Alfred \a-lf-red, al-fred\ as a boy's name is pronounced AL-fred. It is of Old English origin, and the meaning of Alfred is "elf or magical counsel". A rather common name before the Norman Conquest of Britain, being the name of Alfred the Great (ninth century), King of Wessex. Queen Victoria named her second son Alfred. The name was revived in the 19th century, but has faded since. An unlikely choice to parents due to gap-toothed Alfred E. Neuman from "Mad Magazine". Alfie is a pet form; Alfredo (al-FRAY-doh) is the Latin form. Poet Alfred Tennyson; movie director Alfred Hitchcock.

Alfred has 21 variant forms: Ahlfred, Ailfred, Ailfrid, Ailfryd, Al, Alf, Alfeo, Alfey, Alfie, Alfre, Alfredas, Alfrey, Alfredo, Alfredos, Alfy, Avery, Elfred, Fred, Freddie, Freddy and Fredo.

For more information, see also the related name Alured.

Baby names that sound like Alfred are Alford, Walfred and Wilfred.