Algernon
English edit
Etymology edit
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 early medieval Germanic societies, whence the name originates from. However, the particular distinction owing this name vis-a-vis other families is unclear.
Proper noun edit
Algernon
- A male given name from the Germanic languages.
References edit
- Douglas Harper (2001–2024) “Algernon”, in Online Etymology Dictionary.
- Ásgeir Blöndal Magnússon — Íslensk orðsifjabók, (1989). Reykjavík, Orðabók Háskólans. (Available on Málið.is under the “Eldra mál” tab.)