"of the Saxon people"
Saxon
Pronunciation: [ s-AKS-uhn ]
Bold as an Anglo-Saxon warrior, fresh as a new name
Meaning & Origin
"sword people, stone-knife people"
The Story of Saxon
Saxon derives from the Latin Saxones, the name given to the Germanic tribe that inhabited the region of Saxony (now northern Germany) and later invaded and settled in Britain alongside the Angles and Jutes during the 5th and 6th centuries. The tribal name itself may derive from the Old German word sahs meaning stone knife or short sword, referring to the characteristic weapon of the Saxons. The Anglo-Saxon period (410-1066 CE) shaped the English language, law, and culture fundamentally.
Saxon has been used as a given name since the 20th century, appealing to parents interested in English and Germanic heritage. It fits the trend for strong, uncommon names with historical weight, alongside Briton, Roman, and Nordic-inspired names.
The Saxons are one of the founding peoples of England. Their language (Old English or Anglo-Saxon) is the direct ancestor of modern English, and their legal traditions influenced English common law. The word England itself comes from Angle-land, the land of the closely related Angles.
Fun Facts
- The word English derives from the Angles, the neighboring tribe of the Saxons
- Saxony (Sachsen) remains a federal state of modern Germany
- The Anglo-Saxon poem Beowulf is one of the oldest major works of English literature
Saxon in Other Languages
Famous People Named Saxon
Saxon Sharbino
Actor
1999
American actress known for her roles in Fear the Walking Dead and Touch
Saxon (band)
Musician
British heavy metal band formed in 1977, pioneers of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #3,062
- Total SSA Count
- 40
- Cultural Origins
- English American German
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Common Nicknames
Pairs Well With
Sibling Names
Also a Girl Name
Saxon is also used as a girl name, ranked #17189.
View Saxon as a girl name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Saxon
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About the Name Saxon
Saxon is a boy name with English, American, and German origins . The name means "of the Saxon people" in Germanic .
Is Saxon a boy or girl name? Saxon is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #3,062 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #17,189. Saxon is more commonly used as a boy name.
Saxon is currently ranked #3,062 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Saxon has 2 syllables and is pronounced s-AKS-uhn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Saxon include Sax. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.