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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Old English names please....

56 replies

FriggFRIGG · 03/12/2012 12:29

I don't mean William or Mary,
I'd like to hear some old English names,like Ethelbert or Elfleda...

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serin · 08/12/2012 22:43

Bede
Gabriel
Arthur

Mumpster · 06/12/2012 22:01

Is Willow an old english name or am I just thinking of romanticised US films of Olde England? eg The Princess Bride..

I only ask as I am expecting a girl and hubby loves this name but I'm not sure, even though I bloody well suggested it -durp...

BlueChampagne · 06/12/2012 15:41

We toyed with Caedmon but went with Aidan.

RooibosWithMilk · 06/12/2012 11:10

Aelfgiefu is pronounced Alf-yiv-oo.
Caedmon is pronounced Cadmon.
Roughly speaking!

Original poster
FriggFRIGG · 05/12/2012 19:38

How do you pronounce Aelfgiefu?
I like Caedmon...if I'm pronouncing it correctly...

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RooibosWithMilk · 05/12/2012 15:37

Lovely names :)

Don't forget about Caedmon (first poet in the English language!)

Usually ae would have been written as ash (æ - not sure if that will show up properly - a digraph of a and e). Pronounced 'a' as in 'hat'. We think!

Also Dunstan, Wilfrid, Cedd (Chad)... and of course not forgetting the most popular Anglo-Saxon girls' name, Aelfgiefu.

ghosteditor · 05/12/2012 09:41

goralka I did know a (very old) Wolfie once - not sure it was from Beowulf though Wink

Original poster
FriggFRIGG · 04/12/2012 23:17

Oooh!
Fritha is lovely Smile

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Clawdy · 04/12/2012 22:15

Fritha is a beautiful Anglo-Saxon girl's name. Wanted it for DD but was talked out of it. Xmas Angry

goralka · 04/12/2012 20:10

Grin imagine calling your DS Hrothgar or Beowulf!! Perhaps in north London ?

Cwtchbach · 04/12/2012 15:46

Sorry don't know how to put a link in :( 500 names on that list, not sure how many are old old but a quick glance showed that there were more than a few.

Cwtchbach · 04/12/2012 15:43

I was going to suggest Ailith and Lettice. Found this when I went to check the spelling of Ailith.
babynamesworld.parentsconnect.com/category-old-english-names.html#continue

Original poster
FriggFRIGG · 04/12/2012 12:20

Merryn is lovely,already on the list,but I think I prefer Merewin...Aelfwyn is lovely too...
I do like Cornish names,Jago was a favorite,but we already have an Arlo.

OP posts:
ladymontdore · 04/12/2012 12:09

Great names! Take care about meanings though - Emmett means 'ant' in Cornish, they still use the term to describe tourists on the beach!

hatsybatsy · 04/12/2012 12:04

aelfwen was pronounced elf-wen. elf for short! not sure if that is historically accurate though as aelfred became alfred?

oohlaalaa · 04/12/2012 12:02

Morganna

ghosteditor · 04/12/2012 12:01

Hrothgar
Aethelred
Beowulf(!)

If you like the OE type then Cornish names might appeal - I think Merryn is rather lovely Smile

Original poster
FriggFRIGG · 04/12/2012 11:51

She could be Merry for short Grin

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Original poster
FriggFRIGG · 04/12/2012 11:51

I love Merewen....I'm pronouncing it 'MEH-reh-win' in my head,does that seem right to everyone else?

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GreeenFingers · 04/12/2012 11:24

Malcom and Eric are pretty ancient

EldritchCleavage · 04/12/2012 11:20

My BIL is friends with a Jonquil (male) which may not be old English but is completely brilliant.

Original poster
FriggFRIGG · 04/12/2012 10:36

Aelfwen...pronounced Alf-when or Elf-when or something else entirely?

OP posts:
hatsybatsy · 04/12/2012 09:16

aelfwen - girls name - met one on holiday - very sweet

Original poster
FriggFRIGG · 04/12/2012 00:46

Bartholomew
Bertram
And Elwin all going on The List Grin

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VictorAndBarry · 03/12/2012 22:53

Any character in a Brother Cadael book.