Anglo-Saxon names have a rich history that dates back to early medieval England. These names were used by the Anglo-Saxon people, a group of Germanic tribes who settled in Britain between the 5th and 11th centuries. Known for their strong meanings and deep cultural roots, Anglo-Saxon names often reflected qualities such as courage, wisdom, loyalty, nobility, and strength.
Many familiar modern names, including Alfred, Edward, Edith, and Edmund, originated from Anglo-Saxon traditions and remain popular today. Other lesser-known names offer unique alternatives for parents seeking distinctive baby names with historical significance. Whether you’re researching your family heritage, looking for a meaningful baby name, or simply fascinated by Old English history, Anglo-Saxon names provide a treasure trove of timeless options.
In this guide, you’ll discover classic Anglo-Saxon names, female names, girl names, boy names, male names, old Anglo-Saxon names, and traditional Anglo-Saxon last names. Each name includes its meaning, helping you find the perfect choice inspired by England’s ancient past.
What Are Anglo-Saxon Names?
Anglo-Saxon names come from Old English and were used in England before the Norman Conquest of 1066. These names often reflected strength, bravery, leadership, nature, or noble qualities. Many modern English names have roots in Anglo-Saxon naming traditions.
35 Anglo-Saxon Names With Meanings
- Alfred — Wise counselor
- Edward — Wealthy guardian
- Edmund — Prosperous protector
- Harold — Army ruler
- Edgar — Wealthy spear
- Ethelred — Noble counsel
- Athelstan — Noble stone
- Godric — God’s ruler
- Leofric — Beloved ruler
- Oswald — Divine power
- Oswin — Friend of God
- Wulfric — Wolf ruler
- Cedric — Kindly leader
- Beorn — Warrior
- Hereward — Army guardian
- Wilfred — Desires peace
- Eadric — Prosperous ruler
- Dunstan — Dark stone
- Godwin — Friend of God
- Alwin — Noble friend
- Elfric — Elf ruler
- Wulfstan — Wolf stone
- Aelfwine — Elf friend
- Cynebald — Bold royal one
- Cuthbert — Brightly famous
- Eadgar — Prosperity spear
- Aethelbert — Noble bright
- Aethelwulf — Noble wolf
- Brihthelm — Bright helmet
- Cenric — Bold ruler
- Ecgbert — Bright sword
- Frithuwald — Peace ruler
- Leofwine — Dear friend
- Wigmund — War protector
- Wulfgar — Wolf spear
Anglo Saxon Names
- Alfred — Wise counselor
- Edgar — Wealthy spear
- Edward — Wealthy guardian
- Edmund — Prosperous protector
- Harold — Army ruler
- Godric — God’s ruler
- Oswald — Divine power
- Leofric — Beloved ruler
- Wulfric — Wolf ruler
- Cedric — Kindly chief
- Dunstan — Dark stone
- Athelstan — Noble stone
- Ethelred — Noble advice
- Godwin — Friend of God
- Elfric — Elf ruler
- Alwin — Noble friend
- Beorn — Warrior
- Cyneweard — Royal guard
- Hereward — Army guardian
- Wiglaf — Battle survivor
- Oswin — Friend of God
- Wulfstan — Wolf stone
- Leofwine — Dear friend
- Ecgbert — Bright sword
- Frithuwald — Peace ruler
- Cenric — Bold ruler
- Aelfwine — Elf friend
- Brihthelm — Bright helmet
- Wulfgar — Wolf spear
- Cuthbert — Famous and bright
- Wilfred — Peace seeker
- Eadric — Prosperous ruler
- Aethelwulf — Noble wolf
- Aethelbert — Noble bright
- Wigmund — Battle protector
Anglo Saxon Female Names
- Aethelflaed — Noble beauty
