Authentic Names
Looking for an authentic name for your new persona, or perhaps for a character from another ethnic group? To help you we've put together a large (but not exhaustive) list of names from the period. We have Saxon (Ænglisc), Viking (Norse), Norman and Welsh names for you to choose from.
Saxon Names
Saxons only had given names. If someone wanted to distinguish between two people with the same name they would add the person's occupation, home village or, for married women, the husband's name. For example 'Wulfstan the Smith', as opposed to 'Wulfstan of Brycgstow' or 'Æthelburg, Wulfstan's wife'. After the time of Cnut some Saxons adopted the Danish system of using their father's name with a '-son' suffix.
A pronunciation guide is provided below to help you work out how to say your name. If you don't find a name you like in the lists then have a look here for a list part names to make up your own.
Male Saxon Name
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
- Acca Aculf Adalaver Adalbert Adelgar Æfic Ægelbriht Ægelric Ælfferth Ælfgærd Ælfgar Ælfgeat Ælfheah Ælfheard Ælflhere Ælfmær Ælfnoth Ælfred Ælfric Ælfsi Ælfsig Ælfsige Ælfstan Ælfun Ælfweard Ælfwig Ælfwine Ælfwold Ælfyeat Ælle Ælmær Æsc Æscferth Æscwig Æscwine Æscwulf Æthelbald Æthelberht Æthelbrlht Æthelbryht Æthelferth Æthelgar Æthelgeard Æthelgeat Æthelheard Æthelhelm Æthelhere Æthelhun Æthelmær Æthelman Æthelmod Æthelmund Æthelnoth Æthelræd Æthelred Æthelric Æthelsige Æthelstan Æthelstand Æthelthryth Æthelweard Æthelwig Æthelwine Æthelwold Æthelword Æthelwulf Æthere Atheric Ahlred Aidan Aldfrith Aldhelm Aldred Aldulf Aldwine Alf Alfhun Alfred Alfwold Alhhun Alric Anna Anwynd Arcenbryht Arcil Arnwi Asser Athelstan Athelwald Athulf
- Bægmund Bægstan Bældæg Bald Baldred Baldric Baldulf Baldwin Bass Bealdread Bealdric Bealdwulf Bede Benesing Beocca Beonna Beorhtferth Beortfrith Beorhthelm Beorhtlaf Beorhtmær Beorhtread Beorhtric Beorhtsige Beorhtstan Beorhtweald Beorhtweard Beorhtwig Beorhtwine Beorhtwulf Beorn Beornhelm Beornmod Beornnoth Beornræd Beornred Beornulf Beornweald Beornwig Beornwulf Beorthulf Berhtred Biede Blecca Boneval Bosa Botulf Brand Bregowine Brid Briht Brihteah Brihtnoth Brihtred Brihtric Brihtwold Brinin Brorda Brunstan Brunwine Burhred Bumoth Byrhthelm Byrhtnoth Byrhtsige Byrhtwold Byrnstan
- Cadwallon Ceadda Ceadwalla Ceawlin Cenbryht Cenred Centus Centwine Cenwalh Cenwulf Ceol Ceola Ceolbeald Ceolheard Ceolmund Ceolnoth Ceolred Ceolwald Ceolwulf Ceorl Cerdic Cnebba Cœnbeorht Cœnhelm Cœnræd Cœnric Cœnwulf Colbrand Cola Cole Colinan Criba Cumbra Cutha Cuthbald Cuthbert Cuthbriht Cuthræd Cuthred Cuthwine Cuthwulf Cwaspatric Cwichelm Cymen Cynebriht Cyneferth Cynegils Cyneheard Cynehelm Cynemund Cyneric Cynestan Cyneweald Cyneweard Cynewulf Cynred Cynric Cyssa
- Dægbeorht Dæglaf Dægmund Dæla Dearlaf Dearmod Dearsige Dereheah Deor Deorweald Deorwine Deorwulf Draca Dryhthelm Dryhtweald Dude Dudda Dudoc Dudwine Dunn Dunnere Dunstan
