The Tool
Find Your Anglo-Saxon Name
Æthelstan means “noble stone.” Ælfred means “elf counsel.” Enter your own name and discover the Old English name you’d have carried in the England of 927 — then wear it.
How Anglo-Saxon names work
Most Old English names were built by joining two word-elements — a first part and a second part, each with its own meaning. Put æþel (“noble”) with stan (“stone”) and you have Æthelstan. Here are some of the commonest building blocks:
Authentic Anglo-Saxon names & their meanings
A selection of real names from the age of Æthelstan.
Men
- Æthelstan — noble stone
- Ælfred — elf counsel
- Eadmund — blessed protection
- Eadweard — blessed guardian
- Eadgar — blessed spear
- Æthelwulf — noble wolf
- Æthelred — noble counsel
- Oswald — god's power
- Oswine — god's friend
- Ecgberht — bright sword-edge
- Wulfstan — wolf stone
- Wulfric — wolf ruler
- Wulfgar — wolf spear
- Beorhtric — bright ruler
- Leofric — beloved ruler
- Godwine — friend of god
- Hereweald — army ruler
- Sigeric — victory ruler
- Ælfric — elf ruler
- Eadric — blessed ruler
- Cyneweard — royal guardian
- Dunstan — hill stone
- Aldhelm — old helm, protector
- Beornwulf — warrior wolf
- Wigstan — battle stone
- Frithuwald — peace ruler
- Cuthbert — famous and bright
- Sigeweard — victory guardian
- Eadwig — blessed in war
- Beorhtwulf — bright wolf
Women
- Æthelflæd — noble beauty
- Æthelthryth — noble strength
- Eadgyth — blessed in war
- Ælfgifu — elf gift
- Eadgifu — blessed gift
- Wynflæd — joyful beauty
- Mildþryth — gentle strength
- Cwenburh — queenly stronghold
- Hild — battle
- Leofgifu — beloved gift
- Godgifu — gift of god
- Seaxburh — Saxon stronghold
- Beorhtgifu — bright gift
- Ælfthryth — elf strength
- Wulfrun — wolf counsel
- Eanflæd — lamb's beauty
- Bealdgyth — bold battle
- Sunngifu — sun gift
- Æthelgifu — noble gift
- Leofflæd — beloved beauty
- Eadflæd — blessed beauty
- Wynsige — joyful victory
Frequently asked questions
What is my Anglo-Saxon name?
Use the generator above — enter your name and you'll get an authentic Old English name and its meaning. The same name always gives the same result, so you can share it.
What are some common Anglo-Saxon names?
Men's names included Æthelstan, Ælfred (Alfred), Eadweard (Edward) and Eadmund (Edmund); women's included Æthelflæd, Eadgyth (Edith), Ælfgifu and Hild.
What do Anglo-Saxon names mean?
They were built from Old English word-elements — for example æþel “noble”, wulf “wolf”, ead “blessed/wealthy” and ric “ruler” — combined into names like Æthelstan (“noble stone”).
Are Anglo-Saxon names still used today?
Yes — Edward, Edmund, Edith, Alfred, Mildred and Audrey (from Æthelthryth) all descend from Anglo-Saxon originals.
What's the difference between Anglo-Saxon and Viking names?
Anglo-Saxon names are Old English; Viking names are Old Norse. Both are Germanic, but the forms differ — compare Old English Wulfstan with Old Norse Ulfr.
Wear your name for England’s 1100th: browse the shop, or join the countdown to 12 July 2027.