Athelstan

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Athelstan

Gender: Masculine
Language: English
Etymology:
Athelstan comes from Aethelstan, an Old English name meaning “Noble Stone,” from “aethel” (noble) and “stan” (stone).

History:
Athelstan was a popular name among the Anglo-Saxons. However,it did not survive the Norman Conquest of 1066. Athelstan was briefly revived (in a very small way) in the 19th century after the character in Sir Walter Scott’s popular 1819 novel Ivanhoe.

Pronunciation: ath-ell-stan.

Alternates: Aethelstan, Ethelstan, Athelstane.

Famous Bearers:
Political Figures:
Sir Frank Athelstane Swettenham (1850-1946)
British colonial administrator of Malaya.

Royalty:
Athelstan (895-939)
King of Wessex (925-939). A grandson of Alfred the Great.

Popularity:
Percentage from the 1990 U.S. Census:
less than 0.004 % named Athelstan

Popularity of Athelstan:
Popularity (for newborns):
In the United States...
1900-2000: N/A