Names That Mean English

While Carson and its spelling variations lean masculine, many parents still see the appeal of this surname name for girls each year.

Karsen

This spelling variation of Courtney has been popularized by celebrity Kourtney Kardashian. 

Kourtney

A nouveau take on Mabry, an English and Irish surname that derives from Mayberry. Undoubtedly, some parents are using Maebry as an invented name, a combination of the stylish name Mae and versatile syllable "bry."

Maebry

Historically more popular for boys and generally less familiar than its sound-alike Rowan, Roan is a name with multiple meanings, origins, and pronunciations. Given to less than 10 girls back in 2023, time will tell if singer-songwriter Chappell Roan has brought the name more exposure. 
 
On one hand, Roan — said with two syllables — is simply a spelling variation of stylish Rowan, connected to both the red-berried tree, and to the Irish Ruadhán meaning "little red head". Alternatively, it's a Frisian name that rhymes with Joan, ultimately derived from the German element hraban meaning "raven" 
 
Roan can also be considered a word name, used to describe the coats of horses and other animals that are white mixed with another tone such as red or chestnut, again said with a single syllable.

Roan

This spelling variation of the traditionally masculine Corbin may lean feminine in some parents' minds — similar to Cameron versus Kamryn.

Korbyn

About 60 girls were named Alise in the US last year, making it an uncommon but not truly rare name. While it's pretty and intriguing as a spin on the very popular Alice, it's pronounced more like Elise or -- in Latvian -- Elisa, and so may prove more confusing than it's worth. If you want to name your daughter Alice, name her Alice, and if you want to name her Elise, name her Elise. Choosing Alise in many ways gives you the worst of all worlds.

Alise

Perrin has been in long use as a surname, derived from Peter, and is now used quietly as a first name. It may rise higher now that it's a character name in the popular TV adaptation of Robert Jordan's fantasy novel series The Wheel of Time. 
Twenty-six baby boys were named Perrin in the US last year, along with six baby girls.

Other variations of Perry or Peter in occasional use include Perine and Perrine.

Perrin

This simplified spelling of Claire does not improve on the more popular version.

Clair

Only slightly fewer girls are named Brandi each year than Brandy, 45 versus 57 in the US. Both spellings have their advantages and disadvantages.

Brandi

One of the earliest of the relaxed, unisex names, now relegated to oldies rock stations. Ricki is a spirited, retro nickname traditionally short for Frederica but now stands strong on its own. Notable bearers include talk show host Ricki Lake, giving it a bold, independent vibe.
 
Ricki peaked in the '90s but remains the dominant spelling of this tomboyish name. It is now given to about 20 baby girls each year in the US. If you add in Rickie and Ricky, it's more like 40. Plus a little under 300 boys - the majority spelled with a -y.

Ricki

Ebba, the feminine version of Ebbe (a diminutive of Eberhard or Asbjorn) and also a form of an old English name, is in the Swedish Top 10 but virtually unknown in the US. However, with the rise of Emma, Ella, Ada, and similar simple-yet-traditional names, Ebba may enjoy more widespread popularity. 

Ebba

The Sydney spelling most popular for girls: it's in the Top 50 on the female side. Cool for a girl, still nerdy for a guy.

Sydney

Some parents have taken it upon themselves to produce this elaboration of Swayze, ostensibly to appear more feminine. A record 26 baby girls received the name in 2021.

Swayzee

While all spellings of these name are off their popularity peak, Brittney gained some recent notice as the name of the American basketball player arrested in Russian, Brittney Griner.

Brittney

Trying to imbue your child with charisma at birth involves a certain degree of chutzpah. It was brought into the mix by ex. "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" actress Charisma Carpenter, who was named after an Avon perfume. 

Charisma

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 in the England and Wales Top 350 where it features alongside Percy and Teddie.
 
Traditionally used as a nickname for virtue name Ernest (or Earnest, if you prefer), celebrity chef Stephanie Izard made a strong case for Ernie when she gave the name to her son in 2016 while Princess Eugenie also uses Ernie as a nickname for son Ernest, giving it a royal connection.
 
Notably appearing in Sesame Street, a fun bit of trivia about Ernie is that it is an anagram of Irene.
 
A recent year saw it given to just 18 boys in the US, making it one of those "exclusively UK" favorites for now. Long form Ernest has, however, been quietly on the rise, given to more than 200 boys which could mean more little Ernies.

Ernie

Khaos debuted in 2008, two years after Chaos appeared on the charts. These days, it tends to be more popular than the original.

Khaos

This cutesy nickname made it onto the Top 1000 in 1883.

Lovey

Cyan is an attractive color names, but for a girl, better go all the way to Cyane, the name of a Sicilian nymph who lived in a blue pool.

Cyan

Hyde, of course, is most familiar as a surname -- as in Mr. Hyde, evil alter ego of Dr. Jeckyll.  Unless Hyde is a family name or you have some other excellent reason for using it, we think you could do better.