English Names

A rare surname-style choice, Shofner might make a surprising option that stands out and blends in at the same time. Derived from the Old German schaffaere, it's an earthy, occupation name meaning "shepherd".

Shofner

A beachy name, similar in feel to Coast, Tide, Bay, and Cove. It has yet to rank in the US stats.

Shore

A beachy name, with a strong, certain sound. Perfect for a summer baby or for those who love a rugged shoreline. It's yer to rank in the US stats.

More popularly spelled as Sydelle or Sydell, this name is likely a diminutive of Sarah (via Sadie), Siegfriede (meaning "victorious peace"), or Sydney ("St Denis"). Alternative theories are it was inspired by the surnames Sidell ("wide recess; wide valley") and Seidel (either from Siegfried or a German word meaning "tankard"), or that it is inspired by the Greek Sybil (via Cedella or Sidillia). 

Sidelle

Doe is a soft and gentle-eyed middle name possibility and, like Fawn, one of the few animal names open to girls. 
 The Ballad of Baby Doe is a modern American opera based on the story of Elizabeth McCourt Tabor, known as Baby Doe. 
 So yes, use the sweet Doe as a middle name for your daughter--just not if her first name will be Jane.

Cirilla is the currently most-used version of this name, thanks to The Witcher series, but Sirilla is another spelling variant of the original Cyrilla, feminine of Cyril. Downside: that Siri nickname.

Sirilla

In English and German, Sisi is a playful nickname, often used as an alternative spelling to Cece (from Cecilia, "blind"), or as a nickname for the classic Elisabeth or Isabella (meaning "pledged to God"). Alternatively, it could be used for any S- name, including Sophie, Sienna, Sierra, or Susannah, or perhaps for something like Josie, Maisie, Daisy and so on.
 
Additionally, it may be used as an affectionate nickname for a sister, making it a more generic nickname, like Sonny, Honey, Poppet, or Sweetie and so on. In this case, it could work as a sweet choice for a big sister whose young sibling can't yet pronounce her name.
 
While it may read as cutesy and nickname-territory in English speaking countries, as a Chinese name, it has more solidity. Pronounced as SUR-SUR or SUZ-SUZ, it means "think, reflect, consider", and is alternatively transliterated as Sze Sze.
 
Other sources suggest it is an Akan name, meaning "born on Sunday", possibly connecting to names such as Esi, Akosua, or Kwasi, which have the same meaning. 
 
A notable bearer was the 19th century Empress of Austria and Queen of Hungary, Elisabeth, who was known as Sisi, while more recently, influencer and model Sisi Rose has drawn attention to the name.

Sisi

You've heard of Joy and Sunny; you might have heard of Happy and Lucky being used as names too, but how about this upbeat option? Traditionally a nickname for someone with a smile ever on their face, it may also be considered a surname meaning "small clearing".
 
Used quietly and occasionally for boys in the 20th-century, it entered the US stats for girls for the first time in 2025 when 6 girls (and no boys) were called Smiley. Similar to Miley but perhaps a tricky name to wear on down days, it nevertheless fits in with modern word choices.

Smiley

In line with Sunny, Happy, Joy, and Lucky, Smiley is a upbeat, happy feeling choice. Best known as a description for someone with a smile ever on their face, it is also a surname meaning "small clearing", though it's unlikely that's what people would be thinking about on hearing it.
 
Used quietly for boys throughout the 20th-century, it is more likely reserved as a nickname or perhaps as a middle.

An intriguing word name, perhaps for the middle spot, Sojourn is connected to Civil Rights activist, Sojourner Truth who adopted the name in the 1840s when she began travelling to preach abolition. Aspirational, adventurous, and rare, it may intrigue those who enjoy travelling or are hoping for a name with a worthy namesake. Similar options could be Peregrine or Journey.

Sojourn

An alternative to Holiday, Journey, Sunshine, or Peregrine, Sojourn is an unexpected word name with links to the Civil Rights activist, Sojourner Truth. Born Isabelle, she adopted the name in the 1840s when she began travelling to preach abolition. A candidate for the middle spot, perhaps, Sojourn has both a worthy namesake, and an aspirational, travel inspired meaning.


Sweet old-fashioned nickname name that could make a comeback in the wake of Sadie, Edie et al. Famous bearers include author Dodie Smith, who wrote The Hundred and One Dalmatians and I Capture the Castle.
Downside: The dodo bird.

