English Names that Start With B

Bonnie meets Annabel (or Belle, or any other name ending in this sound) in this jaunty modern compound.

Bonnibel

Bolton

Brooklyn is a theoretically unisex name that in reality is 98 percent female, while variations Brooklynn and Brooklynne are all-girl.

Brooklynne

The Brits say BARK-lee, but we pronounce it the same as the name of the California college: either way it's quite pretentious and of another era. 

Berkeley

For 007 fans, a great middle name choice -- or even a first, Bond fits into the trend of one-syllable surname-style names like Banks, Brooks, Boone, Beck, and Briggs. As an English surname, it comes from Bóandi, a Norse name meaning "peasant, farmer".
 
Bond could also be viewed as a word name, referring to a connection between people, whether that's based on feelings, interests, beliefs, or blood. More broadly, it denotes the joining together of two different things, a solemn promise, or an official financial agreement on repaying money. As such, Bond may appeal to fans of Truce, Trust, and Teller.
 
Ten boys were given the name in a recent year.

Bond

Most color names, like Scarlet and Violet, are definitely female, but not this one. Brown is as rich and warm as the tone it denotes, though we must admit the Italian version Bruno has more spark and substance. 

Brown

This spelling of Blyss was used for about 20 baby girls in the US last year, but it doesn't add anything to the original.

Blyss

While this spelling is running a close second on the popularity charts to the original Briana, it feels more invented — probably because it is. Some parents may want to move further away from Brian, the root name for all the feminine variations, and so prefer the e versions. But we like the older, more authentic Briana best.  Another spelling way: Breanna. 

Breana

Brier

Although the single-named singer is male, this might be a girl's nickname name or a sleek nature name that's perfect in the middle.

Beck

Bobby is a nickname-name that's long been used on its own for both girls and boys, though the Bobby spelling is more usually masculine while the girls' version is usually Bobbie. There were just over 50 baby girls named Bobbie in one recent year and only five named Bobby, compared with nearly 300 baby boys named Bobby. Robert F. Kennedy III and Amaryllis Fox named their daughter Bobby, continuing the family tradition across genders. And Millie Bobby Brown is a hot young actress.

Bobby

This is a solid surname choice for people looking for a change from Cooper, Parker and Carson. Australian parents will probably instantly associate this name with famous rock legend Jimmy Barnes, but this has an even older pedigree as a namesake - Barnes Wallis was a UK aviator and inventor, most remembered for designing the Dambuster bomb (a bomb that bounces across water to reach its target) and working on supersonic flight in the 1940s and 50s.

Barnes

More user-friendly, though less substantial, than Bartholomew. 

Barton

An opulent name, associated with wealth and multitudes, Billion first appeared in the US stats in 2014. Given to seven boys in a recent year, it joins Amillion, Cash, Golden and Prosper as names associated whose appeal may lie in their connection with financial success. Alternatively, Billion may be a very modern way to honor a Bill or a Billy. 

Billion

A decade or two ago, we might have stopped with Blake, but today the surname Blakely or Blakeley sounds more modern as a first name.

Blakely

Bunny may be adorable, but is it really enough of a name for your daughter? Plus if Buffy is fluffy, what would that make Bunny? 

Still, Bunny as a baby name is in the spotlight since Bryan Adams named his little girl Mirabella Bunny. It makes an old school Waspy nickname for any name that starts with B.

Bunny

A friendly sounding surname name reminiscent of the increasingly popular Marlow and Harlow. British musician Gary Barlow is a notable namesake.

Barlow

Bates is a fresh version of Bartholomew, and feels more wearable than Bart. Bates could be considered a patriotic choice for American parents - Katharine Lee Bates was an author and professor best known for penning the words to "America the Beautiful".

Bates

A word name with an appealing and illuminating meaning. 

Beacon

This ancient name is that of the hero of the epic Beowulf, which is thought to be the oldest-ever poem in English lit written in the vernacular. J. R. R. Tolkien used the poem as one of his inspirations for The Lord of the Rings.

Certainly a weighty if historically relevant choice, but usable for a modern baby? Even a few years ago, we might have said no. But Beowulf Sheehan is a noted portrait photographer, Beowulf Borritt a Broadway production designer, and the nicknames Wulf or Wulfie are feeling positively mainstream.

With other ancient names from myth and legend coming to life once again, Beowulf is certainly up for consideration.

Beowulf

English names that start with the letter B for boys and girls, including Bonnibel, Bolton, Brooklynne, Berkeley, Bond, Brown, Blyss, Breana, Brier, Beck, Bobby, Barnes, Barton, Billion, Blakely, Bunny, Barlow, Bates, Beacon, and Beowulf. (Page 7)

English Names that Start With B

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