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 (1989) Íslensk orðsifjabók, Reykjavík: Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies, →ISBN (Available at Málið.is under the “Eldri orðabækur” tab.)