Dodie

Solomon and Sol meet Selwyn and Edwin in this rare and summery name. While it could be considered a variation of Selwyn (meaning "manor friend"), it could also be viewed as a combination of several different elements, including the Latin and Old Norsesol, the Old English wine, and the Welsh gywn.
 
As such, it could mean "sun friend" (from Old Norse and English) or perhaps "sun blessed" (from Old Norse and Welsh), both providing the name with a hint of poetry. Alternatively, it could be inspired by Solomon ("peace") or Solange (via sollemnia "religious, solemn"), giving the further meanings "peaceful friend", "solemn friend" or "peaceful and blessed".

Solwyn

Destry rides again, this time as a Western flavored baby name. Derived from the French surname Destrier, from an Anglo-Norman word meaning "warhorse", this rugged name was popularized by the 1930 novel Destry Rides Again by Max Brand, subsequently adapted for the big screen. 

 It has only ranked in the US Top 1000 once, in 1964 at #637, after a popular TV series based on the novel was aired that year. It was given to fewer than 10 baby boys in the latest year on record.

 Steven Spielberg and Kate Capshaw named their daughter Destry in 1996.

Destry

Sphere is included in the lexicon of names thanks to notably-named jazz pianist Thelonious Monk, whose middle name was Sphere after his father. A sphere is a round three-dimensional object, like a ball or a globe, and is sometimes used as a poetic word for Earth or another planet.

Sphere

Used predominantly as a pet name, Squirt is a term of endearment for a small child and a popular name for animal friend. It was used in Pixar's Finding Nemo for a turtle character.

Squirt

A pet name, both in the sense of being a term of endearment and a name for an animal friend. It might appeal to Pokémon fans (thanks to the fictional species Squirtle), to those who grew up with Pixar's Finding Nemo, and parents, using it as slang for small children.

A modern invention, blending popular suffix -lee with celestial word name Star, this name has been appearing quietly in the US stats since 1999. Starlie is another spelling. 

Starlee

Sharp and tough round the edges, Stokely is a strong sounding choice that may appeal to fans of Sawyer, Sutton, Blakely, and Sloane. Notably associated with Trinidadian-American activist, Kwame Ture — born Stokely Carmichael — known for his role in the civil rights and pan-African movement, it first appeared in the US charts for girls in 2018.
 
In a recent year, 19 boys and 6 girls were given the name.

Stokely

Preppy and contemporary in feel, Stratford is a surname and placename, most notably associated with Stratford-upon-Avon, the birth and burial place of William Shakespeare. It could make an unexpected choice for fans of the bard who also love modern and offbeat names like Stratton, Stetson, and Ford.


Stratford

English names -- names originating in the English language -- rank among the top names in the US, the UK, and other English-speaking countries, along with such European countries as Sweden, Germany, and France.

 in the US Top 300 include Georgia, Juliet, Lily and Olive for girls, and Emmett, Miles, Oscar, and William for boy.

 include Alfie, Lily, Edward, and Ella. In Sweden, the English girls' name Alice ranks near the top of the list, while the English boys' nickname Tom is fashionable in France.



Less conventional English names that rank highly in the US include, for girls, Kendall, Kinsley, Madison, Marley, Peyton, Presley, Sutton, Willow, Winter and Wren, For boys, this group includes Archer, Brooks, Carter, Fletcher, Graham, Huxley, Mason, Reed, Sawyer, and Wilder.

 that carry a lot of style value include, for girls, Araminta, Arden, Azalea, Birdie, Blythe, Clover, Lilac, Lavender, Posey, and Waverly. For boys, unique English names to consider include Birch, Booker, Dane, Garrison, Hale, Kit, Oberon, Shaw, Tobin, and Winston.



Our collection of English baby names also includes surname names such as Lancaster and Huffington, nature names such as River and Marigold, English word names such as Love and Journey, along with place names like Devon and occupational names such as Driver.



Browse Nameberry's complete range of English names for girls and boys, continued, below, or consult our individual lists of 

. The English origin names below are ordered by their current popularity on Nameberry.

English names including girl names and boy names of English origin from the English language and culture (Page 110)

1450+ English Names (with Meanings & Popularity)