- Eaborht Eadbald Eadbriht Eadgar Eadhelm Eadhun Eadmær Eadmund Eadnoth Eadred Eadric Eadrige Eadsige Eadstan Eadulf Eadwacar Eadweard Eadwig Eadwine Eadwulf Eafa Eaha Ealdbriht Ealdulf Ealdwine Ealdwulf Ealhelm Ealhere Ealhheard Ealhstan Ealmund Ealread Ealsige Ealstan Ealwine Eanbald Eanfrith Eanmund Eanræd Eanwulf Eappa Eardwulf Earnulf Earnwig Eastmær Eastmund Eata Eawig Eawulf Ecceard Ecga Ecgbeorht Ecgbryht Ecgferth Ecgheard Ecglaf Ecgulf Ecgwulf Edgar Edmund Edward Edwin Egbalth Elda Elesa Eohric Eomer Eoppa Eormenric Eorpwald Eowils Ercenberht Ermanaric Ermenred Esla
- Feologild Fordræd Forthere Forthred Fræna Framric Freawine Freothogar Frethi Frithegist Frithewald Frithogyth Frithstan
- Gadd Gamal Garulf Garwig Garwulf Gewis Gifel Gifemund Gis Gleadbeald Gleadwine Goda Godbeorht Godcild Goddæg Godhere Goding Godlamm Godlœf Godmari Godræd Godric Godrum Godsbrand Godscalc Godser Godstan Godsunu Godwig Godwine Goldwine Grimbold Grimcytel Guthere Guthlaf Gyric Gyrth
- Harold Heafoc Heahbeorth Heathwulf Hebeca Heca Hedde Hengest Herebeorht Herebryht Hereferth Herefrith Heremann Heremond Hereræd Herewig Herewulf Hering Higbald Hildræd Hildsige Hildulfr Hildwine Hlothere Holman Horsa Hrothgar Huna Hunbeorht Hunberht Hunfrith Hunlaf Hunman Hunræd Hunsige Hunstan Hunwine Hussa Hutha Hwætman Hwætræd Hwita Hygeberht Hygebryht Hygelac Hygeræd
- Iænberht Ianberht Ida Ifa Ifing Ifllwine Ine Ingild Inguc Ingwald Inwona Iothete Ithamar
- Lanbeorht Lanferth Leodmar Leodulf Leodwald Leofa Leofdæg Leofgar Leofgod Leofhelm Leofhyse Leofing Leofmær Leofman Leofnoth Leofræd Leofric Leofstan Leofsunu Leofthegn Leofweald Leofweard Leofwig Leofwine Lilla Liofa Ludeca Lytelman
- Maccus Mægenræd Mægla Mæthelweald Manleof Manna Manni Mansige Mantat Mantican Manwine Merehwit Merewine Mildred Moll Morcær Morkere Mul
- Nothelm Nun
- Odda Offa Ohter Orc Ordbeorth Ordgar Ordheh Ordlaf Ordric Ordulf Ordwig Osbeorth Osbern Oscytel Osfram Osfrith Osgar Osgood Oshere Oslac Oslaf Osmær Osmed Osmund Osred Osric Osulf Oswald Osweald Oswi Oswine Oswiu Oswold Oswudu
- Peada Pehtwine Penda Pendræd Peohtweald Peohtweald Phytwin Plegemund Port Præn Pusa Puttoc
- Rædmund Rædwald Rædwine Rædwulf Rægnold Rilberht Rothulf
- Sæbeorht Sæbyrht Sæferth Sæger Sæmær Særic Sæwine Saxulf Scrocmail Scurfa Seaxbeorht Selred Seoca Seolwine Sexhelm Sibbi Sibyrht Sicga Sideman Sidrac Sigebriht Sigebyrht Sigeferth Sigehelm Sigelm Sighere Sigulf Siric Sithric Siward Smala Smeawine Snell Snelling Spearhafoc Sperman Sperling Stanmær Stigand Stithwulf Stuf Swetric Swithulf Sygbald
- Tatwine Teothic Theobald Theodric Thurcytel Thurferth Thurstan Tidgar Tidhelm Tidræd Tidwine Tidwulf Tilwine Tilwulf Tirweald Tobias Toglos Tohrwulf Torhthelm Tredewude Tunberht Twicga
- Ucede Uhtræd Uhtred Ulf Ulfcytel Ulferth
- Wada Wæbheard Wædel Wæhlheard Wældhelm Waldere Waltferth Wendelbeorth Weohstan Werhtherd Whitgar Widia Wiferth Wig Wigelm Wigferth Wigheard Wighere Wiglaf Wigmund Wigthegn Wigulf Wihtgar Wihtgil Wihtmund Wihtred Wihtsige Wilbeorth Wilferth Wilfred Wilmund Wilnoth Wilsige Wilwulf Wine Winebeald Winebeorth Winedæg Winegod Winegar Winemær Winenoth Wineræd Winfred Wipped Wistan Wlencing Womær Won Wulf Wulfgar Wulfgeat Wulfheah Wulfheard Wulfhelm Wulthere Wulfherr Wulflaf Wulfmær Wulfnoth Wulfræd Wulfric Wulfsige Wulfstan Wulfweard Wulfwig Wulfwine Wynbeorht Wynhelm Wynræd Wynsige Wynstan
