200 Beautiful Old English Girls’ Names (Plus a Name Generator)

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Naming expert Dr. Hayley Elizabeth Wilson shares Old English girl names with beautiful & strong meanings

Co-authored by Dr. Hayley Elizabeth Wilson and Glenn Carreau

Last Updated: January 12, 2026 Fact Checked

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• Classic Names
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• Unusual
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• Beautiful
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• Anglo-Saxon
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• Medieval
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• Biblical & Royal
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• Victorian
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• Old English Name Generator

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Are you curious about the most unique and beautiful old-fashioned English girls’ names? You’ve come to the right place! In this handy guide (and name generator), we won’t just walk you through one era of English names—we’ll do a deep dive through history, introducing you to all of the most striking names of the Medieval times all the way up through the classic and vintage names of the 1800s and 1900s, with insights from naming expert Dr. Hayley Elizabeth Wilson. And don’t worry, we’ll explain what each name means (and where it comes from), too!

An Introduction to Old-Fashioned English Girl’s Names

Naming expert Dr. Hayley Elizabeth Wilson says many Old English girl names come from Anglo-Saxon words that describe light, strength, protection, and kindness. Some examples include Ælfwyn, Aldith, Guinevere, and Hilda. Other Regency-era and Victorian English names include Arabella, Blythe, Marjorie, and Philippa.

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Section 1 of 7:

Classic Old-Fashioned English Girl Names

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1. 
   “Old English girl names have a special charm because they feel strong yet gentle, rooted in history but still beautifully wearable today,” notes Dr. Wilson. She says many names “come from Anglo-Saxon words that describe light, strength, protection, and kindness, which is why they still feel meaningful centuries later.” Here, we’ll cover some of the most classic examples of old-fashioned English names—specifically, names that were really popular in England in centuries past (and, in some cases, are still somewhat well-known, even if not as popular).

   • Abigail - Hebrew roots, meaning “cause of joy” or “my father’s joy.”
   • Agatha - Greek roots, meaning “good, virtuous, honorable.”
   • Bridget - Irish roots, meaning “strength” or “the exalted one.”
   • Blythe - Old English roots, meaning “cheerful” or “joyful.”
     • Dr. Wilson says this is a “simple, soft, and sweet name choice.”
   • Cecily - Latin roots, meaning “blind” or “heaven.”
   • Dorothy - Greek roots, meaning “gift of God.”
   • Edith - Old English roots, meaning “prosperity and strife.”
     • Dr. Wilson notes that Edith is “rich in history and still feels wearable.” Plus, Edie makes a sweet nickname.
   • Eleanor - French and Greek roots, meaning “the other Aenor.”
   • Ethel - Anglo-Saxon roots, meaning “noble.”
   • Eunice - Greek roots, meaning “victory.”
   • Gertrude - Germanic roots, meaning “spear of strength.”
   • Glenda - Welsh roots, meaning “pure and good.”
   • Gwendolyn - Welsh roots, meaning “white ring” or “fair bow.”
   • Harriet - Germanic roots, meaning “home ruler.”
   • Irene - Greek roots, meaning “peace.”
   • Isabella - Spanish and Italian roots, meaning “God is my oath.” It’s also a form of “Elizabeth.”
   • Mabel - Latin roots, meaning “lovable.”
   • Marjorie - Greek and English roots, meaning “pearl.” It’s also a form of “Margaret.”
   • Mildred - Old English roots, meaning “gentle strength.”
     • Dr. Wilson says, “It is a lovely contrast of soft and strong, with Millie or Milly as a cheerful modern nickname.”
   • Penelope - Greek roots, meaning “weaver” (from the character Penelope in Homer’s The Odyssey).
   • Rosamund - Germanic and Latin roots, meaning “horse protector” or “pure rose.”
   • Ruth - Hebrew roots, meaning “friend.”
   • Sylvia - Latin roots, meaning “spirit of the wood.”
   • Tabitha - Aramaic roots, meaning “gazelle” or “gracious.”
   • Winifred - Old English and Welsh roots, meaning “blessed peacemaker” or “friend of peace.”
   • Zelda - Old German roots (a nickname of “Griselda), meaning “strong woman” or “gray battle maid.”
   • You may have noticed that, despite being “English” names, many of these names have roots in Latin, Greek, Hebrew, and beyond; that’s the case for many names that were (and are) popular among English-speakers!

