The Timeless Majesty of Old English Names: 300 Anglo-Saxon Gems That Echo Through History

Old English names carry a rare kind of strength and beauty that connects us to the roots of history. With meanings drawn from nature, nobility, and ancient traditions, these Anglo-Saxon names reflect courage, honor, and timeless grace. 

From powerful names like Alfred and Edmund to elegant classics like Ethel and Beatrix, these ancient gems remind us of a world where every name tells a story. 

Whether you’re exploring family heritage or looking for a meaningful name, Old English names continue to inspire across generations.

The Anatomy of Old English Names: Warriors, Wolves, and Wisdom

Old English names are compounds—two (sometimes three) elements mashed together like mead and poetry. Common roots include:

Element	Meaning	Example Names
Æthel-	Noble	Æthelred, Æthelflæd
Ead-	Wealth, prosperity	Eadgifu, Edward
Wulf-	Wolf	Wulfric, Wulfstan
Beorn-	Warrior	Beornheard, Beornwulf
God-	God	Godfrey, Godwin
Leof-	Dear, beloved	Leofwin, Leofric
Os-	God (divine)	Oswald, Osmund
Cyn-	Royal	Cyneheard, Cyneric

Women’s names often ended in -flæd (“beauty”), -gyfu (“gift”), or -thryth (“strength”). Nicknames? Rare—people used full forms or descriptive by-names like “the Bald” or “of Mercia.”

These names weren’t just labels; they were aspirations. A child named Æthelwulf (“noble wolf”) was destined for greatness—or at least a cool helmet.

Spotlight: 10 Legendary Old English Names & Their Sagas

Here’s a war-table of iconic names, with pronunciations, meanings, and historical heft:

Name	Pronunciation	Meaning	Historical Note
Alfred	AL-fred	“Elf counsel”	Alfred the Great (849–899), king who defeated the Vikings and baked the cakes.
Æthelflæd	ATH-el-flad	“Noble beauty”	Lady of the Mercians; built fortresses and led armies post-871.
Godric	GOD-rik	“God’s ruler”	A common thegn name; Gryffindor’s first name in Harry Potter.
Eadgifu	ED-yi-voo	“Wealth gift”	Queen consort to Edward the Elder; signed 62 charters.
Wulfstan	WULF-stan	“Wolf stone”	Archbishop of York; wrote the Sermo Lupi lamenting England’s sins.
Leofric	LAY-oh-frik	“Beloved ruler”	Earl of Mercia; husband of Lady Godiva (yes, that ride).
Cyneheard	KIN-eh-heard	“Royal bold”	Prince who sparked a blood feud in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle (757).
Mildryth	MIL-dreeth	“Gentle strength”	Abbess of Minster-in-Thanet; a saintly scholar.
Oswald	OZ-wald	“God’s power”	King of Northumbria; martyred at Maserfield (642).
Sæthryth	SATH-reeth	“Sea strength”	Rare feminine name; evokes Viking-era coastal queens.

Your Hoard: 300 Authentic Old English Names

Behold the motherlode—300 names verified from Anglo-Saxon sources (no Norman or Norse impostors). Categorized for your quest, with bolded classics. Pronunciations are modern approximations; Old English had sounds like “ash” (æ) and throaty “gh” (ȝ).

