A name is not just a label, tag, or cute pseudonym for a baby. It lasts a lifetime and shapes a child’s personality.
While there are many ranges to pick from, traditional or old English names and their meaning exude a charm, elegance, and superiority that will always remain in style.
Let’s acquit ourselves with some information about the Old English era. This era existed between the 5th and 12th centuries, and it was spoken from England to Southern Scotland.
The era birthed the earliest historical form of the English language. Many arguably suggest that modern civilization began during the Old English era.
Old English arrived in countries due to Anglo-Saxon settlers, who arrived around the early 5th century.
Old English boy names and girl names are heavily influenced by the German and Scandinavian invaders that existed before the Norman Conquest.
Before the pre-Medieval, dating back to 1150AD, when the Middle Ages began, these baby names almost shifted completely to Norman names like Robert and William.
Before the end of the 5th century, fewer than a thousand monikers were in use—the most popular were John and Alice. As of 2009, there were about 60,900 names in use in Wales and England.
Are you looking for a selection of old English or traditional names for your new baby boy or baby girl, or are you investigating the origin of a name? Then you are in luck.
We provide the Parentian guide to the best traditional names of the old English era. As a bonus, you will learn some variations and meanings.
You can also consider looking into the origin of these baby names. It has already been established that many of these names are of German origin and English origin.
Some of them possess associated origins like place names, biblical names of Hebrew origin, Roman origin, Latin origin, Greek origin, or Anglo-Saxon names.
Old English Boy Names and Meaning
These boy names can be employed as a surname, middle name, or even personal names for your baby boy. While some may sound like feminine and old-fashioned names, none are of vernacular nomenclature.
Their meanings are interpreted in old English words:
Male Old English Names, Variants & Meanings:
- Abbot
Meaning: Head of the Land
- Ackley, Aykley
Meaning: Meadow of Oaks
- Acton
Meaning: Town with many Oaks
- Adam
Meaning: Son of the Red Earth
- Addison, Adyson
Meaning: Son of Adam
- Adger, Adgar
Meaning: Happy Spear
- Aiken, Ayken
Meaning: Made of Oak
- Albert
Meaning: Bright and noble
- Alcott, Walcott
Meaning: Old cottage
- Alder, Eldred
Meaning: Revered One
- Aldrich, Aldred
Meaning: Old King
- Alexander, Alex, Alexis
Meaning: Defender
- Alfred, Freddie
Meaning: Wise Counsel
- Allard, Ellard
Meaning: Noble and Brave
- Alston, Alton
Meaning: Al’s town
- Alvertos, Albert
Meaning: Shepherd
- Alvin, Alwyn
Meaning: Elf’s Wine
- Andrew
Meaning: Manly
- Arledge
Meaning: Lives at the hare’s lake
- Arley, Hartley
Meaning: From the hare
- Arlo, Arles
Meaning: Famouse throughout the Land
- Armstrong
Meaning: Strong-armed warrior
- Arnold
Meaning: A good ruler
- Arthur
Meaning: Bear
- Arundel
Meaning: He who dwells with Eagles
- Ashley, Ash, Aslan
Meaning: Ash Tree
- Athelstan
Meaning: Noble Stone
- Averill, Everil, Averiel
Meaning: Boar warrior
- Awarnach
Meaning: A giant
- Baldwin
Meaning: A brave friend
- Ballard, Balerd, Balad
Meaning: Dancing Soul
- Bancroft, Bankroft
Meaning: Bean field
- Barclay, Barkli, Barksdale
Meaning: Birch meadow
