English Names

English names belong to the Germanic branch of Indo-European languages. This collection contains 106 English names with their meanings, cultural backgrounds, and pronunciation guides. You'll find 62 names traditionally given to boys and 35 names for girls, reflecting naming patterns from the British Isles. These names carry the linguistic heritage and cultural values of English-speaking communities. Common themes include red, new, noble, showing what English cultures have valued across generations.

106 total names
62 boy names
35 girl names

Trent

Trent originates as a location name used as a surname and given name, referring to someone who lives by the River Trent in England “dweller by the Trent River.” The Trent River traditionally marked the division of north and south England. The name “Trent” comes from a Celtic word, possibly meaning “strongly flooding.” More specifically, the name may be a contraction of two Celtic words, “tros” (over) and “hynt” (way). It may indeed indicate a river that is prone to flooding. Trent is also a short form of “Trenton.”

Boy

Ellis

This name derives from the Hebrew “‘êlı̂yâh / ‘êlı̂yâhû > Eliyahu,” Ancient Greek “Hēlías (Ἡλίας),” meaning “my God is the lord.” Eliyahu was a famous prophet and a miracle worker in the northern kingdom of Israel during the reign of Ahab (9th-century BC), according to the Biblical Books of Kings, as well as the Qur’an. In Islam, the Qur’an describes Elijah as a great and righteous prophet of God and one who powerfully preached against the worship of Ba’al. In Macedonia, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania, he is known as “Elijah the Thunderer,” and in folklore, he is held responsible for summer storms, hail, rain, thunder, and dew.

Boy

Baylee

This name derives from the Middle English “baili,” meaning “bailiff, to deliver.” Firstly it can be an occupational name for a steward or official from the Old French “baillis” or “bailif,” and middle English “bail(l).” The word survives in Scotland as “bailie,” the title of a municipal magistrate, but in England has developed into “bailiff,” an officer of the court. Bailey is the 65th-most common surname in the United Kingdom.

Girl

Bailee

This name derives from the Middle English “baili,” meaning “bailiff, to deliver.” Firstly it can be an occupational name for a steward or official from the Old French “baillis” or “bailif,” and middle English “bail(l).” The word survives in Scotland as “bailie,” the title of a municipal magistrate, but in England has developed into “bailiff,” an officer of the court. Bailey is the 65th-most common surname in the United Kingdom.

Girl

Bailey

This name derives from the Middle English “baili,” meaning “bailiff, to deliver.” Firstly it can be an occupational name for a steward or official from the Old French “baillis” or “bailif,” and middle English “bail(l).” The word survives in Scotland as “bailie,” the title of a municipal magistrate, but in England has developed into “bailiff,” an officer of the court. Bailey is the 65th-most common surname in the United Kingdom.

Unisex

Trenton

This name derives from Trenton (Trent’s town), from a New Jersey city established in the 17th-century by William Trent. The name means “Trent’s town.” William Trent (1715–1787) was a fur trader and merchant based in colonial Pennsylvania. Trent originates as a location name used as a surname and given name, referring to someone who lives by the river Trent in England “dweller by the Trent river.” The river Trent traditionally marked the division of north and south England. The name Trent comes from a Celtic word, possibly meaning “strongly flooding.” More specifically, the name may be a contraction of two Celtic words, “tros” (over) and “hynt” (way). It may indeed indicate a river that is prone to flooding. The river name is recorded as early as 115-117 by Tacitus as “Trisantona, Treenta, and Treanta” in the “Historia Ecclesiastica,” and as “trente” in the Domesday Book of 1086.

Boy

Tye

This name means “a knot; a tie”. The name comes from a surname. It is topographical and originates either from lands known as "The tye", being common lands near to a village where cattle were gathered perhaps for slaughtering, or from the Old English word "titt", meaning “a small hill or mound”, as in the village name of Tydd St Mary in Lincolnshire, and recorded as Tite, Tid and Tit in the Domesday Book of 1086. but it is also a short form of several names beginning with the element “Ty-“. Also it is occasionally bestowed as an independent given name.

Boy

Tod

This name derives from a Scottish surname, which in turn derives from the dialectal middle English “todde,” meaning “fox,” originally in reference to a fox hunter.

