Illustration: MomJunction Design Team
English has been around since 450 CE (1). Hence, it is no surprise that English baby names are famous worldwide. English, spoken by over a billion people, is the world's lingua franca. The language of Dante, Shakespeare, and Queen Elizabeth, English has a universal magnificence, which elevates even the simplest write-up to a nifty piece of art. There's no dearth of attractive names in the English language. Many of these names traveled to the US with the early settlers and set up homes in the new country. With such an ancient language, many influences have shaped modern names. Biblical names such as John and Hannah have always been a part of religious English culture. Historical names, including Charles and Isabel, also found a permanent place in English royalty.
Moreover, names having cultural associations, such as William and Charlotte exude a timeless charm and literary prowess. There's a trend of using English surnames as given names, such as Bradley and Cameron. Vocabulary words like Hope, Charity, and Summer are also being used as given names. The stock is further increased by traditional and classic names like Alicia, Emily, Marshall, Nicholas, and their short forms. In recent years, celebrity names like Margaret and David have found new favor with parents. With diminishing global and cultural boundaries, regional variations are commonly used among English baby names. For example, Sean for John and Siobhan for Joan give a regional twist to regular English baby names. English baby names have blended with other languages and taken their place in several countries with their variations. For instance, names like Emma and Louis are popular in France. Maria is famous as an Italian and Swedish name, while Adela and Daniel are well-known Spanish names. Below is our wide selection of English baby names with their meanings and additional information. It will surely help you pick the perfect name for the latest member of your family.
| Name | Gender | Meaning | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  Unisex | A flat, shallow container used to hold or carry items |
| | |  Boy | A man with strong arms; One who trains |
| | | Boy | Town full of trees |
| | | Boy | A small or little person as strong as iron |
| | | Boy | A white skinned person |
| | | Boy | A way or path to walk |
| | | Boy | Collection of greatly valued items |
| | | Boy | The delight of a person |
| | | Unisex | Strong; Brave |
| | | Boy | walking heavily or destructively |
| | | Boy | The walk of a strong warrior |
| | |  Girl | A black woman who strives to educate the superstitious community |
| | | Unisex | Adventurous and independent |
| | | Girl | The images of a journey |
| | | Boy | One who is from a big town |
| | | Boy | One who is from a big town near the woods |
| | | Boy | A dignified or a trustworthy advisor |
| | | Boy | A sensitive, elegant, and humanly person |
| | | Boy | The town beside the Trent river |
| | | Boy | Approachable and independent |
| | | Unisex | Gushing waters |
| | | Boy | A swift person, one who dwells near the swift stream |
| | | Boy | From the town near Trent River |
| | | Girl | The river Trent, swift river |
| | | Unisex | Trent's town |
| | | Girl | Fashionable; Confident; Unique |
| | | Boy | One who lives by the bridge of a tree |
| | | Boy | One who is loyal or faithful to his partner |
| | | Boy | A faithful or loyal woman |
| | | Girl | delicate, fairylike or a sophisticated girl |
| | | Girl | A woman with long hair |
| | | Boy | Large village or settlement |
| | | Boy | A fair town or one from a fair town |
| | | Boy | A large homestead; Settlement |
| | | Boy | Near the farmstead or Elian |
| | | Unisex | Surname of Cornish origin |
| | | Boy | A fair town near homestead |
| | | Boy | One who is from a large village |
| | | Boy | One who is from a town of good people |
| | | Boy | From a big farm or estate |
| | | Girl | A girl from the big farm |
| | | Boy | One who is from the large village |
| | | Boy | Fair town |
| | | Unisex | Someone who is honest, loyal, and trustworthy |
| | | Girl | A mark left by the passing of someone; A trail left |
| | | Boy | A son born third to the parents |
| | | Boy | A third-born son or child |
| | | Boy | The third small child |
| | | Unisex | Triangle Below Canal Street |
| | | Unisex | Haul up and fasten with a rope |
| | | Boy | Trigger of a gun |
| | | Unisex | Gentle; Soft; Harmonious |
