| Name |
Meaning |
Origin |
Popularity |
Other Gender |
|
Acennan
|
Brings
|
Anglo-Saxon
|
|
|
|
Almund
|
Defender of the temple
|
Anglo-Saxon
|
|
|
|
Altun
|
“The man from the old part of town,” based on the Anglo-Saxon eald (old) and tun (a town).
|
Anglo-Saxon
|
|
|
|
Banan
|
Slayer
|
Anglo-Saxon
|
|
|
|
Beorn
|
Warrior
|
Anglo-Saxon
|
|
|
|
Beowulf
|
Intelligent wolf
|
Anglo-Saxon
|
|
|
|
Boyden
|
Messenger
|
Anglo-Saxon
|
|
|
|
Brun
|
Brown or dark
|
Anglo-Saxon
|
|
|
|
Cadman
|
Battle man
|
Anglo-Saxon
|
|
|
|
Ceawlin
|
Name of a King
|
Anglo-Saxon
|
|
|
|
Daegal
|
Dweller by the dark stream
|
Anglo-Saxon
|
|
|
|
Dalston
|
From Dougal's place
|
Anglo-Saxon
|
|
|
|
Derian
|
Harm
|
Anglo-Saxon
|
|
|
|
Eadlyn
|
Wealthy friend
|
Anglo-Saxon
|
|
|
|
Edred
|
Name of a king
|
Anglo-Saxon
|
|
|
|
Faran
|
Advances
|
Anglo-Saxon
|
|
|
|
Farmon
|
Traveler
|
Anglo-Saxon
|
|
|
|
Fraomar
|
Name of a king
|
Anglo-Saxon
|
|
|
|
Fyren
|
Wicked
|
Anglo-Saxon
|
|
|
|
Govannon
|
God of the forge
|
Anglo-Saxon
|
|
|
|
Grimbold
|
Fierce bold
|
Anglo-Saxon
|
|
|
|
Grimm
|
Fierce
|
Anglo-Saxon
|
|
|
|
Hererinc
|
Hero
|
Anglo-Saxon
|
|
|
|
Hyland
|
“The man from the highlands,” based on hy (a variant form of “high”) and the Anglo-Saxon land (land).
|
Anglo-Saxon
|
|
|
|
Iuwine
|
Friend
|
Anglo-Saxon
|
|
|
|
Kenric
|
Fearless leader
|
Anglo-Saxon
|
|
|
|
Leanian
|
Reward
|
Anglo-Saxon
|
|
|
|
Leof
|
Beloved
|
Anglo-Saxon
|
|
|
|
Lufian
|
Love
|
Anglo-Saxon
|
|
|
|
Meccus
|
Son of Gus
|
Anglo-Saxon
|
|
|
|
Modig
|
Brave
|
Anglo-Saxon
|
|
|
|
Nerian
|
Protects
|
Anglo-Saxon
|
|
|
|
Northcott
|
“(The dweller in) the cottage in the north,” based on the Anglo-Saxon north and cot (a cottage).
|
Anglo-Saxon
|
|
|
|
Nyle
|
Desire
|
Anglo-Saxon
|
|
|
|
Odel
|
Wealthy
|
Anglo-Saxon
|
|
|
|
Orvyn
|
Brave friend
|
Anglo-Saxon
|
|
|
|
Raedan
|
Advises
|
Anglo-Saxon
|
|
|
|
Rinan
|
Rain
|
Anglo-Saxon
|
|
|
|
Rinc
|
Warrior
|
Anglo-Saxon
|
|
|
|
Rowson
|
Rowe's son
|
Anglo-Saxon
|
|
|
|
Seaver
|
Fierce stronghold
|
Anglo-Saxon
|
|
|
|
Sheply
|
From the sheep meadow
|
Anglo-Saxon
|
|
|
|
Sinley
|
Friendly
|
Anglo-Saxon
|
|
|
|
Stewert
|
Steward
|
Anglo-Saxon
|
|
|
|
Stilwell
|
From the tranquil stream
|
Anglo-Saxon
|
|
|
|
Swift
|
Swift
|
Anglo-Saxon
|
|
|
|
Tellan
|
Considers
|
Anglo-Saxon
|
|
|
|
Teon
|
Harms
|
Anglo-Saxon
|
|
|
|
Terric
|
Teofer's farm
|
Anglo-Saxon
|
|
|
|
Theomund
|
Wealthy defender
|
Anglo-Saxon
|
|
|
|
Tilian
|
Strives
|
Anglo-Saxon
|
|
|
|
Tobrecan
|
Destroys
|
Anglo-Saxon
|
|
|
|
Tolan
|
From the taxed land
|
Anglo-Saxon
|
|
|
|
Tredan
|
Tramples
|
Anglo-Saxon
|
|
|
|
Treddian
|
Leaves
|
Anglo-Saxon
|
|
|
|
Trymian
|
Encourages
|
Anglo-Saxon
|
|
|
|
Ulfric
|
“The king of the elves,” based on the Anglo-Saxon aelf (elf) and the Germanic rihhi (ruler).
