Old English names carry centuries of history in just a few letters. They come from a time when names had real meaning, tied to strength, faith, or nature. Many old English names still sound fresh and unique today.
This list brings together boy names, girl names, and unisex picks with true Anglo-Saxon roots. Some are common. Others are rare and almost forgotten. Every name here has a story behind it.
Whether you want something classic like Edward or something rare like Aelfsige, this guide has it. You will find meanings, styles, and ideas for every taste. Let’s explore these timeless old English names together.
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Old English Boy Names
- Alfred – wise counselor
- Edward – wealthy guardian
- Harold – army ruler
- Oswald – divine power
- Edmund – wealthy protector
- Godwin – friend of God
- Wilfred – desiring peace
- Cedric – kindly, loved
- Leofric – beloved ruler
- Aldous – old, wise
- Bertram – bright raven
- Cuthbert – famous and bright
- Egbert – bright sword
- Osric – divine ruler
- Wystan – battle stone
Old English Girl Names
- Edith – Prosperous in war
- Audrey – noble strength
- Winifred – blessed peacemaking
- Mildred – gentle strength
- Rosamund – horse protection
- Adelaide – noble kind
- Ethelinda – noble serpent
- Godiva – gift of God
- Hilda – battle woman
- Wilma – resolute protector
- Alfreda – elf counsel
- Beatrix – bringer of joy
- Emma – universal, whole
- Leofe – dear, beloved
- Wynne – joy, fair
Old English Unisex Names
- Ashley – ash tree meadow
- Bailey – bailiff, steward
- Beverly – beaver stream
- Carey – castle
- Darby – deer estate
- Ellery – elder tree island
- Hollis – near the holly trees
- Kendall – valley of the river Kent
- Lindsey – island of linden trees
- Shelby – willow farm
- Shirley – bright meadow
- Whitley – white meadow
- Wren – small bird
- Kimberly – royal fortress meadow
- Leslie – garden by the pool
Old English Names
- Alaric – ruler of all
- Athelstan – noble stone
- Beornwulf – warrior wolf
- Cynewulf – royal wolf
- Dunstan – dark stone hill
- Eadric – wealthy ruler
- Godfrey – peace of God
- Hereward – army guardian
- Ingram – raven of peace
- Osborn – divine warrior
- Radulf – wise wolf
- Sigebert – bright victory
- Thurstan – Thor’s stone
- Ulric – wolf ruler
- Wulfstan – wolf stone
Old English Last Names
- Ashworth
- Barrington
- Chadwick
- Duxbury
- Fairfax
- Grimshaw
- Hollingsworth
- Kingsley
- Lancaster
- Marlow
- Oakley
- Radcliffe
- Sherwood
- Thorne
- Winterbourne
Old English Names With Meaning
| Name | Meaning | Gender |
| Alfred | Wise counselor | Boy |
| Edith | Prosperous in war | Girl |
| Godfrey | Peace of God | Boy |
| Rosamund | Horse protection | Girl |
| Ashley | Ash tree meadow | Unisex |
| Dunstan | Dark stone hill | Boy |
| Hilda | Battle woman | Girl |
| Kingsley | King’s meadow | Boy |
| Wren | Small bird | Unisex |
| Cuthbert | Famous and bright | Boy |
| Winifred | Blessed peacemaking | Girl |
| Ingram | Raven of peace | Boy |
Old English Names Male
- Aldric – old ruler
- Baldwin – bold friend
- Cenric – bold ruler
- Dunmore – dark moor
- Eadgar – wealthy spear
- Fenwick – marsh village
- Garrick – spear ruler
- Hadwin – friend in battle
- Kenrick – bold ruler
- Lambert – bright land
- Merewine – famous friend
- Norbert – bright hero
- Oswin – divine friend
- Rutherford – cattle ford
- Aelfric – elf ruler
Old English Female Names
- Aelfwen – elf friend
- Ceolwyn – ship friend
- Dunwyn – dark friend
- Eadgyth – wealthy warfare
- Ealhswith – strong temple
- Godgifu – gift of God
- Hildegard – battle stronghold
