Caedmon

Anglo-Saxon, “battle; wise warrior”

An ancient name with modern possibility, Caedmon was borne by the first English poet to have their name recorded. He appears in the accounts of the Venerable Bede as an illiterate cowherder who received poetic inspiration via a dream, and went on to become an accomplished writer, and later, a saint.

Pronounced as KAD-mohn (traditionally) or occasionally as KAYD-mohn (which could be more appealing in the contemporary world), this name has been a long-time love of mine, surrounded with nostalgia.

It was the name given to one of the now retired passenger ferries that operated between mainland England and the Isle of Wight, which is located off the south coast. For some reason, when I was younger, Caedmon was the ferry we wanted to be on — sorry Cenred and Cenwulf — and so it always reminds me of a favorite place and the excitement of getting on the “best” ferry.