Chester

boyOld English

Chester is an boy name of Old English, from Latin origin, meaning “Fortress, Roman camp”.

MeaningFortress, Roman camp
GenderBoy
OriginOld English, from Latin
PronunciationCHES-ter
TraditionModern & Classic
Used inUnited States, United Kingdom

Meaning and origin of Chester

Chester is the name of a city in north-west England founded as a Roman fortress, and the name comes from the Latin castra, a military camp, borrowed into Old English as ceaster. The same element appears in Manchester, Winchester and Lancaster. As a given name it was used in the nineteenth century, and Chester A. Arthur served as the 21st president of the United States.

Is Chester a religious name?

Chester has no religious background; it is an English place name used as a secular first name.

How popular is Chester?

An old-fashioned name now seeing modest revival, especially in Britain.

Gifts with the name Chester

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Spellings and variants of Chester

Chet

Names similar to Chester

More boy names

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Chester mean?

Chester means 'Fortress, Roman camp'. It is of Old English, from Latin origin.

Does Chester have a religious meaning?

Chester has no religious background; it is an English place name used as a secular first name.

How do you pronounce Chester?

Chester is pronounced CHES-ter.

Is Chester a boy or girl name?

Chester is usually a boy name.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.