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Medieval Names

Medieval names are often thought of as clunky, consonant heavy choices, such as Ermentrude and Ulrich. While these names were well-used throughout the Middle Ages, the most popular medieval names were classic, familiar choices including Alice, Isabella, and Emma for girls, and William, John, and Henry for boys.

In fact, these names were so common that creative nicknames had to evolve to distinguish one from another. Many traditional nicknames and derivatives emerged in the Middle Ages, including Bess, Hal, and Ellen. Others survive today only in surnames, such as Jenkins — Jenkin was a nickname for John — and Perrin, a variation of Peter.

Along with Alice and William, other medieval names that currently rank in the US Top 1000 include Amira, Beatrice, Dante, Ellis, Emmeline, Lucia, Roger, and Walter. Rare and intriguing medieval names worth reviving include Amabel, Cyprian, Isabeau, and Lucan.

A number of medieval names are more common for the opposite sex today. In the Middle Ages, Christian and Julian were mostly feminine names, while Hilary and Vivian were considered masculine names.

The names listed here include popular and rare names associated with medieval times, along with names of famous figures in medieval legend.

Beatrix

Meaning: she who brings happiness; blessed

Origin:Latin
112
Belle

Meaning: beautiful

Origin:Short form of Isabelle or French
310
Bluebell

Meaning: blue bell

Origin:Flower name from English
830
Bridget

Meaning: strength or exalted one

Origin:Anglicized variation of Gaelic Brighid
253
Bonnie

Meaning: beautiful, cheerful

Origin:Scottish
143
Bronte

Meaning: thunder

Origin:Greek
480
Blake

Meaning: fair-haired, dark

Origin:English
289
Blake

Meaning: fair-haired, dark

Origin:English
691
Bunny The meaning of Bunny is 'little rabbit'. It ...
Origin:Nickname deriving from a variety of B names
842
Birdie

Meaning: bird

Origin:English
130
Bibi

Meaning: toy; delight; lady of the house; life

Origin:French, Persian, or diminutive of Bibiana
1522
Briar

Meaning: a thorny patch

Origin:Nature name, English word name
1784
Briar

Meaning: a thorny patch

Origin:English
293
Blanche

Meaning: white

Origin:French
239
Brianna

Meaning: strong, virtuous and honorable

Origin:Feminine variation of Brian
479
Bernadette

Meaning: brave as a bear

Origin:German
548
Bea

Meaning: she who brings happiness

Origin:Diminutive of Beatrice
348
Bellamy

Meaning: fine friend

Origin:English and Irish from French
627
Bellamy

Meaning: fine friend

Origin:English and Irish from French
2010
Bartholomew

Meaning: son of the furrow

Origin:Aramaic
141