Boy

Pipí

This name derives from the Middle English “pippin / pippe,” meaning “a seed, or any of several varieties of eating apple that have a yellow or green skin with patches of red.” In turn, the name derives from the post-classical Latin “pītuīta > pipita,” meaning “mucus, phlegm.” Pippin, Peppin, and Pepin (Latin: Pippinus, Pipinus, and Pepinus) are variants of a single Frankish given name borne in the Carolingian family that ruled the Frankish Empire in what is now France and the western parts of Germany in the Middle Ages.

Boy

Arlo

(NO RELIABLE INFORMATION IS NOW AVAILABLE, WE WILL UPDATE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE).

Boy

Dell

lived in a dell or valley

Boy

Bail

This name derives from the Middle English “baili,” meaning “bailiff, to deliver.” Firstly it can be an occupational name for a steward or official from the Old French “baillis” or “bailif,” and middle English “bail(l).” The word survives in Scotland as “bailie,” the title of a municipal magistrate, but in England has developed into “bailiff,” an officer of the court. Bailey is the 65th-most common surname in the United Kingdom.

Unisex

Hoyt

This name derives from an English surname which was derived from Middle English “hoit”, meaning “stick”, originally a nickname for a thin person.

Boy

Todd

This name derives from a Scottish surname, which in turn derives from the dialectal middle English “todde,” meaning “fox,” originally in reference to a fox hunter. According to the United States Social Security card applications in 1964, the name Todd ranked 28th out of the top 100 names chosen by parents for their baby boys.

Boy

Delio

Delio is a short form of Cordelio, Adelio, Fidelio, Odelio, and Baudelio. The name is of Greek, Breton, English, Germanic and Latin origin and comes from the following roots: (CORDEILLA) (ADELA) (FĬDĒLIS) (UODIL) and (BAUDUS / BALDO).

Boy

Fancy

like, love, inclination or "ornamental

Girl

Zaden

An invented name, using the popular “-aden” suffix sound found in such names as Jayden, Hayden, and Aidan. Zadyn is a form of Zaden and is generally pronounced like “zay din.”

Boy

Corby

This name derives from an English surname. It derives from the Anglo-Norman French, Middle English, and Old French “corbet,” which is a diminutive of “corb,” meaning “raven.” In turn, it derives from the Latin “corvus,” meaning “crow, raven.” The surname probably originated from a nickname referring to someone with dark hair or a dark complexion.

Boy

Bukka

This name derives from an English occupational surname, meaning “maker of books, a binder of books or one who makes a reservation.” The word “book” comes from the Old English “bōc,” which (itself) comes from the Germanic root “*bōk-,” meaning “book, letter, a written message.” A famous bearer was Booker T. Washington (1856–1915), an African-American leader.

Boy

Melba

From the surname of the Australian opera singer "Nellie Melba". This was a stage name that she got from the name of the city Melbourne, where she was born. Melba studied singing in Melbourne and made a modest success in performances there. After a brief and unsuccessful marriage, she moved to Europe in search of a singing career. Failing to find engagements in London in 1886, she studied in Paris and soon made a great success there and in Brussels.

Girl

Tripp

The origin of this name is still today quite uncertain. The theories include: 1) from the Old English surname Tripp, and the first documented is John Tripp of Northumberland (English unitary authority), who settled in Newport or Portsmouth, Rhode Island in 1630. 2) Tripp is also a nickname for “the third.” 3) from the English word “trip,” meaning “a journey, a stumble.”

Boy

Clint

The name means “settlement on the river Glyme”. Clinton is an English family name, indicating one’s ancestors came from English places called Glympton from the Middle English “Glyme”, related to the river Glyme in Oxfordshire, England. Clinton has frequently been used as a given name in the United States since the late 19th-century. Glympton is also a village and civil parish on the River Glyme about 3 miles (5 km) north of Woodstock, Oxfordshire.

Boy

Alwyn

From the name of the River Alwen

Boy

Chase

This name derives from the Middle English “chase,” meaning “hunt,” from the Old French “chaceur, chaceour,” meaning “hunter.” Chase and Chasey are a given name and surname in the English language, especially in the United States. The given name is a transferred use of the surname.

Unisex

Coops

This name derives from the English “coop‎ -er,” meaning “barrel maker,” probably from Low German “kupe” (German: Kufe). A cooper is someone who makes wooden staved vessels, bound together with hoops and possessing flat ends or heads. The name Cooper often is used as a surname.

Boy

Chace

This name derives from the Middle English “chase,” meaning “hunt,” from the Old French “chaceur, chaceour,” meaning “hunter.” Chase and Chasey are a given name and surname in the English language, especially in the United States. The given name is a transferred use of the surname.

