Origin and Meaning of Ethelreda
Meaning & Origin
Noble strength
Origin: Old English - Derived from the Old English elements 'æthel', meaning 'noble', and 'ræd', meaning 'counsel' or 'strength'.
Interesting Facts
- Ethelreda is most famously associated with Saint Ethelreda, a 7th-century abbess of Ely, England, who is celebrated for her piety and leadership.
- The name is also linked to the Anglo-Saxon royal family, where various forms of the name appear in historical texts.
- Notable bearers include Saint Ethelreda, who founded a monastery at Ely, and was later canonized, leading to local veneration.
- Ethelreda was popular in medieval England but has significantly declined in use in modern times, being less common since the 19th century.
- Related names and variations include Ethel, Ethelred, and Athelreda, which have also seen varying levels of popularity.