46 Beautiful English Medieval Girl Names With Meanings

The Middle Ages were a tumultuous period in British history. As such, I have hand-picked 46 beautiful English Medieval girl names with meanings included.

List Of 46 English Medieval Girl Names:

Tiffany

Tiffany was popular in the US in the 70s, and it comes from Theophania a feminine name in medieval France and England. The term was used to refer to the celebration of the Epiphany (January 6), a Christian feast day commemorating the visit of the Magi.

Cecily

Cecily is the English variant of the Latin Cecilia. It is pronounced Seh-sih-lee. Cecily Neville, Duchess of York was the wife of Richard, Duke of York.

Winifred

Winifred has its origins in the Old English elements ”win” (which means ”peace”) and ”frid” (friend).

Ursula

Ursula is a name that I like. It is a diminutive of the Latin ursa (“bear”). Ursula has several short variants including Uschi and Ulla. I love Ursula in The Little Mermaid.

Hilda

Hilda is derived from Old Norse hildr which means ”battle.” Ildikó is a Hungarian variation of Hilda. Hildur. Hildur and Hild are other forms of Hilda. In Finland and Sweden, Hilda increased in popularity after 2014.

Edith

Edith has its origins in the Old English words ”ēad” (prosperity) and ”gȳð” (strife). Its French form is Édith. Edith was common in Anglo-Saxon England.

Etheldreda

Etheldreda has its roots in the Old English Æðelþryð which means ”noble.”

Elinor

Eleanor of Provence ruled beside Henry III and raised the future Edward I.

Constance

Constance is the medieval form of the Latin Constantia and is one of my favorites name on this list. Constance means “perseverance” or “constancy.” Diminutives of Constance are Cussot and Cust.

Lucia

It means ”illumination.” Lucia is the feminine form of the Roman praenomen Lucius. December 13 is the day of the feast of Santa Lucia.

Rosamund

Rosamund was brought by the Normans to medieval England. Rosamund comes from the Latin phrase ”rosa munda” (pure rose). It is also made of the Germanic elements ”hros” (horse) and ”mund” (protection).

Lettice

Lettice is derived from the Latin name Laetitia (“delight”).

Facts about Medieval England

Archery was compulsory in Medieval England.

Salt was very expensive in medieval times.

Medieval people drank a surprising quantity of wine and ale.

Football games were so violent that Edward II banned the game in 1314.

Animals could be arrested, charged with crimes, and tried in court.

Gregoria

Meaning ”vigilant” or ”watchful,” Gregoria comes from the Latin Gregorius. In the Middle Ages Gregorius was a common papal name.

Clothilde

Clothilde was rare in Medieval England and is symbolizing ”famous in battle.”

Desiderata

“Things that are desired.”

Margery

Margery has its origins in the feminine name Margaret (“pearl”). Short forms include Margie and Marge. Margery Kempe was an English Catholic mystic but has not been canonized as a Catholic saint. It can be spelled as Marjory or Margaery.

Anne

Anne is a form of the Latin Anna which is from the Hebrew Hannah (grace). In Ireland there is Anne’s Feast Day and Anne is used as an anglicized version of Áine.

Sabina

Sabina is a feminine name of Latin origin and it saw steady use in medieval England.

Emmeline

Emmeline was introduced to England by the Normans following the Conquest of 1066. Variations include Ameline, Emeline, Emalyn, Emiline, Emmalyn, or Emmaline.

Gwendolen

Gwendolen is a feminine given name derived from the Welsh Guendoloena (”blessed ring”). It first appears as that of a literary character.

Genevieve

Genevieve is meaning “tribe woman.” There are hints that Genevieve is a Gaulish form of Jennifer or Guinevere.

Vespera

Vespera is the feminine form of Vesper (“evening star”).

How to choose a good English medieval name for your baby girl

Don’t give your baby girl the same name as a famous person.

Be aware of what initials the name will create.

Make certain you are spelling it correctly.

Call out the name of your daughter as you would in daily life.

Look within your extended family tree for a potentially Medieval English name.

Beatrice

It is the English form of the French Béatrice (“blessed one”). Beatrice is gaining popularity in the United States. Saint Beatrice d’Este devoted herself to the service of God.

Hawisia

Hawisia is meaning battle. Variations include Hawisa, Hawyse, or Hawis.

Veronica

From the Attic Greek Phereníkē, Veronica is a name that is symbolizing “she who brings victory.”

Marcella

Marcella is related with the Roman god of war Mars. Marcella is the feminine version of Marcello.

Godgifu

Godgifu is an older form of Godiva which means “gift of God.” Godgifu is a name I recommend for religious parents.

Leofrun

Leofrun means “beloved secret.”

Aelfgifu

Aelfgifu is an Anglo-Saxon girl’s name, ”elf gift.”

Matilda

Matilda is from the Old German maht (might) and hild (battle). Matilda crossed the Channel with the Norman nobility.

Isabel

Isabel has its etymology in the Hebrew Elisheva, “God is my oath.” It grew in popularity in England in the 13th century with the help of Isabella of Angoulême who married King John.

Millicent

Millicent is made from the Germanic amal (that means ”work”) and swinth (strength). Norman clerks initially wrote it Milisent or Melisent.

Petronilla

Petronilla (“little rock”) started as the Roman family name Petronius.

Avice

Avice came in with the Normans and is linked with the Germanic Aveza.

Mabel

Mabel has roots in the Latin amabilis, “lovable.” It is pronounced MAY-bel.

Sybil

A sibyl was a pagan prophetess of the ancient world. Christians use it because they believed the sibyls had foretold Christ.

Basilia

Basilia comes from the Greek basileus, “king.”

Agnes

Agnes comes from the Greek hagne, “pure.” Annis and Annice are different variations.

Alice

Alice grew out of the Germanic adal, “noble.” The old spelling Alys still looks good on paper.

Emma

Emma is Germanic, from ermen, “whole” or “universal,” and it has never really gone away.

Joan

“God is gracious.” In medieval England it was as common as bread.

Juliana

Juliana is the feminine of the Roman Julianus and means “youthful.”

Cristina

Cristina is usually given in a Christian family due to its meaning: “a follower of Christ.” Christina of Markyate, born Theodora, took the name when she chose religious life and in the same time refused the marriage her parents had arranged.

Marion

Marion is a medieval pet form of Marie.

Katherine

Katherine came via Greek and got attached early to katharos, “pure.” Saint Catherine of Alexandria was one of the best-loved saints of the Middle Ages.

Cassandra

Cassandra (“she who excels over men”) belonged first to the Trojan prophetess. The Trojan War was the great story of the Middle Ages, and English sympathies sat with Troy. So it caught on and ran common through the 13th and 14th centuries.