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Arthurian Legend Names

iolite
By iolite
Updated Tue May 23 2023
A list of names I have found through reading Arthurian Legends.
  1. Arthur

    • Origin:

      Celtic

    • Meaning:

      " bear"

    • Description:

      Arthur, once the shining head of the Knights of the Round Table, is, after decades of neglect, now being polished up and restored by stylish parents, inspired perhaps by the new generation of royals. Arthur has led the list of possible names for the young British princes, chosen as a middle name for Prince Louis, son of William and Catherine, Prince and Princess of Wales.
  2. Agravain
    • Elaine

      • Origin:

        French and Scottish

      • Meaning:

        "bright, shining light"

      • Description:

        This old Scottish form of Helen has had quite a history, going from appearing as one of the shining heroines of the Arthurian legends, the princess who fell in love with Sir Lancelot and became the mother of Sir Galahad, referred to as 'Elaine the fair' and 'Elaine the lovable', to being the name of the most famous of New York's celebrity restaurants, to being the archetypal New York neurotic on Seinfeld.
    • Evaine

      • Description:

        Evaine is a feminine name with medieval and Celtic undertones. It may be a variant of Yvaine, which appears in Arthurian legends, or related to names like Evan or Eve. The name carries an ethereal, mystical quality that evokes images of ancient forests and medieval tales. With its soft sounds and unusual letter combination, Evaine strikes a balance between being recognizable and distinctive. Though rare in modern usage, the name appeals to parents drawn to names with literary or mythological connections. Its elegant sound and spelling make it feel both timeless and fresh. The name may also appeal to those seeking Celtic-inspired names that aren't as common as Erin or Siobhan.

    • Ector
      • Gareth

        • Origin:

          Welsh

        • Meaning:

          "gentle"

        • Description:

          Gareth, the name of a modest and brave knight in King Arthur's court, makes a sensitive, gently appealing choice, used more in its native Wales than anywhere else.
      • Gawain

        • Origin:

          Welsh

        • Meaning:

          "May hawk"

        • Description:

          This name of the courteous Knight of the Round Table, the nephew of King Arthur, has long been superseded by its Scottish form, Gavin.
      • Guinevere

        • Origin:

          Welsh

        • Meaning:

          "white shadow, white wave"

        • Description:

          Guinevere was the name of the beautiful but ill-fated queen of Camelot, for so many years eclipsed by its modern Cornish form Jennifer. Today, Guinevere could be a cool possibility for adventurous parents intrigued by this richly evocative and romantic choice.
      • Gaheris
        • Galahad
          • Isolde

            • Origin:

              Welsh, German

            • Meaning:

              "ice ruler"

            • Description:

              Now that Tristan has been rediscovered, maybe it's time for his fabled lover in the Arthurian romances and Wagnerian opera, a beautiful Irish princess, to be brought back into the light as well.
          • Igrayne
            • Kay

              • Description:

                Kay as a masculine name has diverse origins. It can be a short form of names like Kenneth or Kai, or derive from the Middle English word 'key.' In Arthurian legend, Sir Kay was King Arthur's foster brother and seneschal, lending the name a noble, medieval connection. It's also associated with the Old Norse name Kái, meaning 'rejoice.' This brief, one-syllable name has maintained steady but modest usage throughout the decades. Its simplicity and strong sound make it appealing for those seeking a straightforward yet distinctive name for a boy. Kay also has cross-cultural appeal, appearing in various forms in Germanic, Celtic, and Scandinavian traditions.
            • Lancelot

              • Origin:

                French

              • Meaning:

                "servant"

              • Description:

                In Arthurian legend, Lancelot was one of the most dashing of the Knights of the Round Table who eventually had an affair with Queen Guinevere: it makes for a romantic story-- but perhaps overly romantic-- name.
            • Mark

              • Origin:

                Latin

              • Meaning:

                "warlike"

              • Description:

                Mark has the rare appeal of a strong, sleek name with a minimalist modern feel and ancient roots. The name Mark is taken from the Roman god of war Mars, also the namesake of the planet.
            • Merlin

              • Origin:

                Welsh

              • Meaning:

                "sea fortress"

              • Description:

                This name of the famous fifth-century sorcerer and mentor of King Arthur may or may not be a bit wizardy for a real-life modern child. Its most noted modern bearer: football star turned actor Merlin Olsen, whose father was named Merle.
            • Morgan

              • Origin:

                Welsh

              • Meaning:

                "sea-born, sea-song or sea-circle"

              • Description:

                Morgan has long been a traditional Welsh male name, a variant of the Old Welsh name Morcant, from the Welsh elements mor, meaning "sea" and cant, "circle." The female Morgan is unrelated to the male version—it is a name from Arthurian legend created for Morgan le Fay, King Arthur's half-sister and famed sorceress. Her name comes from Morgen, an Old Welsh name meaning "sea-born," and is related to the Irish name Muirgen.
            • Melligrance
              • Mordred
                • Morgause