Alfred Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Alfred originates from the Old English name Ælfrēd, meaning 'elf counsel' or 'wise counselor'. It has evolved through various forms, including Latin adaptations. The name is associated with traits of wisdom and leadership, particularly due to the historical figure Alfred the Great. There is no biblical relevance attached to the name, and it gained popularity in the 9th century. Today, it is recognized for its classic charm and historical significance.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Alfred"
Pronunciation
/ˈæl.frəd/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Alfred is derived from the Old English name Ælfrēd, which means 'elf counsel' or 'wise counselor'. The first element 'Ælf' refers to 'elf', a supernatural being in Germanic mythology, and the second element 'rēd' means 'counsel' or 'advice'.
Meaning
elf counsel, wise counselor
Language Evolution
Ælfrēd (Old English), Alfredus (Latin), Alfred (Modern English)
Historical Usage
The name Alfred gained popularity in the 9th century, particularly due to the fame of Alfred the Great, the King of Wessex, who defended England against Viking invasions and promoted education and legal reform. His legacy solidified the name's prominence in England.
Variants & Derivatives
Alfie, Alfredo, Alfrede
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, the name Alfred is often associated with wisdom and leadership due to its historical roots. It retains a classic appeal but is less common as a given name compared to its variants.
Famous People
Alfred the Great (King of Wessex), Alfred Lord Tennyson (Poet Laureate of Great Britain), Alfred Nobel (Inventor of dynamite and founder of the Nobel Prizes)
📊 Alfred Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Alfred Name Visualizations
✨ Alfred Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 6,291 peak births in 1928
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Rhode Island
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 12 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Alfred"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Alfred"
"Alfred" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 43rd of 7545 | 77,327 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 61st of 6773 | 64,480 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 122nd of 7552 | 53,607 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 202nd of 10718 | 19,281 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 355th of 16616 | 10,229 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 699th of 24088 | 4,667 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 860th of 23106 | 3,117 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 1746th of 9107 | 396 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 1815th of 9204 | 373 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 3112th of 12526 | 271 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 4851st of 19264 | 180 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 12734th of 27321 | 59 |
Regional Popularity of "Alfred" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
3.67% 52nd/1416 |
2.10% 29th/1379 |
2.45% 58th/2366 |
3.33% 38th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
5.69% 88th/1546 |
2.96% 46th/1556 |
3.06% 72nd/2353 |
4.14% 64th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
7.90% 176th/2227 |
3.25% 79th/2430 |
3.96% 113th/2853 |
4.65% 129th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
8.92% 262nd/2937 |
4.51% 157th/3483 |
5.51% 194th/3518 |
5.19% 210th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
13.03% 480th/3685 |
6.75% 302nd/4475 |
6.47% 336th/5194 |
5.27% 333rd/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
22.52% 1032nd/4582 |
11.50% 594th/5164 |
9.94% 727th/7313 |
8.43% 629th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
24.10% 960th/3984 |
15.49% 695th/4487 |
14.26% 973rd/6822 |
13.35% 838th/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Alfred" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
100.00% 1416th/1416 |
75.34% 1039th/1379 |
100.00% 2366th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
100.00% 1546th/1546 |
79.05% 1230th/1556 |
- | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Alfred"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Alfred" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Alfred" in the United States
The name Alfred is most popular in Rhode Island, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the G.I. Generation generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is gaining popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Alfred has been too falling for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, too falling for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, too falling for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Alfred' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 43rd out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 61st out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 122nd out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 202nd out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 355th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 699th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 860th out of 23106 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1746th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1815th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 3112th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 4851st out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 12734th out of 27321 names. Discover how the name 'Alfred' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.