Female Saxon Name
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
- Æbbe Ædwen Ælfgyfu Ælfgyth Ælflæd Ælfswith Ælfthryth Ælfwyn Æthelburg Æthelburh Æthelflæd Æthelgifu Æthelswith Æthelthryth Agatha Agnes Ailred
- Beadohild Bebbe Beorngyth Berhtgyth Bucge
- Ceolburh Cuthberg Cuthburh Cuthswith Cwenburg Cwenburh Cyneberg Cyneswith Cynethryth
- Eadburg Eadgifu Eadgyth Ealhild Ealhswith Eanflæd Eangyth Eawyn Ecgfrida Ecgfrithu Edith Emma Ercongota Ethelflæd
- Frythegith Frithugyth
- Geatfleda Godgifu Godgyth Gytha
- Heiu Herelufu Hild Hilda Hildeburg Hildegard Hildelith Hildegyth Hildithryth
- Inga
- Leofgifu Leofgyth Leoflæd Leofrun Leofwaru
- Mæthild Mathilda Matilda Mildrith
- Nothgyth
- Œdilburga Osgyth Osthryth
- Rænmæld Ricola Rienmellt Rymenhild
- Sægyth Sæhild Seaxburg Siflæd
- Wærburh Wealhtheow Wihtburg Wulfwaru Wulfwyn Wynflæd
- Ymma
Saxon Names
Many Saxon names are actually compound words made from two common elements. Some of these are only used by one gender, others are unisex. The following list gives first and second elements for both sexes so you can 'custom build' your own authentic name. Female examples are here.
Male Saxon Name Elements
First Element
- Ægel Ælf Æsc Æthel Al Ald Alf
- Bald Beo Beorht Beorn Briht Bryht Byrht
- Cen Ceol Cuth Cyne
- Dud Dun
- Ead Eal Eald Ealh Ean Ecg Ed Eo Eoh
- Frith
- Gar God Grim Guth
- Here Hild Hu Hun Hyge
- Lan Leo Leod Leof
- Ord Os
- Sid Sig Sige
- Theo Thur Tid
- Wig Wiht Wil Win Wine Wulf
Second Element
- bald beorht beorth berht briht bryht byrht
- cytel
- ferth
- gar
- heah heard helm here hun
- lac
- mær mund
- noth
- ræd red ric
- sig sige stan
- ulf
- wald weald weard wig wine wold wulf
Female Saxon Name Elements
First Element
- Ælf Æthel
- Ceol Cuth Cyne
- Ead Ealh Ean Ecg Ed
- Frith
- Here Hild
- Leof
- Os
- Sæ
- Wiht Wyn
Second Element
- burg burh
- flæd
- gifu gyth
- hild
- ith
- swith
- thryth
- wyn
Notes on Pronunciation
| œ | as in Mode |
| æ | 'a' as in 'hat' |
| a | 'a' as in 'father' |
| c | before 'e' or 'i' pronounced 'ch', otherwise pronounced 'k' |
| g | before 'e' or 'i' at beginning of word pronounced as a 'y', between vowels pronounced as a 'w', otherwise pronounced like modern 'g' |
| ge | initial 'ge' is usually voiceless |
| s | 'z' in middle of word, 's' at beginning or end of word |
| f | 'v' in middle of word, 'f' at beginning or end of word |
| h | at beginning of word, as 'h' in hound, otherwise like 'ch/sh' |
| sc | 'sh' |
| hw | 'wh' |
| ‑ht | 'ght' |
| cw | 'qu' |
| ‑ycg | 'idge' |
| ecg | 'edge' |
Viking Names
Vikings had only given names. Their "last name" was usually their father's name plus 'sson' for a man or 'dotter' for a woman. If the person's mother was a prominent widow, her children might be known by her name instead plus 'rson' for a man or 'dotter' for a woman. Often families altemated the name of the eldest so that Arn Gunnarsson might be the father and son of Gunnar Arnsson and the grandfather and grandson of Arn Gunnarsson.