- Eadgifu — Gift of prosperity
- Ealhswith — Temple strength
- Wynflaed — Joyful beauty
- Leofgifu — Beloved gift
- Mildred — Gentle strength
- Edith — Prosperous war
- Elswyth — Noble strength
- Wulfhild — Wolf battle maid
- Frideswide — Strong peace
- Aelfgifu — Elf gift
- Cynethryth — Royal strength
- Hilda — Battle woman
- Ethelburga — Noble protection
- Wilburh — Strong fortress
- Osburh — Divine fortress
- Cwenburg — Queenly protection
- Brihtgyth — Bright battle
- Aethelthryth — Noble strength
- Swithunna — Strong woman
- Wulfgifu — Wolf gift
- Leofrun — Beloved secret
- Eormenhild — Great battle maid
- Eadburh — Prosperous fortress
- Cyneburh — Royal fortress
- Frithuswith — Peaceful strength
- Aelfwyn — Elf joy
- Wynburh — Joyful fortress
- Eanswith — Strong grace
- Mildburh — Gentle protection
- Hildgyth — Battle maiden
- Aethelgifu — Noble gift
- Wulfgyth — Wolf battle
Also Read: Olivia Name Meaning: Shakespeare, the Olive Tree, and the Most Popular British Girls’ Name
Anglo Saxon Girl Names
- Edith
- Aethelflaed
- Godiva
- Hilda
- Mildred
- Eadgifu
- Wynflaed
- Leofgifu
- Elswyth
- Frideswide
- Aelfgifu
- Ethelburga
- Osburh
- Cyneburh
- Eormenhild
- Eadburh
- Aelfwyn
- Wynburh
- Eanswith
- Mildburh
- Hildgyth
- Wulfgyth
- Wulfhild
- Frithuswith
- Aethelgifu
- Cwenburg
- Brihtgyth
- Leofrun
- Swithunna
- Wulfgifu
- Wilburh
- Cynethryth
- Aethelthryth
- Ealhswith
Anglo Saxon Last Names
- Atwood — Dweller near the woods
- Ashford — Ford by ash trees
- Baker — Bread maker
- Fletcher — Arrow maker
- Cooper — Barrel maker
- Carter — Cart driver
- Shepherd — Sheep herder
- Smith — Metal worker
- Wright — Craftsman
- Miller — Grain grinder
- Tanner — Leather worker
- Weaver — Cloth maker
- Porter — Gatekeeper
- Sawyer — Wood cutter
- Walker — Cloth fuller
- Chapman — Merchant
- Archer — Bowman
- Thatcher — Roof builder
- Chandler — Candle maker
- Brewer — Beer maker
- Fuller — Cloth cleaner
- Hayward — Keeper of hedges
- Osborn — Divine bear
- Wilcox — Son of William
- Hilliard — Brave warrior
- Aldridge — Old ruler
- Easton — East settlement
- Langley — Long meadow
- Bentley — Bent grass field
- Radford — Reed ford
- Walden — Wooded valley
- Beecham — Beech village
- Thorpe — Small settlement
- Woodward — Forest guardian
Anglo Saxon Names Male
- Alfred — Wise counselor
- Edward — Wealthy guardian
- Edgar — Wealthy spear
- Edmund — Prosperous protector
- Harold — Army ruler
- Oswald — Divine power
- Oswin — Friend of God
- Leofric — Beloved ruler
- Wulfric — Wolf ruler
- Athelstan — Noble stone
- Ethelred — Noble counsel
- Cedric — Kind leader
- Hereward — Army guardian
- Beorn — Warrior
- Alwin — Noble friend
- Elfric — Elf ruler
- Wilfred — Desires peace
- Dunstan — Dark stone
- Wulfstan — Wolf stone
- Eadric — Prosperous ruler
- Aelfwine — Elf friend
- Cuthbert — Bright fame
- Ecgbert — Bright sword
- Cenric — Bold ruler
- Brihthelm — Bright helmet
- Wigmund — Battle protector
- Frithuwald — Peace ruler
- Wulfgar — Wolf spear
- Aethelbert — Noble bright
- Aethelwulf — Noble wolf
- Cynebald — Bold royal one
- Leofwine — Dear friend
- Wiglaf — Battle survivor
Old Anglo Saxon Names
- Aethelred — Noble counsel
- Aethelstan — Noble stone
- Aethelwulf — Noble wolf
- Aethelbert — Noble bright
- Aelfric — Elf ruler
