name of one of the four sacred creatures in Viet Nam, the dragon. It is in part taken from several place names such as Ha Long Bay.

  • Payton (English) - Settlement of Pœga [English speaking countries]
  • Raven (English) - Raven [English speaking countries]
  • Tate (English) - N/A [English speaking countries]

    From the Old English personal name 'Tata', possibly a short form of various compound names with the obscure first element tat, or else a nursery formation. Tate is a common surname in Britain.

    Henry Tate established the Tate Gallery in Lond

  • Will (Germanic) - Will, desire + helmet, protection [English speaking countries]

    Will is a common nickname for any names starting in "Will/Wil" such as Willard, William, Willem, Wilson or Wilford.

    Famous bearers include lead character Will Turner played by Orlando Bloom in Disney's "Pirates of the Carribean" series, Co

  • Willow (English) - Willow [English speaking countries]

    Comes from the Willow tree. Also, is the name of two iconic science-fiction characters. The male title-character of the movie "Willow" and the female best-friend of Buffy from the television series "Buffy the Vampire Slayer".