Nicknames
Giving a nickname was like naming a newborn baby; it created a special tie between the name-giver and the name-taker. The newly named person could claim a gift from the name-giver, either a present or a favour, even if the name was derogatory.
Nicknames sometimes went by contraries: a man with swarthy skin might be called 'the fair'; an unusually tall man might be nicknamed 'the short'.
Few Viking women had nicknames; most described the woman's wisdom, beauty, wealth or speech habits.
Male Viking Names
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
- Adils Ævar Agmundr Aleifr Alf Alfketill Aki Ali Alrik Amundi An Anakol Anlaf Anund Ari Arinbjorn Armod Arn Arnbjorn Arnfinn Arngeir Arngrim Arnkel Arnketill Arnlaug Arnljot Arnor Arnthor Arnulfr Arnvid Aron Asbjorn Asbrand Asfrith Asgaut Asgeir Asgrim Askel Asketill Aslak Asmund Asulf Asvald Asvard Atli Atsurr Audbjorn Audgisli Audolf Audun Austmathr Authgrim Authketill Authulf Auti
- Balki Balli Bard Baug Beinir Berg Bergfinn Bersi Birning Bjalfi Bjarni Bjartmar Bjorgulf Bjorn Bjornulf Blann Bodalf Bodvar Bolli Bolverk Borgar Bork Borstig Botulf Bragi Brand Bretakollr Brodir Brondulf Bruni Brusi
- Dag Dagfinn Dunfjall Dyri
- Egil Eid Eilif Einar Eindridi Eirik Eldgrim Erlend Erling Ernmund Eskil Eydis Eyjolf Eystein Eyvald Eyvind
- Fargrim Farmann Farthegn Fastulf Finn Finnleik Firthgest Flosi Forni Fridgeir Fridmund Frodi Frostulf
- Gætir Galti Gauti Gamal Gamli Gardar Gardi Gauk Gaut Gavtvid Geir Geirfinn Geirleif Geirmund Geirolf Geirstein Geirthjof Geitirgest Gellir Gilli Gisli Glam Glum Gizur Gnupi Gorm Grani Grettir Grim Grimar Grimkel Grimolf Grimwald Grind Gris Grith Grjotgard Gudbrand Gudlaug Gudleif Gudmund Gudrik Gudrod Gulli Gunnar Gunnbjorn Gunnhautr Gunni Gunnlaug Gunnleif Gunnstein Gunnulf Guthhere Guthorm Guthroth Guthrum
- Hadd Hæng Haf Hafgrim Haflidi Hafr Hagi Hakon Halfdan Hall Hallad Hallbjorn Halldor Hallfred Hallgrim Hallkel Hallmund Hallstein Hallvard Hamund Hanef Harald Hardbein Harek Hauk Havard Hedin Hegg Helgi Heming Herjolf Herlaug Hermund Herstein Hildiglum Hildir Hjalti Hjalkar Hjarrandi Hjor Hjorleif Hjort Hlenni Hlodvir Hogni Holmgavt Holmgeir Holmstein Hord Hoskuld Hosvir Hrærek Hrafn Hrafnkel Hrafnvartr Hranfast Hragnelf Hrapp Hreidar Hreitharr Hrein Hrifla Hroald Hroar Hrodgeir Hrolf Hrollaug Hromund Hrossbjorn Hrosskel Hrut Hunbogi Hundolfr
- Illugi Ingemar Ingi Ingifast Ingimund Ingjald Ingolf Ioketill Iorthr Iri Iric Isgaut Isi Isleif Isulf Ivar
- Jarlabanki Jobjorn Jokul Jomar Jon Jorund
- Kadal Kalf Kari Karl Kaupmann Ketil Ketilbjorn Kjartan Kjotvi Klakkr Knut Kodran Koigrim Kol Kolbein Kolskegg Kormak Konal Kori Kotkel
- Lambi Leidolf Leif Lifolf Ljot Lodin Lodmund Lopt Lyting
- Mak Mar Modolf Mord
- Nærfi Nefstein Njal
