A masculine given name of Norman origin, famously associated with literature and aristocracy.
From Old French 'aux gernons' meaning 'with whiskers' or 'mustached', originally a nickname. The name gained literary fame through Oscar Wilde's 'The Importance of Being Earnest' and Daniel Keyes' 'Flowers for Algernon'.
Algernon represents the quintessential upper-class English name, yet it originally just meant 'the guy with facial hair.' The character Algernon in Wilde's play perfectly embodies the witty, slightly dissolute aristocrat that the name now evokes.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.