- Aelfwine — Elf friend
- Eadric — Prosperous ruler
- Eadgar — Wealth spear
- Leofric — Dear ruler
- Leofwine — Dear friend
- Wulfstan — Wolf stone
- Wulfric — Wolf ruler
- Wulfgar — Wolf spear
- Cenric — Bold ruler
- Cynebald — Royal boldness
- Ecgbert — Bright sword
- Brihthelm — Bright helmet
- Frithuwald — Peace ruler
- Wigmund — War protector
- Wiglaf — Battle survivor
- Oswald — Divine power
- Oswin — Friend of God
- Godric — God’s ruler
- Godwin — Friend of God
- Hereward — Army guardian
- Cuthbert — Famous and bright
- Dunstan — Dark stone
- Beorn — Warrior
- Alwin — Noble friend
- Wilfred — Peace seeker
- Ethelred — Noble advice
- Alfred — Wise counselor
- Edmund — Prosperous protector
- Edgar — Wealthy spear
- Harold — Army ruler
Anglo Saxon Boy Names
- Alfred
- Edward
- Edgar
- Edmund
- Harold
- Oswald
- Oswin
- Leofric
- Wulfric
- Athelstan
- Ethelred
- Cedric
- Hereward
- Beorn
- Alwin
- Elfric
- Godwin
- Wilfred
- Dunstan
- Wulfstan
- Eadric
- Aelfwine
- Cuthbert
- Ecgbert
- Cenric
- Brihthelm
- Wigmund
- Frithuwald
- Wulfgar
- Aethelbert
- Aethelwulf
- Cynebald
- Leofwine
- Wiglaf
Meanings
- Alfred — Wise counselor
- Edward — Wealthy guardian
- Edgar — Wealthy spear
- Edmund — Prosperous protector
- Harold — Army ruler
- Oswald — Divine power
- Oswin — Friend of God
- Leofric — Beloved ruler
- Wulfric — Wolf ruler
- Athelstan — Noble stone
- Ethelred — Noble counsel
- Cedric — Kind leader
- Hereward — Army guardian
- Beorn — Warrior
- Alwin — Noble friend
- Elfric — Elf ruler
- Wilfred — Desires peace
- Dunstan — Dark stone
- Wulfstan — Wolf stone
- Eadric — Prosperous ruler
- Aelfwine — Elf friend
- Cuthbert — Bright fame
- Ecgbert — Bright sword
- Cenric — Bold ruler
- Brihthelm — Bright helmet
- Wigmund — Battle protector
- Frithuwald — Peace ruler
- Wulfgar — Wolf spear
- Aethelbert — Noble bright
- Aethelwulf — Noble wolf
- Cynebald — Bold royal one
- Leofwine — Dear friend
- Wiglaf — Battle survivor
FAQ’s
What are Anglo-Saxon names?
Anglo-Saxon names are traditional Old English names used in England before the Norman Conquest in 1066. They often symbolize strength, nobility, wisdom, and bravery.
Are Anglo-Saxon names still used today?
Yes. Names such as Alfred, Edward, Edmund, Edith, and Harold remain in use today, although many ancient forms are now considered rare.
What is the difference between Anglo-Saxon and Old English names?
There is very little difference. Anglo-Saxon names are generally Old English names used by the Germanic peoples who settled in England between the 5th and 11th centuries.
What are popular Anglo-Saxon boy names?
Some popular choices include Alfred, Edward, Edgar, Edmund, Harold, Oswald, and Cedric.
What are popular Anglo-Saxon girl names?
Popular female options include Edith, Hilda, Mildred, Aethelflaed, Godiva, and Eadgifu.
Conclusion
Anglo-Saxon names carry centuries of history and tradition. Whether you are looking for strong boy names, elegant girl names, ancient family surnames, or rare Old English choices, these names offer meaningful connections to England’s early heritage.
From classic favorites like Alfred and Edith to unique gems like Wulfric and Aethelflaed, Anglo-Saxon names remain timeless choices filled with character, strength, and history.