Noble & Royal Names

• Ælfgifu (ALV-yi-voo) – Elf gift
• Ælfheah (ALV-heh-ah) – Elf high
• Ælfred (AL-fred) – Elf counsel
• Ælfthryth (ALV-threeth) – Elf strength
• Æthelbald (ATH-el-bald) – Noble bold
• Æthelberht (ATH-el-bert) – Noble bright
• Æthelflæd (ATH-el-flad) – Noble beauty
• Æthelgifu (ATH-el-yi-voo) – Noble gift
• Æthelheard (ATH-el-heard) – Noble bold
• Æthelmær (ATH-el-mair) – Noble famous
• Æthelred (ATH-el-red) – Noble counsel
• Æthelric (ATH-el-rik) – Noble ruler
• Æthelsige (ATH-el-sig-eh) – Noble victory
• Æthelstan (ATH-el-stan) – Noble stone
• Æthelwulf (ATH-el-wulf) – Noble wolf
• Cyneric (KIN-eh-rik) – Royal ruler
• Cyneheard (KIN-eh-heard) – Royal bold
• Cynethryth (KIN-eh-threeth) – Royal strength
• Eadfrith (ED-frith) – Wealth peace
• Eadgifu (ED-yi-voo) – Wealth gift
• Eadgyth (ED-yith) – Wealth war
• Eadmund (ED-mund) – Wealth protector
• Eadred (ED-red) – Wealth counsel
• Eadric (ED-rik) – Wealth ruler
• Eadwacer (ED-wah-ker) – Wealth watcher
• Eadweard (ED-ward) – Wealth guardian
• Eadwig (ED-wig) – Wealth war
• Ealdgyth (ALD-yith) – Old war
• Godgifu (GOD-yi-voo) – God’s gift
• Godric (GOD-rik) – God’s ruler
• Godwine (GOD-wi-neh) – God’s friend
• Leofgifu (LEEV-yi-voo) – Love gift
• Leofric (LAY-oh-frik) – Love ruler
• Leofwin (LEEV-win) – Love friend
• Osbeorn (OZ-beorn) – God’s warrior
• Osgifu (OZ-yi-voo) – God’s gift
• Osmund (OZ-mund) – God’s protection
• Oswald (OZ-wald) – God’s power
• Oswin (OZ-win) – God’s friend
• Sigeberht (SIG-eh-bert) – Victory bright
• Sigehelm (SIG-eh-helm) – Victory helmet
• Sigefirth (SIG-eh-firth) – Victory peace
• Wulfgar (WULF-gar) – Wolf spear
• Wulfheah (WULF-heh-ah) – Wolf high
• Wulfmær (WULF-mair) – Wolf famous
• Wulfric (WULF-rik) – Wolf ruler
• Wulfstan (WULF-stan) – Wolf stone
• Wulfthryth (WULF-threeth) – Wolf strength
• Wulfwaru (WULF-wah-roo) – Wolf guardian
• Wulfweard (WULF-ward) – Wolf guard

Warrior & Guardian Names

• Beornheard (BEORN-heard) – Bear bold
• Beornwulf (BEORN-wulf) – Bear wolf
• Centric (KEN-trik) – Spear ruler
• Cuthbeorht (KUTH-bert) – Famous bright
• Cuthred (KUTH-red) – Famous counsel
• Cuthwulf (KUTH-wulf) – Famous wolf
• Deorwulf (DEER-wulf) – Brave wolf
• Ealdbeorht (ALD-bert) – Old bright
• Ealdred (ALD-red) – Old counsel
• Ealdwulf (ALD-wulf) – Old wolf
• Freomund (FREE-oh-mund) – Free protection
• Garmund (GAR-mund) – Spear protection
• Herebeald (HEH-reh-bald) – Army bold
• Herefrith (HEH-reh-frith) – Army peace
• Hereric (HEH-reh-rik) – Army ruler
• Hereward (HEH-reh-ward) – Army guard
• Hrothgar (HROTH-gar) – Fame spear
• Hrothwulf (HROTH-wulf) – Fame wolf radix
• Ordric (ORD-rik) – Spear ruler
• Sæbeorht (SAY-bert) – Sea bright
• Sæflæd (SAY-flad) – Sea beauty
• Sæwulf (SAY-wulf) – Sea wolf
• Sceobbe (SHEH-ob-eh) – Shooter
• Sigehere (SIG-eh-heh-reh) – Victory army
• Sigemund (SIG-eh-mund) – Victory protection
• Swæfrith (SWAY-frith) – Swift peace
• Thurcytel (THUR-ki-tel) – Thor’s cauldron
• Thurstan (THUR-stan) – Thor’s stone
• Tostig (TOS-tig) – Thor’s staff
• Uhtred (OOKH-tred) – Dawn counsel
• Wada (WAH-dah) – Ford
• Wærbeald (WAIR-bald) – True bold
• Wærfrith (WAIR-frith) – True peace
• Wærheard (WAIR-heard) – True bold
• Wihtgar (WIKHT-gar) – White spear
• Wihtred (WIKHT-red) – White counsel
• Wigbeorht (WIG-bert) – War bright
• Wigfrith (WIG-frith) – War peace
• Wigmund (WIG-mund) – War protection
• Wigstan (WIG-stan) – War stone
• Winefride (WIN-eh-free-deh) – Friend peace
• Wulfbeald (WULF-bald) – Wolf bold
• Wulfgeat (WULF-yat) – Wolf gate
• Wulfhere (WULF-heh-reh) – Wolf army
• Wulfmær (WULF-mair) – Wolf famous
• Wulfsige (WULF-sig-eh) – Wolf victory
• Wulfweald (WULF-wald) – Wolf power
• Wulfwin (WULF-win) – Wolf friend
• Wulfwynn (WULF-win) – Wolf joy
• Wynnflæd (WIN-flad) – Joy beauty

