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Original poster

Old English names for a boy - thoughts?

63 replies

Lindalove · 08/12/2014 11:59

We are trying to find some lovely old, proper old, English and Anglo-Saxon names for our baby boy due in April next year. Its worth saying we live in a part of London which is very literary and practically every child has an interesting name... I think the trick is finding something interesting and classy though. And not too weird, but weird is a subjective thing....

Anyway thoughts welcome on the following:

Caedmon (after the old english poet. Pronounced Cade-mon or Cad-mon, I prefer the former)

Hereward (after Hereward The Wake the famous warrior.... pronounced Herr-er-ward)

Leofric (I doubt this will make it through but I love it, just don't care for 'Leo' as it will I am sure be shortened to)

Machen (pronouced Make-in, not actually Anglo-Saxon, but named after Arthur Machen the author).

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Luckystar82 · 11/12/2014 17:54

I know someone called Wolfgang. Wolfie = nn

I think it is a great name.

Original poster
Lindalove · 09/12/2014 19:49

Alban reminds me too much of St Albans a town close to london!

OP posts:
dorasee · 09/12/2014 19:18

Harold "Harold is an Old English name[citation needed], from here "army" and weald "rule", meaning "heroic leader", same as the title herald. Diminutives of Harold are Harry and Hal."

Theobald "Theobald is a Germanic dithematic name, composed from the elements theo- "people" and bald "bold". The name arrived in England with the Normans."

Theodoric "Theodoric is a widespread Germanic given name. First attested in the 5th century, it became widespread in the Germanic-speaking world, not least due to its most famous bearer, Theoderic the Great, king of the Ostrogoths"

squoosh · 09/12/2014 16:25

Reminds me of Dr Alban of 'It's My Life' fame.

inconceivableme · 09/12/2014 16:24

Alban is great.

Ormally · 09/12/2014 16:23

Another vote for Alban, on my imaginary (unconceived) DS name list. I'd say 'Oll' for the first syllable.

Persse? (not sure how you say it, like Pierce I think).

AWombWithoutAFoof · 09/12/2014 15:53

I love Alban, although I'm not sure if it's Orl-ban or Al-ban. Which? I like both.

Not convinced by Machen with a Mc surname.

Caedmon is lovely, it looks beautiful written down, and Cade is fab.

moxon · 09/12/2014 15:09

chants 'Fric! 'Fric! 'Fric!
(Come to think of it, isn't Freek or Frik a Germanic-y name anyway?)

Medibeagle · 09/12/2014 14:06

Ine
Aelfric
Anna
Ulfric
Uhtred
William

Take any ending you like and match it to a beginning you like.

SoftSheen · 09/12/2014 04:02

Edmund, Arthur or Caedmon would all work in most areas of the country. The more unusual names might not, and bear in mind that you/he might move to a different area later in life. Though Leofric does have a certain ring to it

moxon · 09/12/2014 03:48

I really like Dickon. It will always be Secret Garden to me.

MillieH30 · 08/12/2014 21:54

Harold, Alfred, Edwin, Edgar. All good old Anglo Saxon names - but not so uncommon as to look pretentious.

parabelle · 08/12/2014 21:44

Farley

Bluestocking · 08/12/2014 21:21

Asleeponasunbeam ... my guess is Totnes.

Aelfrida · 08/12/2014 21:19

This meets none of your criteria but I love it and want someone to use it!...

Phoebus

GreatAuntDinah · 08/12/2014 20:25

I know a wee Caedmon. I think it's super.

Asleeponasunbeam · 08/12/2014 19:19

There are three Beowulfs that I know of here!

But this is in a town that's twinned with Narnia...

inconceivableme · 08/12/2014 18:12

Dickon is Old English apparently...? Grin

Naughtyornicename · 08/12/2014 17:59

We've got a Merlin, Peregrine and Titus around here (OK so not ye olde english but interesting nevertheless). Also a Tiger (sister of Peregrine I think).

Baldrick?

Original poster
Lindalove · 08/12/2014 17:54

It cracks me up that Bede is so popular! Who'da thunk it.

Maybe its just the kids' names I hear shouted in the park then! "Wulfred! Its time for your hemp and organic gammon roulard!"

OP posts:
moxon · 08/12/2014 17:15

Fric made me all f-y now, so what about:
Felix
Finian
Faran

moxon · 08/12/2014 17:12

Bede (regardless of popularity)
Harald
Syward
Or just cut through all the hassle and call him Fric. Grin

Theas18 · 08/12/2014 17:11

THe world needs more baby Herewards ! I know of one, he'd be an adult now.

Andcake · 08/12/2014 17:09

I really wanted Beowulf as DS middle name but was vetoed - I still feel like changing/inserting it every so often.
We live close to Stokey (attending a few baby groups there etc) and many of the names are fairly normal. I do know of one Fox though which I think is awful - poor kid
We also ruled out Gawain because of the Wayne risk!

squoosh · 08/12/2014 17:04

Bran was the name of Fionn MacCumhaill's dog.