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 fathers family name. However, following the patrilineal naming system is not mandatory. Instead, parents have the freedom to choose their childs last name. Some parents could also give their child the mothers 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.

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.

Home • Baby Names

640 English Baby Names Meaning, Starting With H

Written by Shikha Thakur, MBA Specialty: Relationships and Baby NamesExperience: 7 years

Shikha is a writer-turned-editor at MomJunction, with over seven years of experience in the field of content. Having done a certification in Relationship Coaching, her core interest lies in writing articles that guide couples through their courtship to marriage and parenthood.

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Edited by Siddharth Kesiraju, MA, Certification in Relationship Coaching Specialty: Love, Marriage and RelationshipsExperience: 7 years

Siddharth holds a certification in Relationship Coaching and a masters degree in communication and journalism from the University of Hyderabad. He has around seven years of experience in various fields of writing and editing.

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Fact-checked by Praggya Joshi, MA, BEd Specialty: Child education & activitiesExperience: 2 years

Praggya Joshi holds a bachelor's degree in Education and a master's in Ancient Indian History from University of Delhi. She has a robust knowledge of literature, society, and ethics. Praggya has been a content writer since 2021, researching and writing on education, health and wellness, and travel.

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Last Updated on Oct 3, 2023

Illustration: MomJunction Design Team

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Name	Gender	Meaning
Hazel	Girl	The hazel tree
Hailey	Girl	Meadow of hay
Hunter	Boy	Pursuer; Hunter
Harrison	Boy	House ruler; Son of Harry
Hope	Girl	Expectation; Belief
Hallie	Girl	Dweller at the meadow
Hugo	Boy	Mind; Spirit
Huxley	Boy	Inhospitable place
Houston	Boy	Town on a hill; A city in Texas
Holland	Girl	Land on the ridge; Toponomical surname indicative of ancestral origin in the Dutch region of Holland

Hayley	Girl	Meadow; Woodland; Clearing
Harry	Boy	Ruler of the household
Harmoni	Girl	Variant spelling of Harmony; Concord
Hadleigh	Girl	From the heather meadow; Field of heather; A variation of Hadley
Harley	Boy	Hare's meadow
Howard	Boy	High defender; Cheif guardian
Haylee	Girl	Clearing; Hero; Wise one
Harlem	Boy	A variant of name Harlim; A vibrant neighborhood in the New York city
Heath	Boy	Someone who lived on or near a moor or heath
Harris	Boy	Son of Harry

Harriet	Girl	Home ruler
Hollis	Boy	One who lives by the holly tree
Heavenly	Girl	A variant form of Heaven; A variant spelling is Havanna
Huxton	Unisex	House town
Honesty	Girl	Truthfullness; Someone who is truthful and Honest
Haven	Boy	Harbor; Safe place
Huck	Boy	Resembling the fruit; A variant of Huckleberry
Hampton	Boy	Homestead farm
Hardin	Boy	A variation of harding; A pet; Brave; Strong
Haizley	Unisex	Unique; Contemporary

Holt	Boy	A den or an area of woodland
Huntley	Boy	He is from the hunter's meadow
Hamilton	Boy	Mutilated; Crooked and dun; Hill
Henley	Boy	High meadow
Harlie	Girl	Hare meadow
Hailie	Girl	Valley in the mountains ; From Glen; A variant of Hailey; A variant form of Haila
Heston	Boy	One who came from Heston; Farmstead; Settlement
Hayes	Girl	Fence; Enclosure
Henrietta	Girl	Ruler of an estate; Ruler of the home
Halston	Boy	Settlement by the water; Estate on the hill; A variant of name Halton

Harlen	Boy	Meadow of the hares
Haylen	Unisex	Hall of light
Hollie	Girl	The holly tree
Hazley	Unisex	Hazel tree meadow; Field of hazel trees
Haylie	Girl	Another variant of Hayley
Hatcher	Boy	Gatekeeper
Hutton	Boy	One who comes from the settlement on the ridge
Haddon	Boy	Heathland hill; Heather-filled valley
Hardy	Boy	Brave; Heroic; Daring
Harmonee	Girl	Unity; concord; musically in tune

Hayleigh	Girl	Variation of Hayley
Havyn	Girl	A variant of haven; Safety
Hayzel	Unisex	Hazelnut tree or the light brown colour
Henderson	Boy	Son of Henry
Haleigh	Girl	Field of hay
Hazelynn	Unisex	Hazel-colored lake
Hutson	Boy	Hugh's spm
Hutch	Boy	The son of little Hugh; Settlement of houses; A variant of Hutchinson and Hutton
Harbor	Boy	A sheltered port; A place of refuge; A variant of harbour
Holdyn	Boy	From the unoccupied Valley

Holley	Girl	Form of Holly; Holly Grove
Heiress	Unisex	A female who is set to inherit wealth, property, or a title from a deceased relative
Huntleigh	Unisex	From the hunter's meadow
Hagan	Boy	Noble; Youthful; Exalted son; Shelter
Hazely	Unisex	From the hazel tree
Holton	Unisex	Wooded hill town; Settlement in the forest
Hubert	Boy	Bright heart
Hyde	Boy	One who hides
Haden	Boy	Hay clearing
Hamid	Boy	Praised; Commendable

Hazelyn	Unisex	Graceful; Gentle; Brave
Harli	Girl	Dweller by the boundary wood; Hare clearing; Hare meadow; A derivative of English name Harley
Hilton	Boy	From the town or estate on the hill
Hadley	Boy	Heather field
Hawthorne	Boy	A topographic name for someone who lived by a bush or hedge of Hawthorn
Huckleberry	Boy	Resembling the fruit; A variant of Huckleberry
Henslee	Unisex	Strong; Warrior; Courageous
Henson	Boy	Son of Henry; A variant form of Henderson
Harlin	Boy	Noble friend; Noble warrior
Holten	Unisex	Scandinavian surname; From the wooded hill or forest town

Haynes	Boy	A surname; Hawthorn berry fields
Hyatt	Boy	A boy from the high gate
Harlyn	Boy	A form of the name Harlan
Hewitt	Boy	Little smart one
Huston	Boy	Settlement of houses; A variant of Houston
Hadlie	Girl	From the heather meadow; Field of heather; A variation of Hadley
Hazelle	Girl	Variation of Hazel
Hawthorn	Boy	One who lives near the hawthorn hedges
Hale	Boy	Nook; Halo around the moon
Haygen	Boy	A surname and Variant of name Hagan; Strong defender

Howie	Boy	Heart brave
Holiday	Girl	Holy day; Off day
Holli	Girl	Of the great hall; Island man
Hartford	Boy	From the Stag's Ford; Variants are Hartforde, Hartfurd, and Hartfurde
Howl	Unisex	Eminent; Prominent; To cry out loud
Hazyl	Girl	Tree; Nut
Honour	Unisex	Dignity; Respect
Haydon	Boy	From the hedged-in valley
Hamlet	Boy	House or home; Prince of Denmark
Haileigh	Girl	Valley in the mountains; From Glen; A variant of Hailey; A variant form of Haila

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