Message: "I've got a question about the name of...."

I've got a question about the name of....

by Lucille

12/3/2003, 8:55 AM

Alfred. I read on this site that it's an Old English first name. But I always thought it was a Germanic name, composed of the elements 'al' (= noble) and 'fred' (= peace). Like 'al' from Albert and 'fred' from Manfred.

Can't it be that it's *also* Germanic in origin? I mean, that in England it exists, but composed of different elements, and vice versa in Germany? I think Alfred must've existed in Germany way before the Anglo-Saxons, so that it's composed of Germanic elements instead of Anglo-Saxon ones.

What do you think? Could I be right? Or am I wrong and is Alfred strictly Anglo-Saxon?

Greetings,

Lucille

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- Satu (guest) +1

12/3/2003, 11:45 AM

Hi Lucille,

Alfred is Anglo-Saxon, but the roots are Germanic. I do not know the ancient Germanic form but Old German forms are Alfrad, Albrad, Alberad with exactly the same meaning ("elf" + "counsel". They are still used in these forms today (very rare though).

In Germany and Scandinavia the name Alfred is used as a variant form of the names

Alfrid (Allfrid, Alfried, Allfried)
which means "all" + "peace"

and

Adalfried (Alfried, Alfrid)
which means "noble" + "peace"

as well.

So you are right, too!

Regards, Satu

- Lucille

12/3/2003, 11:52 AM

So I was right indeed, there are 2 possibilities with the name! :) Thanks! :)

I like to think it's a variant of Adalfried rather than just being Anglo-Saxon (I'm more into Germanic names instead of Anglo-Saxon ones) then. :)

Greetings,

Lucille

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