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Alfred

Boy name · 314 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Alfred: 314 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to boys, peaking at 20 births in 2019.

Alfred comes from the Old English name Ælfræd, meaning "elf counsel" – a blend of ælf (elf) and ræd (counsel) – giving it a distinctly Anglo-Saxon feel. The most famous bearer is Alfred the Great, the 9th-century king of Wessex who defended his kingdom against Viking invasions and promoted learning and law. In modern times, the name is associated with the legendary film director Alfred Hitchcock and the inventor Alfred Nobel, founder of the Nobel Prizes. While no major Scottish place is directly named after Alfred, the Alford in Aberdeenshire shares a similar root, and towns like Alfred in New York honour the name. A popular Scottish diminutive is Alfie, which has surged in recent decades, while the full form retains a classic, thoughtful air.

Boy 35 of 52 years

Peak year
201920 babies
Latest (2025)
#22618 babies
Total births
314since 1974
5-year trend
▼ 18%vs prior 5y
1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 2019 · 20
Births per year in Scotland. Missing years had a count of 2 or fewer (suppressed by NRS).