Alfred
Say it: AL-fred/ˈælfɹəd/
BoyMeans elf counsel6 letters2 syllables
#286
in Ireland (2025)
#276 with spellings combined
15
babies in 2025
#134
best rank (1964)
338
babies since 1964
Up 146
10-year rank change
Alfred through the years
Compare with another name →Show the numbers
| Year | Babies (boys) | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 15 | #276 |
| 2024 | 8 | #413 |
| 2023 | 7 | #460 |
| 2022 | 4 | #634 |
| 2021 | 12 | #328 |
| 2020 | 17 | #262 |
| 2019 | 4 | #616 |
| 2018 | 10 | #359 |
| 2017 | 8 | #418 |
| 2016 | 11 | #353 |
| 2015 | 8 | #422 |
| 2014 | 12 | #347 |
| 2013 | 10 | #383 |
| 2012 | 9 | #401 |
| 2011 | 5 | #540 |
| 2010 | 9 | #400 |
| 2009 | 6 | #472 |
| 2008 | 10 | #368 |
| 2007 | 3 | #629 |
| 2006 | 3 | #595 |
| 2005 | 7 | #343 |
| 2001 | 5 | #317 |
| 1995 | 4 | #301 |
| 1989 | 4 | #278 |
| 1985 | 4 | #269 |
| 1984 | 4 | #274 |
| 1983 | 5 | #258 |
| 1982 | 4 | #286 |
| 1981 | 7 | #239 |
| 1980 | 5 | #264 |
| 1979 | 4 | #292 |
| 1978 | 5 | #255 |
| 1976 | 3 | #316 |
| 1975 | 6 | #251 |
| 1974 | 9 | #218 |
| 1973 | 6 | #254 |
| 1972 | 8 | #219 |
| 1971 | 5 | #257 |
| 1970 | 10 | #191 |
| 1969 | 13 | #163 |
| 1968 | 9 | #177 |
| 1967 | 6 | #208 |
| 1966 | 10 | #159 |
| 1965 | 9 | #167 |
| 1964 | 15 | #134 |
Source: CSO, Irish Babies' Names (VSA50, VSA60), CC BY 4.0.
★ What does Alfred mean?
Elf counsel
English, from Old English Ælfrǣd, from ælf (elf) and rǣd (counsel).
Say it right
ALfred
The story of Alfred
Alfred goes back to the Old English name Ælfrǣd, made from ælf, an elf, and rǣd, counsel or advice. The Anglo-Saxons said it with a “v” sound in the middle, and the “f” we use today comes from the spelling. It is one of the few Old English names that spread across Europe, and it is still used in Scandinavia, Britain and Africa.
Its most famous bearer is Alfred the Great, the ninth-century king of Wessex, remembered in the story of the burnt cakes.
Alfred was already given in Ireland when the CSO records begin, and it was at its highest rank in the 1960s. After a long quiet spell it has come back, as its pet form Alfie became a favourite. Its best year for numbers was 2020, with 17 boys, and 15 were named Alfred in 2025. In Northern Ireland it has been less common, with 4 boys in 2025.
Say it differently where you're from, or spotted something wrong? Tell us.
Sources
- Wiktionary: Alfred (English proper noun)
- Wikipedia: Alfred (given name)
- CSO VSA50, Boys Names in Ireland with 3 or More Occurrences
- NISRA, First Forenames Given to Babies Registered in Northern Ireland
At a glance
Similar names
Sibling ideas
Nicknames
AlfAlfieFredFreddie
Spellings counted here
| Spelling | 2025 | All years |
|---|---|---|
| Alfred | 15 | 338 |
In Northern Ireland
#344 in 2025 with 4 babies. Best rank #262 (2009); 59 babies since 2008.
Source: NISRA, Open Government Licence.