English Names

A surname style choice, familiarly used in the UK, Darcey is a variation of Darcy and Darcie. Popularized by ballerina Darcey Bussell, it currently ranks in the Top 400 in the UK, below the aforementioned -y and -ie spellings. 
 
A name with two meanings, it may be derived from the Irish O'Dorchaidhe, meaning "dark one", or the French d'Arcy, meaning "from the town of Arcy".

Darcey

Cute nickname name used by Woody Harrelson for his daughter, but does have possible association with Denny's. 

Deni

This is a solid surname choice for people looking for a change from Cooper, Parker and Carson. Australian parents will probably instantly associate this name with famous rock legend Jimmy Barnes, but this has an even older pedigree as a namesake - Barnes Wallis was a UK aviator and inventor, most remembered for designing the Dambuster bomb (a bomb that bounces across water to reach its target) and working on supersonic flight in the 1940s and 50s.

Barnes

Old-fangled nickname could make dot.com era short form or middle name. 

More user-friendly, though less substantial, than Bartholomew. 

Barton

Elizabella is a much more obscure smoosh than sisters Isabella and Annabelle, but the megapopularity of Isabella may give this unusual combo name a boost.

Elizabella

A name with various origins, Elmira combines the sounds of multicultural Mira with the popular El- beginning. Despite this, the name is rarely heard in the US, though it does rank in the Top 100 names in Azerbaijan. 
 
On one hand, Elmira has Turkish and Persian origins, and is likely made up of the elements el, meaning "homeland, nation, country" and amir meaning "prince" or "commander". Put together, the name begins to feel bold and powerful, with a meaning that has been translated as "ruler of the people".
 
Alternatively, it has Spanish and Germanic roots, and is a contracted form OF Edelmira, meaning "noble and famous", or perhaps "noble peace". 
 
As a Russian name, it is made up from the phrase elektrifikatsiya mira meaning "electrification of the world". This was created by communist parents which may explain why it hasn't remained popular today.
 
Elmira is also the name of multiple places in the US and Canada, including Elmira, New York, where Mark Twain was buried in 1910. The name did rank in the US Top 1000 until the 1930s, but more recently, it has only been given to around 10 girls each year.

Elmira

An opulent name, associated with wealth and multitudes, Billion first appeared in the US stats in 2014. Given to seven boys in a recent year, it joins Amillion, Cash, Golden and Prosper as names associated whose appeal may lie in their connection with financial success. Alternatively, Billion may be a very modern way to honor a Bill or a Billy. 

Billion

A decade or two ago, we might have stopped with Blake, but today the surname Blakely or Blakeley sounds more modern as a first name.

Blakely

Ettie or Etty works as a nickname for any name with a prominent "et" sound, usually at the end: think Henrietta, Juliette or Colette. The -ette ending is a French diminutive suffix.

Ettie

A blending of color name Gray with popular suffix -lee, Gray has the feel of Baylee, Kaylee, and Haylee. It joins a number of Gray- related choices including Graylynn, Grayson and Graycee.

Graylee

Gypsy, once associated with the burlesque entertainer, actress, and writer, Gypsy Rose Lee, is now considered an ethnic slur when used for the Romani or Roma people. While not all Romani view it as derogatory (and some proudly use the term), its historic use as a slur should probably sway you away from this name —especially if you don't have Romani heritage.
 
Figuratively meaning "wanderer" or "nomadic", the name started out as a corruption of Egyptian, likely owing to the belief in the Middle Ages that the Roma were travelling Egyptians. Appearing in the title of song by Lady Gaga, Fleetwood Mac, and Cher, it was also used by actress Drea de Matteo and musician Shooter Jennings as the middle name of their daughter Alabama. 
 
Given to 11 girls in the US in a recent year, it peaked in 2020 when nearly 40 babies were called Gypsy. This coincided with the 2019 release of The Act, a mini-series based on the life of Gypsy Rose Blanchard, documenting the abuse she faced from her mother along with her involvement in her mother's murder.

Gypsy

An intriguing way to honor a Nicholas, an alternative to Colton, Colby, or Callum, and a rare last-name style choice, Coley may be one to consider. Country singer Cooper Alan and his wife Hally chose Coley Frances Cooper for their daughter in 2025. 
 
As a last name, Coley and its alternative spelling Colley, may stem from the given name Nicholas (or Nicola, Nicole, and Nicolette) meaning "people of victory", and could equally be used as a diminutive for any of those names. Another source however is the Irish Kelly (from Ceallach) meaning "bright headed" or "war, strife".
 
Other sources for the name include the Old Norse koli meaning "dark, black, coal" or the phrase colly bird, usually used to refer to blackbirds (as in the song, The Twelve Days of Christmas in which four colly birds are gifted).
 
Colley and Collie are alternative spellings.

Coley

Perhaps too spicy for some, but this is a popular Gaelic surname that might appeal for those looking to honor a family branch. Curry Barker is the director of the horror film Obsession.

Curry

A fun and confident choice, Holiday is a celebratory name, particularly associated with Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hannukah, and New Year, and with rest, leisure, and vacations more generally. Fitting for a winter baby, but totally sunny too, it comes from the Old English hāligdæg meaning "holy day" as it was originally used to mark religious festivals and celebrations.
 
A quietly used option since the 50s, jazz singer Billie Holiday lends the name an element of glamor too, while familiar nickname Holly keeps it grounded. In a recent count, just 21 girls were called Holiday in the US, making this a rare choice that doesn't sound too out there.

Holiday

Ellery is a rhythmic three-syllable boy's name that is familiar and yet rarely used--and just waiting to be discovered. It's long been identified with Ellery Queen--which was both the pen name of two cousins, Frederic Dannay and Manfred B. Lee, and the detective they created.
 Laura Dern and Ben Harper chose it for their son.

Ellery

Renowned English author Evelyn Waugh pronounced his name "EEV-lin" (fun fact: his first wife, also named Evelyn, was referred to as "She-velyn"). But "EV-uh-lin" also works, and is probably the most familiar pronunciation of the name today. 

It may be a Top 10 pick for girls right now, but in the 17th century, it was given more often to boys – as a surname name originally derived from the Norman given name Aveline. It was especially popular among the upper classes, where family surnames as given names were well used. 

Evelyn relates to the Norman French female name Aveline, the origins of which are not entirely clear. Theories include "desired" and "water, island".

Evelyn

Faron, a soft and gentle name, has a diverse group of references. There was the medieval Saint Faron, Bishop of Meaux (who has given his name to a cheese); Faron Young, a colorful midcentury country singer known as The Hillbilly Heartthrob, and a character from The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess.
 Could make a more unusual alternative to the Irish surname Farrell.

Faron

An English surname originally given to the illegitimate sons of a monarch.  It might be a nice middle name choice to honor an ancestral Roy, though as a first, it does have a cool meaning.

Fitzroy

The contemporary and beachy Coast with an even more modern make-over, Koast first appeared in the US stats for girls in 2023. Given to 11 baby girls (and 95 boys), the name may rise in coming years, if its wordy counterpart continues to climb too.
 
Instagrammer and travel blogger Becca Ingle chose Koast Amzi for her third child in 2025.

Koast

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 71)

English Names (with Meanings & Popularity)