| | | Girl | A noble daughter of a bald man |
| | | Unisex | Beloved; Loyal; Trustworthy |
| | | Girl | The third niece, pretty |
| | | Boy | One who is on a travel |
| | | Boy | A traveller, always travelling |
| | | Boy | the town of a traveller |
| | | Girl | A noble girl |
| | | Girl | An agitated noise or outcry; Arthurian knight |
| | | Girl | A rhyming noise, full of sorrows |
| | | Girl | A virgin girl; A pure girl |
| | | Girl | A virtuous pure virgin girl |
| | | Boy | The weighing machine |
| | | Boy | One who is from the tropical climate |
| | | Boy | One who is the son of Troit |
| | | Boy | A messenger |
| | | Boy | A channel constructed by trees |
| | | Boy | A bridge of timber and woods |
| | | Boy | A connection made by trees |
| | | Unisex | Genuine; Real |
| | | Unisex | Genuine; Authentic; Accurate; Factual; Real |
| | | Unisex | fact or reality; genuine, authentic, or sincere |
| | | Girl | One with the truth of whole heart |
| | | Boy | Honest and trust worthy |
| | | Boy | One who is the loyal one |
| | | Boy | Honest perdon from Dell |
| | | Boy | From a farm that is very close to someone |
| | | Boy | Dry resinous wood; River bend |
| | | Boy | A person who always visits his dear one's farm |
| | | Boy | Who is small in appearance but loyal |
| | | Girl | A person who always speaks the truth |
| | | Boy | One who has a great influence on many |
| | | Unisex | Faithful man |
| | | Boy | A trustworthy and faithful man |
| | | Boy | A truthful and good natured person |
| | | Boy | A firm and strong man |
| | | Boy | The person who is sturdy and powerful |
| | | Boy | A bold and confident individual |
| | | Boy | Mightyful or full of strength |
| | | Boy | Who is full of goods |
| | | Boy | The one who is having great power |
| | | Boy | A man who tells the truth |
| | | Boy | Possessing huge power |
| | | Boy | A focused and desirable person |
| | | Boy | Occupational name of a trumpeter |
| | | Boy | A practical, focused individual |
| | | Boy | A spontaneous individual who enjoys life |
| | | Boy | Responsible and mature person |
| | | Boy | Time traveler; Drink; Tree trunk |
English baby names have created a loyal audience worldwide. New parents all over the world are attracted to these names due to their timeless allure and the ability to morph into recent trends. These names are rooted in history, literature, royalty, and pop culture. They show versatility in their variety and meanings. English baby names, originally from England, have now traveled across the globe to reach new shores. Moreover, they have also assimilated the quirks of other languages and included their names.
Infographic: Eloquent English Baby Names With Meanings
English baby names have been around for a long time. They have also morphed to become new names that are now famous all over the world. New parents are enamored of these names because of their classic feel. Take a look at this infographic to get endearing English baby names for your little one.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What customs and traditions are associated with English baby names?
English naming customs typically involve three elements - a given name, a middle name (s), and a family name. The British follow a patrilineal naming system where the child inherits their father's family name. However, following the patrilineal naming system is not mandatory. Instead, parents have the freedom to choose their child's last name. Some parents could also give their child the mother's last name. In contrast, others may provide both mother and father surnames in a hyphenated form, reflecting the flexibility in English naming traditions and customs.
2. How do English baby names reflect a person's heritage?
English naming conventions are diverse, encompassing people from different religions, ethnicities, and cultural backgrounds. Many parents may opt for names that mirror their ethnic and cultural connections. For example, parents of Irish heritage may choose titles like Liam. On the other hand, those of Greek origin might opt for names like Sophia or Alexander. Parents may also pick names that reflect their regional heritage. For example, Devon and Kent are names inspired by specific regions or places within England. Furthermore, many families pass down names from one generation to another or choose monikers inspired by literary and historical figures.
References
- Reviewer
- Author
- Fact-checker
