88 Unique Medieval Baby Names You Can Use Today

Here you’ll uncover fascinating medieval baby names that are extremely uncommon today. In fact, most of the names on this list were given to 100 or fewer babies in the US last year! Whether you’re looking for names you’ve never heard of, like Cedmond and Jacquette to fantasy-type names like Leoric and Ellaria, to names that sound normal but you just don’t hear anymore, like Bernard and Muriel, you’re sure to find something you like!

These medieval names are great for brainstorming ideas for your baby, cat, dog, creative writing, D&D character, NPCs, or whatever you’d like!

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Medieval Baby Names for Boys

These medieval baby names for boys cover classic names you know and love, but aren’t common anymore, to fantastic names that sound like they’re right out of a Dungeons and Dragons game!

Aldred

This medieval baby name means old wisdom. No boys in the US were named Aldred last year.

Alfred

Although everyone knows the name Alfred, it’s just not that common! It has several fun nicknames like Al, Alf, Alfie, Fred, and Freddy. And there are many famous Alfreds, for example: director Alfred Hitchcock, poet Alfred Lord Tennyson, inventor and Nobel prize founder Alfred Nobel. This Old English name means elf counsel. However, last year, only 285 baby boys in the US received this name.

Alric

Meaning: noble ruler. Last year, only 9 boys were named Alric.

Alvin

Did you know rapper Xzibit’s birth name is Alvin Joiner IV? This medieval baby name has received a little attention recently- 395 boys were named Alric last year. It means elf friend.

Ansel

You may have heard of the photographer Ansel Adams. His name means god’s protection. Despite being associated with a celebrity, only 136 boys were named Ansel in the US last year.

Baldric

This name means bold ruler. Not a single baby was named Baldric in the US last year.

Basil

Everyone has heard this name, but it’s not common at all! Last year, in the US, 71 boys and 28 girls were named Basil. However, traditionally, it’s pronounced Baz-ul. That is to say, it’s not pronounced like the spice! Meaning: king.

Benedict

Recently, Actor Benedict Cumberbatch made this name well-known! I love the nicknames Ben or Benny! It’s an interesting alternative to the popular name Benjamin, for instance. Benedict means blessed. 178 boys were named Benedict last year.

Beric

Remember Beric Dondarrian, the Lightning Lord from Game of Thrones? Beric, sometimes spelled Berrick, actually means barley farm. Last year, 19 boys were named Beric.

=Related post: over 1,600 Game of Thrones name ideas=

Bernard

Bernard means brave or hardy bear. This is yet another example of a recognizable yet uncommon name- only 147 boys were named Bernard last year.

Cedmond

I tried researching the name Cedmond and found almost nothing, besides that it was used in medieval times! As you can likely guess, no babies in the US were named Cedmond last year.

Curren

Curren (or Curran, if you prefer), probably means little spear in ancient Irish. Last year, 9 boys were named Curran, and 20 were named Curren in the US.

Related post: More cool rare names for baby boys

Cuthbert

Cuthbert is a combination of the Old English words meaning famous and bright. In the 6th century, Saint Cuthbert brought this name some attention by performing healing miracles, and after that it became quite popular. But it’s virtually unheard these days- not a single baby in the US was named Cuthbert last year.

Cyriac

Cyriac is an English form of the Greek name Kyriakos. It means lord or of the lord. Last year, no boys in the US received this name.

Ellett

The name Ellett came from a Pictish in Scotland. It likely evolved into other names you’re more familiar with, like Elliot, but was originally a last name. The slogan of this Scottish clan was rightly and boldly. [Source] Last year, no baby boys were named Ellett in the US.

Elmer

Elmer means noble and famous. It used to be very popular in the US in the early 1900s, but since the 1970s, less than 200 boys are named Elmer each year.

Ethelred

Ethelred means noble counsel. No baby boys in the US were named Ethelred last year.

Gervase

Gervase, pronounced JUR-vis, is a rare English name from the Middle Ages. Its meaning is unclear but might come from the German element ger, which means spear. Of course, this name is very rare, according to the Social Security Administration, no boys in America received this name last year.