- Odd Oddleif Odinkar Ofeig Ogmund Olaf Oleif Olvir Ondott Ongul Onund Orest Orgumleidi Orlyg Orm Orn Ornulf Orri Orrin Ospak Osvif Oswald Otkel Otrygg Ottar Ozur
- Sæmund Selkollr Serk Sigbjorn Sigbrand Sigebeorht Sigeferth Sigegar Sigeheah Sigehelm Sigehere Sigelac Sigemær Sigemund Sigenoth Sigeræd Sigeric Sigestæl Sigeweard Sigewine Sigewulf Sigfast Sigfus Sigguatr Sighvat Sigmund Sighadd Sigtrygg Sigurd Sigvaldi Singasven Skamkel Skapti Skarf Skegg Skidi Skjold Skopti Skorri Skuf Skuli Skurfa Skuti Slothi Snæbjorn Snækol Snæ-Ulf Snorri Solmund Solvi Sorli Sod Spjut Starkad Starri Stein Steinar Steinbitr Steinbjorn Steingrim Steinkel Steinketill Steinmod Steinolf Steinthor Storolf Sturla Styr Styrkar Styrkollr Styrmir Sumarlidi Suit Svafar Svalfi Svan Svart Svartbrand Svartgeirr Svartkollr Svartlingr Svein Sveinbjorn Sverting Svinulf Swein
- Teit Thidrandi Thidrik Thjodofl Thjostolf Thokodolf Thoraldr Thorarin Thorberg Thorbjorn Thorbrand Thord Thorfast Thorfinn Thorfrethr Thorgaut Thorgeir Thorgest Thorgils Thorgrim Thorhall Thorlak Thorir Thorkel Thorketil Thorleif Thorleik Thormod Thormothr Thometill Thorodd Thorolf Thororm Thorred Thorstein Thorvald Thorvard Thorvid Thrain Thrand Throst Tjorvi Tofi Toki Torfi Torrad Trandil Trygg Tumi Tyrfing Tyrkir
- Ubbein Ufi Uglubathr Ulf Ulfbjorn Ulfgrim Ulfketil Ulfljot Uni Unnulf
- Valbrand Valgard Vali Valthjof Vandil Var Vathlauss Vebjorn Vebrand Vegeir Veleif Vermund Vertlithi Vestar Vestein Vestgeir Veturlidi Vidkunn Vifil Vigbjord Vigot Vikar
- Wealglist Wengo
- Yngvar Ysoppa
Female Viking Names
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
- Abi Æsa Aldis Alfdis Alfeid Alof Arnbjorg Arngunn Arnkatla Arnora Asa Asdis Asfrid Asgard Aslaug Asleif Asny Asta Astrid Asvor Aud Audbjorg Audhild
- Bera Bergljot Bergthora Bjartney Bjorg Bothild
- Dalla Dotta
- Ermingard Estrid
- Freydis Freygerd Frida Frideburg Fridgerd
- Geirlaug Gerd Gillaug Ginnlaug Gjaflaug Gorm Grelod Grima Grimhild Groa Gudbjorg Gudfinna Gudfrid Gudrid Gudrun Gunnhild Gunnvor Gyda Gyrd Gyrid
- Halla Hallbera Hallberta Halldis Halldora Hallfrid Hallgerd Hallgrim Hallkatla Hallveig Hedinfrid Helga Herbjorg Herdis Hervor Hild Hildigunn Hildirid Hlif Holmfrid Hrafnhild Hrefna Hrodny Hungerd
- Ingibjorg Ingigerd Ingirid Ingirun Ingunn Isgerd
- Jaddvor Jodis Jofrid Joreid Jorunn
- Ljot Ljufa Luta
- Kadlin Katla Ketiloy
- Mœid
- Nidbjorg
- Oddbjorg Oddny Odindis Olof Ormhild Osk Ottkatla
- Rafarta Ragna Ragneid Ragnhild Rannveig Reginleif
- Sæunn Salbjorg Signy Sigrid Sigvor Solveig Solvor Steinunn Steinvor Svanlaug
- Thjodhild Thora Thorbjorg Thordis Thorelf Thorfinna Thorfrid Thorfrithr Thorgerd Thorgunna Thorballa Thorhild Thorkatla Thorlaug Thorljot Thorunn Thorve Thorvor Thraslaug Thurid Tofa Tola
- Ulfheid Una Unn
- Valborg Vandrad Valgerd Vigdis
- Yngvild Yri Yrsa
Nicknames
This is just a small selection to give you an idea of the sort of nicknames given.
