English Names

Might be an honorific for novelist Saul Bellow, although bellowing is not the gentlest of sounds. Consider Saul instead. 

Bellow

Simplicity and pleasant associations give the word Bell real possibility as a first name -- but somehow it seems better for a girl, a la Belle. 

Bell

Katherynn

Belden is a little-used surname-name that might work in this age of Belles.

Belden

Kathrinna

Try telling the kids it really means "pretty face" and not "burper". 

Belcher

Variation of Katherine or more specifically, Kathryn, that is sure to add complications.

Kathryne

A famous seventh-century saint and church historian whose name has not survived as well as his works. Known as the Venerable Bede, this Benedictine monk is considered the first known writer of English prose, and highly influential via his The History of the English Church and People.

Bede

Might make a good middle name for the child of a musician, though people could think you were honoring your BMW. 

Beamer

This occupational choice is less appealing than such brethren as Baker and Baxter. 

Beaman

Could be a possible and more modern, namesake for Uncle Neal. 

Beal

An old English redhead name -- one of the few that doesn't begin with the letter r -- with references both to a famous French knight and a magical horse. Civil Rights leader Bayard Rustin is a contemporary bearer of this unusual and evocative name.

Bayard

A more unusual, if slightly snooty, masculine Bailey alternative. 

Baxley

Bassett

Like a blend of vintage-style Edie and popular Katie, Keedie is either an invented name, a variant of the Scottish surname Keddy, or possibly a short form of Katherine. 
 
In the case of Soprano singer Keedie Babb, her name was a creation of her father's, inspired by his love of pop star, Kiki Dee. As a variation of the Scottish surname, Keedie would ultimately derive from the Gaelic Mac Adaidh, meaning "the son of Adam" or "son of the red earth". As a diminutive of Katherine, Keedie likely draws inspiration from Kitty, Katie, Kadie, or Kiki.
 
The name has been used by writer Elle McNicoll in her novel A Kind of Spark and the character Keedie features in both the television adaptation, and in the follow up novel, Keedie.

Keedie

Perfect choice if your baby has grandpas named Barry and Eric, but also a bit military. 

Barric

Barnum

Has some creative credibility via abstract painter Barnett Newman, but we'd prefer his nickname, Barney. 

Barnett

A modern feeling choice with ancient roots, Kerix (or Keryx) once referred to a herald or an official conveyer of messages, often responsible for bringing communications between warring groups, for declaring and summoning people to council meetings or to the court of law, and for reciting prayers. Kerykes saw the Greek messenger god Hermes as their patron.
 
In the form of kérux, it appears in Bible, referring again to a herald, but also to a preacher, giving it spiritual ties too, though you might also interpret it as a spin on the surname Kerrick, which could mean "king's rule", "from the marshland", "rocky place" or "church! depending on what roots you follow.

Kerix

A variation of the Irish surname Mac Aodh (also McKee), meaning "son of Aodh, son of fire" or an alternative to Kay, ultimately from the Latin Gaius, meaning "rejoice", Key could equally be a word name, referring to something that unlocks or forms an essential element. Influencer Kenedy Brown Cradic chose this name for one of her sons in 2024.

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 

English names including girl names and boy names of English origin from the English language and culture (Page 111)

English Names (with Meanings & Popularity)