Alfred

Name meaning, origin, pronunciation, and popularity rankings

Origin:English
Names Ending in DEnglish NamesTwo Syllable Names
Generate more names like AlfredCompare with other namesFind similar names
How to pronounce the name Alfred
Pronunciation guide for Alfred
ARPA
AE1 L F R AH0 D
IPA
ˈælfrɪd

Pronunciation Breakdown

Detailed phonetic analysis of how to say Alfred

Syllables (2)

AE1 L F R AH0 D

Bold syllables indicate primary stress

Sound Breakdown

AE1
at (æ)
L
lee (l)
F
fee (f)
R
read (r)
AH0
hut (ʌ)
D
dee (d)

International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA)

ˈælfrɪd

Standard international representation

Pronunciation Tips

• Alfred has 2 syllables. Take your time with each part.

• Emphasize the syllable marked in bold for correct pronunciation.

Name Statistics
Key metrics and characteristics of Alfred

Structure

Character Count
6
Syllable Count
2
Vowel Ratio
33%
Name Family
alfr

Usability

Pronunciation Difficulty7/10

May be challenging for some

International Friendliness10/10

Works well across languages

DNA profile of the name Alfred
Unique character and personality of the name Alfred

Name Personality

The Global
Global
Adaptable
Modern

Key Characteristics

Length
Medium

Balanced and versatile

Rhythm
Flowing

Balanced rhythm

Sound
Strong

Consonant-rich and crisp

Ease
Complex

Challenging pronunciation

Global
Universal

Works across cultures

Heritage
alfr

Part of this name family

Letter Frequency

a×1
l×1
f×1

Most frequent letters in Alfred

Visual Pattern

Tall bars = vowels, Short bars = consonants

Name Statistics

📊
Syllables
2 syllables
🗣️
Ease of Pronunciation
Challenging
7/10 difficulty
🌍
International Friendliness
Excellent
10/10 global ease
Pronunciation Difficulty Comparison

How does Alfred compare to the average name?

Alfred7/10 😬
7.0
Average Name5.0/10
5.0

Alfred is harder than average by 2.0 points.

Difficulty Scale:

Very Easy (0–2)
Easy (2–4)
Moderate (4–6)
Challenging (6–8)← Alfred
Difficult (9–11)
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦Name Family

Names related to Alfred (root: alfr)

Current Name

Alfred

Related Names (15)

Medium variations:

Alfread
Alfreada
Alfreco
Alfreda
Alfredas
Alfredia
Alfredo
Alfreeda
Alfreida
Alfretta

Long variations:

Alfred-james
Alfreddie
Alfredina
Alfredine
Alfredrick

Alfred belongs to a family of 21 related names.Showing 15 most common variations.

What does the name Alfred mean?
The meaning and origin of Alfred
Historical Reference

1. king of Wessex; defeated the Vikings and encouraged writing in English (849-899)

English
name
//ˈælfɹəd//

Alfred the Great, early king of England.; A male given name from Old English.

Etymology: From Middle English Alfred, from Old English Ælfrǣd, from ælf (“elf”) + rǣd (“counsel”). Doublet of Alfredo and Avery. The modern pronunciation with /f/ is a spelling pronunciation; the name in Old English was pronounced with [v], as shown in its Middle English descendant Alured (in which u stands for modern v).

French
name
//al.fʁɛd//

a male given name

Etymology: From English Alfred, from Old English Ælfræd.

German
name
//ˈalfʁeːt//

a male given name, popular in the 19th century

Etymology: Borrowed from English Alfred, from Old English Ælfræd.

Dutch
name
//ˈɑl.frɛt//

a male given name

Etymology: Borrowed from English Alfred.

Polish
name
//ˈal.frɛt//

a male given name, equivalent to English Alfred

Etymology: Borrowed from English Alfred, from Old English Ælfræd.

Swedish
name

a male given name, fashionable in the 19th century

Etymology: Borrowed from English Alfred, from Old English Ælfræd. First recorded as a Swedish given name in 1751.

