English Names

Harker sounds like an occupational name, but this surname actually derives from several English places, meaning either "male deer", "hare" or "gray marshland". It can also be used as a nickname for an eavesdropper or busybody — though a more positive interpretation is that a Harker is someone who listens well or simply has keen hearing.
 
Similar in sound to popular Harper and Ryker, Harker has been appearing sporadically in the US name stats since the mid-2010s, given on average to about five boys. 
 
In literature, Harker is the surname of Mina and Jonathan of Bram Stoker's Dracula, while Kay Harker is the hero of John Masefield's children's classic The Box of Delights.

Harker

One of the rare English surname names originally derived from a female given name: Eoforhild, meaning "boar battle". Also spelled Averill, it's an extremely rare choice today, but shares sounds with fashionable Avery.

Averil

An unusual diminutive of Harriet, that might work for a girl who doesn't suit Hattie or Hettie, but isn't keen on being Harri either. Ultimately a feminine form of Henry, it means "home ruler".
 
Although Harryo might sound like a modern invention, it was in fact used by the 18th century Duchess of Devonshire, Georgiana Cavendish, for her daughter, Harriet. Two of her other children had equally playful nicknames: "Little G" for Georgiana and "Hart" for William (Marquess of Hartingdon).
 
It may remind some people of the 70s show Harry O or the candy, Haribo, or perhaps the names Harlow, Cleo, and Mylo.

Harryo

The name Hart is both cool and sweet, but Hartlen provides a longer form that fits in well with the likes of Rowen, Holland, and Harlow. A unisex name that leans masculine in the US, it is derived from the English surname Hartland, meaning "stag land". It entered the charts for the first time for girls in 2024, when it was chosen for eight girls (and 49 boys).

Hartlen

While some parents are going for Truce, Haven, Peace, and Klarity, others are opting for Riot (or Ryatt), Wilder, Pistol — and now, Havoc. Given to a small number of boys each year since 2008, this name was brought into the lexicon for girls when actor Rory Culkin and cinematographer Kate Arizmendi chose it for their daughter in 2026.
 
You could view it as a violent name, associated with widespread devastation and destruction — a sibling to Thrasher, Shooter, Striker, and Ripper. Or you could see it from a more light-hearted angle, bringing to mind mischief, mayhem, fun, and chaos — a sibling to Rebel, Revel, Rocky, and Wild.

Havoc

Derived from an English surname, Hawksley ticks the boxes as a surname and as a nature name. It's got the edgy feel of Talon and Wolf, and the on-trend sounds of Harley, Oakley, and Wesley. Meaning "hawk's meadow" or "hawk's clearing", it is notably borne by singer-songwriter Hawksley Workman. While it is a stage-name, it may inspire parents to use it as a given name too, probably on boys, but it could go unisex too. 

Hawksley

Averill is an ancient name, most properly spelled Averil, that has a Boston Brahmin air – probably due to the image of statesman Averill Harriman. It's of the rare English surname names that originally derived from a female given name: Eoforhild (Everild), meaning "boar battle". 

Averill

Rarely heard in the US, Auberon has a gentle autumnal feel rare in a male name. A Shakespeare-adjacent choice, Auberon started out as as a pet form of Auberi, the French form of German Alberich.
 
Meaning "elf ruler" or "noble bear", depending on how you interpret the different elements, Auberon appeared as the name of a fairy king in the 13th-century epic poem Huon de Bordeaux. The poem was then translated into English in the 1540s, meaning it could be from this that Shakespeare got the name for Oberon, in A Midsummer Night's Dream.
 The most famous bearer of the name is British journalist and critic Auberon Waugh (whose grandfather was Aubrey and whose nickname was Bron), of the literary Waugh clan.
 The Oberon spelling is another recommended option.

Auberon

A classic short form of Henrietta, also seen as a nickname for Mehetabel.

Hetty

Hewet is a masculine name with medieval English origins, functioning as a diminutive form of Hugh, which derives from the Germanic element 'hug' meaning 'heart,' 'mind,' or 'spirit.' This charming vintage name was relatively common in England during the Middle Ages but has since become quite rare. Hewet carries a distinctive old-world quality that connects to Anglo-Saxon heritage. 

If you're naming your son for an ancestral Hugh, Hewet can make an individual short form.

Hewet

If ever there was a one-person name, it's probably Sherlock. But Sherlock Holmes the character has arguably never been hotter: he's been played by Robert Downey Jr., Ian McKellen, Jonny Lee Miller and, most memorably, Benedict Cumberbatch, in various film and TV adaptations over the last few years. So you never know.

