English Names

An undiscovered patronymic surname, Gibson blends the cool, rugged feel of names like Bridger, Riggs, and Hudson with the clunky charm of names like Gilbert, Wilbur, and Digby. Associated with the popular brand of guitars, it could make an unexpected, music-related option. 
 Though rarely heard in front place, Gibson is a popular surname that has been dotted across popular culture—think actors Mel and Thomas, buckaroo Hoot, tennis champ Althea, baseball stars Josh and Kirk, and the illustrator famed as the "Gibson Girl" creator, Charles Dana Gibson.

Gibson

A modern name based on the Latin for "sun" (sol) and the French Soleil, Soleia could even be considered a mix of Sol and Leia, giving it the meaning "sun wearied". Bright and pretty in sound, it fits right in with options like Solana, Marisol, Raya, Sunny, and Reina.
 
Appearing in the US charts since the early 2000s, a recent year saw it gain more attention when it was chosen for 122 girls.

Soleia

Beach boy name of the 1960s, Darrell is still a presence on the charts and may graduate into a stately surname name.

Darrell

Ransom may be rakish and handsome, but it carries an unavoidable association with holding someone for ransom. But that kind of bad boy image might be exactly what attracts you to Ransom in the first place. 

While Ransom feels like a modern appellation ala Breaker or Ranger, it's interesting to note on the popularity chart that it was actually quite popular at the end of the 19th century but fell off the Top 1000 around 1930.

Ransom

Despite all the "hanging," "dangling," and "pregnant" chad jokes of the 2000 election, this saint's name and remnant of the Brad-Tad era didn't get a boost in popularity. But Chad still holds some surfer-boy appeal for a number of modern parents. 

Chad

A sparkly elaboration of the color name Azure, Azura is a vivid choice that may appeal to those who enjoy Azaria, Aurora, Astrid, and Alara. Used in English to mean "sky blue", azure ultimately comes from the Persian lājvard meaning "lapis lazuli", making this a color and a gemstone name. 
 
While Azure was used almost equally for girls and boys in a recent year, Azura was chosen exclusively for girls — and nearly three times as often as in the US. The name has appeared in a number of video games and shows, including Fire Emblem, The Owl House, Skyrim, and Barbie: Fairytopia.

Azura

Gerard is currently in style limbo, after reaching peak popularity in the 1950s. With its strong meaning and gentle sound, it may be back in a generation or two. But for now, a boy called Gerard will likely be the only one in his class...unless you live in Catalonia, where it was recently in the Top 10.

Gerard

Breezy, beachy Coast began to climb the charts back in 2020 when Covid gave some parents a hesitation over Cove. By 2021, a handful of parents were also using the spelling Koast, following the trend of switching Cs out for Ks.
 
Given to 95 boys (and 11 girls) in a recent year — a 280% from the year prior — this spelling may appeal to those who enjoy Kairo, Kruz, and Kove.

Koast

Regal Kingsley seems like an all-boy name, but a growing number of parents have bestowed this name on a girl. Credit the ever-trendier -ley suffix.

Kingsley Wilson is a MAGA influencer and a communications official in the second Trump administration.

Kingsley

Euphonious and long stylish in England, India was one of the fastest-rising names on the 2013 list, after jumping 240 spots back into the Top 1000.
 
Gorgeous as it may be, the usage of India as a name has distinctly imperial roots, making it a loaded (and ill-advised) choice for someone without Indian heritage.
 
India was a character in Gone with the Wind, the sister of Ashley Wilkes, and more recently was picked for the daughters of singer Sarah McLachlan, actress Heather Thomas, and Avenger Chris Hemsworth.
 
India Hicks is a high-profile ex-model with ties to the royal family, and the mother of a girl called Domino. Singer India.Arie was born India Arie — without the period.

India

Lori, with this sleek modern spelling, was an extremely popular name in the middle of the 20th century, ranking among the Top 100 girls' names from the early 1950s until the early 1980s.
 
But it was that very popularity that sent the name plummeting in popularity, as all the Baby Boomers named Lori began having babies of their own, making Lori (and Laurie) a mom name.
 
As Lori waned, Lauren rose, reigning at the top of the charts from the eighties through the oughties.
 
And now that Lauren too is becoming a mom name, what's taking its place? Classic Laura, matriarch of all the Loris, Lauries, and Laurens, is showing signs of revival in the US and ranking in the girls' Top 100 in many diverse European countries, cultures, and languages.
 
So baby Laura named in honor on grandma Lori brings the name full circle -- with today's little Lauras perhaps naming their own baby girls Lori and Laurie.

Lori

Anson has always been rare, though you might think of actor Anson Williams, best known for playing Potsie Weber on 1970s sitcom Happy Days. As a direct result of the show's popularity, Anson charted in the US Top 1000 from 1976 to 1981.
 Now a new generation of parents is discovering this English surname name. Anson could substitute for fading favorites like Alan and Austin. The name reentered the US Top 1000 in 2013 after a long absence.

Anson

A cool, rugged sounding name, Calder is connected to an ancient Scottish clan, an English village, and a Scottish River, along with the sculptor Alexander Calder, who invented the mobile (as in, kinetic sculptures powered by motors or air). Meaning "rocky water" or "stony river" in the ancient Brittonic language, it makes a creative yet outdoorsy choice. 




Calder

Like many names that have strong political connotations, the attractiveness of the name Clinton will be affected by your world-view. But, taking politics out of the equation, Clinton has a lovely pastoral meaning, a strong sound and a tremendously wearable nickname - Clint - all which would seem to be in its favor for at least a second thought.

Clinton

Given to children of both sexes as far back as colonial times, this carries a lot of baggage. However, parents continue to take the risk. Actress America Ferrera may be have inspired some families to choose the name. Ferrera's Honduras-born mother shares her unusual name.

America

Six Feet Under transformed Nate's image from crusty uncle to cool guy. Nate is one of a new generation of nicknames that go directly on the birth certificate. Other similar names: Sam, Jack, Mack. But Nate is arguably fresher and cooler than many nickname-names.

Nate

Lucinda, an elaboration of Lucia created by Cervantes for his 1605 novel Don Quixote, is a pleasingly pretty alternative to Lucy. It was subsequently used by Moliere in his play The Doctor in Spite of Himself' (1666). More in tune with the times than Linda, Belinda and Melinda, it could be used to honor someone with one of those dated names. 
 Lucinda was a Top 200 name in the late nineteenth century, but hasn't been on the charts for more than 25 years--which could make her ripe for revival.
 One appealing namesake is country-rock-blues singer Lucinda Williams. Similar in feel: Lucilla and Lucetta.

Lucinda

Similar in sound to Harley, Marley, and Arlo, this surname-style name is familiar in Brazil and a Top 1000 choice in England and Wales. Pronounced as AHR-lee in English and ahr-LAY in Latin America, it may be a habitational name, relating to rabbits, hares, or eagles, depending on what Old English root you follow, though it may also relate to the names Arlette, Arleth, and Arlington, lending it the meaning "noble". 
 
Arlie is also a familiar choice in England and Wales.

Arley

As Harrison is to Harry, Garrison is to Gary: both of the longer versions sound more modern and appealing. NPR's Prairie Home Companion's Garrison Keillor was born Gary.

Garrison

Although Kenton has the trendy K beginning and on ending, and a jazz reference to Stan Kenton, it still manages to sound stiff and old-fashioned. 

Kenton

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 33)

English Names (with Meanings & Popularity)