“Ye searching for thine old English name for baby, are ye?” Okay, that’s about the amount of Old English language talk up the sleeves around here. But if you are looking for a more historic English name for your new baby boy or girl, you have come to the right place. Old English names can really speak to the heart when it comes to historic relevance, uniqueness, and simple yet classic English charm.
Take a look at this collection of Old English names for your newfound bundle of joy. You’ll find some familiar, some strange, and some mostly unique names that, well, haven’t been heard of for a while. Along with the names you will also see a meaning next to it. This is simply to help you with that inevitable question from admirers, “Excuse me? What does that name mean?”
Old English Names For Your Decidedly New World Baby Girl
- Aelfgifu – “Elf Gift”
- Wulfhild – “Wolf Battle”
- Eadgyth – “Prosperous Battle”
- Aethelthryth – “Noble Strength”
- Hildelith – “Battle Joy”
- Ealhswith – “Noble Strength”
- Wynflaed – “Joyous Beauty”
- Leofrun – “Beloved Secret”
- Aelfswith – “Elf Strength”
- Wulfrun – “Wolf Secret”
- Eadburh – “Prosperous Castle”
- Aethelwyn – “Noble Joy”
- Ealdgyth – “Old Battle”
- Eadflaed – “Prosperous Beauty”
- Wulfsige – “Wolf Victory”
- Aethelgifu – “Noble Gift”
- Aelfric – “Elf Ruler”
- Godiva – “God’s Gift”
- Leofgifu – “Beloved Gift”
- Ealdhild – “Old Battle”
- Aethelthryth – “Noble Strength”
- Wynnflaed – “Joyful Beauty”
- Eadgifu – “Prosperous Gift”
- Ealhstan – “Noble Stone”
- Aelfric – “Elf Ruler”
- Ealdgyth – “Old Battle”
- Wulfhild – “Wolf Battle”
- Aethelburh – “Noble Castle”
- Leofwyn – “Beloved Joy”
- Aelfsige – “Elf Victory”
- Wynflaed – “Joyous Beauty”
- Eadburh – “Prosperous Castle”
- Aethelgyth – “Noble Battle”
- Godiva – “God’s Gift”
- Leofflaed – “Beloved Beauty”
- Ealdgyth – “Old Battle”
- Aelfrun – “Elf Secret”
- Wulfrun – “Wolf Secret”
- Eadgifu – “Prosperous Gift”
- Ealhswith – “Noble Strength”
- Ælfwynn – “Elf joy”
- Cyneburga – “Royal fortress”
- Ethelswith – “Noble strength”
- Hildreda – “Battle counsel”
- Cwenburh – “Queenly fortress”
You’ll note that a lot of these baby girl names have to do with elves, castles, and wolves. Apparently, that’s how the Old English rolled back in the day. It was all about Gandalf, his friends, and a stray (dire)wolf from time to time. And not to add more to the fire here, but one name sorely missed above is that of Eowyn, the “horse lover” shield maiden from Rohan in Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings.” If there was ever a name for a strong-willed woman, it is right here. Eowyn, we salute you.
Ye Olde English Names For The New Gentle Man In Your Midst
- Aethelstan – “Noble Stone”
- Beornwulf – “Bear Wolf”
- Cenred – “Bold Counsel”
- Cynewulf – “Royal Wolf”
- Eadric – “Wealthy Ruler”
- Ethelbert – “Noble Brightness”
- Leofric – “Beloved Ruler”
- Wulfric – “Wolf Ruler”
- Aelfric – “Elf Ruler”
- Wigmund – “War Protector”
- Wulstan – “Wolf Stone”
- Alfwold – “Elf Ruler”
- Osric – “Godly Ruler”
- Wynfrith – “Friend of Joy”
- Ceolfrid – “Ship Lover”
- Ecgbert – “Edge Bright”
- Godwine – “God’s Friend”
- Leofstan – “Beloved Stone”
- Eadweard – “Wealthy Guardian”
- Aldhelm – “Old Helmet”
- Hengest – “Stallion”
- Osmund – “Divine Protection”
- Ethelred – “Noble Counsel”
- Cenwulf – “Bold Wolf”
- Wulmar – “Famous Wolf”
- Eadfrith – “Wealthy Peace”
- Ceolbald – “Bold Ship”
- Wulfred – “Wolf Peace”
- Aelfwine – “Elf Friend”
- Aldric – “Old Ruler”
- Cyneheard – “Royal Heart”
- Hrothgar – “Famous Spear”
- Leofsige – “Beloved Victory”
- Wulfstan – “Wolf Stone”
- Aethelred – “Noble Counsel”
- Aethelbald – “Noble Bold”
- Dunstan – “Dark Stone”
- Godric – “God Ruler”
- Ealdred – “Old Counsel”
- Leofric – “Beloved Ruler”
- Eadgar – “Wealthy spear” or “Fortunate spear”
- Ceolwulf – “Ship wolf” or “Keel wolf”
- Cynric – “Royal power” or “Kingly”
- Ælfwig – “Elf warrior”
- Wynstan – “Joy stone” or “Joyful one”
Sadly, Beowulf (“bee hunter”) did not make the cut above. Probably too well-known as it’s from an Old English epic poem every public school child was forced to read in high school. But there is a good amount of unique names that will stand out, give those who hear a moment of pause, and perhaps raise a great talking point. Sadly, the one true king, Aragorn (“noble valor” … “valour” for you Old English at heart), is missing from this list. Perhaps out of a sense of humility; but if you all know you’re raising your baby boy to be a ruler of hearts, well, there you go … another name to add to your list of Old English names for babies.