- Barnett, Barr, Barret, Barnet
Meaning: Mighty as a Bear
- Beacher, Beech, Becher
Meaning: Dweller by the Beech tree
- Beardsley, Bardsley
Meaning: Beard, Wood
- Bede
Meaning: Prayer
- Beldon, Belden, Belidon
Meaning: Beautiful pasture
- Benedict
Meaning: Blessed
- Benjamin
Meaning: Son of the Right Hand
- Bentley, Bently, Benet
Meaning: From the moor
- Bernard
Meaning: Strong and brave
- Birch, Birk, Byrch
Meaning: White, birch tree
- Blake, Blanco, Blayk
Meaning: Fair
- Booker,Bucher
Meaning: Beech tree
- Booth,Bothe
Meaning: Home
- Borden, Bordon, Bordyn
Meaning: Near a boar’s den
- Bradley, Brad
Meaning: Broad meadow
- Brandon, Brand, Bran, Brent
Meaning: Fiery hill
- Brewster, Brew
Meaning: Brewer
- Brian
Meaning: Of high and noble birth
- Brigham, Brigg, Bringham
Meaning: Soldier
- Brinley, Brin, Brinly
Meaning: Tawny
- Brock, Braxton, Brok, Broc
Meaning: Badger
- Bromley, Bromwood, Bromli
Meaning: Brush-covered meadow
- Brook, Brooke
Meaning: Clear Flow like a Stream
- Buckley, Buck
Meaning: Meadow of deer
- Bud, Budd, Buddy
Meaning: Herald
- Burgess, Burg, Burgiss
Meaning: Free Citizen
- Burne, Byrne, Burney
Meaning: Stream
- Burt, Bert, Berton
Meaning: Bright flame
- Buster, Bustar
Meaning: One who breaks things
- Byron
Meaning: Associated with cattle sheds
- Cade, Cody, Kade
Meaning: Round
- Calder, Caldre
Meaning: River of Stones
- Caldwell, Cadmus
Meaning: Cold spring
- Calhoun, Calhaun
Meaning: Warrior
- Calvert, Calvex
Meaning: Shepherd
- Cameron¸Camry, Camren
Meaning: Bent nose
- Carden, Cardon, Card
Meaning: Wool carder
- Carleton, Carlson, Carston
Meaning: Carl’s town
- Carlyle, Carley, Carlos
Meaning: Carl’s Island
- Carter, Cartrel
Meaning: Cart driver
- Carvell, Carsyn, Carvel
Meaning: Wood carver
- Catcher
Meaning: One who keeps
- Cedric, Chadrick, Caddaric
Meaning: War leader
- Chad, Chadwick, Chadric
Meaning: War-like
- Channing, Channon, Channe
Meaning: Knowing
- Charles, Chuck, Chas, Carlo
Meaning: Freeman
- Chevy, Chevrolet, Cheval
Meaning: Knight
- Chilton, Chill
Meaning: Farm by the Spring
- Christian
Meaning: Someone who is a Christian
- Christopher
Meaning: Christ bearer
- Clark, Clarke, Clarkson
Meaning: Cleric
- Conrad
Meaning: Bold
- Cooper, Coop, Kuper
Meaning: Barrel Maker
- Dale, Dallen, Dal, Dalton
Meaning: Valley dweller
- Darren, Darin, Daren
Meaning: Rocky hill
- Darwin, Darwen
Meaning: Beloved
- Dean, Dino, Dyne
Meaning: Valley
- Donald, Don, Donley, Donal
Meaning: Ruler of the world
- Douglas, Doug, Dugan
Meaning: Dark Water
- Dover, Dove
Meaning: Water
- Doyle, Doyl, Doile
Meaning: Dark stranger
- Drake
Meaning: Brave
- Duncan, Dun, Dunkan
Meaning: Dark warrior
- Dustin, Duston, Dustain
Meaning: Dark Stone
- Dwight, Dwite, Dwyte
Meaning: Fair
- Earl, Erie, Erl, Earld
Meaning: Nobleman
- Edgar, Edger, Edgard
Meaning: Prosperous warrior
- Edmund, Aimond, Ted, Ned
Meaning: Rich warrior
- Edward, Eduardo, Eddy
Meaning: Rich Guardian
- Edwin, Edwen
Meaning: Prosperous friend
- Eldon, Elden, Elton
Meaning: Ella’s mound
- Elmer
Meaning: Famous and Noble
- Emerson, Emyrson
Meaning: Emery’s son
- Eric , Ericson
Meaning: Always a Ruler
- Esmond, Desmond, Esmund
Meaning: Protective grace
- Farley, Farly
Meaning: Distant meadow
- Farrell, Farrow, Ferol
Meaning: Man of Valor
- Fielding, Fielder, Field
Meaning: Field
- Fletcher
Meaning: Arrow Craftsman
- Ford, Forde
Meaning: River crosser
- Frederick
Meaning: Peaceful ruler