Unisex

Dilly

The origin of this name is still today quite uncertain. The theories include: 1) From the Late Latin “cŏr / cordis,” meaning “heart, love, feeling,” which in turn derives from the Greek “kardiá (καρδιά),” same meaning. 2) From the Greek “kórē (κόρη),” meaning “girl, young woman, maiden, bride, young wife wife” plus “dêlos (δῆλος),” meaning “visible, conspicuous, manifest, to be clear or plain, limpid.” In turn, the name means “pure girl.” The name was borne by the tragic heroine of Shakespeare’s King Lear (1606), a character based on the legendary queen Cordeilla. Queen Cordelia was a legendary queen of the Britons, as recounted by Geoffrey of Monmouth. She was the youngest daughter of Leir and the second ruling queen of pre-Roman Britain. There is no independent historical evidence for her existence.

Girl

Kirra

The origin of this name is still today quite uncertain. The theories include: 1) From the Australian Aboriginal dialect, meaning “leaf.” However, in a Queensland Aboriginal language, it is said to mean “boomerang.” Kirra is a beach-side suburb of the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia. The small rocky headland Kirra Point separates Kirra beach to the north and Coolangatta beach to the south and is noted as one of the world's premier surf breaks.

Girl

Pepin

This name derives from the Middle English “pippin / pippe,” meaning “a seed, or any of several varieties of eating apple that have a yellow or green skin with patches of red.” In turn, the name derives from the post-classical Latin “pītuīta > pipita,” meaning “mucus, phlegm.” Pippin, Peppin, and Pepin (Latin: Pippinus, Pipinus, and Pepinus) are variants of a single Frankish given name borne in the Carolingian family that ruled the Frankish Empire in what is now France and the western parts of Germany in the Middle Ages.

Boy

Pipin

This name derives from the Middle English “pippin / pippe,” meaning “a seed, or any of several varieties of eating apple that have a yellow or green skin with patches of red.” In turn, the name derives from the post-classical Latin “pītuīta > pipita,” meaning “mucus, phlegm.” Pippin, Peppin, and Pepin (Latin: Pippinus, Pipinus, and Pepinus) are variants of a single Frankish given name borne in the Carolingian family that ruled the Frankish Empire in what is now France and the western parts of Germany in the Middle Ages.

Boy

Chasey

This name derives from the Middle English “chase,” meaning “hunt,” from the Old French “chaceur, chaceour,” meaning “hunter.” Chase and Chasey are a given name and surname in the English language, especially in the United States. The given name is a transferred use of the surname.

Girl

Ellice

This name derives from the Hebrew “‘êlı̂yâh / ‘êlı̂yâhû > Eliyahu,” Ancient Greek “Hēlías (Ἡλίας),” meaning “my God is the lord.” Eliyahu was a famous prophet and a miracle worker in the northern kingdom of Israel during the reign of Ahab (9th-century BC), according to the Biblical Books of Kings, as well as the Qur’an. In Islam, the Qur’an describes Elijah as a great and righteous prophet of God and one who powerfully preached against the worship of Ba’al. In Macedonia, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania, he is known as “Elijah the Thunderer,” and in folklore, he is held responsible for summer storms, hail, rain, thunder, and dew.

Girl

Telmar

The origin of this name is still quite uncertain today. The theories include: 1) Invented by the novelist Marie Corelli for her novel “Thelma” (1887). The character was supposed to be Norwegian, but her name is not of Norwegian origin. 2) From the Ancient Greek word “thélema (θέλημα),” meaning “wish, will, desire,” from thélo (θέλω) / ethélō (ἐθέλω), meaning “want, would like, need.”

Boy

Pipino

This name derives from the Middle English “pippin / pippe,” meaning “a seed, or any of several varieties of eating apple that have a yellow or green skin with patches of red.” In turn, the name derives from the post-classical Latin “pītuīta > pipita,” meaning “mucus, phlegm.” Pippin, Peppin, and Pepin (Latin: Pippinus, Pipinus, and Pepinus) are variants of a single Frankish given name borne in the Carolingian family that ruled the Frankish Empire in what is now France and the western parts of Germany in the Middle Ages.

