Etheldreda is the Middle English form of the Anglo-Saxon name Æðelþryð (also rendered as Æthelthryth). It is ultimately derived from the Old English elements æðele "noble" and þryþ "strength", so the name means "noble strength". History Etheldreda is most famously associated with the 7th-century Anglo-Saxon saint, Æthelthryth (c. 636–679), who was an East Anglian princess, a queen of Northumbria, and later the abbess of Ely. According to Bede's Ecclesiastical History of the English People, she was a woman of remarkable piety who preserved her virginity through two marriages. She founded the monastery at Ely, where she served as abbess until her death. Her cult became popular in medieval England, and her shrine at Ely Cathedral was a major pilgrimage site. The name Etheldreda was used in medieval England as a vernacular form of the saint's name. A variant spelling is Etheldred. The diminutive Aldreda is also sometimes used. Over time, the name evolved into the more familiar form Audrey, which became common in the English-speaking world; this derives from the Norman French pronunciation of Æthelthryth. Notable Bearers Besides the saint, the name Etheldreda has been borne by several notable figures, though it is now rare. In the hagiographical tradition, Etheldreda of Ely remains the most prominent. Another significant bearer was Etheldreda of Glastonbury (also known as Æthelthryth), a 9th-century queen of Wessex, but details of her life are sparse. In the arts, the name appears in Robert Browning's poem "Etheldreda", and it features in various ecclesiastical contexts through dedications of churches to St Etheldreda. Cultural Significance St Etheldreda's feast day is celebrated on 23 June in the Christian liturgical calendar. She is the patron saint of Ely, and her iconography often depicts her as a crowned abbess holding a model of Ely Cathedral or a lily, symbolizing purity. The name Etheldreda also gave rise to the word "tawdry" — derived from St Audrey's lace — ironically associating the saint with cheap finery at her fair. The use of Etheldreda today is rare, preserved largely in historical contexts and by those with an interest in medieval names. However, its modern offshoot Audrey enjoys widespread popularity. Meaning: "noble strength" Origin: Medieval English, from Old English Æðelþryð Type: Given name, feminine Usage Regions: England (medieval), occasionally modern