English Names for Boys

Family name best used in the middle, especially since it was seen as the portly postman in Seinfeld. 

Newman

For sailors or jazz lovers. Or smokers of menthol cigarettes. 

Newport

If you're looking for a Nicholas substitute or namesake, Nicholson would make a more distinctive path to the likable nickname Nick, fitting in with other newer patronymics like Anderson and Harrison. Unusual but not outlandish, it is associated with writer Nicholson Baker, library advocate and author of Vox. And as a surname, of course, with Jack.

Nicholson

"Saturday Night Live" cast member Finesse Mitchell often mocks his own and similar names when portraying the character Starkeisha on the show. 

Finesse

Nickleby

Would make a difficult choice even for those with ties to the Virginia city or British county. 

Norfolk

Named for Millard. Or the late great rock palace. 

Filmore

Northcliff

Northrop

Forever the upstairs neighbor on The Honeymooners. 

Norton

Norwood

As always, that oy sound is problematic. 

Noyce

Fielding is a surname style name, originally given to someone who lived in the country or worked in the fields, however it might also be considered a word name relating to sports (cricket and baseball specifically) or with the term for dealing with something difficult by evading it. A notable Fielding was Henry Fielding, author of Tom Jones, giving it literary appeal alongside its sporty and outdoorsy connotations. Given to a handful of boys most years in the US since the stats began in the late 19th century, a recent count saw it chosen for 10 babies.

Fielding

A rare surname name that could follow in the footsteps of Harlow, Marlow, and Winslow, Onslow 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".
 
Only ever appearing in the US stats once back in 1917, it was used for a character in the 90's show Keeping Up With Appearances.

Onslow

Some cutting-edge parents might revive Osbert as a substitute for Oscar. We like the "divinely brilliant" meaning. Cool or terminally nerdy? Your call.
 Osbert Sitwell, born Francis Osbert Sacheverell Sitwell, was one of three notable English siblings--the others were Edith and Sacheverell Sitwell-- who devoted their lives to art and literature.

Osbert

The original Pip was the main character in Great Expectations (full name Philip Pirrip). Cute for a tike, maybe too cute for an adult.

A rare place name and surname, with possible potential as an alternative to Jaxon. Famous wearers of the surname include biologist brothers Charles Edward and Walter Faxon, and composer Nancy Plummer Faxon.

Faxon

Packard feels as hefty and weighty as the old car. 

Packard

A masculine way to honor a feminine Page -- although that ett ending is typically found in girls' names. 

Padget

Writer Anne Tyler gave this apt name to the hippie child in her novel Amateur Marriage, but she wasn't the first -- it was also used by the Puritans. Today it would be quite a loaded choice.

Pagan

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 55)