The story behind Algernon
From Old French als gernons (“having mustaches”), from als (contraction of a and les) + gernon, variant of grenon (“mustache”), from Vulgar Latin *granonem (“facial hair, mustache”), from Proto-Germanic *granō (“awn, beard-hair, hair-tips, mustache”), related to Old High German grana, granu (“mustache”), Old Norse grǫn (“mustache, (upper) lip”), Old English granu (“mustache”). Mustaches were often a prominent cultural component for men of some early medieval Germanic societies (contrary to popular culture, beards were uncommon), whence the name originates from. However, the particular distinction owing this name vis-a-vis other families is unclear.
Pronunciation
US English (ARPAbet): AE1 L JH ER0 N AA0 N
This is a US English dictionary reading of the spelling; personal pronunciations may differ. Digits mark stress: 0 is unstressed, 1 is primary, 2 is secondary. Pronunciation source and notation.
Popularity
Algernon ranked #12278 in US for 2016.
Source: SSA national baby names
Names Similar to Algernon
Celestin
Borrowed from French Célestin, from célestin (“celestine”). Doublet of Celestine.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
Madelyn
An alteration of Madeline with -lyn.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
Napoleon
From French Napoléon, from Italian Napoleone, name of an early saint, of uncertain origin; possibly from the Germanic clan name Nibelung. By folk etymology explained as Napoli…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 4 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
Napoleón
a male given name from French, equivalent to English Napoleon
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
Xemartin
From French Saint-Martin.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
Abhijñān
Learned borrowing from Sanskrit अभिज्ञान (abhijñāna, “recognition”). By surface analysis, अभि- (abhi-) + ज्ञान (jñān).
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- same syllable count
- similar length
Middle Names for Algernon
Adele
Borrowed from French Adèle, equivalent of Adela, from a Germanic root meaning “noble”. Compare athel, German edel, Old English æþele. From French Adèle. Borrowed from French…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends E
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Aimee
Borrowed from French Aimée (“beloved”). A variation of the English Amy.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends E
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Aimée
Unadapted borrowing from French Aimée (“beloved”).
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends E
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Sibling Names for Algernon
Barret
Spelling variant of Barrett
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends T
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Beauregard
From French Beauregard.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends D
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Benoit
Borrowed from French Benoît.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends T
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length