Arthurian Legend is made up of a myriad of stories told throughout different eras and languages. These legends have been popular in Wales since before the 11th century CE, but became more popular elsewhere with Geoffrey of Monmouth’s Historia regum Britanniae written around 1135 CE. The popularity of these fanciful tales has persisted until today, where interpretations now go beyond literature and include films and television series. These ancient stories full of adventure and love will never fail to capture the interest of audiences around the globe, so they are a natural place to search for fascinating names! Below is a list of 35 names from various Arthurian legends, just a sampling of a large cast of characters. Which names are your favorite?
Feminine Arthurian Romance Characters
- GUINEVEREWife of King Arthur
- MORGANMorgan le Fey, sorceress and half sister to Arthur. Also known as Morgana, Morgain, or Morgaine
- ELAINEThe name of various characters, including the mother of Galahad
- EVAINEWife of Bors the Elder
- GUINEVAKHalf sister of Guinevere
- IGRAINEArthur’s mother
- ISEULTLover of Tristan
- MORGAUSEArthur’s half sister and mother to Gawain
- NIMUELady of the Lake, also known as Viviane, Niniane, and Nyneve
- OLWENDaughter of Ysbaddaden
- LAUDINELady of the Fountain
- LUNETEHandmaiden to Laudine
- PARCENETA maid who helps Sir Pelleas
Masculine Arthurian Romance Characters
- ARTHURKing of Camelot
- LANCELOTKnight of the Round Table
- AGRAVAINKnight of the Round Table
- GALAHADKnight of the Round
Table - MERLINWizard and advisor to Arthur
- ECTORArthur’s adoptive father
- BEDIVEREKnight of the Round Table
- CARADOCKnight of the Round Table
- ELYANKnight of the Round Table
- GERAINTKing of Dumnonia
- ERECKnight of the Round Table
- GORLOISFather of Morgan le Fay and Morgause
- DRIANKnight of the Round Table
- TRISTANLover of Iseult
- LUCANKnight of the Round Table
- KAYArthur’s foster brother
- PERCIVALKnight of the Round Table
- KAHEDINBrother of Iseult
- MADOCBrother of Arthur
- UTHERFather of Arthur
- MORDREDIn early texts he is regarded positively as Arthur’s son, in later works he is his traitorous nephew
- PELLEASKnight of the Round Table
What are your impressions of these Arthurian Legend names? Join us in our Facebook Group to chat about them!
Kees Andersen (they/them) is a longtime BabyNames.com member and content creator for the site. They first became interested in names when researching for stories they were writing as a young child and it snowballed into a lifelong passion. Kees attended Western Washington University and majored in history, which helped inspire a love of historical names.
Kees resides in Washington state with husband Peyton and two cats Nimue and Caspian. In their spare time they love to travel, read, fawn over their cats, and take photos.
