The first name Algernon
A boy’s name from French meaning “having mustaches”, “mustache”, “facial hair”.
3 syllables Male
Meaning and origin
French origin
Algernon means “having mustaches”, “mustache”, “facial hair” in French.
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.
From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Popularity
Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025
Algernon last appeared in the official list in 2022, given to 5 boys.
Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Algernon with other names.
Popularity in the United States
Babies named Algernon at birth, 1880–2025
In 2016, 5 boys born in the United States were named Algernon, the 12,278th most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 1972, when 29 were.
US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.
Nicknames and spellings
Nicknames for Algernon
- Algy
- Algie
Famous people named Algernon
18 on Wikidata, most written-about first
- Algernon Charles SwinburneEnglish poet, playwright and novelist (1837–1909)
- Algernon BlackwoodEnglish short story writer and novelist (1869–1951)
- Algernon SidneyBritish politician and political theorist (1623-1683)
- Hugh Algernon WeddellAnglo-French botanist, physician, and explorer (1819-1877)
- Algernon Freeman-Mitford, 1st Baron RedesdaleBritish noble, diplomat, collector, and writer (1837-1916)
- Algernon Seymour, 7th Duke of SomersetBritish soldier, politician and landowner (1684-1750)
- Algernon Percy, 6th Duke of NorthumberlandBritish politician (1810-1899)
- Algernon KingscoteBritish tennis player (1888–1964)
- Algernon Percy, 4th Duke of NorthumberlandBritish naval commander, explorer and politician (1792-1865)
- Algernon Percy, 10th Earl of NorthumberlandEnglish noble (1602-1668)
- Algernon PaddockAmerican politician (1830-1897)
- Algernon Keith-Falconer, 9th Earl of KintoreBritish colonial administrator (1852-1930)
More French boys’ names
Questions
- What does the name Algernon mean?
- Algernon means “having mustaches”, “mustache”, “facial hair” in French.
- What is the origin of the name 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…
- How popular is the name Algernon?
- In 2022, 5 boys born in England and Wales were named Algernon, ranking 3,449th.
- What are nicknames for Algernon?
- Common nicknames for Algernon include Algy, Algie.
- Is Algernon a boy's or a girl's name?
- Mostly a boy's name: 100% of the 985 US babies named Algernon since 1880 were boys.
- When was Algernon most popular?
- 1972 in the United States, when 29 babies were named Algernon, its highest rank at 1,603rd.