English Names for Boys

Blanford

Historically, the name gained significance in the Netherlands through Maurice of Nassau (Maurits van Nassau), a key military leader during the Dutch Revolt against Spain in the 16th-17th centuries. While primarily found in the Netherlands and occasionally in Flemish-speaking parts of Belgium, Maurits remains a name with strong Dutch cultural associations. Though less common than international variants like Maurice, Morris, or Moritz, the name continues to be used in Dutch families, often to honor family traditions or historical connections.

Maurits

Blakeley is one of the many -ley ending surnames that is being adopted as a first name, taking the 80s unisex darling Blake into the new millennium.

Blakeley

Blackwell

A rare surname name that could follow in the footsteps of Harlow, Marlowe, Winslow et al., Onslowe comes from the Old English name Andrǣd, which likely relates to Andrew and Anders. In turn, this could give it the more figurative meaning of "the manly one's hill". 
 
This spelling has never appeared in the US stats, and while alternative form Onslow featured once back in 1917, parents may well be put off this name if they read it as "on slow" or hear it as "onslaught.

Onslowe

Somewhat dashing surname, but with serious teasing potential. 

Blackburn

Birtle

Though they sound exactly alike, this spelling makes it much more elegant than Bernie. 

Burney

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

More popularly used for girls, this peppy word name has been worn by football player Pepper Johnson (born Thomas and given the childhood nickname for sprinkling pepper on his cereal) and appears in the musical Mamma Mia!. Yet to make waves for boys, it was given to five boys in a recent year. 
 
Associated with the drink, Dr Pepper and occasionally Peppa Pig, it's also related to the vegetable (or fruit) and spice, giving it a wordy, nature-y vibe too. There's also the musical link to The Beatle's album, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club might appeal to some. 

Pepper might be a fun nickname for Joseph, Philip, Peter, Peregrine, or Percival.

Pepper

Birney

Burleigh

Birley

Birkett

Bickford

One step up from Irwin, and that's not nearly enough. 

Berwin

With the new fashion in the US for S-ending surname-names, Saunders could see some use.

Saunders

This cool, sauntering boy's name would fit in and stand out in a classroom today. Other similar diminutives more distinct than Xander or Zander include Saunders, Sander, and Sanders. 

Saunder

A Medieval diminutive of Denis and the source of the surname Tennyson, or perhaps a nickname for Tennessee.  

Tenney

Berton

English names for boys dominate the popularity lists of the US, the UK, and other English-speaking countries, with William and James ranking highly in the US, and Jack, Oscar, and Charlie reigning in the UK.



Many English names for boys drawn from surnames are currently trending in the United States: Jackson, Cooper, Lincoln, Hunter, and Landon, for instance. And then there are English word names from Royal to Loyal that have become fashionable for baby boys.

 include Carter, Grayson, Julian, Mason, Parker, Robert, Sawyer, and Wyatt. Trending English names for boys include surname names such as Reeve and Miller and antique names such as Auberon and Anson.

Baby boy names of English origin popular in the UK

 include Oliver — a top name throughout the United Kingdom — Harry, Leo, and Alfie. The English name Tom ranks highly in France, while James is favored in The Netherlands and Oliver is popular in Spain.



Some of the straightforward boys’ names we think of as English — like the royal Charles, William, Henry, George, and Louis — all have non-English roots but may carry nicknames like Charlie or Bill that are distinctively English.

English Names for Boys rank highly throughout the English-speaking world, including William, James, Jack, Oscar, and Charlie. (Page 39)