Sherlock

An off-beat Medieval diminutive of Robert and Robin, Hobby likely emerged in the same way Bobby and Billy did – by swapping the first letter of the more obvious nickname, possibly due to the number or Roberts, Robbys, and Robins one might have known. Today, Hobby might be considered more of a word name, but the name was in fact the source of the word! 
 
First used to describe a (real) medium sized horse, by the 16th-century, Hobby was also being used to describe a wooden horse for children to practice or pretend riding on. This eventually led to it being used, negatively at first, to refer to any childish (or non-productive) leisure activity. Over time, it began to shed (some) of those negative connotations, particularly after it was used in Laurence Sterne's 18th-century novel,Tristam Shandy, to describe playful and fanciful obsessions. Now, it brings to mind pleasurable activities, engaged in regularly for enjoyment and interest.
 
Moving on from that etymological detour, Hobby has only appeared once in the US stats, back in 1918 when it was given to 9 boys.

Hobby

An old English last name meaning "son of Hodge", Hodge being a nickname for Roger, a more figurative interpretation could be "son of the famous spearman". Yet to appear in the stats and perhaps too close to Hodgkins for some, Hodgins nevertheless may appeal alongside choices like Riggins, Higgins, Jennings, and Hudson. 
 
It features in the TV show Bones, borne by character Jack Hodgins.

Hodgins

A glamorous name, associated with film, decadence, and city skylines, Hollywood debuted in the US stats for boys (and as a given name) in 2025. You could consider it an opulent choice, joining the likes of Versailles, Hampton, Golden, Banks, Cash, and Teller.
 
Nicknames Hollis, Woods, and Woody might ground it.

Hollywood

A strong, distinctive surname with a quaint meaning and rugged air, Arledge is associated with American sports broadcaster, Roone Arledge. It may hold contemporary appeal thanks to its similarities to Ledger and Arlo.
 
Also associated with two historical Native American structures in Ohio and with cinematographer Arledge Armenaki, the name has yet to appear in the US stats.

Arledge

This name has been off the USA Top 1000 list since before 1900, but it has some great musical credentials: consider American blues singer Alger "Texas" Alexander and country music legend Pat Alger.

Alger

Right in between Hitch (as in the Will Smith movie) and Hudson, Hutchin is a surname and nickname name that has an outside chance of working as a first name for boys. If you're naming your son for an ancestral Hugh, Hutchin -- or Hutch -- can make a cute, original nickname.

Hutchin

Sutton meets Hunter and Hudson in this contemporary sounding choice, ultimately borrowed from an English and Scottish place- and surname. Sprinkle in a little Emersyn, Londyn, and Suttyn, you've got a feminine leaning spelling that has yet to enter the stats. 

Huttyn

Icelynn debuted in the US Top 1000 in 2024, while Ice and Iceland have been chosen by several celebrity parents, so could this nickname form may begin to catch on? As a word name, it has a chilly, wintery edge to it, however, it may be less modern than you think. It ranked in the US Top 1000 back in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, likely as a short form of Berenice ("bringing victory") but it may have also been used for the likes of Alice, Clarice, Beatrice and Isadora. 

Icie

Idony is a Medieval variation of Idonea, itself an English form of Iðunn, the Norse goddess of spring and eternal youth. She was notable for carrying, keeping, and guarding the box of apples from which the gods would eat to regain their youth.
 
The exact meaning of the name is debated, though one possibility is that it comes from the Norse elements ið meaning "repeated, again" and unna meaning "to love", in turn giving it the over all meaning of "love again". Other sources focus more on the first element however, suggesting it means "ever young" o "the rejuvenating one".
 
Appealing perhaps to those who like Ingrid, Valkyrie, Ianthe, Ebony, Sidonie, Briony, Indie, and Adelie, Idony makes a rare choice, having never appeared in the US stats. In fact, the only time it's appeared on any popularity charts anywhere was back in 1377, when it ranked at #35, which meant it was used nearly as often as Anne and Constance, and more than Eve and Mary. 
 
Idonie, Idonia, and Idonea are other English forms, while the Icelandic form is Iðunn (which has ranked in the Top 50). Idun recently ranked in the Swedish Top 100 too. 
 
Pronunciation varies by language and culture. English speakers tend to say IH-duh-nee, with the same emphasis as injury, while others say ih-DOH-nee or eye-DOH-nee.

Idony

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 

. The English origin names below are ordered by their current popularity on Nameberry.

English names including girl names and boy names of English origin from the English language and culture (Page 95)

1450+ English Names (with Meanings & Popularity)