UK Boy Names

Following in the footsteps of Truce, Justice, Harmony, and Serenity, Balance entered the lexicon in 2026 when it was given to one of the first babies born that year. A memorable choice, Balance conjures up ideas of stability and steadiness, of finding middle ground, of harmony and order, and of things being even and equally distributed. 
 
Balance may well reflect a want for calm and steadiness in turbulent times as well as the growing trend for declarative and bold word names. And it might be seen as a balanced choice too: possible nickname Lance adds a familiar element, and the word sounds somewhat similar to more popular options such as Banks, Blaise, Bailey, and Chance.

Balance

Laenan Kite is the protagonist of the 2002 novel Mirror Dreams written by sicence fiction and urban magic writer, Catherine Webb. They likely created the name for the character in keeping with the magical elements on the book, however, it has a contemporary and intriguing sound.
 
While the exact origins of the Laenan are unknown, it could be based on the name Lane, which may connect it to either the English word for a pathway, the name Elaine meaning "shining light", the Irish surname Lane, meaning "warrior", or to the name Delaney meaning "from the alder grove", "dark champion", or "dark river". Alternatively, it may be borrowed from an Old English and Estonian word meaning "loan", "grant", or "gift", though it could equally be a scrambling of the name Leanna.

Laenan

Used sporadically for girls but very rarely for boys, this place name does have one notable bearer: actor, boxer, and Civil Rights activist, Canada Lee. He was born Leonard Lionel Cornelius Canegata but a mispronunciation of his surname led him to go by Canada. 
 
The name itself comes from kanata, drawn from the Native American language of Iroquoian, in which it means "village".

Canada

Classic Samuel meets stylish Brooks in this distinctive surname-style choice, which might also appeal to fans of Samwise, Hawthorne, and Elwood. Derived from the Old English Semebre, it refers to someone who lived near a sandy stream, giving it a nature connection too. It has seen very occasional use as a given name.

Sambrooke

Cool Briggs meets on-trend -ley in this totally modern surname-style choice. Chosen by a few families on social media in 2025, it may well rank in the charts in coming years, either with this spelling or as Brigsley.

Briggsley

Also used as a unit of measurement, typically for the depth of the sea, Fathom relates to having a good understanding or comprehension of something. As such, it simultaneously implies a level of curiosity and a desire to examine and make sense of things and and an element of depth and sincerity. Predominantly used as a surname, it has the weighty, wordy feel of names such as Favor, Prosper, Pius, Merit, Wisdom, Sincere, and Justice.

Fathom

A triumphant and ambitious name, Succeed joins the ranks of Triumph, Invictus, and Prosper. Used predominantly in Zimbabwe and occasionally in Nigeria, it could be read as a name to live up to, or as a parent's hope for their child. 

Succeed

A surname-style choice, in the same vein of Remington, Kingston, Lexington, and Montgomery, Wilmington is the name of various places in the UK and the US. The meaning is debated, with some sources suggesting it means "Wilhelm's (or William's) estate", while others interpret it as meaning "the desired settlement". 
 
Yet to appear in the US stats, it may be a bold way to nickname Will, an intriguing option for those honoring a William or a Wilmer, or as an alternative to other on-trend last names.

Wilmington

An occupational word name with a witty, stylish sound, Whittier feels similar to Whittaker, Whitney, and Wilder. Derived from the Old English hwitian meaning "to whiten", it has been notably borne by inventor and radio communications pioneer, Greenleaf Whittier Picard, and by his great uncle, poet John Greenleaf Whittier.

Whittier

An earthy, whimsy feeling name, used as a surname, a place name, and very occasionally as a first name, Greenleaf could make an intriguing middle name option, in tune with Wildflower, Forrester, or Woods. 
 
A notable bearer was Greenleaf Whittier Picard, a radio communications pioneer and an inventor, named for his uncle, the poet John Greenleaf Whittier.

Greenleaf

Part Oakley, part Wilder, Wildoak is a rugged yet whimsy word name, in the same vein as Wildflower, Prairie, Pine, and Lionheart. It could work as a bold middle name for those who want something with a stylish sound, a nature-connected meaning, and an untamed, wild-hearted feel.