- Fuller, Fluer
Meaning: One who works with Cloth
- Fulton, Folton
Meaning: Town near the field
- Gary, Gar
Meaning: Spear
- George
Meaning: Farmer
- Gerald
Meaning: One who rules with a Spear
- Gerard, Ged, Gera
Meaning: Brave and strong as a Spear
- Gilbert
Meaning: one who is famous and bright
- Goldman, Gold, Goldwin
Meaning: To shine
- Gordon, Gordie, Gord
Meaning: Fertilized pasture
- Gower, Gowell
Meaning: Harness maker
- Grant
Meaning: One who is large at heart
- Gray, Grayson, Grey
Meaning: To shine
- Gregory
Meaning: A watcher
- Halbert, Bert, Halburt
Meaning: Bright stone
- Hamilton, Hamel, Hamil
Meaning: Flat-topped hill
- Hannibal, Han, Hanley
Meaning: Steep incline
- Hendrick, Hendric, Henrik
Meaning: Lord’s manor
- Henley, Henly, Hanley
Meaning: High meadows
- Henry, Harry
Meaning: Ruler of an Estate
- Hubert
Meaning: one who has a famous heart or spirit
- Hulk
Meaning: Heavy Weight
- Humphrey, Humfrey, Humpty
Meaning: Peaceful force
- Hunt, Hunter, Huntley
Meaning: Searcher
- Ivor
Meaning: Bow warrior
- Jack, Jackin, Johnkin
Meaning: God is gracious
- Jasper, Jas
Meaning: Bearer of Treasures
- Jonalthan, Jona
Meaning: Gift from Above
- Kemp
Meaning: Athlete or Wrestler
- Kenley, Kenly, Kenrick
Meaning: Dweller at the king’s meadow
- Kent, Kentt, Kenny
Meaning: Dignified
- King, Kingsley
Meaning: Ruler
- Knox, Knoll
Meaning: From the hills
- Landon, Landen, Landyn
Meaning: Long hill
- Laurel
Meaning: One who is like a Tree
- Lawrence, Laurence, Laurent, Laurel
Meaning: crown
- Lawson, Lawrence, Loren, Larry
Meaning: Son of the Crown
- Legolas
Meaning: Highest Angel
- Leonard, Leo
Meaning: Lion
- Lincoln, Link, Linc
Meaning: Home by the pond
- Litton, Lyton, Lyten
Meaning: Hillside town
- Louis
Meaning: Renowned warrior
- Lyre, Lyr
Meaning: A Harp
- Mace, Maci, Maco, Macy
Meaning: Weapon of a Knight
- Magnus
Meaning: One who is great
- Mark
Meaning: One who is Brave
- Marlow, Marson, Marston
Meaning: Field near water
- Miller, Mills, Millson
Meaning: One who Treads
- Milton, Milt, Melton
Meaning: From the mill town
- Nash, Nashe, Ash
Meaning: Cliff
- Nedes
Meaning: Necessity
- Nelson, Neil
Meaning: A champion
- Newman, Numen
Meaning: Newcomer
- Nicholas
Meaning: Victor
- Olin, Olaf, Olan, Olie
Meaning: Royal ancestor
- Orman, Ormond
Meaning: Spearman
- Osbert, Osborn, Osted
Meaning: Divine
- Oscar
Meaning: Spear of the gods
- Owen
Meaning: one of noble birth
- Oxford, Oxon, Oxton
Meaning: From where the oxen ford
- Palmer, Palma
Meaning: Palm-bearing pilgrim
- Parker, park, Parke
Meaning: Cultivated Land
- Patrick, Padraig
Meaning: Nobleman
- Philip, Phil
Meaning: Lover of Horses
- Porter
Meaning: Keeper of the Gates
- Preston, Prescott, Presten
Meaning: Church Dweller
- Raleigh, Rawley, Lee, Rawls
Meaning: Dweller in the deer meadow
- Ralph, Ralf, Rolph, Raul
Meaning: Wise counsel
- Ramsey, Ramsay
Meaning: Ram’s land
- Ransford
Meaning: Raven’s Ford
- Raymond
Meaning: Wise protector
- Raymond, Ramon, Rayner, Wray
Meaning: Worthy protector
- Redford, Redfield, Red, Redd
Meaning: From the red ford
- Richard
Meaning: A dominant ruler
- Rider, Ryder
Meaning: Horseman
- Ridley, Ridlea, Ridleigh
Meaning: Reed clearer
- Robert, Rob
Meaning: Bright flame
- Scott, Scot, Scottie
Meaning: Son of Scotland
- Shaw
Meaning: A grove
- Sherlock, Sherlocke
Meaning: Old man
- Slade, Slayde, Slaid
Meaning: Child of the Valley
- Spencer, Spence
Meaning: Keeper
- Stanley, Stanford, Stan