Boy

Peppin

This name derives from the Middle English “pippin / pippe,” meaning “a seed, or any of several varieties of eating apple that have a yellow or green skin with patches of red.” In turn, the name derives from the post-classical Latin “pītuīta > pipita,” meaning “mucus, phlegm.” Pippin, Peppin, and Pepin (Latin: Pippinus, Pipinus, and Pepinus) are variants of a single Frankish given name borne in the Carolingian family that ruled the Frankish Empire in what is now France and the western parts of Germany in the Middle Ages.

Boy

Pippin

This name derives from the Middle English “pippin / pippe,” meaning “a seed, or any of several varieties of eating apple that have a yellow or green skin with patches of red.” In turn, the name derives from the post-classical Latin “pītuīta > pipita,” meaning “mucus, phlegm.” Pippin, Peppin, and Pepin (Latin: Pippinus, Pipinus, and Pepinus) are variants of a single Frankish given name borne in the Carolingian family that ruled the Frankish Empire in what is now France and the western parts of Germany in the Middle Ages.

Boy

Zayden

An invented name, using the popular “-aden” suffix sound found in such names as Jayden, Hayden, and Aidan. Zadyn is a form of Zaden and is generally pronounced like “zay din.”

Boy

Corbet

This name derives from an English surname. It derives from the Anglo-Norman French, Middle English, and Old French “corbet,” which is a diminutive of “corb,” meaning “raven.” In turn, it derives from the Latin “corvus,” meaning “crow, raven.” The surname probably originated from a nickname referring to someone with dark hair or a dark complexion.

Boy

Bayley

This name derives from the Middle English “baili,” meaning “bailiff, to deliver.” Firstly it can be an occupational name for a steward or official from the Old French “baillis” or “bailif,” and middle English “bail(l).” The word survives in Scotland as “bailie,” the title of a municipal magistrate, but in England has developed into “bailiff,” an officer of the court. Bailey is the 65th-most common surname in the United Kingdom.

Girl

Baylie

This name derives from the Middle English “baili,” meaning “bailiff, to deliver.” Firstly it can be an occupational name for a steward or official from the Old French “baillis” or “bailif,” and middle English “bail(l).” The word survives in Scotland as “bailie,” the title of a municipal magistrate, but in England has developed into “bailiff,” an officer of the court. Bailey is the 65th-most common surname in the United Kingdom.

Girl

Bailie

This name derives from the Middle English “baili,” meaning “bailiff, to deliver.” Firstly it can be an occupational name for a steward or official from the Old French “baillis” or “bailif,” and middle English “bail(l).” The word survives in Scotland as “bailie,” the title of a municipal magistrate, but in England has developed into “bailiff,” an officer of the court. Bailey is the 65th-most common surname in the United Kingdom.

Girl

Bookie

This name derives from an English occupational surname, meaning “maker of books, a binder of books or one who makes a reservation.” The word “book” comes from the Old English “bōc,” which (itself) comes from the Germanic root “*bōk-,” meaning “book, letter, a written message.” A famous bearer was Booker T. Washington (1856–1915), an African-American leader.

Boy

Leelee

Leelee is a diminutive of Liliana, Lindsey, Lilian, and Linda. It is of Hebrew, English and Germanic origin and comes from the following roots: (ELISHEVA) (LINCOLN) and (LINÞIA > LINDI).

Girl

Hawley

hedged meadow

Boy

Steele

Hard, durable

Boy

Pepijn

This name derives from the Middle English “pippin / pippe,” meaning “a seed, or any of several varieties of eating apple that have a yellow or green skin with patches of red.” In turn, the name derives from the post-classical Latin “pītuīta > pipita,” meaning “mucus, phlegm.” Pippin, Peppin, and Pepin (Latin: Pippinus, Pipinus, and Pepinus) are variants of a single Frankish given name borne in the Carolingian family that ruled the Frankish Empire in what is now France and the western parts of Germany in the Middle Ages.

Boy

Hollis

holly trees

Unisex

Garnet

This name derives from the Middle English “gernet”, meaning “dark red (the birthstone of January)”. The name came into occasional use along with other gem names during the late Victorian era. Garnet was among the top 1,000 names for girls in the United States between 1884 and 1944. It was most popular in 1911, when it was the 376th most popular given name for American girls.

Unisex

Melise

(NO RELIABLE INFORMATION IS NOW AVAILABLE, WE WILL UPDATE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE).