Gilbert

Gilbert means bright pledge in ancient German. It was extremely common in the Middle Ages, but fewer than 200 boys are named Gilbert each year in the US.

Giles

Giles is virtually unheard of in America. Only 29 boys were named Giles last year. In the 8th century, Saint Giles was a miracle worker in France and Greece, and and subsequently, the name became quite common.

Hamlin

Hamlim reminds me of similar names like Hamlet, Hamilton, and Hamish. It means home or homestead. No boys received this name last year.

Hamon

The medieval English name Hamon is a variation on Hamo and Haimo, which all mean home. Like Hamlin, no boys received this name last year.

Harold

Harold peaked in popularity in America in 1920. After that, only 200-300 boys are named Harold each year. Meaning: ruler of the army.

Henrik

Henrik or Henrich are German and Slovak forms of Henry. This name means home ruler. Only 232 boys were named Henrik in the US last year.

Humphrey

Humphrey means peaceful warrior. The famous actor Humphrey Bogart became popular, and subsequently, this name became a classic in the US. But only 6 boys were named Humphrey last year.

Kenred

Kenred, also spelled Cenred. was very popular in the Middle Ages, but is unknown these days! For example, Cenred was a king of Mercia in the 700s. In addition, it’s a unique alternative to the classic Kenneth. In fact, no boys were named Kenred last year! And the name Conrad actually originated from Kenred too. [Source]

Lambert

Meaning: bright land. Ten boys were named Lambert in the US last year.

Leoric

Leoric is a great alternative to the very popular Leo. It’s actually a variation of Leofric, which is another medieval baby name composed of the Old English words for dear, agreeable, beloved, and ruler. Despite actually being the name of a character in the video game series Diablo, not a single child was named Leoric in the US last year.

Morris

Morris, a form of Maurice, was very common in medieval times. It means Moorish, and is also a popular surname. Last year, 95 boys in America were named Morris.

Nigel

Nigel is a medieval form of Neil and possibly means champion or cloud. Last year, 107 boys received this name. It’s more popular in England, however!

Osbert

Osbert was a rare name, even during the Middle Ages! It’s still rare, with no baby boys receiving this name last year. Meaning: bright god

Osmond

Osmond means god protection. It’s quite rare, only given to 8 baby boys in America last year.

Osric

Osric means god power. It’s also the name of a character in Shakespeare’s play Hamlet. Last year, 7 boys were named Osric in the US.

Oswald

This Os- name also means god power. It’s slightly more popular than the other names starting with Os, with 39 boys receiving this name last year.

Oswyn

Oswyn or Oswin mean god friend. This Old English name was given to 21 boys last year.

Penda

The meaning of the Old English name Penda is unknown, but it was popular during the Middle Ages. For instance, there was a famous Penda in 7th century England – a king of Mercia in what is now the English Midlands. Last year, not a single boy received this name in the US.

Piers

Piers is a medieval form of the name Peter, which means stone. While only 6 boys were named Piers last year, its much more common counterpart, Pierce, was given to 587 boys.

Reginald

Today, I learned Reginald is a form of Reynold, which comes from the Germanic words for advice and rule. Last year, 248 boys were named Reginald.

Ricard

As you probably guessed, Ricard is a form of Richard. It means brave ruler. This alternative to Richard is very rare! In America, no boys were named Ricard last year.

Seward

The name Seward comes from the Old English words for victory and guardian. Last year, not a single boy was named Seward.

Related Post: Discover over 2,300 names from Wheel of Time.

Theobald

This alternative for the popular name Theodore means bold people. Like some of the above names, not a single boy was named Theobald last year.

Thorald

This Old Swedish variation of Torvald means Thor’s ruler. Last year, no boys in the US were named Thorald.

Wilfred

Wilfred means desiring peace. While Wilfred is becoming popular in England and Wales, only 25 boys in the US were named Wilfred last year.

Wulfric

Wulfric is an Old English form of Ulrich, which means wolf ruler. And last year, 5 boys were named Wulfric.