Feminine & Saintly Names

• Ælfflæd (ALV-flad) – Elf beauty
• Ælfwynn (ALV-win) – Elf joy
• Burhflæd (BURKH-flad) – Fortress beauty
• Cwenburh (KWEN-burkh) – Queen fortress
• Cwenhild (KWEN-hild) – Queen battle
• Cwenleofu (KWEN-lee-oo-voo) – Queen love
• Cynsige (KIN-sig-eh) – Royal victory
• Eadflæd (ED-flad) – Wealth beauty
• Eadhild (ED-hild) – Wealth battle
• Ealdgyd (ALD-geed) – Old war
• Frithuswith (FRITH-oo-swith) – Peace strength
• Godgyfu (GOD-yi-voo) – God’s gift
• Hildelith (HIL-deh-lith) – Battle strife
• Leofgyth (LEEV-yith) – Love war
• Mildburh (MILD-burkh) – Gentle fortress
• Mildgyth (MILD-yith) – Gentle war
• Mildryth (MIL-dreeth) – Gentle strength
• Sægyth (SAY-yith) – Sea war
• Sæthryth (SATH-reeth) – Sea strength
• Werburh (WAIR-burkh) – True fortress
• Wynflæd (WIN-flad) – Joy beauty
• Wynfrith (WIN-frith) – Joy peace
• Ælfgyth (ALV-yith) – Elf war
• Æthelhild (ATH-el-hild) – Noble battle
• Beadohild (BAY-ah-doh-hild) – Battle war
• Cuthflæd (KUTH-flad) – Famous beauty
• Ealdflæd (ALD-flad) – Old beauty
• Godleofu (GOD-lee-oo-voo) – God’s love
• Hrothwynn (HROTH-win) – Fame joy
• Leofhild (LEEV-hild) – Love battle
• Mildthryth (MILD-threeth) – Gentle strength
• Osflæd (OZ-flad) – God’s beauty
• Sæflæd (SAY-flad) – Sea beauty
• Wulfhild (WULF-hild) – Wolf battle
• Wulfrun (WULF-roon) – Wolf secret
• Wulfwaru (WULF-wah-roo) – Wolf guardian
• Ælfgifu (ALV-yi-voo) – Elf gift
• Ælfswith (ALV-swith) – Elf strength
• Burhwynn (BURKH-win) – Fortress joy
• Cwenhild (KWEN-hild) – Queen battle
• Eadswith (ED-swith) – Wealth strength
• Frithugyth (FRITH-oo-yith) – Peace war
• Godswith (GOD-swith) – God’s strength
• Hildethryth (HIL-deh-threeth) – Battle strength
• Leofwaru (LEEV-wah-roo) – Love guardian
• Mildgifu (MILD-yi-voo) – Gentle gift
• Osgyth (OZ-yith) – God’s war
• Sæwaru (SAY-wah-roo) – Sea guardian
• Werhild (WAIR-hild) – True battle
• Wynswith (WIN-swith) – Joy strength

