Alfred is a name of Germanic origin that means "wise counselor." It is composed of the elements adal meaning "noble" and fred meaning "peace," so the name translates to "noble peace." Alfred was the name of several important historical figures, most notably King Alfred the Great of England. He was born in 849 CE and ruled from 871 until his death in 899 CE. Known for successfully defending his kingdom against Viking invasions, King Alfred became a national hero and his name has since become associated with wisdom, courage, and leadership. Throughout history, the name Alfred has been popular among royalty and nobility due to its strong associations with power and wisdom. Today, it is still used as a given name but has become less common in recent years.
Alfred is a unique and distinctive name that has seen varied popularity over the years in the United States. According to historical data on baby names, there were only 5 recorded births with the name Alfred in the year 1891. However, by 1899, this number had increased to 6 births.
The trend of annual births with the name Alfred continued to fluctuate over the following decades. There were periods where the number of births remained consistent, such as between 1902 and 1909, during which there were consistently 5 births each year. Then, from 1910 to 1914, the number of annual births with the name Alfred doubled to 6 births per year.
However, starting in 1915, we see a significant increase in the popularity of the name Alfred, with 13 babies being named Alfred that year. This trend continued through the early 20th century, reaching its peak in 1928 and 1930 with 28 and 30 births respectively.
Despite this peak in popularity, the number of annual births with the name Alfred began to decline steadily from the late 1930s onwards. Between 1937 and 1945, there were fewer than 20 births per year with the name Alfred. This downward trend continued into the 1950s and 1960s, with some years recording as few as 5 or 6 births.
Interestingly, despite its decline in popularity over time, the name Alfred has maintained a steady presence throughout the century. Between 1972 and 1976, there were at least 5 births each year with the name Alfred, indicating that even today, parents continue to choose this classic and distinctive name for their children.
In total, over the course of more than eight decades, from 1891 to 1976, there were a combined 957 babies born in the United States who were named Alfred. This demonstrates the enduring appeal of this unique and memorable name throughout history.