   Meet the wikiHow Expert

   Dr. Hayley Elizabeth Wilson is a naming expert and consultant. She shares name meanings and naming tips with her over 20k followers on her Instagram, @little_name_library.
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Section 2 of 7:

Unusual & Unique Old English Girl Names

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1. 
   Now, let’s take a look at some of the more uncommon name options—names that definitely count as old-fashioned English names, but that you may not have heard of, nonetheless. Dr. Wilson notes that “Old English names have a special feeling due to being linked to deep meaning such as strength, joy, peace, nobility, or gift.” These unique and captivating names include the following:

   • Aldreda - Old English roots, meaning “noble strength.”
   • Alfrieda - Old English roots, meaning “elf counsel.”
   • Berenice - Greek roots, meaning “bringer of victory.”
   • Bliss - Old English roots, meaning “supreme happiness.”
   • Dahlia - Hebrew roots, meaning “hanging branch.”
   • Edwina - English roots, meaning “wealthy friend.”
   • Gytha - Old English roots, meaning “fighter.”
   • Henrietta - German roots, meaning “home ruler.”
   • Idonea - Latin and English roots, meaning “suitable” or “worthy.”
   • Isolde (or Ysolde) - Germanic and Welsh roots, meaning “ice battle” or “one who is gazed at.”
   • Junia - Latin roots, meaning “youthful.”
   • Keren - Hebrew roots, meaning “ray of light.”
   • Leona - Latin roots, meaning “lioness.”
   • Nerissa - Greek roots, meaning “sea nymph.”
   • Octavia - Latin roots, meaning “eighth.”
   • Philomena - Greek roots, meaning “lover of strength” or “loved one.”
   • Rowena - German and English roots, meaning “famous friend” or “fame and joy.”
   • Sable - Slavic roots, meaning “black.”
   • Seraphina - Hebrew roots, meaning “fiery” or “burning ones.”
   • Tansy - Greek roots, meaning “eternal life.”
   • Tillie - German roots, meaning “mighty in battle.”
   • Vespera - Latin roots, meaning “evening star.”
   • Wilhelmina - Germanic roots, meaning “resolute protector.”
   • Wilona - Old English roots, meaning “desired.”

Section 3 of 7:

Beautiful Old-Fashioned Girl Names

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1. 
   These old-fashioned names were popular in England—but, as with the names above, their origins come from many lands and languages, from Old English to Greek and Hebrew. Nonetheless, the beauty and grace in each of these names (and their distinguished meanings) are undeniable.

   • Annette - French roots, meaning “grace.”
   • Beatrice - Latin roots, meaning “voyager” or “blessed.”
   • Beverly - Old English roots, meaning “beaver stream.”
   • Celeste - Latin and French roots, meaning “heavenly.”
   • Constance - Latin roots, meaning “steadfastness.”
   • Darina - Slavic roots, meaning “gift.”
   • Delia - Greek roots, meaning “from Delos” (one of the Greek islands).
   • Elaine - French roots, meaning “sunray” or “shining light.”
   • Evelyn - English, French, German, and Irish roots, meaning “desired,” “strength,” “radiance,” or “beauty.”
   • Felicia - Latin roots, meaning “lucky.”
   • Florence - Latin roots, meaning “blossoming” or “flourishing.”
   • Juliana - Latin roots, meaning “youthful.”
   • Lillian - Latin roots, meaning “lily” and “purity.”
   • Luella - English and French roots, meaning “famed warrior.”
   • Marion - French roots, meaning “star of the sea.”
   • Matilda - German roots, meaning “mighty in battle.”
   • Pamela - Greek roots, meaning “honey” or “all sweetness.”
   • Priscilla - Latin roots, meaning “ancient” or “venerable.”
   • Rowena - Germanic and Welsh roots, meaning “white spear” or “fame and joy.”
   • Sabrina - Welsh roots, meaning “from the river Severn.”
   • Tamara - Hebrew and Arabic roots, meaning “date palm.”
   • Viviane - Latin roots, meaning “alive.”
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Section 4 of 7:

Old Anglo-Saxon Girl Games

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1. 
   We’ve covered the English names that could safely be deemed “vintage”—and now, it’s time to go even further back, way before the days of vintage. That’s right: we’re looking at Anglo-Saxon names, which originate from the ancient Germanic tribes that settled in Britain. The Anglo-Saxon period in British history began roughly around 450 C.E. …so, when we say these names are “old-fashioned,” we really mean old-fashioned!

