indicate the level to which a name has been verified.
Gender Feminine
Usage Anglo-Saxon
Other Forms FormsAnsithe, Eanswida, Eanswide, Eanswithe, Eanswythe
Meaning & History
From the Old English feminine name Eanswið or Eanswiþ, of which the meaning of the first element is uncertain. It might possibly be derived from Old English eane meaning "lamb" or the Old English verb eanian meaning "to give birth" (usually of animals), which is etymologically related to the modern English verb to yean. All are descended from (or otherwise etymologically related to) the Proto-Germanic verb *aunōną meaning "to lamb, to yean". With that said, the second element of this name is derived from Old English swiþ meaning "strong".This name was borne by a daughter of king Eadbald of Kent (7th century AD), who was canonized by the Catholic Church sometime after her death.