Discover and Shortlist Your Perfect Baby Names!
What Are Old English Names?
Old English names are names that have been used in England since before the Norman Conquest of 1066. These names are often referred to as Anglo-Saxon names, as they come from the language spoken by the Anglo-Saxons who inhabited England before the Normans. Old English names are often recognizable by their strong, masculine sound and their heavy use of Old English language elements.
Old English Names for Boys
Old English names for boys are often quite masculine and strong. Some of the most popular Old English names for boys include Alfred, Edward, Harold, and William. Alfred is derived from the Old English elements ælf, meaning “elf”, and ræd, meaning “counsel”. Edward is derived from the Old English elements ead, meaning “prosperity”, and weard, meaning “guardian”. Harold is derived from the Old English elements here, meaning “army”, and weald, meaning “power”. William is derived from the Old English elements wil, meaning “desire”, and helm, meaning “helmet”.
Old English Names for Girls
Old English names for girls are often quite feminine and delicate. Some of the most popular Old English names for girls include Aelfgifu, Edith, Godiva, and Mildred. Aelfgifu is derived from the Old English elements ælf, meaning “elf”, and gifu, meaning “gift”. Edith is derived from the Old English elements ēad, meaning “prosperity”, and gyth, meaning “war”. Godiva is derived from the Old English elements god, meaning “God”, and gifu, meaning “gift”. Mildred is derived from the Old English elements mild, meaning “gentle”, and þryð, meaning “strength”.
Modern Variations of Old English Names
Modern variations of Old English names are often quite similar to the original Old English names. For example, Alfred can be modernized to Alfie, Edward can be modernized to Eddie, Harold can be modernized to Hal, and William can be modernized to Will. Similarly, Aelfgifu can be modernized to Elfie, Edith can be modernized to Edie, Godiva can be modernized to Goda, and Mildred can be modernized to Millie.
Conclusion
Old English names are names that have been used in England since before the Norman Conquest of 1066. These names are often quite masculine and strong for boys and quite feminine and delicate for girls. Many Old English names have modern variations that are quite similar to the original Old English names.
| Name | Meaning | Origins | Gender | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clay | Clay means "mortal" or "clay worker"; originates from Old English. | Anglo-Saxon, English, Old English | Boy | |
| Cleave | Cleave: rare, masculine name from Old English meaning "to adhere closely." | Old English | Boy | |
| Cliff | Cliff: English origin, meaning "cliffside" or "slope." Strong, rugged. | Anglo-Saxon, English, Old English | Boy | |
| Clifton | Clifton means "town by the cliff," originating from Old English. | Anglo-Saxon, Old English | Boy | |
| clothar | Clothar means "famous army" in Germanic; derived from ancient roots. | Anglo-Saxon, Biblical, Germanic, Old English | Male | |
| cnut | Cnut: Old Norse name meaning "knot," associated with Viking kings. | Anglo-Saxon, Old English, Old Norse | Male | |
| Colfre | Colfre: Unique name meaning "coal companion," rooted in Old English. | Old English | Unisex | |
| Cor | Cor means "heart" in Latin; derived from "cor" in ancient Rome. | Celtic, Latin, Old English | Unisex | |
| Dagne | Dagne means "day" in Old Norse; a name of brightness. | Anglo-Saxon, Old English | Female | |
| Dodd | Dodd: English surname, meaning "a person with a nickname." | Anglo-Saxon, English, Old English | Either | |
| Dottie | Dottie: diminutive of Dorothy, meaning "gift of God" in Greek. | Anglo-Saxon, English, Old English | Girl | |
| Duke | Duke: noble title from Latin "dux," meaning leader or commander. | Anglo-Saxon, Latin, Old English | Boy | |
| Dwane | Dwane: Irish origin, meaning "dark" or "swarthy" in Gaelic. | Anglo-Saxon, Irish, Old English | Boy | |
| Dytha | Dytha: Unique Old English name meaning "warrior woman" or "battle maiden." | Old English | Girl | |
| Ebb | Ebb: rare, gender-neutral name meaning "flowing back of tide." | Old English | Unisex | |
| Edit | Edit is a Hungarian feminine name meaning "prosperous in war." | Old English | Girl | |
| Edu | Edu originates from Latin, meaning "to educate" or "to lead." | Anglo-Saxon, Latin, Old English | Boy | |
| Eef | Eef is a Dutch diminutive of the name Eva, meaning life. | Dutch, Hebrew, Old English | Unisex | |
| Egberto | Egberto means "bright edge," originating from Old English and Germanic. | Anglo-Saxon, Old English | Boy | |