   • Æbbe - Old English and Germanic roots, meaning “strong” or “mighty.”
   • Ælflaed - Old English roots, meaning “elf beauty.”
   • Ælfwyn - Old English roots, meaning “elf joy.”
   • Ætte - Old English roots, meaning “nobility.”
   • Æthelswith - Old English roots, meaning “strong temple” (variants include Ealhswith or Elswyth).
   • Ailred - Old English roots, meaning “wise advisor.”
   • Bealdhild - Old Germanic roots, meaning “woman warrior” or “bold sword.”
   • Berhte - Germanic roots, meaning “shining” or “glorious.”
   • Blaedswith - Old English roots, meaning “strong splendor.”
   • Ceolburh - Old English roots, meaning “fortress by the sea.”
   • Cwenhild - Old English roots, meaning “battle woman.”
   • Cyenna - Old English roots, derived from “cyning,” meaning “royalty.”
   • Cyneburga - Old English roots, meaning “royal fortress.”
   • Cynewise - Old English roots, meaning “wise family.”
   • Cynwrig - Welsh roots, meaning “chief.”
   • Eadburga - Old English roots, meaning “wealthy protector.”
   • Eadgyð - Old English roots, meaning “riches in strife.”
   • Eadu - Old English roots, meaning “wealthy.”
   • Eanflæd - Old English roots, meaning “holy maiden.”
   • Eawynn - Old English roots, meaning “river” and “joy.”
   • Elfreda - Old English roots, meaning “elf” or “old strength.”
   • Eorcengod - Old English roots, meaning “good treasure.”
   • Frythegith - Old English roots, meaning “peaceful strength.”
   • Giefu - Old English roots, meaning “gift.”
   • Godiva - Old English roots, meaning “God’s gift.”
   • Golde - Germanic and Yiddish roots, meaning “golden.”
   • Hilda - Germanic roots, meaning “battle.”
   • Inga - Old Norse roots, meaning “protected by Ing” (referring to Yngvi, or Freyr).
   • Leofgifu - Old English roots, meaning “dear gift.”
   • Leofwynn - Old English roots, meaning “dear friend.”
   • Lufu - Old English roots, meaning “love.”
   • Mæthild - Germanic roots, meaning “powerful fighter” (also spelled Mathild or Mechthild).
   • Mildrith - Old English roots, meaning “kind strength.”
   • Osthryth - Old English roots, meaning “divine strength.”
   • Oswynn - Old English roots, meaning “God’s friend.”
   • Rænmæld - Old English roots, meaning “wise speech” or “wise power.”
   • Sæhild - Old English roots, meaning “sea battle.”
   • Sæthryth - Old English roots, meaning “sea strength.”
   • Siflæd - Old English roots, meaning “hard worker.”
   • Sigeburg - Old English roots, meaning “victory” and “dwelling.”
   • Tidhild - Germanic roots, meaning “time of battle” or “battle maiden of Tid.”
   • Wulfrun - Old English roots, meaning “wolf secret.”
   • Wulfwyn - Old English roots, meaning “wolf-joy.”
   • Wynflaed - Old English roots, meaning “joy” and “beauty.”

Section 5 of 7:

Medieval English Girl Names

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1. 
   You’ll notice that, just like the section above, English names from the Middle Ages tend to have Germanic and Old English roots (compared to names popular in later centuries, at least). Well, English itself is a West Germanic language, with influences from Latin and French; geographically, it’s clear to see where many early English names likely originated. These Medieval names include:

   • Acelina - Germanic and French roots, meaning “nobility.”
   • Adeleide - German roots, meaning “noble kind.”
   • Aldith - English roots, meaning “old battle.”
   • Alesia - Greek and Germanic roots, meaning “defender” or “noble.”
   • Alienor - French roots (variant of Eleanor), meaning “the other Aenor.”
   • Amicia - Latin and Old French roots, meaning “dearly beloved” or “friend.”
   • Anais - French roots (variant of Anna), meaning “merciful, grace.”
   • Avelina - German, Italian, and Spanish roots, meaning unknown.
   • Berta - Germanic roots, meaning “bright.”
   • Catelin - Greek roots, meaning “pure.”
   • Celestria - Latin roots, meaning “heavenly.”
   • Colleta - French roots, meaning “people of victory.”
   • Dulcia - Latin roots, meaning “sweet” or “candy.”
   • Edeva - Anglo-Saxon roots, meaning “rich gift.”
   • Enota - Slovenian roots, referring to someone born on Easter.
   • Eva - Hebrew roots, meaning “living one.”
   • Elysande - Germanic roots, meaning “temple path.”
   • Guinevere - Welsh roots, meaning “white fairy” or “fair one.”
   • Gundred - Old Germanic roots, meaning “battle ruler” or “warrior’s advice.”
   • Gylda - Germanic and Old English roots, meaning “covered in gold.”
   • Hawisia - Germanic roots, meaning “of the hawks” or “victorious.”
   • Helewise - Germanic roots, meaning “hale and wide.”
   • Ingerid - Norse and Scandinavian roots, meaning “fair” or “Ing’s beauty.”
   • Isemay - Germanic and French roots, meaning “esteemed.”
   • Ivette - French roots, meaning “yew tree.”
   • Joan - Hebrew roots, meaning “Yahweh is gracious.”
   • Joya - Latin and Spanish roots, meaning “joy.”
   • Laudine - French-Arthurian roots, meaning “woman from Lothian.”
   • Lenora - English, French, and Greek roots, meaning “light.”
   • Loveday - Old English roots (derived from “Leofdaeg”), meaning “beloved day.”
   • Lora - Latin roots, meaning “crowned with laurel.”
   • Lunete - French and Latin roots, meaning “little moon.”
   • Mabella - French and Latin roots, meaning “lovable.”
   • Magdalen - Hebrew roots, meaning “elegant, great.”
   • Margareta - Greek roots, meaning “pearl.”
   • Mariota - Greek and Scottish roots, meaning “pearl.”
   • Mathilde - Old Germanic roots, meaning “mighty in battle.”
   • Maude - Germanic roots, meaning “mighty in battle.”
   • Meliora - Latin roots, meaning “better” (as in, “better things” or “for the pursuit of the better”).
   • Milicent - Germanic roots, meaning “strong in work.”
   • Olwen - Welsh roots, meaning “white footprint.”
   • Petronilla - Latin and Greek roots, meaning “rock.”
   • Regina - Latin roots, meaning “queen.”
   • Roana - Germanic roots, meaning “fame and joy” (a variation of Rowena).
   • Sabella - Hebrew and Latin roots, meaning “God is my oath” or “sand.”
   • Sabina - Latin roots, meaning “Sabine” (a tribe that lived in ancient Italy).
   • Sophronia - Greek roots, meaning “wise” or “self-controlled.”
   • Swanhild - German and Saxon roots, meaning “battle swan.”
   • Theda - German roots, meaning “people.”
   • Venetia - Latin roots, meaning “from Venice.”
   • Ysmeine - Arabic roots, meaning “jasmine flower.”
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Section 6 of 7:

