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 | |
---|---|---|---|
Anthon | Boy | Priceless; Inestimable; A variant of name is Anton | |
Any | Girl | Radiant; Bright | |
Any | Girl | The radiant one who is bright and nightless | |
Aodhan | Boy | Fire, Brightness, Splendour; A variant of the name Aodh | |
Apiatan | Boy | Wooden lance | |
Apollon | Boy | To destroy; A variant of the name Apollo | |
Apollos | Boy | To destroy; A variant of the name Apollo | |
Aprille | Girl | Second; The Month April; Derivative of English name April | |
Apryl | Girl | Second; The month April; Derivative of English name April | |
Apryll | Girl | Second; The month April; Derivative of English name April | |
Aralynn | Girl | Beautiful; Unique | |
Aran | Boy | Enlighted; mountain of strength; exalted; A variant of name Aaron | |
Ararat | Boy | Sacred land; High land | |
Arastoo | Boy | Wise; Knowledgeable; Persian variant of Aristotle | |
Arby | Unisex | Variant of Erb | |
Archard | Boy | Powerful; A variant of name Archird | |
Archerd | Boy | Powerful; A variant of name Archird | |
Archere | Boy | Bowman; Archer; A variant of the name Archer | |
Archi | Boy | The shaven head of the monks; ray of light | |
Archibald | Boy | Bold; Brave | |
Archibaldo | Boy | Genuine; Bold; Brave | |
Archibold | Boy | Truly Brave; A variant of the name Archibald | |
Arda | Boy | Green Forest; A variant of the name Arden | |
Ardan | Boy | Green forest; A variant of the name Arden | |
Ardel | Boy | Eager; A variant of the name Ardell | |
Ardell | Boy | Eager; The Variant names are Ardel | |
Ardie | Unisex | Warm; Eager; Industrious | |
Ardley | Boy | Ardent meadow; Variant names are Ardlea | |
Ardolf | Boy | Home-loving wolf; A variant of the name Ardwolf | |
Ardolph | Boy | Home-loving wolf; A variant of the name Ardwolf | |
Ardwolf | Boy | Home-loving wolf | |
Arian | Boy | Noble | |
Aribelle | Girl | Lion of God; Altar; Beautiful Eagle | |
Arick | Boy | Ever-ruling, Island ruler; Powerful ruler | |
Arison | Unisex | Powerful; Complete | |
Arjay | Unisex | Strong; Intelligent; Confident | |
Arkham | Unisex | The fictional town in Massachusetts, used in stories by H.P. Lovecraft | |
Arledge | Boy | Lake with the hares; A variant names are Arlege | |
Arleigh | Boy | Bowman; Hunter | |
Arletta | Girl | Little aristocrat | |
Arley | Boy | Bowman; Hunter | |
Arlow | Unisex | Barberry tree; Hare land | |
Arlowe | Unisex | Barberry tree | |
Arly | Boy | Bowman; Hunter; Variant of the name Arley | |
Armie | Unisex | Soldier; Army man | |
Armitage | Unisex | Hermitage | |
Armstrang | Boy | Man with a strong arm in battle; A variant of English name Armstrong | |
Armstrong | Boy | Man with a strong arm in battle | |
Arnatt | Boy | Little eagle; A variant of name Arnette | |
Arndell | Boy | From the eagle's dell | |
Arnet | Boy | Little eagle; A variant of name Arnette | |
Arnett | Boy | Little eagle; A variant of name Arnette | |
Arnia | Girl | Strong as an Eagle; A variant form is Arnea and Arneah | |
Arrick | Boy | Powerful ruler; Ever ruling; Lone ruler; Island ruler; A variant of Aric | |
Arron | Boy | Enlightened; Exalted; Mountain of strength | |
Arsen | Boy | Masculine; Brave | |
Art | Boy | Strong man; Bear | |
Artagnan | Boy | Name of one of the Three Musketeers; Leader | |
Arte | Boy | Stone; Bear; Thor; The eagle; A variant of the name Arthur | |
Arth | Boy | Stone; Bear; Thor; The eagle; A variant of the name Arthur | |
Arther | Boy | Bear-like; Noble; Courageous | |
Arty | Boy | Stone; Bear; Thor; The eagle; A variant of the name Arthur | |
Arundel | Boy | From the Eagle's Valley | |
Arvel | Boy | Wept over; A variant of the name Arvel | |
Arvis | Boy | Friend of the people; A variant of the name Arvin | |
Arvon | Boy | Friend of the people; A variant of the name Arvin | |
Arwood | Boy | From the fir forest | |
Arwyn | Boy | Very fair | |
Arykah | Girl | A honorable ruler; limitless protector | |
Aryn | Girl | Peace; resourceful and independent being | |
Arynn | Girl | Peace; A builder; A planner | |
Arysta | Girl | They have a strong and majestic personality | |
Asbel | Boy | A creative and lighted individual; energy | |
Ascferth | Boy | One who resides near East cottage | |
Aschere | Boy | A constructive, progressive and excited being | |
Aschton | Unisex | A tree settlement; East town | |
Ascil | Boy | A perfect and noblest person of the world | |
Ascot | Boy | Style of necktie; A variant of the name Ascott | |
Ascott | Boy | Style of necktie; A variant of the name Ascot | |
Aseey | Girl | A brave and bold being; modest one | |
Aselaphes | Boy | A positive and self assuring person; greatest | |
Ashari | Girl | A voracious and soft spoken person | |
Ashbie | Boy | One from the ash tree farm | |
Ashburn | Boy | Lives Near the Ash Tree Brook | |
Ashcroft | Boy | Ash enclosure | |
Ashdon | Boy | Ash tree town | |
Ashelee | Girl | The meadow of ash trees | |
Asheley | Boy | Ash meadow | |
Ashelie | Boy | Ash tree meadow | |
Asheliegh | Girl | An enclosed space filled with a meadow of Ash trees | |
Ashely | Boy | Dweller near the ash tree meadow | |
Ashenford | Boy | River ford seen near the ash trees | |
Ashford | Boy | One who lives by the ash tree ford | |
Ashian | Boy | Ash tree meadow | |
Ashiana | Girl | Peaceful friend | |
Ashla | Girl | Ash wood; Meadow of ash trees; Ash tree clearing; Variant of the name Ashley | |
Ashlan | Girl | Ash wood; Meadow of ash trees; Variant of the name Ashley; A variant form of Ashlyn | |
Ashland | Boy | Land of ash | |
Ashle | Boy | Ash tree clearing | |
Ashlea | Girl | Ash wood; Meadow of ash trees; Ash tree clearing; Variant of the name Ashley | |
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.
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.