Wildoak

An alternative transliteration of the Arabic Sunnah, a name that literally means "custom, habit" though is used more broadly to refer to the traditions and practises provided by the prophet Muhammad for Muslims to follow. A spiritually significant choice within Islamic tradition, this form is notably used across India.
 
There is also evidence that Sunna may have been used as an Anglo-Saxon masculine name, possibly meaning "wet, marshy land", though could have also linked to sunne meaning "sun". 
 
Additionally, Sunna is a feminine Scandinavian name, used as short form of Sunneva or Susanna, or as a stand alone name, connected to the "sun".

Sunna

While Roller may bring to mind roller skates, rollercoasters, roller blinds, paint rollers, road rollers, and hair rollers, it is also the name of a type of bird, a character in the Transformers franchise, and, more recently, a baby name, appearing in baby announcements on social media. Use of it as a given name likely relates to its use as a surname, originally given to those who worked in agriculture and textiles.

Roller

Soft, melodic, and breezy, Windsong is a name that has been very occasionally used in the US (given to at least 27 people on record!) but it more likely appears as a surname, or as a whimsical possibility discussed on the Nameberry forums. Similar in style to Wildflower, Anthem, and Trueheart, it could make an interesting middle name or a rare way to Winn. 
 
Windsong is also the name of a John Denver album and may remind people of wind chimes or wind instruments.

Windsong

Local is an unusual word name with homely connotations, bringing to mind familiar places, close-knit communities, and one's own neighborhood. While some might find it just too obscure and random as a name, it was chosen by content creator, Mandee McEvoy (ourmodernhome) for her son, born in 2026. 
 
Nickname Cal, perhaps?

Local

Does Proper count as a virtue name, a posh name, a surname, or just a wild word name? Associated with correctness and truth and with what's established and genuine, Proper does have something preppy about it, and a similar sound to Cooper, Parker, Porter, and Harper.
 
Notably (though still quietly) used in Zimbabwe and occasionally in the US, Nigeria, and Cameroon too, Proper was chosen by content creator Mandee McEvoy (ourmodernhome) for her son back in 2020.

Proper

Derived from the Old Norse name Fenrisúlfr and Fenrir, meaning "Fenrir-wolf" or "marsh, fenland wolf", Fenris is associated with a monstrous wolf in The Prose Edda, the offspring of Loki and a giantess. Earthy and interesting, this alternative spelling may appeal to fans of Emrys and was used for a character in the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas.

Fenrys

As an English nickname, Mem is a vintage choice that may appeal to fans of Jem, Kip, and Len. It has been used historically as a short form a variety of names including the Remember, Mehmet, Merritt, Marion, and Emmett, though it has been occasionally used as a full name, as in the case of actor Mem Ferda and musician Mem Shannon.
 
As a Portuguese choice, Mem is used as an alternative to Mendo, a name that might relate to the historical Hermenegildo meaning "great tribute" or "immense compensation" . It has been notably borne by a 16th governor-general of Portugal (Mem de Sá).

Predominantly used for girls in the US, there's no reason this surname-style name couldn't be considered as a unisex option — alternative spelling Aniston is after all. With similar sounds to Addison, Ashton, and Anderson, it's also the name of a city in Alabama which was named for one of the founder's daughter-in-law, Annie. 

Anniston

An undiscovered bird name for those looking for alternatives to Wren, Raven, and Peregrine, the albatross is a large seabird, made legendary by Samuel Taylor Coleridge's famous poem, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner (1798). Since then, it has become a symbol of innocence and God's creation, and killing one is deemed to bring bad luck. 
 Also significant in Hawaiian mythology, where the albatross is considered a sacred manifestation of the ancestors, the name ultimately derives from the Arabic al-qādūs meaning "the diver", the modern spelling may have been inspired by the Latin albus meaning "white". 
 
Possibly best saved for the middle spot or for a fictional character, nicknames Alby and Ossie could make it more useable.

Albatross

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 84)