Discover and Shortlist Your Perfect Baby Names!
Old English names stem from Anglo-Saxon traditions, reflecting connections to nature, family, and early Christian influences. Names like Alfred (wise counselor) and Edith (prosperous in war) preserve the linguistic and cultural heritage of early medieval England. These names are a testament to the resilience of Old English traditions.
| Name | Meaning | Origins | Gender | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dytha | Dytha: Unique Old English name meaning "warrior woman" or "battle maiden." | Old English | Girl | |
| Eacnung | Eacnung: Unique, gender-neutral name meaning "the process of increasing." | Old English | Unisex | |
| Eadda | Eadda: Unique, rare name meaning "wealthy," rooted in Old English. | Old English | Unisex | |
| Eadon | Eadon: rare Old English name meaning "rich hill," historically noble. | Old English | Boy | |
| Eadwiella | Eadwiella: rare Old English name meaning "prosperous stream" or "fortunate spring." | Old English | Girl | |
| Ealdwode | Ealdwode: unique name meaning "old wood," rooted in nature's history. | Old English | Unisex | |
| Earlena | Earlena: Unique feminine name meaning "noble woman" with gentle sound. | Old English | Girl | |
| Earlina | Earlina: Unique feminine name derived from "nobleman," originated in America. | Old English | Girl | |
| Earnre | Earnre: Unique name meaning "eagle army," rooted in Old English. | Old English | Boy | |
| Earwine | Earwine means "friend of the earth," rooted in Old English. | Old English | Boy | |
| Earwyn | Earwyn: Unique unisex name meaning "graceful joy" from Old English. | Old English | Unisex | |
| Easter | Easter: name meaning spring, linked to Christian holiday and goddess. | Old English | Unisex | |
| Easteryne | Easteryne: Unique name meaning "stream of Easter," symbolizing new beginnings. | Old English | Girl | |
| Eathelreda | Eathelreda: Old English name meaning "noble counsel" from "eath" and "r." | Old English | Girl | |
| Ebb | Ebb: rare, gender-neutral name meaning "flowing back of tide." | Old English | Unisex | |
| Ebbo | Ebbo: a strong, historical name meaning "wild boar" in English. | European, French, Germanic, Old English | Boy | |
| Eburt | Eburt: unique name meaning "bright yew tree" with historical significance. | Old English | Unisex | |
| Edd | Edd is a diminutive of Edward, meaning "wealthy guardian." | Anglo-Saxon, Old English | Boy | |
| Eddi | Eddi: Unisex name meaning "wealthy protector," with rich historical significance. | Old English | Unisex | |
| Edee | Edee: a modern, unique name meaning "rich in war" or "blessed." | Old English | Unisex | |
| Edek | Edek: Polish name meaning "wealthy guardian," derived from Edward. | Old English, Polish, Slavic | Boy | |
| Edelinah | Edelinah: Unique name meaning "noble kind" with rich historical roots. | Old English | Girl | |
| Edey | Edey: a unique, meaningful name meaning blessed or prosperous. | Old English | Unisex | |
| Edger | Edger: Unique name meaning "edge of a sword," symbolizes strength. | Anglo-Saxon, English, Old English | Unisex | |
| Edin | Edin is a versatile unisex name with positive cultural meanings. | Arabic, Bosnian, Croatian, Old English, Scottish | Unisex | |
| Edinburgh | Edinburgh: historic Scottish capital, named after a 7th-century fortress. | Old English | Unisex | |
| Edine | Edine: Scottish name meaning "rich friend," unique and historically significant. | Anglo-Saxon, Old English, Scottish | Unisex | |
| Edit | Edit is a Hungarian feminine name meaning "prosperous in war." | Old English | Girl | |
| Edith | Edith: classic name meaning "riches," popularized by historical figures. | Old English | Girl | |
| Editta | Editta: feminine name meaning "wealthy in war," variant of Edith. | Old English | Girl |
Old English is the earliest historical form of the English language. It was spoken in parts of what are now England and southern Scotland between the mid-5th century and the mid-12th century. This language is also known as Anglo-Saxon, and it evolved from the Germanic languages brought to Britain by the Anglo-Saxons.
Old English developed from the various Anglo-Saxon dialects that were brought to Britain by Germanic settlers. These settlers came from what is now Denmark and northern Germany, and their languages mixed with the Celtic languages already spoken in Britain. Over time, this blend of languages evolved into what we now recognize as Old English.
No, Old English is not the same as Middle English. Middle English followed Old English and was spoken from the late 11th to the late 15th century. It was heavily influenced by the Norman Conquest of 1066, which introduced a large number of Norman French words into the language.
Modern English speakers generally cannot understand Old English without specialized study. Old English looks and sounds very different from the English we use today, with a unique vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. Scholars often learn Old English as part of the study of historical linguistics or medieval English literature.
Old English is important because it is the foundation of the English language. It provides insight into the culture, society, and history of the Anglo-Saxon period. Studying Old English also helps linguists understand the development of English over the centuries.
Old English had a rich inflectional morphology, with a wide range of verb forms and several noun cases. It also had a different syntax compared to modern English, and it used a runic alphabet called Futhorc before adopting the Latin alphabet. Additionally, Old English had sounds that no longer exist in modern English.
Yes, there are surviving Old English texts, including poetry, legal documents, and religious works. The most famous of these is the epic poem "Beowulf," which provides a glimpse into the values and stories of the Anglo-Saxon culture. Other significant texts include "The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle" and the writings of Alfred the Great.
The transition from Old English to Middle English was largely due to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. The introduction of Norman French as the language of the ruling class and the church led to significant changes in the vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation of English. Over several centuries, these changes transformed Old English into what we recognize as Middle English.
The Viking invasions had a significant impact on the development of Old English. The Norsemen brought their own Old Norse language, which was another Germanic language, and it influenced Old English, especially in vocabulary and place names. This period of contact led to the exchange of words and grammatical features between the two languages.
Old English is taught and studied today primarily in university settings as part of English literature, linguistics, or medieval studies programs. Students learn to read and translate Old English texts using grammars and dictionaries specifically designed for the language. The study of Old English also involves learning about the historical context in which it was used.
