Old English (also called Anglo-Saxon) was a Germanic language that was spoken in England from about the 7th century to the 12th century. It was the ancestor of Middle English and English.

After the Norman conquest, many Old English given names were replaced by Norman French names. Names like Leofwine, Sigeberht and Æðelflæd fell out of use. In other instances native Old English names were replaced by continental Germanic cognates.

Names of Old English origin in use today include Edward, Alfred (both names of pre-Norman English kings), Audrey and Edith.