Egbert

The Meaning & Origin of the Name Egbert

Gender Boy
Origin German
Letters 6
Syllables 2
Pronunciation EG-bert

Egbert, which has 6 letters and 2 syllables, is a male name of German origin.

Meaning of Egbert

Sword / famous / shiny

The name Egbert is of Anglo-Saxon origin and means "bright edge or sword." It is derived from the Old English name Ecgbryht, composed of the elements ecg meaning "edge or sword," and bryht meaning "bright."

Save
Rate:
Be the first to rate!
Meaning Sword / famous / shiny
Origin German
Gender Boy
Popularity (US) #991 in 1913 Declining Fast
Rarity (US) Rare (Top 1000)
Era Vintage (1900s)

Background & History of The Name Egbert

The name 'Egbert' is derived from the Old English name 'Ecgberht', which is composed of the elements 'ecg', meaning 'edge' or 'sword', and 'berht', meaning 'bright' or 'famous'. As a result, 'Egbert' can be interpreted as 'bright edge' or 'famous sword'. This name was notably borne by several kings of Wessex, an Anglo-Saxon kingdom in present-day England, during the medieval period.

Egbert's popularity as a given name peaked in the 9th century, but it gradually declined in usage throughout the Middle Ages. However, it experienced a small revival during the Victorian era, and to a lesser extent, in the 20th century. Today, it is considered a somewhat uncommon name.

The name Egbert has various variants in different languages. For instance, in Dutch, it is spelled as 'Egbert' or 'Eggebert', while in German, it is commonly seen as 'Egbert', 'Ekbert', or 'Ekkebert'. The feminine form of the name is often represented as 'Egberta' or 'Ekberta'.

In literature and popular culture, Egbert appears in various forms as a character. For example, in Charles Dickens' novel 'Dombey and Son', Egbert is the name of a young boy who is referred to as "Chicken" due to his timid nature. In the realm of video games, Egbert is a character in the popular farming simulation game 'Stardew Valley'.

Overall, while Egbert may not be a widely used name today, its historical significance and etymological roots make it an intriguing choice for those seeking a distinctive and meaningful name for their child.

Popularity Over Time

US Social Security Administration data showing the rank of Egbert over the years.

Check Initials

See what initials Egbert would create with your last name.

Nicknames

Common nicknames and short forms for Egbert.

Save This Name

Create an account to save names to your lists and share with your partner.

Create Free Account

Partner Matching

Rate names with your partner and find the ones you both love.

Learn More

Sibling Matcher

Find names that pair well with your existing children's names.

Find Sibling Names