Names That Mean English
Across 8 pages
of 8
Forsythia
Flower name, from English surname
"Forsyth's flower"
This yellow harbinger spring bloom was named for Scottish botanist William Forsyth, and is even more unusual than such species as Acacia and Azalea.
Ilisa
Scottish and English variation of Alisa and Elisa
Ilisa is a spelling variant that's less appealing than the original.
Quill
Irish, English
"lion; scribe, writer with a quill pen"
First appearing in the US stats back in 2013, this wordy choice fits in with the likes of Sonnet, Poetry, Fable, and Story as a literary option for writers, fans of classic literature, and those who…
Geordie
English demonym
Though it looks, to the untrained American eye, like a yoonek spelling of Jordy, Geordie actually refers to people from Tyneside in Northeast England and the local dialect there. To give you a sense…
Doss
Surname name and British English word name
Diehard World War II buffs may be interested in this name as a reference to American combat medic Desmond Doss, the first conscientious objector to be awarded the metal of honor. But it carries a…
Mailer
Occupational name, English or French
"enameler"
Mailer is one of the more unusual of the on-trend occupational surnames. Recommended for fans of the macho writer Norman Mailer.
Lyle
Scottish and English from French
"someone who lives on an island"
Straightforward single-syllable name, though children named Lyle may get tired of hearing "Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile". Lyle was at the height of fashion in the 1920s, which makes him due for a comeback…
Jonesy
Diminutive of Jones, English surname derived from John
"God is gracious"
It's difficult to imagine anyone using the first name Jonesy -- and in fact, in the most recent US tally, there were nearly 100 babies named Jones but none named Jonesy. Still, this is a name that…
Ode
Word name or medieval English form of Otto
If Story and Poet and Sonnet can be names that work as well for girls as for boys, why not Ode?
Ellar
Variation of Ealar, Scottish form of Hilary
"cheerful"
Ellar Coltrane, the star of Richard Linklater's acclaimed 2014 movie "Boyhood," is an outlier, namewise. Most others with his first name are girls, and there aren't even many of them -- the last time…
Ivor
Scottish variation of Welsh Ifor, English form of Norse Ívarr
"lord; yew tree, bow warrior"
Ivor, a favorite choice for upscale characters in Brit Lit novels by authors like P.G. Wodehouse and Evelyn Waugh, is an interesting and unusual name just waiting to be discovered by parents in this…
Pétur
Icelandic variation of Peter, English from Greek
"rock"
Classic and common form of Peter in Iceland. A notable bearer is Pétur Pétursson, an Icelandic footballer.
Haig
Armenian hero name; also English surname
"enclosed with hedges"
This very popular Armenian name represents a grandson of Noah, considered the father of the Armenian nation.
Lyle
Scottish and English from French
"someone who lives on an island"
Though it's used far more often for boys, Lyle has a lot in common with today's trending girl names that share the double L sound: Lila, Layla, and Lola. With its cool island related meaning, derived…
Shyne
Variation of Shine; English word name
"to give out a bright light"
This alternative spelling to the word name Shine was given to 54 baby boys in 2022 — more than the original spelling. Shyne is the stage name of a rapper and Belizian politician — full name Moses…
Wylde
Variation of Wild; English surname
"wild"
The Wylde spelling puts an old-school, surnamey spin on hot modern word name Wild.
Euston
Irish
"heart"
Euston is best known as a London railway station, which got its name from a stately home and village in the English county of Suffolk. Ultimately it is thought to mean "settlement of a person called…
Pekka
Finnish variation of Peter, English from Greek
"rock"
The Finnish form of Peter was most common in its culture of origin in the 1950s and '60s.
Waverly
Locational English surname
"from the quivering meadow"
Waverly, with its literary resonance and lilting three-syllable sound, could well become the next generation's successor to Kimberly. Although, like Kimberly, it's overwhelmingly catching on for…
Ernie
Variation of Ernest, English from German
"serious, resolute"
Not too long ago, Ernie may have felt totally out of style: a clunky old man nickname, best reserved for grandpa alongside Merle, Errol, and Barney. Now however, it's a rising star, a vintage revival…