UK boy's name
Godfred
A masculine name of Old English origin meaning "peaceful ruler".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2016. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Godfred is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Godfred popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2016 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4810, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2003, with 4 births.
This profile covers 17 England and Wales registrations across 5 recorded years from 2003 to 2016. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 75% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 17 living people in the UK are called Godfred. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2017 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Godfred ranked #4810 for boys in England and Wales in 2016, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2003, when 4 boys were registered as Godfred.
- • About 17 living people in the UK are estimated to have Godfred as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4810
2016
Births in 2016
3
Latest year
Peak year
2003
4 births
Estimated living
17
2026
Meaning
What does Godfred mean?
The name Godfred has its roots in the Anglo-Saxon and Old English languages, originating from the words "god" meaning good or god, and "frid" meaning peace or protection. It dates back to the 5th century AD, during the early medieval period in England and parts of northern Europe. The name was popular among the Anglo-Saxons and was often given to boys born into noble or royal families.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with this name was Godfred, a Danish prince who lived in the 9th century AD. He was the son of King Horik I of Denmark and played a significant role in the Viking invasions of Frisia and parts of modern-day Netherlands.
In the 11th century, Godfred of Vieux-Pont (1020-1115) was a prominent French knight and crusader who participated in the First Crusade. He is mentioned in historical accounts for his bravery and military exploits during the siege of Antioch in 1098.
Another notable figure was Godfred of Vendôme (1088-1149), a French philosopher and theologian who wrote extensively on medieval scholasticism and logic. His works, particularly on the problem of universals, had a lasting impact on the development of philosophical thought in Europe.
In the 13th century, Godfred of Ghent (1215-1292) was a Flemish philosopher and theologian who taught at the University of Paris. He is known for his contributions to the debates on the nature of the soul and the relationship between faith and reason.
The name Godfred also appeared in the Old English epic poem Beowulf, where it was used as the name of a Danish king. This literary reference further attests to the ancient origins and usage of the name among the Germanic tribes of northern Europe.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Godfred over time
The chart below shows babies named Godfred registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2003 to 2016. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Godfred, the clearest high point is 2003. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2016, compared with 4 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Godfred by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Godfred was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #4748 | 6 | 2 |
| 2000s | #3626 | 11 | 3 |
Related
Names similar to Godfred
- George 121,258
- Gabriel 20,581
- Grayson 7,636
- Gregory 2,925
- Guy 2,646
- Gareth 2,092
- Gethin 1,880
- Georgie 1,872
- Gary 1,575
- Gavin 1,422
- Giovanni 1,252
- Grant 1,199
FAQ
Godfred: questions and answers
How popular is the name Godfred in the UK right now?
In 2016, Godfred was ranked #4810 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Godfred most popular?
The peak year on record was 2003, with 4 babies registered as Godfred in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Godfred?
A masculine name of Old English origin meaning "peaceful ruler".
How many people are called Godfred in the UK?
A total of 17 babies have been registered as Godfred across the 5 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.