UK Baby Names
- Maxfield
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"Mac's field"Description:
This name may be related to the Latin Maximus, which means "the greatest," or to a British landowner's name, but for most modern parents, it's one of several ways to get to short form Max.
- Seeley
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"blessed, happy"Description:
Surname name with an uplifting meaning. Just beware that this is a well-known mattress brand.
- Brighton
Origin:
English place-nameDescription:
Out-of-the-way place name (it's an antiquated holiday spot on England's south coast) that might make a brilliant choice. Actor/director Jon Favreau named his daughter Brighton Rose.
- Fleetwood
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"woods with a stream"Description:
For die-hard Fleetwood Mac fans, though Fleet is definitely a cool short form.
- Swan
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"swan"Description:
Obsolete Swanhild gives way to oh-so-modern Swan, joining the flock of newly fashionable bird names such as Wren and Lark. In France, the Swann spelling is fashionable for both sexes. But Swan carries an image of grace, though perhaps also a bit of languor. It's a lovely and original name, right for our times.
- Jamison
Description:
A variation of Jameson. Both names have climbed in popularity in recent years, though Jameson remains the preferred spelling.
- Chancellor
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"chief secretary"Description:
Of the names derived from titles, this is one of the least obvious (unless you are of German extraction). Chancellor also has the attraction of offering the exciting - and very on-trend - nickname Chance.
- Adair
Origin:
English and ScottishMeaning:
"shallow place in a river near oaks"Description:
This undiscovered unisex name has lots of flair. It was first noticed as a girl's name, starting in the 1980's, on the long-running daytime drama Search for Tomorrow, with the character Adair McCleary, who had ahead-of-their-time brothers named brothers Hogan, Cagney and Quinn. But since Adair has yet to find many takers, it would make a fresh and appealing choice.
- Jagger
Origin:
English occupational nameMeaning:
"carter"Description:
Jagger, made famous as the surname of Rolling Stone Mick, gets an entry in the girls' column thanks to Ashlee Simpson and Evan Ross, who chose it for their daughter. For either gender, this name rocks...but a bit jaggedly. Currently, there are nearly 20 times as many baby boys than girls are given the name Jagger. That balance may shift, making Jagger a more truly gender neutral name.
- Adeon
Origin:
WelshDescription:
This name of a legendary Welsh prince could serve as a more original alternative to Adam or Aidan, though it does sound a tad chemical.
- Blaze
Origin:
English word nameMeaning:
"fire"Description:
A hot name, though perhaps not in the sense you want for your baby. About 20 times as many boys as girls were named Blaze in one recent year, perhaps because it can be seen as a spelling variation of the classic male saint's name Blaise.
- Taffeta
Origin:
English, from Persian, word nameDescription:
A few boys have adopted fabrics like Denim and Suede; here's a singular one for the girls, with a distinctively silky sheen.
- Lleucu
Origin:
WelshMeaning:
"dear light"Description:
Lleucu is often considered the Welsh equivalent of Lucy, as it shares the same meaning of "light", and a similar sound. (Lwsi and Liwsi are the phonetic Welsh spellings of Lucy.) It's a statement choice even within Wales, and the spelling/pronunciation would make it extremely bold in other countries.
- Edina
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"wealthy"Description:
Edina is an infectious-sounding Minnesota place-name, featured in the British cult hit TV show "Absolutely Fabulous." Edina is also a poetic name for Edinburgh and is a common name in contemporary Hungary. Though some sources list its origins as Hungarian, more peg it as a variation of Edwina, the feminine form of Edwin, an English name.
- Prentice
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"apprentice"Description:
Long-used surname name that's up for promotion to greater popularity.
- Walton
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"fortified town"Description:
Slightly more modern than Walter, but only just.
- Glenda
Origin:
Feminine form of Glenn, English, ScottishMeaning:
"valley"Description:
Part nature name, part mid-century favorite, Glenda came into use in the 20th century as a feminine form of Scottish Glenn, likely inspired by Linda and Wanda too. While Glenn would give it the meaning "valley", if you do consider it a smoosh name with Linda, Wanda, or Brenda, you get means such as "beautiful valley", "tender valley", "Wend's valley", "sword valley" or "fire valley".
- Stark
Origin:
Word name, surname, and literary nameDescription:
Stark is an ancient surname derived from the Old English word stearc, meaning firm and unyielding. In modern parlance, stark means severe or plain. But Stark's use as a first name -- 15 boys were named Stark in the US in 2017 -- stems from its prominence in Game of Thrones, which has inspired so many new baby names. House Stark is a ruling family on GoT; its motto is fittingly "Winter is coming," so Stark and other names from the show might make creative names for winter babies.
- Flash
Origin:
Word and comic book nameDescription:
Flash Gordon makes this a superhero name, but Flash might just appeal to modern parents looking for one of the new active boys' names, ala Ace and Breaker and Ranger. We'd recommend something more pulled-together as a proper name with Flash as a nickname or middle name.
- Morys
Description:
Morys is a masculine name of Welsh origin, representing a traditional Welsh form of 'Maurice.' The name ultimately derives from the Latin 'Mauritius,' meaning 'dark-skinned' or 'Moorish,' referring to the people of North Africa. While relatively uncommon in contemporary usage, Morys has deep historical roots in Welsh-speaking communities. It shares linguistic connections with Morris and Morrison. The name carries a dignified, somewhat antiquated character that connects to Welsh heritage and medieval European traditions. Morys might appeal to parents seeking a distinctive name with Celtic origins and historical significance, though its traditional nature and uncommon spelling may require occasional clarification in non-Welsh contexts.