Blythe

English

"cheerful"

Blythe Origin and Meaning

The name Blythe is a boy's name meaning "cheerful".

Blythe originated as a nickname for an upbeat person, coming from the Old English word bliðe, meaning "merry" or "cheerful." Today the homophone blithe shares the same meaning. Blythe was eventually adapted to a surname before it became a mostly feminine given name.

The title of the memorable Noel Coward play Blithe Spirit is taken from Shelley's poetic line, "Hail to thee, blithe Spirit". And Gilbert Blythe is the hero of Lucy Maud Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables series.