Girl

Lester

Lester is an ancient Anglo-Saxon surname, first found in Cheshire, England. It originated from a primary family living in Leicester, England and derives from the concatenation of an Old English tribal name “Ligore,” and the Old English word “ceaster” from the Latin “castra > castrum > ceaster,” meaning “fortified place, camp, military camp, fort, fortress, stronghold, castle.” Chester was the base of the Second Roman Legion Adiutrix in the 70s CE and later the 20th Legion Valeria Victrix. Chester also is a city in Cheshire, England.

Boy

Kenyon

(NO RELIABLE INFORMATION IS NOW AVAILABLE, WE WILL UPDATE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE).

Boy

Kendal

The name means “green woolen cloth.” Kendal, England, is built on both sides of the river Kent, in the dale of the river Kent, hence the town’s name Kendale, shortened to Kendal. Kendal goes back to England’s earliest days. The people of Westmorland County are a mixture of all the peoples who invaded Britain: the Celts, the Romans, the Angles, the Danes, the Saxons, and finally the Norsemen, who left many words which are in daily use in the area such as “fell”, meaning a hill and “thwaite,” a clearing. Kendal is in the Doomsday Book as Cherchbi-Kendal, which means the church by the dale of the Ken. The conquering Normans used the southern form of what is now the word church, while the Scots used the northern form, “kirk,” so the Scots called Kendal Kirkbi-Kendale.

Unisex

Hudson

son of HUDDE

Boy

Holden

deep valley

Boy

Edison

son of EDA, son of ADAM

Boy

Zinnia

From the name of the flower

Girl

Thelma

The origin of this name is still quite uncertain today. The theories include: 1) Invented by the novelist Marie Corelli for her novel “Thelma” (1887). The character was supposed to be Norwegian, but her name is not of Norwegian origin. 2) From the Ancient Greek word “thélema (θέλημα),” meaning “wish, will, desire,” from thélo (θέλω) / ethélō (ἐθέλω), meaning “want, would like, need.”

Girl

Denzil

This name derives from a surname from the location name “Denzell” in Cornwall, southwestern England, which influenced the 16th-century surname “Denzil.” In Cornish, “Denzell,” means “fort, high stronghold, fertile upland.” This given name was borne by several members of the noble Holles family starting in the 16th-century. Denzil Holles, 1st Baron Holles (1599–1680), an English statesman and writer, best known as one of the Five Members whose attempted unconstitutional arrest by King Charles I in the House of Commons of England in 1642 sparked the Civil War.

Boy

Denzel

This name derives from a surname from the location name “Denzell” in Cornwall, southwestern England, which influenced the 16th-century surname “Denzil.” In Cornish, “Denzell,” means “fort, high stronghold, fertile upland.” This given name was borne by several members of the noble Holles family starting in the 16th-century. Denzil Holles, 1st Baron Holles (1599–1680), an English statesman and writer, best known as one of the Five Members whose attempted unconstitutional arrest by King Charles I in the House of Commons of England in 1642 sparked the Civil War.

Boy

Cooper

This name derives from the English “coop‎ -er,” meaning “barrel maker,” probably from Low German “kupe” (German: Kufe). A cooper is someone who makes wooden staved vessels, bound together with hoops and possessing flat ends or heads. The name Cooper often is used as a surname.

Boy

Buster

Buster is used as an informal form for “guy, fella, buddy, mack, a fellow, a friend”. According to other sources it may derive from the verb to burst, to break something, (slang) to arrest for a crime, (slang) to catch someone in the act of doing something wrong, morally and socially inappropriate, or illegal, especially when being done in a sneaky or secretive state.

Boy

Booker

This name derives from an English occupational surname, meaning “maker of books, a binder of books or one who makes a reservation.” The word “book” comes from the Old English “bōc,” which (itself) comes from the Germanic root “*bōk-,” meaning “book, letter, a written message.” A famous bearer was Booker T. Washington (1856–1915), an African-American leader.

Boy

Arkell

(NO RELIABLE INFORMATION IS NOW AVAILABLE, WE WILL UPDATE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE).

Boy

Clinton

The name means “settlement on the river Glyme”. Clinton is an English family name, indicating one’s ancestors came from English places called Glympton from the Middle English “Glyme”, related to the river Glyme in Oxfordshire, England. Clinton has frequently been used as a given name in the United States since the late 19th-century. Glympton is also a village and civil parish on the River Glyme about 3 miles (5 km) north of Woodstock, Oxfordshire.