|
Anglo-Saxon
|
|
|
|
Valbert
|
“The dweller in the sunny valley,” based on the Old French val (a valley) and the Anglo-Saxon beorht (bright).
|
Anglo-Saxon
|
|
|
|
Vald
|
“The powerful one,” from the Anglo-Saxon weald, power.
|
Anglo-Saxon
|
|
|
|
Wacian
|
Watchful
|
Anglo-Saxon
|
|
|
|
Warton
|
“From the merchandising town,” i.e., from the market town, based on the Anglo-Saxon warn (merchandise) and tun (town).
|
Anglo-Saxon
|
|
|
|
Werian
|
Defends
|
Anglo-Saxon
|
|
|
|
Wissian
|
Guide
|
Anglo-Saxon
|
|
|
|
Wode
|
“Wednesday’s child,” based on the Anglo-Saxon Wodnes daeg (Woden’sday, i.e., Wednesday), in allusion to Woden, a Germanic god.
|
Anglo-Saxon
|
|
|
|
Woden
|
King of the gods
|
Anglo-Saxon
|
|
|
|
Wselfwulf
|
Wolf of slaughter
|
Anglo-Saxon
|
|
|
|
Wurt
|
Worthy
|
Anglo-Saxon
|
|
|
|
Wynchell
|
Drawer of water
|
Anglo-Saxon
|
|
|
|
Wyne
|
Friend
|
Anglo-Saxon
|
|
|
|
Yrre
|
Anger
|
Anglo-Saxon
|
|
|
Many moons ago, Old English was the language of England. Also known as Anglo-Saxon, this era of language spawned the roots of some of today’s most popular names. Old English boy names are exceedingly rare today, though they follow similar patterns and styles of modern monikers like the -ton suffix. Meaning “town,” the common suffix is derived from the Old English term “tun” of the same meaning and is still seen in names like Paxton and Payton.
The most popular names from the era aren’t common at all in the U.S. In fact, as of 2021’s charts, none are in the Top 1000. For the two “most popular” faces, less than 100 kiddos combined were born with the names in 2021. This duo consists of Nyle and Tilian. While uncommon, neither are “out there” at all. And despite being hundreds of years old, they’re still easy to pronounce and even spell. You might be surprised how many Old English boy names fall into this category and are similar to monikers that parents adore today. Woden isn’t popular now, but this “king of the gods” is close to Odin and Boden. Tolan is also a rhyming friend to Nolan, while Terric is close to Derek and Eric.
Old English naming often involved combining two words into one name, sometimes resulting in incredible (and badass) meanings. Orvyn‘s “brave friend” is mighty, as is Leof, meaning “beloved.” Kenric is a “fearless leader,” while Beorn is a “warrior.” At the same time, watch for negative meanings among these ancient treasures. Tobrecan‘s “destroy” isn’t very positive, nor are Teon‘s “harms” or Yrre‘s “anger.” While a negative meaning isn’t always a dealbreaker for parents (look at Kennedy and Cameron), it is something to be mindful of.
So, are there any Old English boy names that could work today? For sure! In fact, tapping into them is a great way to uncover truly unique boy names. Sheply is a top-notch contender, as he’s unusual but still works with modern trends. Sinley is another awesome find. He’s close to the beloved Finley, plus he has the solid meaning of “friendly.” Theomund is a cool mashup of the trending Theo/Theodore and the classic Edmund, while Dalston is right at home among the surge in surname sweethearts. Other Old English picks with potential for modern stardom include Nerian, Rowson, and Raedan.
Get to know more Old English boy names and meanings (good and bad!) on our extended list.