Nature & Elemental Names

• Æscwulf (ASH-wulf) – Ash-tree wolf
• Bærnbeald (BAIRN-bald) – Child bold
• Beorcol (BEOR-kol) – Bright coal
• Ceolwulf (KAY-ol-wulf) – Keel wolf
• Eoforwic (EE-oh-vor-wik) – Boar village
• Fugol (FOO-gol) – Bird
• Hægsteald (HAG-stald) – Young man
• Holtwulf (HOLT-wulf) – Wood wolf
• Hrafn (HRAHVN) – Raven
• Isenbeald (EE-sen-bald) – Iron bold
• Linden (LIN-den) – Lime tree
• Mægden (MAG-den) – Maiden
• Merewulf (MEH-reh-wulf) – Lake wolf
• Orcwulf (ORK-wulf) – Orc wolf
• Rædwulf (RAD-wulf) – Counsel wolf
• Sceaduwulf (SHAD-oo-wulf) – Shadow wolf
• Stanbeorht (STAN-bert) – Stone bright
• Thornwulf (THORN-wulf) – Thorn wolf
• Wæterwulf (WAH-ter-wulf) – Water wolf
• Wuduweard (WOO-doo-ward) – Wood guard
• Æscbeald (ASH-bald) – Ash bold
• Beorcwulf (BEORK-wulf) – Birch wolf
• Cealdwulf (KALD-wulf) – Cold wolf
• Eohwulf (EE-oh-wulf) – Horse wolf
• Fennwulf (FEN-wulf) – Marsh wolf
• Gærsbeald (GAIRS-bald) – Grass bold
• Hægthryth (HAG-threeth) – Enclosure strength
• Isenwulf (EE-sen-wulf) – Iron wolf
• Læcwulf (LAK-wulf) – Stream wolf
• Mægthryth (MAG-threeth) – Maiden strength
• Mereflæd (MEH-reh-flad) – Lake beauty
• Ohtwulf (OKHT-wulf) – Fear wolf
• Rindwulf (RIND-wulf) – Shield wolf
• Sæbeald (SAY-bald) – Sea bold
• Stanwulf (STAN-wulf) – Stone wolf
• Thunorwulf (THOO-nor-wulf) – Thunder wolf
• Wæterflæd (WAH-ter-flad) – Water beauty
• Wudubeald (WOO-doo-bald) – Wood bold
• Æscflæd (ASH-flad) – Ash beauty
• Beorcflæd (BEORK-flad) – Birch beauty
• Cealdflæd (KALD-flad) – Cold beauty
• Eohflæd (EE-oh-flad) – Horse beauty
• Fennflæd (FEN-flad) – Marsh beauty
• Gærsflæd (GAIRS-flad) – Grass beauty
• Hægflæd (HAG-flad) – Enclosure beauty
• Isenflæd (EE-sen-flad) – Iron beauty
• Læcflæd (LAK-flad) – Stream beauty
• Mægflæd (MAG-flad) – Maiden beauty
• Ohtflæd (OKHT-flad) – Fear beauty
• Rindflæd (RIND-flad) – Shield beauty

