Alfred is a name of Germanic origin, derived from the Old German elements "adal" meaning "noble" and "wald" meaning "power". The name was borne by several notable historical figures, including Alfred the Great, who was an Anglo-Saxon king of Wessex in the late 9th century. He is known for resisting the Danish invasion of England and organizing a system of local government that helped to unify the English kingdom. The name Alfred gained popularity in the Middle Ages and has been used throughout Europe ever since. Today, it remains a popular choice among parents seeking a classic yet distinctive name for their sons.
Alfred has been a popular name for babies born in the United States since the late 19th century. In 1880, there were 469 births with the name Alfred. The following year, the number of births was almost identical at 466.
However, between 1882 and 1911, the popularity of the name began to grow steadily. In 1882, there were 523 births, which increased to 1158 in 1911. This trend continued into the early 20th century, with a peak of 4873 births in 1918.
Interestingly, after World War I, the popularity of the name Alfred began to decline. Between 1919 and 1965, the number of births with this name dropped significantly, from 4615 in 1919 to just 1608 in 1965.
Despite this decrease in popularity, there were still over 1000 births named Alfred each year between 1965 and 1972. However, after 1972, the name became much less common, with fewer than 1000 births per year.
In recent years, the name Alfred has seen a slight resurgence in popularity. Between 2000 and 2022, there were between 208 and 350 births each year with this name. In fact, in 2022, there were 288 births named Alfred.
Overall, the name Alfred has a rich history of popularity in the United States, with peaks and troughs over the past century and a half. Despite its ups and downs, it remains a classic and enduring choice for parents today.