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Find the perfect medieval name for a fictional character or your baby
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Good morrow, fair reader! Are you on the hunt for the perfect name from the Middle Ages (500-1500 CE), perchance? If so, take heart, for you’ve come to the right place. We’ve compiled the ultimate list of medieval names, including masculine, feminine, and even gender neutral options. Whether you’re writing a story set in the medieval period or you’re an expectant parent who’s a big fan of the era, you’re sure to find a name you love here. Huzzah!

Top Medieval Names

  • For girls: Aalis, Agnes, Aldith, Beatrice, Cateline, Elysande, Isabeau, Johanne, Madelyne, Margery, Melisende, Nicole, Rosamund, Sybil
  • For boys: Aengus, Alan, Auberi, Bartholomew, Charles, Col, Edwin, Elric, Fergus, Herry, Jurian, Manfred, Piers, Ranulf, Roland, Walter, Wilken
  • Gender neutral: Ailín, Brice, Drew, Elis, Emery, Evren, Foy, Francis, Ismay, Joscelin, Larkin, Morgan, Remy, Wilmot
Section 1 of 6:

Popular Medieval Girl Names

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  1. Some medieval names have become enduring classics, such as Beatrice, Matilda, and Amelia. These are wonderful options for parents who are looking for names with roots in the Middle Ages, without being too wild or out there! They’re also beautiful choices if you’re looking for something classic for a fictional character.
    • Alice: “Noble,” English origin.
    • Adeline: “Noble,” English origin.
    • Agnes: “Pure” or “holy,” Greek origin.
    • Alyson: “Little Alice” or “noble,” German & French origins.
    • Amelia: “Industrious,” Latin & Hebrew origins.
    • Anne: “God has favored me” or “grace,” Hebrew origin.
    • Audrey: “Noble strength,” English origin.
    • Beatrice: “Voyager,” Latin origin.
    • Blanche: “White” or “pure,” French origin.
    • Bridget: “Power,” “strength,” or “exalted one,” Gaelic origin.
    • Caterina: “Pure,” Italian & Greek origins.
    • Catherine: “Pure,” Greek origin.
    • Cecilia: “Blind,” Latin origin.
    • Cecily: “Blind” or “heaven,” British origins.
    • Clare: “Bright” or “famous,” Latin origin.
    • Constance: “Steadfastness,” French origin.
    • Edith: “Prosperous in strife,” British origin.
    • Eleanor: “Sun ray” or “shining light,” French & Greek origins.
    • Elizabeth: “God is my oath,” Hebrew origin.
    • Emma: “Whole” or “great,” German origin.
    • Emmeline: “Work,” French & German origins.
    • Genevieve: “Family,” “wife,” or “white fay,” French origin.
    • Golda: “Gold,” English, German, & Yiddish origins.
    • Isabeau: “My God is an oath,” French & Hebrew origins.
    • Isolde: “Iron ruler” or “ice battle,” German origin.
    • Janet: “God is gracious,” British origin.
    • Joan: “God is gracious,” English origin.
    • Johanne: “God is gracious,” French & Hebrew origins.
    • Juliana: “Youthful” or “Jove’s child,” Latin origin.
    • Letitia: “Joy” or “gladness,” Latin origin.
    • Mabel: “Lovable,” Latin origin.
    • Madelyne: “Tower” or “woman from Magdala,” English origin.
    • Margaret: “Pearl,” Greek origin.
    • Margery: “Pearl,” French origin.
    • Marie: “Star of the sea,” “bitter,” or “beloved,” French origin.
    • Matilda: “Mighty in battle,” German origin.
    • Millicent: “Strong in work,” German origin.
    • Muriel: “Sea-bright” or “shining sea,” Celtic origin.
    • Nicole: “Victory of the people,” Greek origin.
    • Odile: “Prosperous in battle,” French origin.
    • Rosamund: “Rose of the world,” Latin origin.
    • Sigrid: “Beautiful victory,” Scandinavian origin.
    • Susanna: “Lily,” Hebrew origin.
    • Sybil: “Prophetess,” Greek origin.
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Section 2 of 6:

