120+ Anglo-Saxon Names With Meanings & Origins (2026)

Anglo-Saxon names carry centuries of history in just a few syllables. They come from Old English, the language spoken in England before the Norman Conquest. Many of today’s most familiar English names actually started as Anglo-Saxon words.

If you love strong, meaningful, and timeless names, this list is for you. Each name here comes from real Old English roots like ead (wealth), wulf (wolf), and beorht (bright). These roots give every name a story of its own.

In this guide, you’ll find 120+ Anglo-Saxon names with meanings for boys, girls, and surnames. Whether you’re naming a baby, a character, or just curious about history, you’ll find something worth exploring below.

Anglo-Saxon Names With Meanings With Topic Generator

25 Anglo-Saxon Names With Meanings

This starter list blends both boy and girl names, each with a genuine Old English root.

1. Alfred – “elf counsel”
2. Edith – “prosperous in war”
3. Edward – “wealthy guardian”
4. Winifred – “blessed peacemaking”
5. Harold – “army ruler”
6. Hilda – “battle”
7. Oswald – “god power”
8. Mildred – “gentle strength”
9. Edmund – “wealthy protector”
10. Audrey – “noble strength”
11. Godwin – “friend of God”
12. Freda – “peace”
13. Cedric – “kindly, beloved”
14. Rowena – “fame and joy”
15. Leofric – “beloved ruler”
16. Godiva – “gift of God”
17. Aelfric – “elf ruler”
18. Alfreda – “elf counsel”
19. Cuthbert – “famous, bright”
20. Wynne – “fair, joyful”
21. Athelstan – “noble stone”
22. Elswyth – “noble strength”
23. Eadric – “wealthy ruler”
24. Ediva – “wealthy gift”
25. Wulfric – “wolf power”

Anglo-Saxon Boy Names

Anglo-Saxon boy names often speak of strength, rulership, and protection. Here are 15 strong choices with meanings.

1. Alfred – “elf counsel”
2. Edward – “wealthy guardian”
3. Edwin – “wealthy friend”
4. Harold – “army ruler”
5. Oswald – “god power”
6. Edmund – “wealthy protector”
7. Aldous – “old”
8. Godwin – “friend of God”
9. Wulfric – “wolf power”
10. Cedric – “kindly, beloved”
11. Leofric – “beloved ruler”
12. Aelfric – “elf ruler”
13. Eadric – “wealthy ruler”
14. Cuthbert – “famous, bright”
15. Athelstan – “noble stone”

Anglo-Saxon Girl Names

Anglo-Saxon girl names often carry meanings tied to nobility, peace, and joy. Here are 15 lovely picks.

1. Edith – “prosperous in war”
2. Audrey – “noble strength”
3. Winifred – “blessed peacemaking”
4. Millicent – “strong in work”
5. Rowena – “fame and joy”
6. Godiva – “gift of God”
7. Alfreda – “elf counsel”
8. Hilda – “battle”
9. Elswyth – “noble strength”
10. Wynne – “joy, fair”
11. Freda – “peace”
12. Mildred – “gentle strength”
13. Aldith – “old war”
14. Ediva – “wealthy gift”
15. Aelfgifu – “elf gift”

Common Old English Name Elements and Their Meanings

Many Anglo-Saxon names are built from small, reusable word-parts. Learning these makes it easy to spot the meaning behind almost any Old English name.

Element	Meaning	Example Name
Æthel	Noble	Æthelred
Ead / Ed	Wealth, fortune	Edward
Wulf	Wolf	Wulfric
Beorht / Bert	Bright	Cuthbert
Ric	Ruler, power	Frederic
Win	Friend	Godwin
Stan	Stone	Athelstan
Weard	Guardian	Edward
Mund	Protector	Edmund
Leof	Beloved	Leofric
Sige	Victory	Sigmund
Here	Army	Harold
Gar	Spear	Edgar
Helm	Protector, helmet	Wilhelm
Raed	Counsel	Æthelred

Anglo-Saxon Names With Meanings With Topic With Meaning

Name	Gender	Meaning	Origin Root
Alfred	Boy	Elf counsel	Ælf + ræd
Edith	Girl	Prosperous in war	Ead + gyth
Harold	Boy	Army ruler	Here + weald
Hilda	Girl	Battle	Hild
Oswald	Boy	God power	Os + weald
Mildred	Girl	Gentle strength	Milde + thryth
Edmund	Boy	Wealthy protector	Ead + mund
Winifred	Girl	Blessed peacemaking	Wynn + frith
Cedric	Boy	Kindly, beloved	Ced + ric
Rowena	Girl	Fame and joy	Hroth + wynn
Athelstan	Boy	Noble stone	Æthel + stan
Godiva	Girl	Gift of God	God + gifu
Cuthbert	Boy	Famous, bright	Cuth + beorht
Freda	Girl	Peace	Frith
Wulfric	Boy	Wolf power	Wulf + ric

Anglo-Saxon Names With Meaning

Anglo-Saxon names weren’t picked at random. Parents combined meaningful word-parts to wish strength, wisdom, or luck on their children. Below you’ll find them grouped by category, from classic male and female names to full historical figures and surnames.

