English Names that Start With B

Boo may have started out as a nickname for the male character Arthur "Boo" Radley in To Kill A Mockingbird and these days may be closely associated with another male Boo, the "world's cutest dog" or with the adorable little girl in Monsters, Inc. 
 A couple of other contemporary female references: reality television's Honey Boo Boo and chef Jamie Oliver's daughter Daisy Boo Pamela. And it's an equal opportunity term of endearment and near the top of any list of <a href="https://nameberry.com/list/507/cute-baby-names">Cute baby names</a>.

While Ivy Blue has made the color a more popular choice for girls, Blues — as in the musical style — could feel more masculine. While some may find it a sad and gloomy choice, thanks to the phrase "having the blues", the musical connection gives it greater potential. It could make for a laid-back name that oozes cool and works as an alternative for those wanting to avoid more obvious choices like Indigo or Hendrix.
 
 In August 2024, Justin and Hailey Bieber announced the birth of their son, Jack Blues Bieber, which could draw people's attention to the name in coming years.

Blues

With the recent arrival of fruit names like Apple and Plum, this more traditional example, symbolic of fertility, might rise in popularity. Photographer Berry Berenson was born Berinthia.
 And...inspired by us... a babyberry was actually named Berry!

Berry

Previously reserved for Ernie's companion on Sesame Street, Bert may find new life as a girl's name amid the rising trend of boyish nicknames for girls. With its short, spunky style, Bert fits alongside other vintage picks like Max and Lou.

Bert

High-kicking cohort of Coco, Gigi, Fifi, Kiki, et al. 

Bebe

Bayleah

The kind of cutesy female spin not popular since Barry was big for boys, several decades ago. Consider Bara instead.

Barrie

Barb is a midcentury nickname name that, like Deb and Sue, feels terminally dates now. But with the revival of Barbie, Barb may not be far behind.

Barb

In Medieval England, Barbary was a common given name and short form of Barbara. Today it exists as a surname, either derived from Barbara itself, or in French, from the Occitan barbari, meaning "barbarian."
 
The Barbary Coast historically referred to the coastline of modern-day Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya. Barbary was used as a baby name by enslaved people from the region.

Barbary

When the once-popular Barbara makes a comeback, so might Baba.

Baba

A rarely seen member of the Beatrice clan, with its own distinctive charm. 

Beah

A once very common Irish diminutive of Bridget that has unfortunately been associated since the 18th century with a pejorative slang term for an old or fussy woman.

Biddy

In theory, Beige should work. It's a color name with a similar sound to Paige, Sage, Jade, and Bailey. However, it's also associated with a lack of color and total blandness, with being boring and totally unextraordinary. More recently, there's been an effort by some to redeem Beige via the 'Beige Mom Aesthetic", linking the color to being calm, clean, demure, and neutral. The aesthetic has plenty of fans, but also many critics who emphasize the importance of color in child development.
 
Wherever you stand on Beige personally, we can report that statistically, it has been given to 13 girls since 2020.

Beige

Toni Morrison, the modern master of literary names, made this one famous as the title character of a novel. But things didn't work out so well for that Beloved. 

Beloved

Bernie is an old school unisex nickname name, on the order of Bobbie or Willie. But with Billie and her tomboyish crew coming back, it's time to get Bernie on your radar! Bernie has a certain vintage charm and is boosted by the funky clunky Bernadette long form. 
 
Politician Bernie Sanders (temporarily) boosted this name for boys but Bernie has not been used as a given name for girls since 1975.

Bernie

One not-very-attractive name plus another not-very-attractive name equals a third not-very-attractive name. 

Bertrice

The favored form of Betty in several European countries.

Betti

Buffy was a one-time sorority girl with a roommate named Muffy, then a fearless vampire slayer, though still basically fluffy.  You might think of Buffy as the feminine version of Chip or Bud -- an all-purpose nickname now buried in a mid-century time capsule.

Buffy

Vintage short form of Bridget, very rarely still heard in Irish Catholic communities.

Biddie

An elaboration of the word and nature name Bluebell or a combination of the names Blue and Belle, giving the meaning "beautiful blue" or "blue and beautiful". While Bluebell is the more popular spelling, Bluebelle is given to around 20 girls in the UK each year, but none in the US.

Bluebelle

English names that start with the letter B for boys and girls, including Boo, Blues, Berry, Bert, Bebe, Bayleah, Barrie, Barb, Barbary, Baba, Beah, Biddy, Beige, Beloved, Bernie, Bertrice, Betti, Buffy, Biddie, and Bluebelle. (Page 13)

English Names that Start With B

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