A 1920s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Alfred since 1880
Babies named Alfred per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 4,837 |
| 1890s | 5,373 |
| 1900s | 6,356 |
| 1910s | 32,635 |
| 1920s | 50,156 |
| 1930s | 34,392 |
| 1940s | 31,998 |
| 1950s | 29,752 |
| 1960s | 18,656 |
| 1970s | 10,531 |
| 1980s | 7,452 |
| 1990s | 4,727 |
| 2000s | 2,924 |
| 2010s | 2,442 |
| 2020s | 1,630 |
Meaning & origin
Alfred is a classic English name with deep roots, ranking 840th in the U.S. in 2025. Its popularity peaked in 1928, but it has been steadily rising since 2012, showing a revival of vintage charm. The name is most common in states like Utah, Connecticut, and Oregon. In 2025, about 1 in 5,830 boys were named Alfred, a sign of its steady if modest comeback. Parents drawn to Old World dignity and a strong historical pedigree will find Alfred a solid choice.
Alfred derives from the Old English name Ælfræd, composed of the elements ælf 'elf' and ræd 'counsel'. It was a royal name in Anglo-Saxon England, most famously borne by Alfred the Great, king of Wessex in the 9th century. The name fell out of use after the Norman Conquest but was revived in the 18th and 19th centuries, partly due to the popularity of Alfred, Lord Tennyson.
Where Alfred is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Alfred” around the world
Where Alfred lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
30
babies in 2024
Ireland
15
babies in 2025
New Zealand
#99
in 2025
Quebec
20
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland) · NZ Dept of Internal Affairs (New Zealand) · Retraite Québec (Quebec).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Al, Fred, Freddie
Sibling names for Alfred
Names that share Alfred's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Eleanor, Beatrice, Clara, Edith, Florence, Deloris, Alfreda, Berta, Flossie, Hermina, Maida, Chesley, Elfrieda, Fredda, Freeda, Georgene, Hildred, Winnifred, Alfredia, Alfreida, Alfrieda, Almedia, Bonnita, Elfreda, Elmyra, Elvena, Etheleen, Everlena, Margreat, Percilla, Robertha, Veatrice, Willena, Armilda, Editha, Edwena, Girtrude, Hetty, Norberta, Rosland, Almetta, Elverta, Ercie, Geraldin, Gerturde, Gilberta, Helayne, Herberta, Nelsie, Thedora, Vandella, Winefred
Brothers: Arthur, Edward, George, Henry, Walter, Edgar, Leonard, Algie, Eldridge, Ernie, Horace, Osborne, Percy, Seymour, Winfred, Dolphus, Durward, Edgard, Edrick, Eldred, Linton, Merton, Osmar, Oswald, Ramond, Spurgeon, Wilfrid, Aldrich, Alpheus, Audley, Edwyn, Egbert, Eldrick, Esmond, Filbert, Freddrick, Godric, Godwin, Guilford, Herold, Humphrey, Lenoard, Milfred, Oswin, Radford, Reginold, Seward, Talbert, Alric, Athel, Burdett, Clayburn, Eldredge, Everard, Gervis, Gifford, Heywood, Jervis, Lenward, Osborn, Osker, Osmond, Renald, Royston, Seymore, Walfred, Wilkins, Wilmont, Ellard, Alroy, Cuthbert, Edman, Eldrige, Elford, Ethelbert, Ewart, Gerrald, Milferd, Osric, Sebert, Tilford, Uhtred, Winfrey
Names like Alfred
Names whose popularity has moved with Alfred's over the last 50 years.
