English Names

A spelling variation of Kendall, with the contemporary letter y. It first entered the US stats back in the 80s, grew in popularity during the 2000s, and peaked in 2011 when it was given to 112 girls (and 5 boys). This coincided with when the Kendall spelling was also at its most popular. 
 
Originally used as an English surname, taken from the place name, Kendale, in England, Kendyll was given to 22 girls in a recent year.

Kendyll

Kendal

A playful blend of Maria or Marie with Luisa, Lucy, or Lourdes, Marilu could be interpreted as meaning "beloved warrior", "Mary of Lourdes" or "beloved light", as just a few possibilities. You could even relate it to Margaret, Marina, or Maris, to get meanings such as "pearl of light", "renowned warrior of the sea", or "light of Mars" and so on.
 
Familiar in Mexico, Brazil, Peru, and beyond, notable bearers include actress Marilu Henner and snowboarder Marilu Poluzzi.

Marilu

To most English speakers, Nana is the dog in Peter Pan, the daughter played by Emma Stone in Crazy Stupid Love, and another name for Grandma, however, it is also a diminutive of Nancy and Anna (meaning "grace"), of Ioanna or Joanna (meaning "God is gracious"), and of a whole variety of similar sounding choices, such as Diana, Oriana, Fernanda, and Inanna.
 
As a Hawaiian name, Nana may derive from Puna meaning "spring" (as in the season) or from nani meaning "beauty". Additionally, it is used as a Japanese name, meaning "vegetables, greens", and a (unisex) Akan title for a monarch. 
 
Nana is currently in the England and Wales Top 1000 for boy boys and girls.

Nana

Rarely used on its own and irrevocably tied to former House Speaker Gingrich -- who was christened Newton. 

Newt

Revel is a joyous word name that may appeal to parents wanting a non-traditional Biblical choice or simply a name that expresses how they feel.

Revel

Tempest is one of those names that could go either way. Cool, evocative modern word name? Or asking for trouble?  Your call, but if you decide the former image is dominant, be warned that some people will see it as the latter.


Tempest

A dated fifties surname name that led to the nickname SAndy.

Sanford

Even if you're a loyal alumnus, consider something less ultraupright, like Yale or Cal. 

Stanford

Topper is seen as both a surname — referring to one who either takes the top off or puts it on, like a barber, thatcher, or a roofer — and a nickname. Famous contemporary bearers include Nicholas "Topper" Headon, drummer of The Clash, and Robert Livingston "Topper" Mortimer, great-nephew of Babe Paley and ex-husband of socialite Tinsley Mortimer.
 
Topper might also be associated with a machine that cuts the heads off weeds, a protective cover for a mattress or a pick up truck, an old British term for something excellent, a top hat, or a short form of "chart topper". Alternatively, it may make others think of cake decorations or a variety of innuendoes. 
 
As such, it might work best as a nickname developed naturally, and chosen by the bearer, rather than as a given name.

Topper

An interesting and attractive multicultural choice, Tor packs a lot in to three letters. It may be used as a modern form of Þórr (Thor) , the name of the Norse thunder god or as a short form of Victor/Viktor and Hector, giving it the meaning "conqueror, victor" or "holding fast".
 
As a Hebrew name, it means "turtle-dove" and is a favorite choice for babies born in spring, when turtledoves arrive, especially as a middle, while as an English word name, it may refer to a rocky peak or hill, as in the Glastonbury Tor.
 
Pronunciation varies depending on language and region, but in Scandinavia, it is typically TOOR, while in English and Hebrew, it would be TAWR.

Warrick has recently come into the spotlight as the character Warrick Brown on the TV show CSI. The more conventional spelling is Warwick, a medieval English noble name.

Warrick

Webster is one of several W-starting surname names back on the drawing board, now that it has recovered from its childlike eighties sitcom identity. 
 Webster was used in respectable numbers in the past--it reached a high of Number 388 in 1890--but like several other surnames starting with W, fell off the list completely in the 1940s. With its engaging nickname Webb, we can see it making a comeback.
Webster Young was a jazz trumpeter who played with most of the greats, but more prominent bearers wore Webster as a surname--in particular statesman Daniel and lexicographer Noah.
 Fun feminist fact: Webster was originally an occupational name for a female weaver, though it's used exclusively for boys now.

Webster

As the popular 80s and 90s Angelica falls more and more out of favor, word name Angelic is feeling extra fresh. Fitting in with the trend of grandiose and ethereal word names such as Legend and Dream, Angelic feels more than useable today — especially with similar sounding Angelique being one of the fast-rising names of 2022.

Angelic

Araminta is a poetic and enchanting eighteenth-century invention with plenty of elegance and a touch of old-fashioned clunkiness. It first appeared in William Congreve's 17th century comedy The Old Bachelor and then again in 1705 when it was used by architect and playwright Sir John Vanbrugh in his play The Confederacy.
 
There are several theories on where Araminta came from, one possibility being that it is a compound name, blending Arabella with Aminta. Arabella is considered a variant of Anabella or derived from the Latin orabilis and means "loveable" or "unyielding". Aminta is itself a literary invention, meaning "defender". Together then, they form a strong name, connected to love and strength.
 
An alternative suggestion is that it was developed from the plant name Amaranth, meaning "unfading" from the Greek amarantos. Poet Richard Lovelace had used to altered form Aramantha forty years before Araminta appeared on stage and could have been the inspiration.
 
Other theories suggest that Araminta is: a form of Aminata, itself a variant of the Arabic Amina, meaning "safe and secure" or "trustful"; inspired by the Greek element anthos meaning "flower"; or a spin on the Germanic Arminius, meaning "whole, universal" or army man".
 
Moving away from the tangled etymology, Araminta was notably the birth name of abolitionist, Harriet Tubman. It is also borne by photographer Araminta de Clermont, and by actress Araminta "Minta" Durfee.
 
More familiar in Britain than the US, but rare there too, it has however proved popular in fiction. In the Enid Bagnold novel National Velvet, Araminta is the name of the central character's mother, while Araminta Lee is a character in Kevin Kwan's Crazy Rich Asians.It had also appeared in the Bridgerton series by Julia Quinn and in Gingerbread by Helen Oyeyemi.
 
Just 11 girls were named Araminta in 2024 in the US.

Araminta

Bonnie meets Annabel (or Belle, or any other name ending in this sound) in this jaunty modern compound.

Bonnibel

Sometimes used as a short form of the bold Godfavour, this warm-sounding virtue name is popular in parts of Africa, where there is a strong tradition among Christian parents especially to choose spiritual word names for their children. 
 
In the US, the Favor spelling was selected for 31 girls in a recent year, while in England and Wales, Favour was given to 16 girls, down from its 2009 peak, when it ranked in the Top 1000!

Favour

Bolton

Highly unusual but stylish-sounding occupational name, with a pleasant association with gardens. 

Carden

A presidential and place-name that's not a stand-out in either category. 

Cleveland

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 65)

English Names (with Meanings & Popularity)