Zacheus

Zacheus, sometimes spelled Zacchaeus, is a Biblical name that means pure. Although Zachary has surged in popularity, this is a unique alternative! No boys in America were named Zacheus last year.

Medieval Baby Names for Girls

Some of these medieval girls names sound like they are straight out of fairy tales… and others sound like they come from Shakespeare! You’ve likely heard some of these before, but others will be new and they are all extremely rare these days.

Agatha

Agatha means good. Although everyone has heard the name Agatha, only 78 girls in the US were named Agatha last year.

Agnes

Agnes means chaste or lamb. It used to be very popular in the Middle Ages, and saw popularity again up until the 1930s. However, only approximately 200 baby girls are named Agnes in the US each year

Ala

In Arabic, Ala means excellence or elevation. Only 20 girls were named Ala in America last year.

Alta

The name Alta probably comes from Latin, Spanish or Italian and means high. Alta was very popular up until the 1920s. Last year, only 29 girls were given this short and sweet name!

Alviva

Alviva might mean spring, or come from the latin word viva, which means to breathe life into. No baby girls were named Alviva in the US last year.

Amice

The medieval baby name Amice was used in France and England, and is a feminine form of Amis. Amice means friend. No baby girls were named Amice last year!

Amphelice

There are very little details on the name Amphelice, besides that it was used in medieval times. As you would guess, it’s so uncommon that no baby girls in the US were named Amphelice last year.

Anika

Although Anika (sometimes spelled Annika) was very popular in the Middle Ages, and is still common in Germany and other European countries, it’s just starting to regain popularity in the US. And for the last decade or so, about 400 girls in the US are named Anika each year. Meaning: favor, grace.

Annora

Annora sounds similar to the currently popular Eleanor or Eleanora. But this medieval baby name actually means honor. Last year, only 50 girls were named Annora.

Avelina

This ancient Germanic name might mean desired, or it could refer to the town of Avila in Spain. I love this name because it falls in the same vein as currently popular names like Olivia. In fact, last year, only 34 girls in the US were named Avelina!

Beatrice

Beatrice has been an uncommon name in the US for years and is only given to 500-600 babies each year. Meaning: voyager, traveler.

Bertana

Like some of the other names on this list, little is known about the name Bertana, besides the fact that it was used in the middle ages. Last year, no baby girls were named Bertana in the US.

Blanche

The name Blanche means white or fair. While it was common in the Middle Ages, especially in France, in America last year, no babies were named Blanche!

Clarice

Clarice comes from the name Clara, which means fair, bright, or famous. In the US, it was very popular in the early 1900s, but has fallen out of use recently. Clarissa became very popular in the 1990s, but only 9 girls were named Clarice last year.

Colette

Back in medieval times, Colette actually originated as a nickname for Nicolette, which means victory of the people. This is one of the more popular names on this list- it was given to 629 girls in America last year.

Denise

The name Denise, and its male form, Dennis come from the Greek god of wine, Dionysus. Last year, only 161 girls were named Denise

Edith

Edith comes from the Old English words for wealth and war. While Edith is uncommon in the US, it’s very popular in England, Wales, and Sweden.

Elaria

If you’re familiar with Game of Thrones, you may remember Ellaria Sand. It’s actually a spelling variation on the medieval baby name Elaria, which means sweetly speaking. Only 17 girls were named Elaria in the US last year.

Elset

I love the name Elset, even though there is hardly any information out there about it! It reminds me of Elsa, or Elizabeth. No baby girls were named Elsa last year in the US.

Emelina (Emeline)

The names Emeline and Emelina are based on ancient German word meaning work. 31 girls were named Emelina and 65 were named Emeline in the US last year.

Enota

Enota and Enot are medieval nicknames for Eleanora. Last year, not a single girl was named Enota or Enot in the US.

Floria

Another option to Flora, Floria sounds more modern and unique, despite being thousands of years old! No girls were named Floria last year. Meaning: Flower.

Related post: Discover over 400 unique name ideas for baby girls!

Gillian (Jillian)

Gillian and its more common spelling, Jillian, are forms of Julian. Therefore, like Julian, it might refer to the Roman god Jupiter. In America, 59 girls were named Gillian and 352 were named Jillian last year.