Wise, Fox, Fool, Grey Cloak, Hairy Britches, Flat Nose, Hog-head, Broad-paunch, Short, Stout, Fair, Dark, Halftroll, Forkbeard, Hairy-cheek, Bald, Beardless, Tangle-hair, Trout, Seal, Blood-axe, War Tooth, Long Reach, Iron Sword, Skull-splitter, Hot-head, Trunk-back, Ironside, Anvil-head, Fearless, Gold bearer, Ring Giver, Grim, Silent, Smooth-tongued, Word-master, Adder-tongue, Braggart, Crow, Eagle, Healer, Trollwise, Strong-minded, Deep-minded, Boneless.
Norman Names
We have fewer Norman names but we do have a handful of both male and Female ones.
Male Names
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
- Archambaud
- Bartolemi Baoudouin Bertrand Bohemond
- Conan
- Draco Drogo
- Edward Eustace
- Falco Fulk
- Geoffrey Gervais Godfroi Guy
- Henri
- Odo Odon Otho
- Ranulf Raymond Reynaud Reynault Richard Robert Roger Rollo
- Sebrand Simon Stephen Sulpice
- Tancred Turold
- Vital
- Willeim Wadward
Female Names
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
- Adelaide Alais Arlette
- Ermengarde
- Hersende
- Mathilde Milesende
- Petronella
Welsh Names
Fortunately those peoples living in the principality we now call Wales liked writing almost as much as the Saxons and we have a number of Welsh names.
Male Names
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
- Addonwy Afan Aneirin Aeddan Amig Amlyn Athrwys Arddur
- Buddfannan Blaen Bledri Bradwen Bleddig
- Cadfannan Cadfael Cadwallon Cilydd Cynon Cynfan Cyfulch Cynrain Cunvelyn Caradoc Cibno Ceredig Cadlew Cynwal Clydno Cynhafal
- Dafydd Defi Dwyai
- Edar Edern Eiddef Erthgi Elad Elffin Eudaf
- Gwefrfawr Gwegon Gwion Gwyn Gwarddur Gwern Gwyleged Gwrien Gwraid Gorthyn Gwaednerth Gwengad Gwenabwy Gwrfelling Gwair Graid Geriant Gwanon
- Hyfaidd Hywel
- Ieuan
- Llywel
- Marchlew Moried Morien Madog Morial Mynyddog Merin
- Neilyn Nwythorn Nai Nerthaid Niddig Nidian
- Owain
- Padern Pedrog
- Ricerch Rhodri Rhufon Rhun
- Sawel Seriol Sywno
- Tathal Tathan Tudfwlch Tyngyr
- Uren Uwain
- Ysgarran
Female Names
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
- Adwen Annest Angarad Arianwen
- Briant
- Collwen
- Duddug Dwynwen
- Eleri
- Ffraid
- Glesig Glesni Gwen
- Heledd
- Indeg
- Leri Lleucu Llio
- Melangell Meleri
- Nest Nia