English Names for Boys

Nasmith

• Origin:

  English

• Meaning:

  "nail maker"

• Description:

  This is an occupational surname for one who made nails and has been used by one Berry to honor a Canadian World War I hero, Col. George Nasmith. Other related names with the same meaning nclude Nayler, Naismith, Naysmith and Neasmith. Trivia note: Dr. James Naismith is considered the inventor of basketball.

Newbold

• Origin:

  English

• Meaning:

  "new building"

• Description:

  Surname choice that's neither new nor bold. Newbold was the middle name of Edith Wharton.

Peel

• Origin:

  English

• Meaning:

  "tower, stockade"

• Description:

  Peel may seem at first like a cool name, until you consider the inevitable teasing. A peel was a tower that sheltered humans and animals against attack, though these days it's better known as the skin of a banana.

Swithin

• Origin:

  Spelling variation of Swithun

• Description:

  Saint Swithin or Swithun is best known for his feast day, July 15, which according to legend will determine the weather for the next 40 days.

Berton

• Origin:

  English

• Meaning:

  "fortified town"

Dancer

• Origin:

  English word name

• Description:

  Dancer feels like a name ready to leap into the charts with its sense of life and joy; and if names like Hunter and Archer can be used, why not Dancer. There will be some danger of other kids relating this one to Santa's reindeer and it might make a good name for a Christmas baby, but that might be a positive connotation for a child.

Durnell

• Origin:

  English surname

• Meaning:

  "grower of darnel"

• Description:

  Darnel, the plant from which this name derives, is an intoxicating plant, which used to be grown to make medicines and poisons.

Pickford

• Origin:

  English

• Meaning:

  "from the ford at the peak"

• Description:

  One surname name unlikely to cross over to first.

Parr

• Origin:

  English

• Meaning:

  "enclosure"

• Description:

  Above par middle name possibility.

Peale

• Origin:

  English occupational name

• Meaning:

  "bell ringer"

• Description:

  A child named Peale may have to endure more than a few banana jokes, but the Peales were a distinguished family of artists.

Pollard

• Origin:

  English

• Meaning:

  "shorn head"

• Description:

  Clumsy when used as a first name.

Virle