- Leofwyn – beloved friend
- Maerwyn – famous friend
- Osgifu – divine gift
- Rowena – famous friend
- Sefa – wise mind
- Wulfwyn – wolf friend
- Eanflaed – beauty and grace
- Cynethryth – royal strength
Old English Names Funny
- Cwenhild – woman of battle
- Ecgfrith – edge of peace
- Grimbald – fierce and bold
- Hunwald – bear ruler
- Osgood – divine goodness
- Peohthelm – Pictish helmet
- Sæwine – sea friend
- Thrymm – strength
- Uhtred – dawn counsel
- Wigstan – battle stone
- Wulfnoth – wolf courage
- Ymma – whole, universal
- Beorhtsige – bright victory
- Cynewise – royal wisdom
- Dogwulf – bright wolf
Unusual Old English Names Boy
- Aelfsige – elf victory
- Beornoth – bold warrior
- Ceolwulf – ship wolf
- Dryhtwald – lord ruler
- Eanwulf – rich wolf
- Frithuwald – peace ruler
- Grimkell – masked helmet
- Heahmund – high protector
- Ingeld – famous sacrifice
- Leofstan – beloved stone
- Maccus – son of a warrior
- Ordwine – spear friend
- Penda – youth
- Sigenoth – victory courage
- Wigmund – battle protector
Unusual Old English Names Girl
- Aethelflaed – noble beauty
- Beornflaed – warrior beauty
- Cyneswith – royal strength
- Domneva – lady
- Eadburh – wealthy fortress
- Ecgwynn – edge of joy
- Frithuswith – strong peace
- Godflaed – godly beauty
- Hereswith – army strength
- Leofrun – beloved secret
- Maethild – mighty battle
- Osthryth – divine strength
- Sexburh – sword fortress
- Werburh – protecting fortress
- Wulfrun – wolf secret
Old English Names Boy 1800s
- Albert
- Alfred
- Arthur
- Cecil
- Edgar
- Edmund
- Edwin
- Ernest
- Frederick
- Harold
- Herbert
- Oswald
- Percival
- Reginald
- Walter
Old English Names Uncommon
- Aldhelm – old helmet
- Beorhtric – bright ruler
- Ceolred – ship counsel
- Dunwald – dark ruler
- Eadwulf – wealthy wolf
- Frithuric – peace ruler
- Godric – god’s ruler
- Hunbert – bear bright
- Ingelram – angel raven
- Leofwine – beloved friend
- Osmund – divine protector
- Raedwald – wise ruler
- Swithin – strong
- Wigbert – battle bright
- Wulfhere – wolf army
Final Thoughts
Old English names bring history and meaning into modern life. From bold warrior names to gentle nature names, there is something for every taste. They connect us to a time of kings, queens, and legends.
Whether you pick a classic name like Edward or a rare one like Aethelflaed, you carry a piece of the past forward. These old English names prove that timeless choices never go out of style.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most popular old English names for girls?
Edith, Audrey, and Winifred remain the most popular old English girl names today.
Where to buy books on Old English names and history?
Books on Old English names and history are widely available through major bookstores, libraries, and online retailers.
Where can I buy a book of unique old English baby names?
Baby name books with old English options can be found at bookstores, libraries, and online retailers like Amazon.
How to pronounce traditional Old English names correctly?
Old English names often sound different from their spelling, so checking an audio pronunciation guide online is the easiest way to learn.
What does “Old English” mean in baby names?
It refers to names that come from the Anglo-Saxon language spoken in England before 1150 AD.
Are Old English names still used today?
Yes, many old English names like Edward, Alfred, and Edith remain popular baby names today.
What is the oldest Old English name on record?
Names like Eadric and Aethelflaed appear in some of the earliest Anglo-Saxon records from the 800s.
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