Biblical & Royal English Girl Names

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1. 
   These old English names all either have roots in the Bible (a common theme in English names like Mary or Theresa), or they’re names commonly used by British and European royalty. Or, in some cases, they fall into both categories! Let’s take a look:

   • Alexandra - Greek roots, meaning “defender of mankind.”
   • Alice - German roots, meaning “noble.”
   • Anne - Hebrew and English roots, meaning “God has favored me.”
   • Caroline - German and French roots, meaning “free man” or “free woman.”
   • Catherine - Greek roots, meaning “pure” or “clear.”
   • Charlotte - French roots, meaning “army.”
   • Elizabeth - Hebrew roots, meaning “God is my oath.”
     • Variants include: Eliza, Elise, Elizabetha, Elsa, Elspeth, Lisette, Liesel, Eilis, Elizaveta, and Elisheva
   • Esther - Persian roots, meaning “star.”
   • Grace - Latin roots, meaning “favor” or “blessing.”
   • Helena - Greek roots, meaning “shining light.”
   • Judith - Hebrew roots, meaning “praised.”
   • Mary - Hebrew roots, meaning “beloved” or “drop of the sea.”
   • Philippa - Greek roots, meaning “lover of horses.”
   • Sarah - Hebrew roots, meaning “princess.”
   • Sophie - Greek roots, meaning “wisdom.”
   • Theresa - Greek roots, meaning “to harvest.”
   • Victoria - Latin roots, meaning “victorious.”

Section 7 of 7:

Old Victorian English Girl Names

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1. 
   The Victorian period of British history is well-known for a lot of things—including its striking names—and many of the names that were all the rage back then are still beloved classics today. Without further ado, let’s examine some of the most popular Victorian girls’ names:

   • Alma - Latin roots, meaning “nourishing.”
   • Arabella - Latin and Scottish roots, meaning “prayerful.”
   • Audrey - English roots, meaning “noble strength.”
     • Dr. Wilson says, “It has an elegant, timeless feel and a bit of a starry glamour, thanks to cultural associations. It is graceful and confident all at once.”
   • Beryl - Greek roots, meaning “pale green precious stone.”
   • Briar - English roots, meaning “thorny rose bush.”
   • Clara - Latin roots, meaning “bright, clear.”
   • Clementine - Latin roots, meaning “merciful, gentle.”
   • Cora - Greek roots, meaning “heart” or “maiden.”
   • Darcy - French and Irish roots, meaning “from Arcy” or “dark-haired.”
   • Ebba - Germanic roots, meaning “strong.”
   • Ellen - Greek roots, meaning “shining light.”
   • Hannah - Hebrew roots, meaning “grace.”
   • Hazel - Old English roots, meaning “hazel tree.”
   • Ida - Germanic roots, meaning “hardworking.”
   • Louisa - Germanic roots, meaning “famous warrior.”
   • Marie - French and Hebrew roots, meaning “beloved” or “star of the sea.”
   • Olive - Latin roots, meaning “olive tree.”
   • Olivia - Latin roots, meaning “olive tree.”
   • Phoebe - Greek roots, meaning “radiant” or “bright.”
   • Rose - Latin roots, meaning “rose flower.”
   • Ruby - Latin and English roots, meaning “red gemstone.”
   • Thelma - Greek roots, meaning “will” or “volition.”
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