| Elden | Elden means "old" or "noble," originating from Old English roots. | Anglo-Saxon, Old English | Boy | |
| elenor | Elenor means "light" and originates from the Greek name Helen. | Ancient Greek, Anglo-Saxon, Arabic, Armenian, Biblical, Greek, Latin, Old English, Old French | Female | |
| Elford | Elford: rare Old English name meaning "old river crossing," unique. | Old English | Boy | |
| emeryk | Emeryk means "powerful ruler," originating from Old Germanic roots. | Anglo-Saxon, Biblical, Germanic, Old English | Either | |
| Ern[e]st | Ernest means "serious" in German; originates from the Old French. | German, Germanic, Old English, Old French | Male | |
| Erral | Erral is a unique, uncommon name with uncertain origins and meaning. | Old English | Unisex | |
| Ethal | Ethal: Irish name meaning "fire" or "noble," gender-neutral elegance. | Old English | Unisex | |
| Ethelah | Ethelah means "noble hill," is rare, and has historical significance. | Old English | Girl | |
| Etheldreda | Etheldreda means "noble strength," rooted in Old English tradition. | Old English | Girl | |
| Ethella | Ethella: a rare, noble name with historical elegance and sophistication. | Old English | Girl | |
| Ethelle | Ethelle: Unique name meaning "noble and kind," primarily feminine origin. | Old English | Girl |
Old English is the earliest historical form of the English language. It was spoken in parts of what are now England and southern Scotland between the mid-5th century and the mid-12th century. This language is also known as Anglo-Saxon, and it evolved from the Germanic languages brought to Britain by the Anglo-Saxons.
Old English developed from the various Anglo-Saxon dialects that were brought to Britain by Germanic settlers. These settlers came from what is now Denmark and northern Germany, and their languages mixed with the Celtic languages already spoken in Britain. Over time, this blend of languages evolved into what we now recognize as Old English.
No, Old English is not the same as Middle English. Middle English followed Old English and was spoken from the late 11th to the late 15th century. It was heavily influenced by the Norman Conquest of 1066, which introduced a large number of Norman French words into the language.
Modern English speakers generally cannot understand Old English without specialized study. Old English looks and sounds very different from the English we use today, with a unique vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. Scholars often learn Old English as part of the study of historical linguistics or medieval English literature.
Old English is important because it is the foundation of the English language. It provides insight into the culture, society, and history of the Anglo-Saxon period. Studying Old English also helps linguists understand the development of English over the centuries.
Old English had a rich inflectional morphology, with a wide range of verb forms and several noun cases. It also had a different syntax compared to modern English, and it used a runic alphabet called Futhorc before adopting the Latin alphabet. Additionally, Old English had sounds that no longer exist in modern English.
Yes, there are surviving Old English texts, including poetry, legal documents, and religious works. The most famous of these is the epic poem "Beowulf," which provides a glimpse into the values and stories of the Anglo-Saxon culture. Other significant texts include "The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle" and the writings of Alfred the Great.
The transition from Old English to Middle English was largely due to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. The introduction of Norman French as the language of the ruling class and the church led to significant changes in the vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation of English. Over several centuries, these changes transformed Old English into what we recognize as Middle English.
The Viking invasions had a significant impact on the development of Old English. The Norsemen brought their own Old Norse language, which was another Germanic language, and it influenced Old English, especially in vocabulary and place names. This period of contact led to the exchange of words and grammatical features between the two languages.
Old English is taught and studied today primarily in university settings as part of English literature, linguistics, or medieval studies programs. Students learn to read and translate Old English texts using grammars and dictionaries specifically designed for the language. The study of Old English also involves learning about the historical context in which it was used.
