UK Boy Names

A variation of the popular Elijah, this light and refined form is familiar in both Wales and Sweden. It is occasionally used as a short form of Elisabeth too. 

Elis

While Kaulder might sound like a sturdy surname-style choice, it is in fact a pop culture creation, used for the protagonist of the 2015 movie, The Last Witch Hunter. Portrayed by Vin Diesel, the character is an immortal witch hunter, helping to keep the peace between humans and the magic users 
 
Strong and distinctive, Kaulder is reminiscent of surnames and place names such such as Calder ("rocky water"), Keldan ("spring, well"), Colter ("keeper of horses"), Cauldwell ("cold spring"), and Caledonia ("hard, rocky land"), though it may also be a play on the word cauldron.
 
The name entered the US charts following the release of the film, with 32 boys given the name in 2016. More recent counts have seen it given to around 10 boys a year.

Kaulder

This modern boy name first appeared in the US charts in 1994, a few years after actor Keanu Reeves became a household name. Kiano seems to be inspired by Keanu, for parents who like the sound but are not invested in the original Hawaiian spelling. It is also cross-influenced by the female name Kiana.

Kiano

As Levi becomes more common, we're noticing parents turn to more creative alternatives and Levitt is one such option. Similar in sound to the aforementioned Biblical name, it may also appeal to those who like Everett, Beckett, and Truett.
 
As an English surname, Levitt is a variation of Leavitt and Livet — surnames that would have identified people who originated from one of several places called Livet in Normandy. It is speculated that Livet may mean "where the yew trees grow." In its Livet form, it would be pronounced as LEE-VEH, though as Levitt, it becomes LEHV-itt.
 
As an Ashkenazi Jewish surname, Levitt is derived from the German, Russian, and Bulgarian Levit, meaning "Levite," a descendant of the biblical figure Levi. It could then borrow Levi's meaning: "joined, attached".
 
A couple of alternative possibilities are that it emerged from the Old English Livith or Leofgyð, meaning "beloved in battle" or as a contracted form of Leverett meaning either "young hare" (from the French leveret) or "beloved counsel" (from the Old English Lefred).
 
The name first entered the US stats back in 2014 and has been used for a small handful of boys every year since.

Levitt

Though most Mels are playing pinochle with Murray and Morris, there was a notable Saint Mel. He is one of the earliest Irish saints, a nephew of St. Patrick.  He became a  priest, then built a great monastery where he served as abbot.

Out playing shuffleboard at his condo and not expected back for several generations -- unless it morphs into a girls' name, a la Sydney. 

Seymour

Nice sound, but double meaning -- shady glen or shady character. 

Shade

Poetic and handsome with a hint of mystique and magic around it, this rugged Welsh name may appeal as an alternative to Tristan or Taran. 
 
Meaning "shining, radiant brow", the name is associated with a semi-legendary 6th century Welsh poet. The author of the Book of Taliesin, he also appears in a 16th century medieval legend, in which he is reborn as a servant, who goes on to defend the kingdom. 
 
In some variations and rewritings of Arthurian legend, Taliesin is the father of the wizard Merlin, while in others, he is Merlin's father, or used as a stand in for Merlin himself. 
Pronounced as pronounced as tal-ee-EHS-in in English, but tal-YEH-sin in Welsh, this name might appeal to architect parents wishing to honor Frank Lloyd Wright, who called his two famous residences Taliesin and Taliesin West. 
 
Given to 10 boys in the UK in a recent year, a notable bearer is actor Taliesin Jaffe.

Taliesin

Worthy joins the likes of Chosen, Wise, Noble, Merit, and Prosper: strong, virtuous word names that some may worry creates a level of self-entitlement, while others enjoy as reminders that their child is worthy of love and confidence. 
 
Worthy in particular has a touch of chivalry about it, and promotes the idea that anyone has merit and value and deserves respect. It may feel occasionally heavy to carry, but in an era where Chosen and Prince are in the US Top 1000, Worthy doesn't feel overtly out of place. 
 
If you like the idea of Worthy, you could opt to use it in the middle spot of go for something like Ellsworth or Ainsworth for a bit more subtlety. 
 
Nine boys and five girls were called Worthy in a recent year.

Worthy

Wrenley has been a trending choice for girls in the early 2020s, and has begun to see quiet use for boys too. Fifteen boys received the name in a recent year, compared to nearly 2000 girls. Soundalikes Renley and Renly are more familiar for boys, likely thanks to the Game of Thrones character of the same name.

Wrenley

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

Early is a word-turned-name, pleasantly suggesting the start of a bright new day. Of the new word and day names, Early is one of the best.
 
Early James is the stage name of singer-songwriter Fredrick James Mullis Jr.

Early

An uncommon surname name with that energetic -er ending. Might appeal especially to baseball fans.

Fielder

A word name that parents might choose to reflect the eternal love they feel for their child, Forever is a bold choice, but grounded perhaps by the familiar ev sound heard in Everett and Evan and the for sound of Ford and Forest. Also used in a religious or spiritual sense, it feels akin to the likes of Heaven, Blessed, Chosen, Fable, and Seven. 
 
Singer Anne-Marie and rapper Slowthai chose Forever for their son, born in 2024, though his name wasn't announced until 2025. The singer explained that she inspired by her nan, mum, and sister signing cards off with "always and forever", and because she thought "it's just a cool name". 
 
Around 50 babies where called Forever in a recent year: 41 girls and 9 boys. The similar Ever was also chosen for more than 300 American babies, 114 girls and 203 boys.

Forever

With Yale and Brown in the mainstream, why not this upscale college name and surname as well. 

Harvard

Ivor, a favorite choice for upscale characters in Brit Lit novels by authors like P.G. Wodehouse and Evelyn Waugh, is an interesting and unusual name just waiting to be discovered by parents in this country. 
 Ivor Novello was the stage name of a popular Welsh actor and songwriter of the recent past who brought it to prominence in England.
 An equally appealing name is the related Ivo, which has the energetic impact of all names ending in 'o'.

Ivor

This is an unusual surname and geographical name of medieval Scottish origin that might serve as a possible alternative to the aging Keith, though it's a bit tough on the tongue. More popularly spelt Laith in Scotland itself, which happens to correspond to an Arabic name meaning 'lion'.

Leith

If it's royalty you're after, stick with Earl or Prince -- this is too deified. 

Lord

UK names for baby boys originate from all the languages and cultures of the United Kingdom: England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, along with Cornwall and the Isle of Man. UK boy names range from the top names for boys throughout the English-speaking world, such as Edward, Jack, and James, to thousands of unique boy names like Kelso, Mungo, and Rowley.

Browse this list of UK boy names that originate in the Nameberry database that originate in the English, Scottish, Welsh, Northern Irish, Cornish and Manx languages and cultures. 

UK names for baby boys originate from all the languages and cultures of the United Kingdom: England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, along with Cornwall and the Isle of Man. UK boy names range from the top names for boys throughout the English-speaking world, such as Edward, Jack, and James, to thousands of unique boy names like Kelso, Mungo, and Rowley.  (Page 38)