Meaning: From a Rocky meadow
- Theodore, Theophilus
Meaning: Gift of the gods
- Thomas, Tom
Meaning: A twin
- Timothy, Tim, Timmy
Meaning: Honoring God
- Trent, Trenton
Meaning: Dweller by the Trent
- Tripp
Meaning: Traveller
- Truman, True, Trueman
Meaning: Disciple
- Tye, Tie
Meaning: Enclosed
- Victor, Vincent
Meaning: Victorious or a Conqueror
- Wallace, Wally, Wallis, Walsh
Meaning: Welshman
- Walter, Walt
Meaning: Commander of an Army
- Warner, Warn
Meaning: Army Guard
- Washington , Wash
Meaning: Town near water
- Wayne
Meaning: Wagon Maker
- Wilfred, Wilfrid, Wilfried
Meaning: Abundant Peace
- William
Meaning: Protector
- Winston, Winfield, Winton
Meaning: A Friend
- Wright, Writ
Meaning: Capenter
- York, Yorick
Meaning: Yew tree
Old English Female Names and Meaning
Below are some old beautiful feminine names for your girl child. Though not indicated, many are of Saxon origin. Ensure to enjoy these female names and meaning:
Female Names Variant & Meaning
- Afton, Avon
Meaning: River
- Aida
Meaning: Joyful
- Aislinn, Ashlyn, Aisling
Meaning: Dream
- Alden, Alvyna
Meaning: Wise Counsel, Protector
- Arantxa
Meaning: Thorn bush
- Ariana
Meaning: Silver
- Arleigh, Arly
Meaning: Meadow of the hare
- Ashley,Ash
Meaning: Ash tree
- Aspen, Aspyn
Meaning: Tree
- Audrey
Meaning: Ancient Power, Noble Strength
- Bailey, Baley, Baily
Meaning: Fortification
- Beatrice, Beaten
Meaning: Beautiful
- Beverly, Beverlea, Beverley
Meaning: Meadow of the beavers
- Blaine
Meaning: Source of the River
- Blossom
Meaning: Full of Promise
- Blythe
Meaning: Gentle, Pleasant
- Brenda, Bren, Brynna
Meaning: Little raven
- Brook, Brookie
Meaning: Stream
- Chelsea
Meaning: End of the River
- Corliss, Carlisle
Meaning: Cheerful and Generous
- Courtney
Meaning: Dignified
- Demelza
Meaning: Fort on a hill
- Eartha, Hertha, Heretha
Meaning: Daughter of the Earth
- Edda
Meaning: Rich
- Edith
Meaning: Expensive Gift
- Ethel, Adele, Ethelda
Meaning: Noble
- Eve, Evy, Evelyn
Meaning: Mother of All
- Farrah, Farreh
Meaning: Beautiful
- Fern, Fearne, Ferne
Meaning: A leafy plant
- Fiona, Fionn
Meaning: Fair
- Flora
Meaning: Flower
- Godiva
Meaning: gift of god
- Golda, Gold
Meaning: To shine
- Hazel, Hailey, Hally
Meaning: Heroine/Wise one
- Haley
Meaning: Hazel tree
- Hedwig
Meaning: Hidden weapon
- Harmony, Harmon
Meaning: Soldier
- Hollace, holly
Meaning: Close to the holly bush
- Hope
Meaning: Faith
- Isolda, Isolde, Eseld
Meaning: Fair
- Ivy, Ivyn, Ivi
Meaning: A festive plant
- Jocelyn, Joslyn, Jocelyn
Meaning: The Only
- Kim, Kimmy
Meaning: Chief, Fortress
- Kyla, Kayla
Meaning: Narrow
- Leigh, Lee
Meaning: Glade
- Leslie
Meaning: Small meadow
- Locke
Meaning: Stronghold
- Luella, Louella, Loella
Meaning: Elfin
- Maida
Meaning: Maiden, Young
- Mirth
Meaning: Happiness
- Misty, Miste
Meaning: Covered by Mist
- Morwen
Meaning: Virtuous
- Nara, Nera, Narah
Meaning: Near one
- Odilia
Meaning: Wealth, Prosperous
- Radalla, Rada
Meaning: Wise Counsel
- Sacrifice
Meaning: Sacred
Outlook
The “old-fashioned baby names” mentioned above are all old English names that gave birth to most vintage names.
Philologists popularly ascribed them to the Domesday Book in the 19th century, and they are still used today in this modern English era.
Many of these great names may be dithematic names for boys, girls, or even twins. For most English names, there are hundreds of variant spellings to choose from.
