Medieval Names

According to medieval chroniclers, Gwrtheyrn (Anglicized as Vortigern) was a 5th-century king of the Britons. It was he who invited the brothers Hengist and Horsa to Britain, which eventually led to the Anglo-Saxon conquest of England. It is unclear whether this was his given name or title.

A distinctive English surname name that also carries the slightly ominous sense of the verb batten, as in "batten down the hatches." Batten was also a medieval first name related to Bartholomew.

A short form of Old Germanic names starting with the element fulc "people". Variants include Fulk, Fulke and Folke.

This cool, sauntering boy's name would fit in and stand out in a classroom today. Other similar diminutives more distinct than Xander or Zander include Saunders, Sander, and Sanders.

Also a medieval short form of Nicholas, it is still heard in Ireland and Scotland, where it has mythological resonance – Colla Uais was an ancient Irish prince who ruled over northern Britain before the arrival of Scottish settlers.

Not cutting edge, but still graceful and feminine.

Idonia is form of the Norse goddess name Idun or Idony, who ruled over magic life-giviing golden apples. Idonia was used in England during the Middle Ages but gradually faded from common usage by the Renaissance period.

Though it looks, to the untrained American eye, like a yoonek spelling of Jordy, Geordie actually refers to people from Tyneside in Northeast England and the local dialect there. To give you a sense of what it implies to Brits, Geordie Shore is British MTV's long-running answer to Jersey Shore.

This obscure Margaret variation was a popular name in medieval Scotland and could make a truly distinctive, feminine choice today.

Medieval name that still hasn't crossed the ocean, known here primarily via actress/teacher Uta Hagen.

Tomkin is a diminutive form of Thomas, with the affectionate suffix '-kin,' which historically indicated 'little one' or 'son of.' This medieval diminutive form gives the name a charming, slightly archaic quality. While not commonly used in modern times, Tomkin has a distinctive character that sets it apart from the more frequently used Tom or Tommy. And it can make a unique honor name or nickname for boy named after Grandpa Thomas.

A rare name from Archaic Germanic that is rarely used nowadays, Godwin is the Germanic variant of Anglo-Saxon Godwine. Also used as a surname, it may be a bit heavy as a first name for a modern baby boy. Namesakes include the Austro-Hungarian fighter ace Godwin von Brumowski, and Godwin, Earl of Wessex (originally Godwine).

Medieval nickname for Mary that became a surname, then the name of a hotel chain, which makes it unlikely to be adopted as a baby name in modern times.

Perkin sounds a bit Hobbit-ish as a full name, but it might make a good honor name or nickname for a boy called Peter.

The name Aldus gained some recognition through Aldus Manutius, a renowned 15th-century Italian printer and publisher who founded the Aldine Press. The name might be more familiar in its Aldous form, via Aldous Huxley, author of Brave New World. While never extremely common, the name has an intellectual, scholarly quality to it.

Anice and Annis are variations of Agnes that have fallen from use, perhaps because of pronunciation issues. Neither spelling was used for any baby girls in the US in the most recent year counted, though a century ago about 100 girls were called Annis or Anice. Potential pronunciation issues ay keep parents away.

Poppa of Bayeux was a matriarch of the family that became the House of Normandy. Poppa is a fresh and unexpected medieval name that would work today, given the popularity if Pippa and Poppy.

A medieval French name little used today, which certainly appeals to modern tastes.

Atkin is a short form of Adam that originated in Medieval England. It's now obsolete, but traces remain in surnames such as Atkins and Atkinson.

A medieval Italian name that could work in modern times.