Unique Medieval Girl Names

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  1. There are a ton of ethereal and unique names from the Middle Ages, such as Aldith, Etheldred, or Melisende, which would be lovely and historically accurate choices for a fictional character. They’re also beautiful options for expecting parents who are willing to go with something a bit more rare and unusual! Here’s a list of our favorites:
    • Aalis: “Noble,” French origin.
    • Aldith: “Old battle,” British origin.
    • Aldreda: “Noble strength” or “powerful ruler,” English origin.
    • Amice: “Loved friend,” Latin origin.
    • Athelina: “Noble,” English origin.
    • Avelina: Unknown meaning, Spanish origin.
    • Caiside: “Curly-haired,” Gaelic origin.
    • Cateline: “Pure” or “clear,” French & English origins.
    • Diot: “Gift from God,” French origin.
    • Dorcas: “Gazelle,” Greek origin.
    • Eda: “Wealthy” or “well-mannered,” British & Turkish origins.
    • Eglantine: “Needle,” Latin & French origins.
    • Elysande: “Temple path,” English & German origins.
    • Etheldred: “Noble strength,” English origin.
    • Hawise: “Wide battle,” German origin.
    • Jehanne: “God is gracious,” French origin.
    • Jocosa: “Joking,” “merry,” or “playful,” Latin origin.
    • Loveday: “Beloved day,” English origin.
    • Magdalen: “Of Magdala,” “elegant,” or “tower,” Hebrew origin.
    • Malle: “Drop of the sea,” “bitter,” or “beloved,” Hebrew origin.
    • Melisende: “Strong in work,” German origin.
    • Meggy: “Pearl,” English origin.
    • Mór: “Great,” Irish origin.
    • Nesta: “Pure,” “returner,” or “integrity,” Welsh origin.
    • Odelina: “Wealth” or “fortune,” German & British origins.
    • Ottilie: “Prosperity” or “riches,” German origin.
    • Sunnifa: “Sun gift,” Norse origin.
    • Swandhilda: “Swan maiden” or “swan girl,” Germanic origin.
    • Tangwystl: “Hostage” or “pledge,” Welsh origin.
    • Úna: “Lamb,” Irish origin.
    • Royse: “Rose,” English origin.
    • Looking for medieval last names for a character, too? Check out our helpful list!
Section 3 of 6:

Popular Medieval Boy Names

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  1. These names all have roots in the medieval era, but they’re still pretty well-known and used today. This makes them perfect for parents who are looking for a name that has withstood the test of time for their little one, or for writers who want a historically accurate (yet still recognizable) name for a character!
    • Adam: “Son of red earth,” Hebrew origin.
    • Aengus: “One strength,” Irish origin.
    • Alan: “Little rock,” Gaelic origin.
    • Albert: “Noble,” “bright,” or “famous,” German origin.
    • Alexander: “Defender of man,” Greek origin.
    • Arno: “Eagle,” German origin.
    • Bartholomew: “Son of Talmai,” Aramaic origin.
    • Benedict: “Blessed,” Latin origin.
    • Bennet: “Blessed,” Latin origin.
    • Bernard: “Strong as a bear,” German origin.
    • Charles: “Free man,” German origin.
    • Col: “People of victory,” Greek origin.
    • David: “Beloved,” Hebrew origin.
    • Denis: “Follower of Dionysus,” French origin.
    • Edwin: “Wealthy friend,” English origin.
    • Fergus: “The strong one,” Scottish & Irish origins.
    • Frederick: “Peaceful ruler,” German origin.
    • Harry: “Home ruler,” German origin.
    • Henry: “Home ruler,” German origin.
    • Hugh: “Mind,” thought,” or “heart,” German, British, & French origins.
    • Jack: “God is gracious,” British origin.
    • John: “God is gracious,” Hebrew.
    • Judd: “To flow down,” Hebrew origin.
    • Lucian: “Light,” Latin origin.
    • Mack: “Child of the handsome one,” Scottish & Irish origins.
    • Morris: “One from Mauritania,” Latin & Gaelic origins.
    • Nicholas: “People of victory,” Greek origin.
    • Oliver: “Olive tree,” French origin.
    • Otto: “Wealth,” German origin.
    • Patrick: “Noble” or “son of Patrick,” Latin origin.
    • Piers: “Rock,” Greek origin.
    • Ralph: “Wolf counsel,” Scandinavian & Norse origins.
    • Richard: “Powerful,” “hardy,” “brave,” or “strong ruler,” German origin.
    • Roger: “Famous spearman,” German & British origins.
    • Roland: “Famous land,” German & Roman origins.
    • Thomas: “Twin,” Aramaic origin.
    • Walter: “Commander of the army,” German origin/
    • William: “Resolute protector,” German origin.
    • Wolfang: “Path of the wolf,” German origin.
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Section 4 of 6:

