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If you want a sophisticated, stylish and plain beautiful name, a list of Anglo-Saxon baby names can be of your help. This ancient civilization has long left the English shores after the Norman invasion of 1066, but the spirit of the names still lingers in modern times. Anglo-Saxons were originally a Germanic tribe from the Danish peninsula. When the Romans left Britain, the Germanics invaded in 400 AD. They had five main kingdoms, Wessex, East Anglia, Mercia, Northumbria, and Kent (1). Though the tribe had settled there since the early 5th century, there were frequent clashes with neighboring territories. In 790 AD, the Vikings started penetrating the Anglo-Saxon empire, and the empires were almost continuously in war from then on (2). You may, hence, be surprised to find some names derived from the Germanic language of the Vikings among Anglo-Saxon names. In the Anglo-Saxon period, the personal name was made of two elements and linked to the parents’ names. For instance, if the parents were named Aldred and Edith, they might name their daughter Aaldith. Hence, these dithematic names did not really have any meaning. They turned into monothematic names after the Norman conquest (3). Also, bynames, not surnames, were used for identification purposes. While there weren’t any surnames or family names, the aristocratic people were identified by names taken from famous forbearers like Besingas, Athelings, Baducings, and Gumeningas, along with the final element –ing, which means ‘people of.’ The Anglo-Saxons also believed that a name contained a person’s spirit, and by using the name for a newborn child, the spirit could drain from him. Hence, picking an auspicious name was of utmost importance. In recent times, too, picking a personal name for their baby is of prime importance for many parents. So why wait? Pick your favorite Anglo-Saxon name right away. You can narrow down the search by filtering the gender of the baby and saving your favorite names to share with your friends and family.

Name	Gender	Meaning
Ethelmar	Boy	Noble greatness
Eubank	Unisex	Referring to the Yew's banks
Everett	Boy	Strong like a wild boar
Eylmer	Boy	A noble person
Fecca	Boy	An Anglo-Saxon male name for the low-born child
Fitch	Boy	Ermine; Polecat
Fone	Girl	Variant of Fionn; Fair; White
Forthhere	Boy	The bishop of Shermorne
Freeland	Boy	A person residing on free land
Fremund	Boy	Possibly named after the hermit St. Fremund

Freomund	Boy	One who loves to travel
Frideswid	Girl	Peace that is sustainable
Frideswide	Girl	Sustainable peace
Fridiswed	Girl	One living with peace
Fridiswid	Girl	One who is with peace
Fridolph	Boy	A peaceful wolf
Fridswed	Girl	One who likes peace
Fritha	Girl	Peace; Tranquility
Frithugis	Boy	Son of Hugh
Fugol	Boy	Resembling a fowl or birdie

Gaega	Girl	A topographic name; Hill; Stream
Garren	Boy	Spear
Garrett	Boy	Strength of the spear
Gent	Boy	Gentleman
Georgianna	Girl	Similar to Georgeanna
Georgina	Girl	Farmer; Earth worker
Goldiva	Girl	Gift of God; Variant of Goldgifu
Goode	Unisex	A person who performs good deeds
Graeham	Boy	A boy from the gray house
Grafton	Boy	Composition of two words Graf and Ton; Grove; Enclosure

Graham	Boy	Gravelly homestead
Grahame	Boy	A boy from the gray house
Grimbald	Boy	Fierce; Bold
Grimbaldus	Boy	Fierce; Bold
Grimbol	Boy	Fierce; Bold; Varient of Grimbold
Grimbold	Boy	Fierce; Bold
Grimm	Boy	Fierce person
Grimmwolf	Boy	Fierce; Bold
Guncar	Boy	Fighter
Gurhaval	Boy	The brave one in the battle

Gycsa	Boy	A very old Anglo-Saxon male name
Gydel	Boy	An old Anglo-Saxon male name
Gymi	Boy	A monothematic Anglo-Saxon name; Born with a low-status
Gymma	Boy	A low-born ANglo-Saxon name
Gyppa	Boy	An old Anglo-Saxon name for a low-born man
Gyric	Boy	A name for those with a lower status
Hac	Boy	An old Anglo-Saxon nickname for Haca
Haca	Boy	An old Anglo-Saxon byname that is not complementary
Hacca	Boy	A non-complementary Anglo-Saxon name
Hadd	Boy	One who is guided

Haedde	Girl	A deserving low-born woman
Haeddi	Girl	One who deserves something
Hagona	Girl	An Anglo-Saxon name for a low-born women
Hairud	Girl	Of fame and honor
Halig	Boy	Holy; Saintly
Halnath	Boy	An Anglo-Saxon nickname
Hamgisl	Boy	A low-borns nickname
Hathcyn	Boy	High status
Hathweald	Boy	High-born
Hawkley	Boy	hawk

Hayley	Girl	Meadow; Woodland; Clearing
Heabba	Boy	An Anglo-Saxonian byname
Heard	Boy	Brave; Hardy
Heddin	Boy	Name for those born with a low status
Heferth	Boy	One of the names given to high-born, noble Boys
Helm	Boy	Courageous protection
Heorot	Boy	Hall of the heart of male deer
Herebeorht	Boy	Clever Army
Herelufu	Girl	Army love
Herley	Unisex	Individuality; Self confidence; Independent