Boy

Pepinus

This name derives from the Middle English “pippin / pippe,” meaning “a seed, or any of several varieties of eating apple that have a yellow or green skin with patches of red.” In turn, the name derives from the post-classical Latin “pītuīta > pipita,” meaning “mucus, phlegm.” Pippin, Peppin, and Pepin (Latin: Pippinus, Pipinus, and Pepinus) are variants of a single Frankish given name borne in the Carolingian family that ruled the Frankish Empire in what is now France and the western parts of Germany in the Middle Ages.

Boy

Bailley

This name derives from the Middle English “baili,” meaning “bailiff, to deliver.” Firstly it can be an occupational name for a steward or official from the Old French “baillis” or “bailif,” and middle English “bail(l).” The word survives in Scotland as “bailie,” the title of a municipal magistrate, but in England has developed into “bailiff,” an officer of the court. Bailey is the 65th-most common surname in the United Kingdom.

Girl

Cherish

to treasure

Girl

Pipinus

This name derives from the Middle English “pippin / pippe,” meaning “a seed, or any of several varieties of eating apple that have a yellow or green skin with patches of red.” In turn, the name derives from the post-classical Latin “pītuīta > pipita,” meaning “mucus, phlegm.” Pippin, Peppin, and Pepin (Latin: Pippinus, Pipinus, and Pepinus) are variants of a single Frankish given name borne in the Carolingian family that ruled the Frankish Empire in what is now France and the western parts of Germany in the Middle Ages.

Boy

Peppijn

This name derives from the Middle English “pippin / pippe,” meaning “a seed, or any of several varieties of eating apple that have a yellow or green skin with patches of red.” In turn, the name derives from the post-classical Latin “pītuīta > pipita,” meaning “mucus, phlegm.” Pippin, Peppin, and Pepin (Latin: Pippinus, Pipinus, and Pepinus) are variants of a single Frankish given name borne in the Carolingian family that ruled the Frankish Empire in what is now France and the western parts of Germany in the Middle Ages.

Boy

Kendall

The name means “green woolen cloth.” Kendal, England, is built on both sides of the river Kent, in the dale of the river Kent, hence the town’s name Kendale, shortened to Kendal. Kendal goes back to England’s earliest days. The people of Westmorland County are a mixture of all the peoples who invaded Britain: the Celts, the Romans, the Angles, the Danes, the Saxons, and finally the Norsemen, who left many words which are in daily use in the area such as “fell”, meaning a hill and “thwaite,” a clearing. Kendal is in the Doomsday Book as Cherchbi-Kendal, which means the church by the dale of the Ken. The conquering Normans used the southern form of what is now the word church, while the Scots used the northern form, “kirk,” so the Scots called Kendal Kirkbi-Kendale.

Unisex

Pippijn

This name derives from the Middle English “pippin / pippe,” meaning “a seed, or any of several varieties of eating apple that have a yellow or green skin with patches of red.” In turn, the name derives from the post-classical Latin “pītuīta > pipita,” meaning “mucus, phlegm.” Pippin, Peppin, and Pepin (Latin: Pippinus, Pipinus, and Pepinus) are variants of a single Frankish given name borne in the Carolingian family that ruled the Frankish Empire in what is now France and the western parts of Germany in the Middle Ages.

Boy

Tripper

The origin of this name is still today quite uncertain. The theories include: 1) from the Old English surname Tripp, and the first documented is John Tripp of Northumberland (English unitary authority), who settled in Newport or Portsmouth, Rhode Island in 1630. 2) Tripp is also a nickname for “the third.” 3) from the English word “trip,” meaning “a journey, a stumble.”

Boy

Corbett

This name derives from an English surname. It derives from the Anglo-Norman French, Middle English, and Old French “corbet,” which is a diminutive of “corb,” meaning “raven.” In turn, it derives from the Latin “corvus,” meaning “crow, raven.” The surname probably originated from a nickname referring to someone with dark hair or a dark complexion.

Boy

Ishmael

This name derives from the Hebrew “Yishmâ’ê’l > Yishma’el,” meaning “God will hear.” There are several characters in the bible including: 1) Yishma’el was a son of Abraham and Sarah’s handmaid Hagar and the progenitor of the Arabian peoples. 2) He was a son of Nethaniah and the murderer of Gedaliah. 3) He was a Benjamite, one of the sons of Azel, a descendant of Saul through Meribbaal or Mephibosheth. 4) He was a Judahite, father of Zebadiah.

