English Names that Start With E

The name of the mother of Aethelred the Unready was once common among the Anglo-Saxon nobility, and was briefly revived during the 19th century, only to be lost once again to history. 

However, with the recent revival of Frida and other clunky-cool vintage gems like Agatha, Matilda and Theodora, we think this ancient option could be worth a second look. 

And how cute would a baby Elfie be?

Elfrida

Used in Indonesia, Nigeria, Japan, Cameroon, and occasionally in the US, Eko is a multicultural and unisex choice that may be used as an English variation of the Greek Echo, a wordy choice from mythology borne by a nymph curse to only repeat what others said to her. Alternatively, however, it is a Javanese variant of the Sanskrit Eka, meaning "one, first", a Yoruba name, possibly from Ekundayo meaning "tears become joy", an Akan name meaning "born on Thursday" or an Efik choice, possibly meaning "war".
 
It was chosen for 7 boys in the US in a recent year.

The great-great-aunt in the purple hat, singing jazz. 

Elberta

Earlene is even more out of style than Earl. These are among the names that have not been revived ala the Hundred Year Rule.

Earlene

Form of Elfrida that has an old-fashioned sound you just might find cool.

Elfrieda

A multicultural choice with stylish sounds, Elko is reminiscent of Elliot, Ellis, Arlo, and Niko. Yet to appear in the US stats, it's familiar but one-of-a-kind,
 
As a Dutch or Germanic name, it comes from adal meaning "noble", likely via the likes of Elvin or Albrecht. From its Ukrainian roots, it's a pet form of Elias, while from its English origins, its a place name in Nevada, supposedly created by simply adding an '-o' to the end of the animal name Elk.

Elko

Popular in France in the early 20th century, this is the French form of the virtuous Eudoxia, a Greek name associated with good deeds and good judgement. Notable bearers include Eudoxie Bridges, model, philanthropist, and wife of the rapper Ludacris, and Eudoxie Yao, a model, singer, and influencer



Eudoxie

Given to six boys in a recent year, Eternal is a spiritual choice, often associated with an everlasting spirit (such as God) or an infinite time (such as the afterlife), though it equally connects to eternal love more generally and to something timeless and enduring. 
 
A big name to carry, though potential nickname Ernie might ground it a little.

Eternal

Appearing in Mark Lawrence's high fantasy novel, The Book That Wouldn't Burn, Evar is a contemporary, literary creation. Borne by a character raised outside of time, in a mysterious library, Evar may be a play on the word "ever".
 
Alternatively, it may be inspired by the Greek name Evaristus, meaning "well pleasing" or by Scandinavian Ivar, meaning "yew wood" or "archer". It is, however, also the abbreviation for a type of surgery called Endovascular Aneurysm Repair, used to fix abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Evar

Evokes 1960s brotherly close harmony. The Red Hot Chili Peppers' Anthony Kiedis named his son Everly Bear, and it is also an explosively popular choice for girls. We predict that all the "Ever" names will be one of the defining trends of the 2010s-20s.

Everly

Vintage Etta meets Ottilie and Amelie in this playful choice, with could be interpreted as meaning "little meadow" or "prosperous in battle", depending on whether you see it as a blend of Etta and Lee, or as a variation on the aforementioned Ottilie. It first appeared in the US stats in 2021.

Ettalie

This lovely name is best-known as the surname of eponymous Bronte heroine, Jane Eyre, and would make an appealing and distinctive middle name for the child of fans of that book. While the surname Eyre is found mainly in England, its origins are Norse and it's thought to derive from Norse settlers. Still, the status of the classic books means Eyre deserves to stand proudly among <a href="/baby-names/164/english-names">English baby names</a>.

Eyre

Modern word name East meets old favorite Lynn in this contemporary compound name, first appearing in the US stats in 2016. Also spelled as Eastlyn, the two variations were given to 20 babies collectively in a recent year. It may remind classic literature fans of Ellen Wood's 19th-century sensation novel, East Lynne.

Eastlynn

Not to be confused with the Irish boy name, Éanna, this un-accented form is occasionally used as a feminine name in the US, likely inspired by Ianna, Giana, Jeanna, and Juana, all feminizations of John. It could be be pronounced as ee-an-uh or ee-ah-nuh depending on preference. 

