English Names for Boys

The name Genius sets a high bar for a child, but that hasn't stopped parents from giving it to their sons. Genius first made the charts in 2017, and in a recent year, it was given to six boys. 

Genius

A strong, distinctive surname with a quaint meaning and rugged air, Arledge is associated with American sports broadcaster, Roone Arledge. It may hold contemporary appeal thanks to its similarities to Ledger and Arlo.
 
Also associated with two historical Native American structures in Ohio and with cinematographer Arledge Armenaki, the name has yet to appear in the US stats.

Arledge

This name has been off the USA Top 1000 list since before 1900, but it has some great musical credentials: consider American blues singer Alger "Texas" Alexander and country music legend Pat Alger.

Alger

Contemporary meets classic in this hyphenated name, blending fresh and funky Arlo with solid James. A recent year saw it rank in the Top 1000 for boys in England and Wales, alongside the similar Arlo-Jay.

Arlo-james

Vintage, cutesy, and energetic at the same time, Teddy-James is a hyphenated name used occasionally in the UK where it joins the likes of Tommy-Jay and Rory-John.

Teddy-james

This warm-sounding virtue name is popular in parts of Africa, where there is a strong tradition among Christian parents especially to choose spiritual word names for their children. It may form part of the longer and bolder Godfavour.
 
Spelled as Favor, it was given to 8 boys in the US in a recent year; spelled as Favour, it was chosen for 7 boys in the UK. Generally, in English speaking countries, it is used more often for girls.

Favour

Contracted form of Leofric, which would make an intriguing addition to the modern lexicon of Leo names.

Leoric

Alcott evokes shades of nineteenth-century New England, and memories of the author of the books Little Women and Little Men. Louisa May Alcott was the daughter of Amos Bronson Alcott, noted educator, writer and philosopher, and colleague of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau.
 Alcott would make an unusual and interesting surname name choice.

Alcott

While Nine doesn't have the on-trend sounds or the spiritual significance that Seven does, its long monosyllable gives it potential as an unexpected middle name. Given to seven babies in a recent year, it may be selected as a way to honor a significant date, a lucky number, or similar. British soccer player Andy Carroll did just that back in 2017, when he named his son  Wolf Nine after the number on his football shirt at the time. 



Nine

Cajetan is the English form of the Late Roman Caietanus meaning "from Caieta" — a small town in ancient Italy. The name is notably associated with the 16th century philosopher, theologian, and cardinal, Thomas Cajetan (also known as Gaetanus, Tommaso de Vio or Thomas de Vio), and with Saint Catejan, a 15th century saint, priest, and religious reformer. 
 
Cajetan is an Anglicized form of the name, that appears as Gaetano in Italian (ga-eh-TA-no) and as Kajetan (pronounced ka-YEH-tan) in Poland, In fact, the latter has been in the Polish Top 100 since 2000, and ranked at #996 in the England and Wales charts in 2015 as well.
 
Cajetan, pronounced with the J sound, has never appeared in the charts in the UK or the US.

Cajetan

Used by Emily Brontë in her novel Wuthering Heights , Hareton is a distinctive, rugged and literature-inspired choice. With the sounds of an English place name and the vibes of a last name as a first name, Hareton was likely an invention of Emily Brontë's, which she created by changing up the name of a neighbourhood family, The Heatons. 
 
While Brontë's character is very proud of his name, some may find it just a little too "hairy" for the real world. Ayreton and Hartley are similar options if the sounds of Hareton do intrigue you.

Hareton

This name's buttoned-up British vibe is what makes it cool - that, and the fact that it was chosen by Anne Bronte as her pseudonym - Acton Bell. That's quite the literary - and may we add feminist - credential for a name. For those with an adventurous edge, Acton is one of the highest peaks in Antarctica.

Acton

Worn round the neck and close to the heart, lockets are often used to hold small items of sentimental value, like a photo, a lock of hair, or a letter. Used as a surname, but rarely as a given name, Locket could have potential given its similarity in sound to Lochlan, Beckett, and Luka.
 
In fact, popular influencers Francesca Farago and Jesse Sullivan chose Locket for their son in 2024, to join twin sister Poetry.

Locket

A cozy short form of Ambrose and co., Brosie could make a sweet nickname for a kid, but as a stand alone, it might be best reserved for a pet. 

Brosie

A nature name, a word name, and an sea-inspired option, this as yet undiscovered name might just fit in with the likes of Samuel, Saint, and Sage. Used to describe a plant that grows near the sea, Samphire is grounded by popular nicknames Sam and Sammy, though Ira, Sai, or Saffy might appeal to those who prefer something more unusual.
 
The edible plant takes its name from the French herbe de Saint Pierre, which was corrupted in English to sampiere and then to samphire in the 16th century. It was named for St. Peter, the patron saint of fisherman, making this a very offbeat choice to honor a Peter (or a fisher). 
 
Samphire can be pronounced with three syllables, SAM-fie-uh, or with two, SAM-fuh, depending on regional differences, and it has yet to appear in any name data.

Samphire

Acker is a surname name that has not seen much use to date, but given it's lush nature meaning (and the fact that it also means "friend" in Somerset slang) this could be a cute choice for parents looking for something fresh. An added bonus its link to English "Master of the Clarinet" Acker Bilk. The Dutch version, Akker, is also an option.

Acker

Could Briscoe work as a rare alternative to the likes of Roscoe, Bridger, Briggs, Brixton, Nico, Brycen, or Bruno? Possibly, given its brisk sound, cool O ending, surname-y vibe and snappy feel. In fact, it has been occasionally used for boys in the US since the early 20th century, and most recently appeared in the charts in 2021, when it was given to 11 boys.
 
Ultimately from Old Norse and used as an English place and last name, Briscoe means "birch wood" or "wood of birches", giving it a subtle nature connection. As a surname, it's been borne by the professional wrestler brothers, Jay and Mark, actress Lottie Briscoe, and race car driver, Chase Briscoe; in fiction, the character Lennie Briscoe appeared in hit series, Law & Order.
 
While some might find the sounds too similar to brisket or biscuit, it could be one to watch out for ― and could make a pretty cool name for a pet too.

Briscoe

Derived from Wymond or Wigmund, Old English names meaning "war protection",  Weyman is a surname style choice, chosen in 2025 by singer Sam Hunt and his wife Hannah Lee Fowler.

Weyman

Finch has been given to a small number of boys each year since the 2010s, likely inspired by the rise of Robin, Wren, and Birdie, and because it appears in Harper Lee's novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, as the surname of the central family. This longer form, however, has yet to catch on, but it may appeal to those who want a stand-out choice with the familiar sounds of Finley, Wrenley, and Fletcher. 
 
Finchley may also be used as a last name and is given to a large district north of London, UK.

Finchley

While this may look like a contracted form of vintage girl name, Winifred, it is in fact an Old English masculine name in its own right. Borne by the 8th century monk and missionary St. Boniface, it appeared nearly consistently in the US Top 1000 from the 1880s when records began, up to 1966 when it fell out of favor.
 
Combining the elements <emw>wine</m> "friend" and friþ "peace", it may appeal to those like unisex names but are compromising with a partner who doesn't. Rugged and knightly in feel, but with the clunky-cute feel of Winifred, it also comes with charming nicknames Freddie, Winn, Fred, and Winnie.

Winfred

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 43)