Old English Boy Names

Old English was the language of the Anglo-Saxons, spoken in England before the Norman Conquest, and many boys' names on this list come from Old English place names or occupations. Place names were often built from simple elements: ton meant an enclosure or farmstead, ley meant a clearing or meadow, and den meant a valley. Ashton means ash tree farmstead, Easton means eastern farmstead, and Wesley means western meadow. Hayden is often interpreted as hay valley, and Colton and Peyton come from place names that include a personal name and the ton element.

Other names on this list began as occupational surnames. Hunter describes a hunter, Tyler a tile maker, and Ryder a mounted warrior or messenger. Avery comes from an Old English name meaning elf counsel, and Blake comes from an Old English word that could mean either dark or pale. Wyatt comes from a medieval personal name, and Brandon and Landon come from place names describing hills.

These names have a strong, grounded feel, and many of them work well with a range of surnames. Because they began as place names and surnames, they often sound modern despite their long history. If you choose an Old English name, consider how it sounds with your surname and whether you like the idea of a name tied to a landscape or occupation.