English Names

A wild word name with connotations of strength, safety, and protection, Secure manages to fit with gentler word options like Truce, Peace, and Haven, while equally matching the likes of Valor, Noble, and Stone. Influencers Rissa and Quan chose this bold word name for their son in 2025, who joined brothers Shine and Saviour. Secure has yet to make the US stats, but it feels like a name that could, given currently trends. 

Secure

Selinda has a more natural sound and feel than many compound names, and might make an original way to honor grandma Linda. You can also think of it as Melinda, starting with an S.

Selinda

Chosen by influencer India Blue (also known as Indy Blue) for her son's middle name in 2025, Severe may be viewed as a word name, with various meanings, including "stern, strict", "great, intense", or "plain, restrained" (usually in regards to someone's appearance". As such, it may link to the "very demure" trend that year, though the content creator may have also chosen it as a nod to brother's name, Seven. 
 
Alternatively, Severe is a spelling variation of Sévère (SEH-VEHR), a French form of Severus, a Latin name meaning "stern, strict".

Severe

A unique surname style choice, Sewall may appeal to fans of Louisa May Alcott or those looking for a rare sea-inspired option. Also spelled as Sewell, it likely comes from the Middle English given name, Saeweald, meaning "sea power", although alternative theories are that if comes from Sigeweald ("victorious authority") or Saywell (place name meaning "seven spring"). 
 
Given to a handful of boys over the years, it was notably the middle name of Louisa May Alcott's younger sister — and the inspiration for the character of Beth March — Elizabeth Sewall Alcott. It was chosen in honor of her maternal grandmother's maiden name.

Sewall

A rare, surname style choice, with a hint of Saul, Sol, and Sully about it, Sewall has been notably borne by geneticist Sewall Wright and automobile pioneer Sewall K. Crocker, who made the first successful cross-country automobile trip. It was also the middle name of Louisa May Alcott's younger sister (and the inspiration behind Beth of Little Women), Elizabeth Sewall Alcott, chosen because it was her maternal grandmother's maiden name.
 
Also spelled as Sewell, this English surname likely came from the Middle English given names Saeweald and Sigeweald, meaning "sea power" and "victorious authority" respectively. Another possibility however is that it was adapted from a place name, which likely meant "seven springs".

A modern sounding choice, Shaidan is in fact an Arabic name, meaning "high ranking", and not simply a member of the Brayden, Hayden, or Aidan family — although it may be used as such. In that case, it would likely mean "little hawk; fine and little" or "gift" from its Irish and Hebrew roots.
 
Other Arabic spellings include Shaydan, Shaidaan, and Shaydaan, while as a modern invention, it may be spelled as Shaiden, Shayden, Shaeden, and so on.

Shaidan

A cross between Cherie and Sherry, neither of which have crossed into the 21st century.

Sherie

A rare surname-style choice, Shofner might make a surprising option that stands out and blends in at the same time. Derived from the Old German schaffaere, it's an earthy, occupation name meaning "shepherd".

Shofner

A beachy name, similar in feel to Coast, Tide, Bay, and Cove. It has yet to rank in the US stats.

Shore

A beachy name, with a strong, certain sound. Perfect for a summer baby or for those who love a rugged shoreline. It's yer to rank in the US stats.

More popularly spelled as Sydelle or Sydell, this name is likely a diminutive of Sarah (via Sadie), Siegfriede (meaning "victorious peace"), or Sydney ("St Denis"). Alternative theories are it was inspired by the surnames Sidell ("wide recess; wide valley") and Seidel (either from Siegfried or a German word meaning "tankard"), or that it is inspired by the Greek Sybil (via Cedella or Sidillia). 

Sidelle

One in the currently modish aden family of <a href="https://nameberry.com/boys-names">boys' names</a> beginning to be used for girls as well as boys. The name Brayden was given to 15 baby girls in the US last year....and over 5000 baby boys, so it can hardly be considered gender neutral, but rather a boys' name occasionally used for girls.

Brayden

Cirilla is the currently most-used version of this name, thanks to The Witcher series, but Sirilla is another spelling variant of the original Cyrilla, feminine of Cyril. Downside: that Siri nickname.

Sirilla

In English and German, Sisi is a playful nickname, often used as an alternative spelling to Cece (from Cecilia, "blind"), or as a nickname for the classic Elisabeth or Isabella (meaning "pledged to God"). Alternatively, it could be used for any S- name, including Sophie, Sienna, Sierra, or Susannah, or perhaps for something like Josie, Maisie, Daisy and so on.
 
Additionally, it may be used as an affectionate nickname for a sister, making it a more generic nickname, like Sonny, Honey, Poppet, or Sweetie and so on. In this case, it could work as a sweet choice for a big sister whose young sibling can't yet pronounce her name.
 
While it may read as cutesy and nickname-territory in English speaking countries, as a Chinese name, it has more solidity. Pronounced as SUR-SUR or SUZ-SUZ, it means "think, reflect, consider", and is alternatively transliterated as Sze Sze.
 
Other sources suggest it is an Akan name, meaning "born on Sunday", possibly connecting to names such as Esi, Akosua, or Kwasi, which have the same meaning. 
 
A notable bearer was the 19th century Empress of Austria and Queen of Hungary, Elisabeth, who was known as Sisi, while more recently, influencer and model Sisi Rose has drawn attention to the name.

Sisi

You've heard of Joy and Sunny; you might have heard of Happy and Lucky being used as names too, but how about this upbeat option? Traditionally a nickname for someone with a smile ever on their face, it may also be considered a surname meaning "small clearing".
 
Used quietly and occasionally for boys in the 20th-century, it entered the US stats for girls for the first time in 2025 when 6 girls (and no boys) were called Smiley. Similar to Miley but perhaps a tricky name to wear on down days, it nevertheless fits in with modern word choices.

Smiley

In line with Sunny, Happy, Joy, and Lucky, Smiley is a upbeat, happy feeling choice. Best known as a description for someone with a smile ever on their face, it is also a surname meaning "small clearing", though it's unlikely that's what people would be thinking about on hearing it.
 
Used quietly for boys throughout the 20th-century, it is more likely reserved as a nickname or perhaps as a middle.

An intriguing word name, perhaps for the middle spot, Sojourn is connected to Civil Rights activist, Sojourner Truth who adopted the name in the 1840s when she began travelling to preach abolition. Aspirational, adventurous, and rare, it may intrigue those who enjoy travelling or are hoping for a name with a worthy namesake. Similar options could be Peregrine or Journey.

Sojourn

An alternative to Holiday, Journey, Sunshine, or Peregrine, Sojourn is an unexpected word name with links to the Civil Rights activist, Sojourner Truth. Born Isabelle, she adopted the name in the 1840s when she began travelling to preach abolition. A candidate for the middle spot, perhaps, Sojourn has both a worthy namesake, and an aspirational, travel inspired meaning.


One of several trendy boys' names now being adopted for girls with feminized spellings. 

Braeden

Solomon and Sol meet Selwyn and Edwin in this rare and summery name. While it could be considered a variation of Selwyn (meaning "manor friend"), it could also be viewed as a combination of several different elements, including the Latin and Old Norsesol, the Old English wine, and the Welsh gywn.
 
As such, it could mean "sun friend" (from Old Norse and English) or perhaps "sun blessed" (from Old Norse and Welsh), both providing the name with a hint of poetry. Alternatively, it could be inspired by Solomon ("peace") or Solange (via sollemnia "religious, solemn"), giving the further meanings "peaceful friend", "solemn friend" or "peaceful and blessed".

Solwyn

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 96)

English Names (with Meanings & Popularity)