1450+ English Names (with Meanings & Popularity)
Across 73 pages
of 73
Whitford
English
"from the white ford"
Quintessentially, stylelessly preppy.
Whitney
English
"white island"
Deriving from an English locational surname meaning "white island", Whitney was in rare but regular use for boys in the US until the early 1960s, when actress Whitney Blake popularized it for girls.…
Whittaker
English
"white field"
If you discount the connection to the controversial Whittaker Chambers in the days of the Red Scare, Whittaker is a pleasant enough British surname with the preppyish nickname Whit.
Wilfred
English
"desires peace"
Wilfred is one of those Old Man Names that still sounds fusty in the US but is fashionable in the UK. It comes with readymade short forms Will, Wilf, or Fred and might make an adventurous alternative…
Will
Diminutive of William
"resolute protector"
Will has definitely replaced Bill, not only as a nickname for William but as a stand-alone name as well, partly thanks to England's Prince William, also known as Wills. Currently outside the Top 1000…
Wilkes
English, a contraction of Wilkins
Try Abraham or Lincoln instead.
Willard
English from German
"resolutely brave"
Unfortunate identification with an army of rats in the movie of the same name.
Willoughby
English
"farm near the willows; willow town"
Energetic Willoughby is a familiar last name, but, as yet, makes for a unique choice in the first spot. An unexpected way to get to popular short forms Will and Billy, Willoughby could make an…
Wilton
English
"place by a stream"
As passé as Hilton and Milton.
Windsor
English
"riverbank with a winch"
Windsor may have male references, such as Britain's royal House of Windsor and a tie's windsor knot, but this name also has a definite feminine feel, as in Windsor Rose. That seems appropriate, as…
Winslow
English
"friend's hill"
Winston meets Marlow in this surname-style choice, blending old-fashioned charm and a hint of stuffiness with a bit of modern edge and breeziness too. Borne by the distinguished American landscape…
Wynton
English
"friend's farm"
This spelling of Winton has gotten considerable buzz via jazz musician Wynton Marsalis.
Winton
English
"friend's farm"
See WYNTON.
Winthrop
English
"friend's village"
Proper Bostonian.
Wolcott
English
"cottage near a stream"
One of many stuffy British W surnames that would subject an American boy to years of teasing before growing into it at age fifty.
Woodrow
English
"row of houses by a wood"
Aside from President Wilson (born Thomas), most Woodrows, including Herman, Guthrie, and Harrelson, have chosen to be known as Woody, which says it all.
Worth
English
"enclosure, homestead"
No low self-esteem for this kid, or so his parents hope.
Worthy
English
"valuable"
Worthy joins the likes of Chosen, Wise, Noble, Merit, and Prosper: strong, virtuous word names that some may worry creates a level of self-entitlement, while others enjoy as reminders that their…
Wyclef
English
"dweller at the white cliff"
Haitian-born rap superstar and humanitarian Wyclef ("Fugees") Jean has lent this name a powerful musical beat.
Wyndham
English
"from the windy village"
This artistic and aristocratic surname is a bold and daring choice, but with nature inspired names like Wren on the rise, and surnames-as-first-names being in vogue, Wyndham has seen a shift up the…