Boy

Cordell

maker of cord

Boy

Dentzel

This name derives from a surname from the location name “Denzell” in Cornwall, southwestern England, which influenced the 16th-century surname “Denzil.” In Cornish, “Denzell,” means “fort, high stronghold, fertile upland.” This given name was borne by several members of the noble Holles family starting in the 16th-century. Denzil Holles, 1st Baron Holles (1599–1680), an English statesman and writer, best known as one of the Five Members whose attempted unconstitutional arrest by King Charles I in the House of Commons of England in 1642 sparked the Civil War.

Boy

Freeman

This name is of Germanic origin, composed of two Anglo-Saxon elements: “frēo (adjective), frēon (verb)” (free) plus “man(n)” (man). In turn the name means “freeman”. The Anglo-Saxon society was divided into various classes, of which "The Freeman" could be described as "Middle Class" in 20th Century terms, although direct comparisons are not possible. Certainly to be a "Free born person" denoted considerable and jealously guarded status. Since most people were effectively slaves.

Boy

Jamaica

land of wood and water

Girl

Cordelia

The origin of this name is still today quite uncertain. The theories include: 1) From the Late Latin “cŏr / cordis,” meaning “heart, love, feeling,” which in turn derives from the Greek “kardiá (καρδιά),” same meaning. 2) From the Greek “kórē (κόρη),” meaning “girl, young woman, maiden, bride, young wife wife” plus “dêlos (δῆλος),” meaning “visible, conspicuous, manifest, to be clear or plain, limpid.” In turn, the name means “pure girl.” The name was borne by the tragic heroine of Shakespeare’s King Lear (1606), a character based on the legendary queen Cordeilla. Queen Cordelia was a legendary queen of the Britons, as recounted by Geoffrey of Monmouth. She was the youngest daughter of Leir and the second ruling queen of pre-Roman Britain. There is no independent historical evidence for her existence.

Girl

Houghton

(NO RELIABLE INFORMATION IS NOW AVAILABLE, WE WILL UPDATE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE).

Unisex

Baileigh

This name derives from the Middle English “baili,” meaning “bailiff, to deliver.” Firstly it can be an occupational name for a steward or official from the Old French “baillis” or “bailif,” and middle English “bail(l).” The word survives in Scotland as “bailie,” the title of a municipal magistrate, but in England has developed into “bailiff,” an officer of the court. Bailey is the 65th-most common surname in the United Kingdom.

Girl

Cordella

The origin of this name is still today quite uncertain. The theories include: 1) From the Late Latin “cŏr / cordis,” meaning “heart, love, feeling,” which in turn derives from the Greek “kardiá (καρδιά),” same meaning. 2) From the Greek “kórē (κόρη),” meaning “girl, young woman, maiden, bride, young wife wife” plus “dêlos (δῆλος),” meaning “visible, conspicuous, manifest, to be clear or plain, limpid.” In turn, the name means “pure girl.” The name was borne by the tragic heroine of Shakespeare’s King Lear (1606), a character based on the legendary queen Cordeilla. Queen Cordelia was a legendary queen of the Britons, as recounted by Geoffrey of Monmouth. She was the youngest daughter of Leir and the second ruling queen of pre-Roman Britain. There is no independent historical evidence for her existence.

Girl

Pippinus

This name derives from the Middle English “pippin / pippe,” meaning “a seed, or any of several varieties of eating apple that have a yellow or green skin with patches of red.” In turn, the name derives from the post-classical Latin “pītuīta > pipita,” meaning “mucus, phlegm.” Pippin, Peppin, and Pepin (Latin: Pippinus, Pipinus, and Pepinus) are variants of a single Frankish given name borne in the Carolingian family that ruled the Frankish Empire in what is now France and the western parts of Germany in the Middle Ages.

Boy

Garnette

This name derives from the Middle English “gernet”, meaning “dark red (the birthstone of January)”. The name came into occasional use along with other gem names during the late Victorian era. Garnet was among the top 1,000 names for girls in the United States between 1884 and 1944. It was most popular in 1911, when it was the 376th most popular given name for American girls.

Girl

Bayleigh

This name derives from the Middle English “baili,” meaning “bailiff, to deliver.” Firstly it can be an occupational name for a steward or official from the Old French “baillis” or “bailif,” and middle English “bail(l).” The word survives in Scotland as “bailie,” the title of a municipal magistrate, but in England has developed into “bailiff,” an officer of the court. Bailey is the 65th-most common surname in the United Kingdom.

