Alfred

Alfred meaning

Alfred is an international boy's name of Old English origin.

Elf counsel: ælf "elf" + rǽd "counsel, wisdom"

Also used to mean: wise counsellor

Alfred is the Old English name Ælfræd, which the Online Etymology Dictionary explains as ælf, "elf", plus ræd, "counsel". In Bosworth-Toller's Anglo-Saxon dictionary, ælf is an elf or spirit, and rǽd covers advice, good judgement, intelligence and a plan reached after careful thought, so "wise counsel" is a fair reading of the whole. The Anglo-Saxons used other elf-names, such as Ælfwine, which became Alvin. The most famous bearer is Alfred the Great, king of the West Saxons from 871 to 899, who defended his kingdom against Viking armies and encouraged learning in English. Alfie and Freddie are its friendly short forms.

Source: Online Etymology Dictionary (etymonline.com), s.v. Alfred · entry Alfred · See the entry · checked 25 Oct 2026

References: Online Etymology Dictionary, Alfred · Bosworth-Toller, ÆLF · Bosworth-Toller, rǽd

Famous namesakes

• Alfred the Great, king of the West Saxons (871-899)
• Alfred Nobel, founder of the Nobel Prizes

Popularity abroad

• #840 United States, boys 2025 (down 3 from 837 in 2024)
  US Social Security Administration
• #76 England and Wales, boys 2025
  Office for National Statistics

Official birth registrations. India publishes no national name statistics.

Spellings

Alfred · Alfredo · Alfrid

Related names

Also meaning wisdom

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