Greta

Greta is a short version of the name Margareta and means pearl. It’s starting to rise in popularity in the US and was given to 459 girls last year.

Heloise

Heloise is a French form of Eloise, which means healthy. Only 7 girls in the US were named Heloise last year.

Hilda (Hilde)

In Old English and Germany, Hilda and Hidle were popular during the early middle ages and became popular again in the 1800s. They both come from an old German word that means battle. Last year, 48 girls were named Hilda and 9 were named Hilde in the US. They are somewhat common names in Sweden.

Inga

Inga might come from a German word that meant ancestor. Other versions of Inga include Ing (a male name) and Inge, which is unisex. Thirteen girls were named Inga in America last year.

Ingrid

The origins of the name Ingrid are uncertain, but it might mean beautiful. In the US, around 200-300 girls are named Ingrid each year.

Jacquetta (Jacquette)

Jacquette and Jacquetta are feminine versions of Jacques that are unheard of today! Instead, we often hear Jacqueline! They are actually all based on the name James. No girls born in the US were named Jacquette last year.

Justina (Justine)

I had always thought Justina and Justine were modern names, but they actually date back to the middle ages! These names mean just amd were only given to 60 and 67 girls, respectively last year

Leticia

Leticia, sometimes spelled Letitia, means joy or happiness. It’s consistently given to about 100 to 150 baby girls every year in the United States.

Loretta

Loretta is a version of Laura that was only given to 252 baby girls last year. It means laurel, as in the laurel tree.

Martha

The name Martha means the lady or the mistress, in the same vein as the male name Mar that means master. About 300-400 baby girls are named Martha each year in America.

Mildred

Mildred definitely sounds old fashioned- it dates back to at least the year 600! It means gentle strength. Last year, 77 girls were named Mildred.

Millicent

Millicent means strong labor. But it actually comes from the German name Amalasuintha, which evolved into Melisent and Melisende. 124 girls were named Millicent in the US last year.

Mirabell (Mirabella, Mirabelle)

Mirabell, Mirabelle, and Mirabella come from a latin word meaning wonderful. Last year, 5, 78, and 56 girls received each of those names. They’re quite uncommon!

Muriel

The Normans probably brought the name Muriel to England from Brittany during the medieval ages. It means bright sea in Gaelic. Nine girls were named Muriel in the US last year.

Petronella (Petronilla, Purnell, Parnel)

Petronella and Petronella date all the way back to the first century! And only 9 girls were named Petronilla in the US last year- none were named Petronella.

Purnell and Parnel are archaic English names that are short forms of Petronella! No girls received these names last year.

Philomena

Philomena comes from the Greek words for friend and mind, strength, force, or it may mean loved. While it certainly sounds old-fashioned, it has such a beautiful meaning! Last year, 91 girls were named Philomena in the US.

Sabina (Sabine)

Sabina and Sabine are medieval baby names that come from the Latin word Sabinus, which referred to an ancient group of people who lived in central Italy before the Romans! Last year, 71 and 69 girls were named Sabina and Sabine, respectively.

Thomasina

This name is medieval feminine form of Thomas, which means twin. Only 6 girls were named Thomasina last year.

Tillot (Tilly)

The name Tillot and Tilly were nicknames for Matilda during medieval times. And Matilda means strength in battle. No girls were named Tillot last year, and only 170 were named Tilly.

Ursula

Ursula means little bear. It was known as early as the 4th century, and was popular in England during the middle ages. Ursula used to be moderately popular in the US in the 1970s and started to decline after that point. After that, it totally dropped off the radar when the Disney film The Little Mermaid debuted in 1989.

Sources for uncommon medieval baby names

Researching medieval baby names was fun, and I learned a lot about how names have evolved over the centuries! I couldn’t believe that some of the names we use today are actually medieval baby names that survived for thousands of years!

I used the Medieval Names Archive and s-gabriel.org to look up these historical names.

Behind the Name is a fantastic resource to research name meanings

And I found the popularity of all of these names from the US Social Security Administration.

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