The nameAlfred
Alfred is a boy's name of Old English origin meaning "elf counsel". The name of Alfred the Great, it is coming back in Britain.
- Boy's name
- Old English
Meaning
Alfred comes from the Old English ælf, "elf", and ræd, "counsel": "wise as an elf".
Origin
Old English. Alfred the Great, King of Wessex in the 9th century, defended England against the Vikings.
History
Alfred was very popular in Victorian Britain and reached the American top 40. It is back in the top 80 in England and Wales. Alfie and Fred are its short forms.
Did you know?
- Alfred the Great is the only English king to be called "the Great".
- Alfred Nobel, inventor of dynamite, created the Nobel Prizes in his will of 1895.
Famous people named Alfred
- Alfred the Great, King of Wessex
- Alfred Hitchcock, film director
- Alfred, Lord Tennyson, poet
- Alfred Nobel, inventor
Popularity of the name Alfred
Alfred in the United States
Alfred was most popular in the United States in the 1920s, with 50,456 births over the decade, 21% of all recorded babies named Alfred. Its rise began around 1898, and it peaked in 1928. Half of all babies named Alfred in the United States were born before 1936, so it is mostly a great-grandparents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 266 births a year.
Alfred in the United Kingdom
Alfred was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, with 5,223 births over the decade, 39% of all recorded babies named Alfred. Half of all babies named Alfred in the United Kingdom were born before 2016, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 707 births a year.
Alfred in France
Alfred in Austria
Alfred in Norway
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Alfred
Names from the same generation as Alfred, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Alfred? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Alfred with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Alfred side by side with the name of your choice.
Alfred in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Alfred mean?
Alfred comes from the Old English ælf, "elf", and ræd, "counsel": "wise as an elf".
What is the origin of the name Alfred?
Old English. Alfred the Great, King of Wessex in the 9th century, defended England against the Vikings.
Is Alfred a girl's or a boy's name?
Alfred is a boy's name.
How popular is the name Alfred?
In 2024, Alfred was the 838th most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 293 births.
What are the variants of the name Alfred?
Variants and related names of Alfred include Alfie, Alfreda and Avery.
What are good sibling names for Alfred?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Irene, Celina, Hana and Salma for a sister, Harold, Harry, Stanley and Salvatore for a brother.
Who are famous people named Alfred?
Alfred the Great, King of Wessex; Alfred Hitchcock, film director; Alfred, Lord Tennyson, poet; Alfred Nobel, inventor.