35 Popular Saxon Baby Names With Meanings

Unearthing distinct and timeless treasures in a contemporary world.

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Last Updated on Nov 12, 2024

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Saxon baby names have been underused for the past few centuries. If you intend to have a distinctive name for your little one, these names stand out. The term Saxon is used to designate the Germanic tribe that settled near the North Sea coast, which is now Germany. The word is derived from ‘seax,’ a kind of knife for which they were known. Saxons and Anglo-Saxons are different and do not belong to the same tribe or region. However, there is a thin line of difference between the two. The Saxons were a Germanic tribe who resided in Saxony, land that is now in modern Northern Germany and the Eastern Netherlands, while the Anglo-Saxons are the Celtic people who lived in Britannia when the Romans conquered the province. Under Roman rule, the Romans and the British became a unified society.

Saxon baby names have a distinct German sound and a Scottish lilt. There weren’t any family names or surnames in those times. The nobles and aristocratic families were given names of their famous forbearers, for example, Baducings, Besingas, and Gumeningas along with the suffix –ing, which means ‘people of.’ Since the Saxons were the last Europeans to convert to Christianity, the influence of Christian names is rarely seen. However, the Saxons believed in Germanic paganism and names such as Aesca, meaning ‘gift of the ash tree,’ Ceawa, meaning ‘tree of a man,’ and Selewine, a name which means ‘a friend of rocks’ or ‘one who befriends rocks,’ represent their beliefs.

When selecting a Saxon baby name, thorough research on its meaning should be done as the name may have different meanings or connotations in Old English in comparison to modern English or American English. To make your task a bit easier, we have gathered a list of Saxon baby names with meanings and their traditional gender use. Explore these Saxon names below.

Name	Gender	Meaning
Aedith	Boy	A rich and blessed war
Aeditha	Girl	The war of riches and blessed
Aeldret	Boy	A wise person; An advisor
Aesc	Boy	The ash tree or the tree of ash
Aesca	Girl	A girl from the ash tree
Aescby	Unisex	One who lives by the ash tree
Aescford	Boy	A water stream by the ash tree
Aeschild	Boy	The child from the ash tree
Aescla	Girl	One who is from the ash tree farm
Aescleah	Girl	The forest of ash tree

Aesclin	Girl	One who belongs to the farm of ash tree
Aesctun	Boy	The town by the ash tree
Brihthere	Boy	Bright army
Brihtiua	Boy	Bright individual
Brihtiue	Boy	Brightness
Ceawa	Boy	The tree of a man
Fromund	Boy	The lord who protects
Gedla	Unisex	One who belongs to the place called Gedling
Leuthard	Boy	A brave person; Brave as a lion
Leuthere	Boy	An Anglo-Saxon bishop of Winchester

Mildgyth	Girl	A tender gift; A small one
Mildoina	Girl	A mild power of someone
Mildraed	Girl	Someone of gentle strength
Mildryth	Girl	A person of gentle strength
Milred	Boy	A gentle strength
Offa	Boy	The person who supports others; To the fulfillment of a need
Oger	Boy	A person with the newest or freshest hair
Segovax	Boy	A good sea; Sea for good
Selewine	Girl	A friend of rocks; One who befriends rocks
Tateleigh	Girl	A glad or cheerful person of the woods

Tidhelm	Boy	Time for the cattle shelter
Tidin	Boy	One who is riding; Clearing
Tidsige	Boy	The time for victory
Torhtsige	Boy	The victory of thunder God
Totta	Boy	A pet name means bright helmet

For parents who are drawn towards quintessential names, Saxon baby names offer a rich, underused reservoir of possibilities. With strong Germanic roots and influences from nature, religion, and other positive and formidable qualities, Saxon names can give an extraordinary chime. However, before deciding on a name, thorough research should be done to avoid confusion with modern English or American names and spellings. Explore these names below to find the perfect one for your little boy or girl.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are some Saxon names based on historical figures?

Widukind, a prominent figure in the Saxon wars, Hermann or Arminius, a chieftain of the Germanic Cherusci tribe, Liudolf, the Duke of Saxony, Mathilde, a Saxon noblewoman and saint, and Brunhild, a Visigothic princess, are some Saxon names based on historical figures.

2. How can I incorporate both Saxon and modern elements into my baby's name?

To incorporate both Saxon and modern elements in a baby name, you may use a modern name as a first or middle name and a Saxon choice as the other option. You can also use modern nicknames such as Harry for Harold or Hildie for Hilda. Some parents also combine Saxon and modern names into a single one. Some examples include Wilhelm and Mason combined to make Wilhelmson and Mathilde and Avery combined to form Mathavery.

3. Who are some famous personalities with Saxon names that can inspire name choices?

Several famous personalities with Saxon names have created timeless name choices. Otto von Bismarck, the first Chancellor of the German Empire, Hildegarde of Bingen, a German Benedictine abbess and writer, Ludwig van Beethoven, a famous composer, and Wilhelm Röntgen, a German physicist, are some notable bearers of Saxon names.

Infographic: Saxon Names For Your Champion

Saxon baby names are rooted in Old German and British culture, from the land of fairytale castles and stunning landscapes. From their distinctive sounds to unique meanings, these Saxon names mix traditional and Christian elements. The infographic below shows various Saxon baby names for both boys and girls.

Look Up For Many More Names

Do you have a name in mind and want to know more about it? Or want to find names belonging to a particular origin, religion, or having a specific meaning? Use our search tool below to explore more baby names with different combinations.