Unique Medieval Boy Names

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  1. All of these names were frequently used in the Middle Ages, but they’ve become incredibly rare (or even unheard of) in the modern era. They make especially great choices for historical fiction or fantasy writers looking for a unique character name, but they could also be great options for more daring parents!
    • Achard: “Hardy” or “brave,” Norman origin
    • Adelard: “Noble strength,” German & British origins.
    • Aimery: “King of work,” German origin.
    • Aldus: “Old” or “old fighter,” British origin.
    • Aloys: “Famous warrior,” German origin.
    • Amé: “Loved,” French origin.
    • Amis: “Friend,” English & French origins.
    • Anselm: “God’s helmet” or “divine protection,” German origin.
    • Arthfael: “Bear” or “noble,” Welsh origin.
    • Auberi: “Elf ruler,” French origin.
    • Bate: “Son of Talmai,” English origin.
    • Baudwin: “Brave friend,” German origin.
    • Caiside: “Curly harried,” Irish origin.
    • Cassian: “Son of Cassius,” Latin & Irish origins.
    • Conaire: “Hound keeper,” Irish origin.
    • Elric: “Elf king” or “noble ruler,” British origin.
    • Everard: “Brave, strong boar,” English origin.
    • Firmin: “Firm” or “strong,” French & Latin origins.
    • Hamo: “Home,” German origin.
    • Hamon: “Home,” English origin.
    • Hann: “God is gracious,” English origin.
    • Herry: “Home ruler,” German origin.
    • Hob: “Bright fame” or “prankster,” German & British origins.
    • Ilbert: “Bright” or “shining,” German origin.
    • Jan: “God is gracious,” Dutch origin.
    • Jehan: “God is gracious,” French origin.
    • Judoc: “Lord,” Breton origin.
    • Jurian: “Earth worker,” German origin.
    • Lorencio: “From Laurentum,” Spanish origin.
    • Manfred: “Man of peace,” German origin.
    • Noll: “Olive tree,” British origin.
    • Pate: “Noble,” English origin.
    • Ranulf: “Strong defender,” Scottish origin.
    • Rolant: “Famous land,” French origin.
    • Roul: “Famous wolf,” French & German origins.
    • Tancred: “Thought” or “counsel,” British & German origins.
    • Wilken: “Resolute protector,” German origin.
    • Wybert: “Bright battle,” English origin.
Section 5 of 6:

Gender Neutral Medieval Names

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  1. It turns out that unisex names have been around a super long time! Many beautiful and unique names from the medieval period were used for both men and women, and some of them were gender-specific at the time but have evolved into gender-neutral names today. Here are a few amazing options to check out:
    • Adiel: “God’s ornament,” Hebrew origin.
    • Adrian: “From Hadria,” Latin origin.
    • Ailín: “Deer” or “moon,” Celtic & Turkish origins.
    • Aubrey: “Elf ruler,” German origin.
    • Brice: “Freckled,” Scottish & Celtic origins.
    • Caro: “Beloved,” Italian & Spanish origins.
    • Drew: “Wise” or “strong,” Welsh & Greek origins.
    • Ebbo: “Boar,” German origin.
    • Elis: “God is an oath,” Hebrew & Swedish origins.
    • Emery: “Industrious” or “powerful,” German & British origins.
    • Evren: “The cosmos,” Turkish origin.
    • Foy: “Faith,” French & Latin origins.
    • Francis: “Frenchman,” Latin origin.
    • Inge: “Ing’s beauty,” Norse origin.
    • Ismay: “Esteemed” or “to love,” French, British, & German origins.
    • Joscelin: “A Geat” or “a Goth,” German origin.
    • Josse: “God will increase,” Dutch & French origin.
    • Joyce: “Lord” or “joyous,” Latin origin.
    • Larkin: “Descendant of Lorcán” or “fierce,” Irish & Gaelic origins.
    • Morgan: “White sea dweller,” Welsh origin.
    • Nichol: “Victory of the people,” British origin.
    • Peregrine: “Traveler,” Latin origin.
    • Remy: “From Rheims” or “rower,” French & Latin origins.
    • Stace: “Resurrection,” Greek origin.
    • Wilmot: “Will helmet” or “protection,” German origin.
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Section 6 of 6:

More Name Inspo

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  1. Looking for more name inspo? We’ve got you covered! Check out a few more of our name lists and generators:

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About This Article

Annabelle Reyes
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wikiHow Staff Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Annabelle Reyes. Annabelle Reyes is a Staff Writer at wikiHow, where she develops both how-to articles and quizzes. Annabelle earned her B.A. in English with departmental honors from UCLA in 2020. Her writing has appeared in various online publications and magazines. She now writes and edits for the content team at wikiHow with the goal of making expert knowledge accessible to anyone. She loves learning, and she is passionate about writing clear, accessible, and enjoyable content for all of wikiHow’s readers. This article has been viewed 1,527 times.
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