Norwegian
name

a male given name

Etymology: Borrowed from English Alfred, from Old English Ælfræd.

Danish
name

a male given name

Etymology: Borrowed from English Alfred, from Old English Ælfræd.

Finnish
name
//ˈɑlfred//

a male given name; Alfred Nussi

Etymology: From English Alfred, from Old English Ælfræd, possibly through Swedish Alfred.

Meaning Theme
The emotional tone and themes in Alfred's meanings

Primary Theme

📖
Descriptive

Based on origin, place, or historical context

Theme Distribution

Aspirational
2
Descriptive
11

Key Themes

king
vikings
great}]
great,
Name Numerology
Numerological analysis and letter patterns for Alfred

Life Path Number

1
The Leader

Natural leaders who forge their own path with determination and courage.

Independent
Ambitious
Pioneering
Confident

Most Common Letters

a×1
l×1
f×1
r×1
e×1

Sound Composition

Vowels
2(33%)
Consonants
4(67%)

Consonant-heavy names tend to sound more crisp and strong

Numerology Breakdown

a1
l3
f6
r9
e5
d4

Each letter is assigned a number (1-9). These are added together and reduced to find your Life Path Number.

Notable People Named Alfred
Famous individuals named Alfred
👤

Alfred Brendel

Austrian composer and pianist (1931–2025)

Born: 1931

👤

Alfred Hrdlicka

Austrian sculptor and chess player (1928-2009)

Born: 1928

Where is Alfred popular?
Countries where Alfred ranks in the top baby names
🇩🇰
Denmark
#8
2018
🇸🇪
Sweden
#11
2019
🇩🇪
Germany
#19
1930
🇳🇴
Norway
#42
2018
🇬🇧
United Kingdom
#81
2024
🇨🇦
Canada
#91
1954
🇨🇿
Czechia
#98
1944
🇳🇿
New Zealand
#100
1946
🇫🇷
France
#491
1978
🇺🇸
United States
#838
2024
How popular is the name Alfred?
Popularity rankings and trends for Alfred around the world
Alfred Popularity in United States
Historical ranking trend for boys named Alfred

Lower rank numbers indicate higher popularity (e.g., #1 is most popular)

Alfred Popularity in United States
Historical ranking trend for girls named Alfred

Lower rank numbers indicate higher popularity (e.g., #1 is most popular)

Country Comparison
How Alfred ranks across different countries

Showing top 10 countries by ranking (lower rank = more popular)

Parents who like Alfred also like these names
Names similar to Alfred in style, sound, and origin
AlfreadAlfreadaAlfrecoAlfredAlfred-jamesAlfredaAlfredasAlfreddieAlfrediaAlfredinaAlfredineAlfredoAlfredrickAlfreedaAlfreidaAlfrettaAlfreðAlfridAlfridaAlfriedAlfrieda
What words rhyme with the name Alfred?
Rhyming words for Alfred

