Alfred
Meaning of Alfred
The name Alfred is a classic and timeless choice for boys, with roots deeply embedded in English and German cultures. Pronounced as AL-frid in English and AHL-fret in German, Alfred carries a dignified and historical resonance. The name originates from Old English, combining "ælf," meaning elf or supernatural being, and "ræd," meaning counsel or advice—thus signifying "wise counselor." Historically, the most notable bearer of this name is Alfred the Great, the 9th-century King of Wessex who defended England against Viking invasion and was renowned for his wisdom and fair rule. Variations of the name include Alf and Alfredo, offering modern parents versatile options. In recent years, Alfred has seen fluctuating popularity in the United States, peaking notably during the early 20th century but maintaining a steady presence on baby name charts over the decades. This enduring appeal makes Alfred a distinguished yet approachable choice for any newborn boy.
Pronunciation
German
- Pronunced as AHL-fret (/ˈalfʁɛt/)
English
- Pronunced as AL-frid (/ˈælfrɪd/)
U.S. Popularity Chart
States Popularity Chart
Notable People Named Alfred
| Sir Alfred Joseph Hitchcock was an influential English film director, known for his suspenseful films and iconic television series. |
| Alfred the Great, a renowned King of the West Saxons and Anglo-Saxons, implemented significant administrative and military reforms during his reign, leaving a lasting impact on England. |
| Alfred North Whitehead, an English mathematician and philosopher, is known for creating process philosophy, which has had a significant impact across various disciplines such as ecology, theology, education, physics, biology, economics, and psychology. |
| Alfred Russel Wallace was an English naturalist and explorer who independently conceived the theory of evolution through natural selection, which influenced Charles Darwin's work on the topic. |
| Alfred Deakin was a prominent Australian politician and statesman who played a key role in the early politics of Australia and served as the second prime minister of the country. |
| Alfred Adler was an Austrian medical doctor and psychotherapist known for founding the school of individual psychology, emphasizing the importance of belonging, family constellation, and birth order in personality development. |
| Alfred Stieglitz was an influential American photographer and modern art promoter who played a key role in establishing photography as a recognized art form and introduced avant-garde European artists to the U.S. through his New York art galleries, and was married to painter Georgia O'Keeffe. |
| Alfred Charles Kinsey was an influential American sexologist and biologist known for his groundbreaking research on human sexuality and for founding the Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction. |
| Alfred Bernhard Nobel was a Swedish chemist, inventor, and businessman who is famous for inventing dynamite and establishing the Nobel Prize. |
| Alfred de Grazia, a political scientist and author from Chicago, Illinois, made significant contributions to computer-based social network analysis, personal digital archives, and defended the catastrophism thesis of Immanuel Velikovsky. |
| Alfred Lee Loomis was a multifaceted American figure known for his contributions to science, technology, and philanthropy, including his pivotal role in the development of radar and the atomic bomb during World War II. |
| Alfred Molina is a British actor known for his work on stage and screen, with notable roles in productions such as Oklahoma!, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and Fiddler on the Roof. |
| Alfred Pleasonton was a prominent Union Army general during the American Civil War, known for his leadership in major cavalry battles and his role in ending the war in Missouri. |
| Alfred Stedman Hartwell was a lawyer, American Civil War soldier, and later served as a cabinet minister and judge in the Kingdom of Hawaii. |
| Alfred Blalock was an American surgeon known for his pioneering work on the medical condition of shock and the development of the Blalock–Thomas–Taussig shunt, a surgical procedure that revolutionized cardiac surgery. |