Hicel	Boy	A male Anglo-Saxon name for the low-borns
Hicela	Girl	An old Anglo-Saxon female name
Hidda	Boy	A name for Anglo-Saxon low-borns
Hiddi	Boy	A name for the noble man
Hiddila	Boy	A name of common men
Higbald	Boy	A courageous man in the battle
Higueid	Boy	One who is brave in the war
Hildeburg	Boy	One from the battle fortress
Hiroc	Boy	A noble’s name
Hlappa	Girl	A name given to a low-born daughter

Hlossa	Girl	A low-born daughter's name
Hlothere	Boy	The Anglo-Saxon ruler of the Kent region
Hlud	Girl	A low-born child's name
Hluda	Girl	A daughter who is of low status
Hluppa	Girl	A woman who was born in a low status
Hnydda	Boy	A man who owns a town
Hoca	Girl	A woman who is of low rank
Hocca	Girl	A name given to she who is of low rank
Hocga	Girl	An Anglo-Saxon female name
Hodard	Boy	A man full of honor

Hondscio	Boy	A man of low ranks
Horik	Boy	A male Anglo-Saxon name
Horn	Boy	One who blows the horn during the battle
Hounild	Girl	A female name of Anglo-Saxon origin
Hounilda	Girl	A girl’s name of Anglo-Saxon origin
Howpe	Boy	To come from the brook village
Hraefn	Boy	He who is like a dark raven
Hringheri	Boy	A male Anglo-Saxon name
Hringwynn	Boy	A low-born Anglo-Saxon name
Hrodwyn	Boy	One who is a friend of the fame

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Anglo-Saxons were an ancient race with their own culture and heritage. Following several invasions, this culture saw a healthy mixture of other languages too. Anglo-Saxon names were dithematic and could be formed by attaching two parts from the names of the parents. This practice could make some names meaningless. However, many names conveyed strong meanings. Anglo-Saxon names often took inspiration from mythology, nature, and personality or physical characteristics. These unique names will now make your little one stand out in a crowd.

Infographic: Charismatic Anglo-Saxon Baby Names

The Anglo-Saxons have had an interesting and colorful history. Fittingly, their names, too, reflect this richness of culture and tradition. From mythology to nature, Anglo-Saxon baby names cover many grounds in terms of meanings and associations. These names are relevant in modern times, too. If you are looking for some excellent Anglo-Saxon names with varied meanings, look at this infographic.

charming anglo saxon baby names for your little warrior (infographic)

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What do the popular Anglo-Saxon names Beowulf and Edgar mean?

Beowulf possibly means ‘bee wolf’ (bear) and is derived from the Old English ‘beo’ meaning ‘bee’ and ‘wulf’ meaning ‘wolf.’ Alternatively, the first element could come from ‘beadu,’ meaning ‘battle.’ Beowulf is the name of the main character of the 8th-century epic poem of the same name and is considered an Anglo-Saxon hero. Conversely, Edgar is derived from the Old English elements ‘ead’ meaning ‘wealth’ or ‘fortune’ and ‘gar’ meaning ‘spear.’ It was also the name of a 10th-century English king, Edgar the Peaceful.

2. What unique or rare Anglo-Saxon baby names are still in use today?

Certain Anglo-Saxon names like Ethel (noble), Wulfric (wolf ruler), Godric (god’s ruler), Godiva (gift of god), Becca (pick-axe), and Osmund (protection of god) are still in use today, though rarely.

3. What was the significance of names in Anglo-Saxon culture?

In Anglo-Saxon culture, names could be chosen to reflect a desirable trait or characteristic the parents wanted the child to possess. For instance, Æthelred means ‘noble’ or ‘daring,’ and Cyneheard means ‘royal’ or ‘firm.’ Parents aspired to give their children these positive attributes. Moreover, names like Beowulf (bear) and Wulfric (wolf ruler) could be connected to the Anglo-Saxon warrior culture. Some parents could choose names that invoke blessings from the gods to protect and prosper their children.

4. How did Anglo-Saxon names change over time?

The introduction of Christianity in the late 6th and 7th centuries significantly changed Anglo-Saxon names (1). The names of Christian saints began to be introduced. Moreover, the Viking invasions in the 8th and 9th centuries also caused several changes in Anglo-Saxon names (2). Later, French names were introduced with the Norman conquest in 1066 (3). Additionally, Germanic and Norse names underwent anglicization over time. Hence, names like Ælfweard became Alfred.

5. What are some resources for parents looking for an Anglo-Saxon name for their child?

Historical texts and literature can help parents look for authentic Anglo-Saxon names. You can also check the etymologies of names to get an insight into the historical and cultural context of such names. Several online websites also list Anglo-Saxon names with meanings and origins. Additionally, you can get information about these names by talking with Anglo-Saxon experts or on online forums dedicated to them.