Eanna

Similar in style to Ensley, Ainsley, and Wrenley, Enley was given to five girls in a recent year. Likely derived from Henley, a place- and surname-name it could mean "high meadow"  or "high woodland  clearing",  however, other sources suggest "Engla's meadow" (or ("English meadow"). 

Enley

Elkie is an anglicized form of Elke, a German, Dutch, and Frisian diminutive of Adelheid, likely created by adding the -ke suffix, following the style of similar choices like Tineke or Maike. In this case, it word mean "noble", though another potential source is from the Yiddish Elke, a feminine form of the Biblical Elkanah meaning "God has purchased".
 
As an English name, you could potentially call Elkie an animal name too, in reference to the large deer species. 
 
Similar in sound to Elsie, it may appeal to those who like the vintage name, but want something sharper and more distinctive.

Elkie

A rare choice that may inspire fans of Eddie, Esme, Edie, and Enya, Ednie may be considered a variation on the Hebrew Edna (meaning "rejuvenation, delight"); the vintage Edith via the Medieval nickname, Edeny (meaning "prosperous in battle"), or the Old Norse Idony and Iðunn (meaning "love again"). 
 
Also used as a surname, another theory is that it comes from any of the Ed- names (think Edmond, Edwin, Edward).

Ednie

A long, frilly feeling choice, Elariella is a modern creation, blending a variety of popular sounds into a five-syllable option. Used by content creator Amelia-Jane Thompson (littlelifeofgrayson), it may be viewed in a number of ways.
 
On one hand, you could consider it an elaboration of Elara, a name from Greek mythology meaning "hazelnut" or "spear" or as a twist on the Italian Ilaria, meaning "cheerful". Additionally, it may be inspired by the Hebrew Ariella, paired with an "El" prefix. As such, it could mean "lion of God".
 
Alternatively, you may view it as a compound name, blending Elara (or Ilaria/Elaria) with Ella, a name with a multitude of meanings including: "all, completely"; "fairy maiden"; "light"; "other"; "god". As such, you may create combined meanings such as: "hazelnut fairy maiden", "completely cheerful", "spear of god", "spear of light", "all hazelnut", or "cheerful of God".

Elariella

A sleek and pretty alternative to the rising star Evangeline, Evangelise may be interpreted in a variety of ways. On one hand, it may simply be an elaboration of Evangeline, ultimately from the Greek euangelos meaning "bringer of good news", however, it may also be a blend of Elise and Evangeline and thus interpreted as "bearer of good news, pledged to God".
 
Alternatively, it may be a spin of the words evangelize (meaning "to preach the gospel") or Evangelist, associated with the four main writers of the New Testament, John, Mark, Matthew, and Luke. 
 
A rare choice, it is occasionally used in Nigeria and South Africa, though its sounds could make it a unique but familiar sounding option, and an interest way to the nickname Evie.

Evangelise

An elaborate alternative to stylish Evangeline, Evangelisa is a rare choice with familiar and popular sounds. Ultimately deriving from the Greek euangelos meaning "bringer of good news", this form may be interpreted in several different ways.
 
On one hand, it may just be viewed as an elaboration of Evangeline, however, it could also be a blend of Elisa and Evangeline. In the latter case, it could be interpreted as meaning "bearer of good news, pledged to God". 
 Alternatively, it may be a spin on the name Evangelista, usually said to mean "preacher, Evangelist", and therefore closely connected to the main writers of of the New Testament, John, Mark, Matthew, and Luke, though it could also be a spin on the wordevangelize (meaning "to preach the gospel").
 
Used occasionally in the Philippines, the US, Zambia. and England, it is a very rare option, but with nicknames Eva, Evie, Angie, and Isa, it could make an interesting one to consider.

Evangelisa

English names that start with the letter E for boys and girls, including Elfrida, Eko, Elberta, Earlene, Elfrieda, Elko, Eudoxie, Eternal, Evar, Everly, Ettalie, Eyre, Eastlynn, Eanna, Enley, Elkie, Ednie, Elariella, Evangelise, and Evangelisa. (Page 9)

English Names that Start With E

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