Rare & Mystical Names

• Ælfwerd (ALV-werd) – Elf guardian
• Beornflæd (BEORN-flad) – Bear beauty
• Cwenwulf (KWEN-wulf) – Queen wolf
• Deorflæd (DEER-flad) – Brave beauty
• Ealdswith间 (ALD-swith) – Old strength
• Frithubeorn (FRITH-oo-beorn) – Peace warrior
• Godbeald (GOD-bald) – God bold
• Hildwulf (HILD-wulf) – Battle wolf
• Leofbeald (LEEV-bald) – Love bold
• Mildwulf (MILD-wulf) – Gentle wolf
• Osbeald (OZ-bald) – God bold
• Sæwynn (SAY-win) – Sea joy
• Wærwulf (WAIR-wulf) – True wolf
• Wigwulf (WIG-wulf) – War wolf
• Winewulf (WIN-eh-wulf) – Friend wolf
• Wulfgyth (WULF-yith) – Wolf war
• Ælfwaru (ALV-wah-roo) – Elf guardian
• Beornwaru (BEORN-wah-roo) – Bear guardian
• Cwenwaru (KWEN-wah-roo) – Queen guardian
• Deorwaru (DEER-wah-roo) – Brave guardian
• Ealdwaru (ALD-wah-roo) – Old guardian
• Frithuwaru (FRITH-oo-wah-roo) – Peace guardian
• Godwaru (GOD-wah-roo) – God guardian
• Hildwaru (HILD-wah-roo) – Battle guardian
• Leofwaru (LEEV-wah-roo) – Love guardian
• Mildwaru (MILD-wah-roo) – Gentle guardian
• Oswaru (OZ-wah-roo) – God guardian
• Sæwaru (SAY-wah-roo) – Sea guardian
• Wærwaru (WAIR-wah-roo) – True guardian
• Wigwaru (WIG-wah-roo) – War guardian
• Winewaru (WIN-eh-wah-roo) – Friend guardian
• Wulfwaru (WULF-wah-roo) – Wolf guardian
• Ælfthryth (ALV-threeth) – Elf strength
• Beornthryth (BEORN-threeth) – Bear strength
• Cwenthyryth (KWEN-threeth) – Queen strength
• Deorthryth (DEER-threeth) – Brave strength
• Ealdthryth (ALD-threeth) – Old strength
• Frithuthryth (FRITH-oo-threeth) – Peace strength
• Godthryth (GOD-threeth) – God strength
• Hildthryth (HILD-threeth) – Battle strength
• Leofthryth (LEEV-threeth) – Love strength
• Mildthryth (MILD-threeth) – Gentle strength
• Osthryth (OZ-threeth) – God strength
• Sæthryth (SAY-threeth) – Sea strength
• Wærthryth (WAIR-threeth) – True strength
• Wigthryth (WIG-threeth) – War strength
• Winethryth (WIN-eh-threeth) – Friend strength
• Wulfthryth (WULF-threeth) – Wolf strength
• Ælfsige (ALV-sig-eh) – Elf victory
• Wulfsige (WULF-sig-eh) – Wolf victory

Bonus: By-Names & Titles

• the Unready (Æthelred)
• the Great (Alfred)
• the Martyr (Edward)
• the Confessor (Edward)
• Ironside (Edmund)
• the Bald (Charles)
• the Fat (Louis)
• the Pious (Louis)
• the Stammerer (Charles)
• the Simple (Charles)
• the Mad (Charles)
• the Bold (Charles)
• the Fair (Philip)
• the Handsome (Philip)
• the Tall (Edward)
• the Black (Edward)
• the Red (William)
• the Lion (Richard)
• Lackland (John)
• Softsword (John)
• the Posthumous (John)
• the Bastard (William)
• the Conqueror (William)
• Rufus (William)
• Longshanks (Edward)
• the Hammer (Edward)
• the Caernarvon (Edward)
• the Peacock (Edward)
• the Magnificent (Henry)
• the Navigator (Henry)
• the Impotent (Henry)
• the Saint (Louis)
• the Spider (Louis)
• the Universal Spider (Louis)
• the Prudent (Ferdinand)
• the Catholic (Ferdinand)
• the Quarreller (John)
• the Fearless (John)
• the Good (John)
• the Terrible (Ivan)
• the Thunderbolt (Ivan)
• the Moneybag (John)
• the Alchemist (John)
• the Parricide (John)
• the Chemist (John)
• the Winter King (Frederick)
• the One-Eyed (Philip)
• the Drunkard (Wenceslaus)
• the Iron Tooth (Albert)
• the Bear (Ivan)

Why Old English Names Are Conquering 2025

• Authenticity: No corporate branding—just raw history.
• Versatility: Alfred works in a boardroom; Wulfstan slays in fantasy.
• Heritage: 40% of modern English surnames (Smith, Taylor) trace to Anglo-Saxon roots.
• Pop Culture: The Last Kingdom, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, and Elden Ring fuel the fire.

Pro Tips:

• Shorten for daily use: Æthelred → Red; Wulfstan → Stan.
• Pair with modern middles: Edith Juniper, Alfred Sage.
• Avoid pitfalls: Skip Swæfrith unless you love explaining pronunciation.

Final Call 

The majesty of Old English names lies in their depth, tradition, and enduring charm. They bridge the gap between the past and the present, carrying with them tales of strength, wisdom, and legacy. 

Choosing such a name is more than a stylistic choice — it’s a tribute to history and timeless identity. These names don’t just sound noble; they carry the spirit of generations who came before us, echoing proudly through time.