No rhyming words found for Alfred.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Alfred mean in English?
Alfred the Great, early king of England.; A male given name from Old English.
What does Alfred mean in French?
a male given name
What does Alfred mean in German?
a male given name, popular in the 19th century
What does Alfred mean in Dutch?
a male given name
What does Alfred mean in Polish?
a male given name, equivalent to English Alfred
What does Alfred mean in Swedish?
a male given name, fashionable in the 19th century
What does Alfred mean in Norwegian?
a male given name
What does Alfred mean in Danish?
a male given name
What does Alfred mean in Finnish?
a male given name; Alfred Nussi
How popular is Alfred in Canada?
Alfred is moderately popular in Canada as of 1954, ranking at #91. It ranks in the top 100 boys' names.
How popular is Alfred in Czechia?
Alfred is moderately popular in Czechia as of 1944, ranking at #98. It ranks in the top 100 boys' names.
How popular is Alfred in Denmark?
Alfred is extremely popular in Denmark as of 2018, ranking at #8. It's one of the top ten most popular boys' names in the country.
How popular is Alfred in France?
Alfred is used but uncommon in France as of 1978, ranking at #491. While it is used as a boys' name, it's relatively uncommon.
How popular is Alfred in Germany?
Alfred is very popular in Germany as of 1930, ranking at #19. It ranks in the top 20 boys' names.
How popular is Alfred in New Zealand?
Alfred is moderately popular in New Zealand as of 1946, ranking at #100. It ranks in the top 100 boys' names.
How popular is Alfred in Norway?
Alfred is quite popular in Norway as of 2018, ranking at #42. It ranks in the top 50 boys' names.
How popular is Alfred in Sweden?
Alfred is very popular in Sweden as of 2019, ranking at #11. It ranks in the top 20 boys' names.
How popular is Alfred in United Kingdom?
Alfred is moderately popular in United Kingdom as of 2024, ranking at #81. It ranks in the top 100 boys' names.
How popular is Alfred in United States?
Alfred is used but uncommon in United States as of 2024, ranking at #838. While it is used as a boys' name, it's relatively uncommon.
How do you pronounce Alfred?
IPA: /ˈælfrɪd/ ARPA: AE1 L F R AH0 D This name may be challenging for some to pronounce.
How many syllables are in Alfred?
Alfred has 2 syllables.
Is Alfred easy to pronounce?
Alfred can be challenging to pronounce. It contains sound combinations that may be unfamiliar to many people.
Is Alfred easy to pronounce internationally?
Yes, Alfred is extremely international-friendly (10/10). It uses sounds that are common across many languages and cultures, making it easy for people worldwide to pronounce.
Who are some famous people named Alfred?
There are 100 notable people named Alfred. This name has significant cultural presence and recognition.
What names are similar to Alfred?
Names similar to Alfred include: Alfread, Alfreada, Alfreco, Alfred-james, Alfreda. These names share similar sounds or roots.
Is Alfred a good baby name?
Alfred is a good baby name, particularly if you value names that are internationally friendly.
Is Alfred a boy or girl name?
Alfred can be used for any gender, though usage varies by culture and region. Check the rankings section to see gender distribution patterns.
How do you spell Alfred?
The name is spelled A-l-f-r-e-d. Common spelling variations include: Alfread, Alfreada, Alfreco.
What are common nicknames for Alfred?
Common nicknames for Alfred include: Alf, Alfry, Alfie. Nicknames often develop naturally based on personal preference and family traditions.
What middle names go well with Alfred?
Middle names that pair well with Alfred include: Elizabeth, Alexander, Benjamin. Consider the flow and rhythm when saying the full name aloud. Names with different syllable counts often create a pleasant cadence.
What sibling names pair well with Alfred?
Sibling names that pair well with Alfred include: Alfread, Alfreada, Alfreco, Alfred-james. These names share similar origins, sounds, or cultural backgrounds, creating a cohesive family naming theme.
Will teachers be able to pronounce Alfred?
Alfred may require some pronunciation guidance. Teachers might initially mispronounce it, but most will learn quickly with correction. Consider providing a pronunciation guide (like the phonetic spelling) for school records.
What culture is the name Alfred from?
Alfred originates from English culture. English names developed from various sources including Anglo-Saxon, Norman, and Old English roots. Many evolved from occupations, locations, or personal characteristics. Understanding a name's cultural origin provides insight into its deeper significance and the traditions it represents.
Is Alfred suitable for a professional career?
Alfred is well-suited for professional contexts. It's internationally friendly for global careers and appropriate length for business cards and email addresses. Names that are easy to say, spell, and remember often have advantages in career settings, though ultimately competence matters far more than name choice.
Is Alfred a long or short name?
Alfred is a short name with 6 letters (2 syllables). Short names are practical and easy to use in everyday contexts. They rarely need nicknames.
What are common misspellings of Alfred?
Common spelling variations of Alfred include: Alfread, Alfreada, Alfreco. Always verify the correct spelling with the parent.
What's the difference between Alfred and Alfread?
Alfred and Alfread are related names that share similar origins or sounds. Alfred is spelled Alfred while Alfread is spelled Alfread. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference, cultural background, or family tradition.