English Names for Boys

Tomkin is a diminutive form of Thomas, with the affectionate suffix '-kin,' which historically indicated 'little one' or 'son of.' This medieval diminutive form gives the name a charming, slightly archaic quality. While not commonly used in modern times, Tomkin has a distinctive character that sets it apart from the more frequently used Tom or Tommy. And it can make a unique honor name or nickname for boy named after Grandpa Thomas.


Tomkin

This Medieval diminutive of the classic Thomas has a slight playful air and a sweet feel to it, but also fits in with surname-style choices like Lincoln and Collins. Yet to feature in the US stats, if Macklin and Franklin work, could Tomlin be worth consideration?



Tomlin

While it might sound like a purely mathematical option, Trig is considered an Anglicized form of the Old Norse name, Trygve (pronounced TRUYG-vuh or TREEG-vuh, depending on region), which means "trustworthy" — a quality many parents would value. Also written as Trigg and Tryg, international variants include the Icelandic Tryggvi (TRIK-vee) and the Swedish Tryggve. 
 
There is a chance, however, that some parents are using the name as a reference to trigonometry, perhaps out of a love for mathematics, but perhaps more likely as a way to evoke the number three. As trigonometry deals with the sides and angles on triangles, Trig may work as an unexpected way to nickname a third generation junior, to celebrate a third born son, or to discretely reference three as a lucky number.
 
American politician Sarah Palin chose the name Trig for her son back in 2008, which did lead to a slight spike of interest in the name. The spelling Trigg is more popular however (though not by much).

Trig

Chosen by US politician, Sarah Palin back the late 80s, Track is an unexpected word name with multiple layers. Perhaps too on the nose for most, it has appeared in the US stats only one, in 2011, when it was given to 8 boys. 
 
Still, in the age of word names ranging for Lyric to Chosen, Wilder to Excel, Track could fit in. On one hand, it feels totally sporty, bringing to mind running tracks and sports venues. On the other, it's wilder, associated with trails beaten in to the earth by hikers, with treks through the woods, across farmland, or up mountain sides. 
 
Alternatively, it's a musical choice, used for one of several songs on a recording, however, it may also be associated with the trace or impression something leaves behind, with railway lines, and with following or finding something.
 
Sarah Palin and her former husband Todd chose it to honor their love for running, and as such, Track feels like it could fit with Chase and Dash, as much as it could with Trail, Canyon, Wilder, Cadence, and Everest.

Track

A mystical word name, most often reserved for black cats, Midnight conjures up darkness and the liminal space between the end of one day and the beginning of the next. It has seen some use as a baby name however, and was chosen by celebs Nicole Richie and Joel Madden for their son's middle name in 2009, and then by social media star, Jasmine Chiswell for her son's first name in 2022.
 
The name first entered the US stats back in 2005 for girls, but 2022 saw it rank for boys for the first time when 5 babies were given the name.

Midnight

Chelsea for a boy?  Yes — and we've got two maleberry Chelseas to prove it (one of whom even wrote a blog for us about his experience)!  Boy Chelseas would more likely be named for the British football team than the old Joni Mitchell song sung by Judy Collins.

Chelsea

Preppy and contemporary in feel, Stratford is a surname and placename, most notably associated with Stratford-upon-Avon, the birth and burial place of William Shakespeare. It could make an unexpected choice for fans of the bard who also love modern and offbeat names like Stratton, Stetson, and Ford.


Stratford

Perfect choice if your baby has grandpas named Barry and Eric, but also a bit military. 

Barric

Barnum

Blending popular nickname Tommy with familiar middle name Lee, this hyphenated boy name follows the pattern of others in the charts: a short-form first with more classic, single-syllable second part.  A recent year saw it rank in the Top 500 in England and Wales, making it one of the most popular double-barrelled names for boys. 

Tommy-lee

A hyphenated name, blending UK fave Alfie with classic James. It was given to 16 boys in England and Wales in a recent year. 

Alfie-james

As an English word name, Gruff is rough round the outside with playful air, similar to Rowdy or Wilder, while as a Welsh nickname, it comes from the more stately Gruffudd meaning "strong lord". It would be said to rhyme with rough or bluff in the first instance and as GRIF in Welsh. 

Gruff

Tupelo, one of the common name for trees of the Nyssa genus, stems from the Creek words ito and opilwa, meaning "swamp tree". Also the name of a city in Mississippi, Tupelo trees are associated with adaptability, wood carving, and honey, making the name feel sweet, strong, and arty at the same time.
 
The actress, Riley Keough (the granddaughter of Elvis Presley), gave her daughter the name Tupelo in 2022, in honor of Elvis's birth city, while many may have been made more aware of the name thanks to Van Morrison's album, Tupelo Honey.

Tupelo

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

Probably too odd and elven for mainstream success, but there are certainly circumstances in which this would make a nice boys' name. It might be a nice way to honor a William from your family tree, for instance.

With its S ending, Wilkins might make a more stylish choice. But make no mistake: Most boys with Wilkin or Wilkins as a full name will go by Will most of the time.

Wilkin

Has some creative credibility via abstract painter Barnett Newman, but we'd prefer his nickname, Barney. 

Barnett

Related to blackberry plants and more colloquially to any thorny shrub, Bramble has history as an English surname. Cozy in sound but spiky in feel, it could even get you nickname Bram.

Bramble

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.

Shore

A wild word name, associated with risk taking, thrill, discovery, and exploration, Adventure has yet to appear in the US stats, though in a recent year, Venture was chosen for 16 boys and Quest for 70. Content creators Cory Worldd and Lea Charlotte named their son Adventure in 2025. 

Adventure

A bit too bad-boy (think bars, beer, Harley) for us, as well as being the name of a grain. 

Barley

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 41)