Anglo-Saxon Names With Meanings Male

1. Osric – “divine ruler”
2. Wystan – “battle stone”
3. Egbert – “bright edge”
4. Leofwin – “beloved friend”
5. Wilfred – “desiring peace”
6. Aldwin – “old friend”
7. Baldric – “bold ruler”
8. Dunstan – “dark stone”
9. Ethelbert – “noble and bright”
10. Godric – “God’s ruler”
11. Oswin – “God’s friend”
12. Sigmund – “victory protector”
13. Wulfstan – “wolf stone”
14. Aelfred – “elf counsel”
15. Beornwulf – “warrior wolf”

Anglo-Saxon Names With Meanings Boy

1. Alwin – “noble friend”
2. Bardolf – “bright wolf”
3. Cadmund – “battle protector”
4. Deorwine – “dear friend”
5. Eastmund – “grace protector”
6. Frithuric – “peace ruler”
7. Garwin – “spear friend”
8. Hereward – “army guardian”
9. Ingram – “raven”
10. Kenward – “royal guardian”
11. Leofstan – “beloved stone”
12. Osgood – “divine good”
13. Radulf – “wise wolf”
14. Swithin – “strong”
15. Thurstan – “Thor’s stone”

List of Anglo-Saxon Names

These are real names carried by famous figures from the Anglo-Saxon period.

1. Alfred the Great – king and scholar
2. Aethelred the Unready – Anglo-Saxon king
3. Harold Godwinson – last crowned Anglo-Saxon king
4. Edward the Confessor – sainted king
5. Athelstan – first king of all England
6. Offa – powerful king of Mercia
7. Penda – warrior king of Mercia
8. Beowulf – legendary hero
9. Hengist – legendary Anglo-Saxon leader
10. Horsa – legendary Anglo-Saxon leader
11. Cynewulf – Old English poet
12. Egbert of Wessex – early English king
13. Eadwig – young Anglo-Saxon king
14. Aelfric of Eynsham – Old English writer
15. Wulfstan of York – Anglo-Saxon archbishop

Anglo-Saxon Surnames

Old English surnames often came from a person’s job or where they lived.

1. Baker – bread maker
2. Smith – metalworker
3. Fletcher – arrow maker
4. Webster – weaver
5. Wright – craftsman
6. Cooper – barrel maker
7. Shepherd – sheep herder
8. Fisher – fisherman
9. Mason – stoneworker
10. Turner – lathe worker
11. Weaver – cloth maker
12. Carter – cart driver
13. Hunter – hunter
14. Archer – bowman
15. Tanner – leather worker

Anglo-Saxon Names With Meanings Girl

1. Cwenhild – “queen battle”
2. Eadgyth – “wealthy war”
3. Ealhswith – “temple strength”
4. Frideswide – “strong peace”
5. Godgifu – “gift of God”
6. Hildeburh – “battle fortress”
7. Leofgifu – “beloved gift”
8. Mildgyth – “gentle war”
9. Osgyth – “divine strength”
10. Saethryth – “sea strength”
11. Wulfhild – “wolf battle”
12. Aelfgifu – “elf gift”
13. Cynethryth – “royal strength”
14. Eanswith – “swift strength”
15. Merewyn – “sea friend”

Anglo-Saxon Names With Meanings Female

1. Alva – “elf wisdom”
2. Audra – “noble strength”
3. Elva – “elf friend”
4. Winnie – “joy, blessed peace”
5. Milly – “gentle strength”
6. Edda – “prosperous”
7. Frida – “peace”
8. Hildy – “battle”
9. Reeva – “wise counsel”
10. Wynn – “joy”
11. Ediva – “wealthy gift”
12. Aldyth – “old war”
13. Osyth – “divine strength”
14. Rowena – “fame, joy”
15. Editha – “wealthy war”

Conclusion

Anglo-Saxon names carry real history in every syllable. From noble “Æthel” names to strong “Wulf” names, each one tells a small story about courage, peace, or wisdom.

Whether you’re choosing a name for a baby, a character, or just love Old English history, this list of 120+ Anglo-Saxon names with meanings gives you plenty of timeless options to explore.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are Anglo-Saxon Names?

Anglo-Saxon names are names from Old English, the language spoken in England before 1066. They’re built from meaningful word-parts like “wulf” (wolf) or “ead” (wealth).

Are Anglo-Saxon Names Still Used Today?

Yes. Many, like Edward, Alfred, Edith, and Harold, are still common baby names today, though often in shortened or updated forms.

Where can I buy a book about Anglo-Saxon names and their origins?

Books on Anglo-Saxon and Old English names are available from major retailers like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and specialty history bookshops, both online and in physical stores.

How to find Anglo-Saxon names with meaning for gaming characters?

Search baby-name databases or history sites for “Old English names,” then pick one whose meaning matches your character’s traits, like “Wulfstan” for a fierce warrior.

Do Anglo-Saxon names work well as middle names?

Yes. Their short, meaningful roots like “Beorht” (bright) or “Leof” (beloved) make them easy to pair with modern first names.

What is the most popular Anglo-Saxon name today?

Edward and Alfred remain among the most widely used Anglo-Saxon names in English-speaking countries today.

Can Anglo-Saxon names be unisex?

A few, like Wynne and Selwyn, have historically been used for both boys and girls, though most Anglo-Saxon names were gender-specific.