Girl

Cordelio

The origin of this name is still today quite uncertain. The theories include: 1) From the Late Latin “cŏr / cordis,” meaning “heart, love, feeling,” which in turn derives from the Greek “kardiá (καρδιά),” same meaning. 2) From the Greek “kórē (κόρη),” meaning “girl, young woman, maiden, bride, young wife wife” plus “dêlos (δῆλος),” meaning “visible, conspicuous, manifest, to be clear or plain, limpid.” In turn, the name means “pure girl.” The name was borne by the tragic heroine of Shakespeare’s King Lear (1606), a character based on the legendary queen Cordeilla. Queen Cordelia was a legendary queen of the Britons, as recounted by Geoffrey of Monmouth. She was the youngest daughter of Leir and the second ruling queen of pre-Roman Britain. There is no independent historical evidence for her existence.

Boy

Kordelia

The origin of this name is still today quite uncertain. The theories include: 1) From the Late Latin “cŏr / cordis,” meaning “heart, love, feeling,” which in turn derives from the Greek “kardiá (καρδιά),” same meaning. 2) From the Greek “kórē (κόρη),” meaning “girl, young woman, maiden, bride, young wife wife” plus “dêlos (δῆλος),” meaning “visible, conspicuous, manifest, to be clear or plain, limpid.” In turn, the name means “pure girl.” The name was borne by the tragic heroine of Shakespeare’s King Lear (1606), a character based on the legendary queen Cordeilla. Queen Cordelia was a legendary queen of the Britons, as recounted by Geoffrey of Monmouth. She was the youngest daughter of Leir and the second ruling queen of pre-Roman Britain. There is no independent historical evidence for her existence.

Girl

Cordélie

The origin of this name is still today quite uncertain. The theories include: 1) From the Late Latin “cŏr / cordis,” meaning “heart, love, feeling,” which in turn derives from the Greek “kardiá (καρδιά),” same meaning. 2) From the Greek “kórē (κόρη),” meaning “girl, young woman, maiden, bride, young wife wife” plus “dêlos (δῆλος),” meaning “visible, conspicuous, manifest, to be clear or plain, limpid.” In turn, the name means “pure girl.” The name was borne by the tragic heroine of Shakespeare’s King Lear (1606), a character based on the legendary queen Cordeilla. Queen Cordelia was a legendary queen of the Britons, as recounted by Geoffrey of Monmouth. She was the youngest daughter of Leir and the second ruling queen of pre-Roman Britain. There is no independent historical evidence for her existence.

Girl

Korderlia

The origin of this name is still today quite uncertain. The theories include: 1) From the Late Latin “cŏr / cordis,” meaning “heart, love, feeling,” which in turn derives from the Greek “kardiá (καρδιά),” same meaning. 2) From the Greek “kórē (κόρη),” meaning “girl, young woman, maiden, bride, young wife wife” plus “dêlos (δῆλος),” meaning “visible, conspicuous, manifest, to be clear or plain, limpid.” In turn, the name means “pure girl.” The name was borne by the tragic heroine of Shakespeare’s King Lear (1606), a character based on the legendary queen Cordeilla. Queen Cordelia was a legendary queen of the Britons, as recounted by Geoffrey of Monmouth. She was the youngest daughter of Leir and the second ruling queen of pre-Roman Britain. There is no independent historical evidence for her existence.

Girl

Cordeilla

The origin of this name is still today quite uncertain. The theories include: 1) From the Late Latin “cŏr / cordis,” meaning “heart, love, feeling,” which in turn derives from the Greek “kardiá (καρδιά),” same meaning. 2) From the Greek “kórē (κόρη),” meaning “girl, young woman, maiden, bride, young wife wife” plus “dêlos (δῆλος),” meaning “visible, conspicuous, manifest, to be clear or plain, limpid.” In turn, the name means “pure girl.” The name was borne by the tragic heroine of Shakespeare’s King Lear (1606), a character based on the legendary queen Cordeilla. Queen Cordelia was a legendary queen of the Britons, as recounted by Geoffrey of Monmouth. She was the youngest daughter of Leir and the second ruling queen of pre-Roman Britain. There is no independent historical evidence for her existence.

Girl

Dona

Dona is a variant form of “Donna” and a feminine diminutive of Donald. It is of Celtic and English origin and comes from the following roots: (DOMNALL) and (DONNA).

Girl

Delia

The origin of this name is still today quite uncertain. The theories include: 1) From the Late Latin “cŏr / cordis,” meaning “heart, love, feeling,” which in turn derives from the Greek “kardiá (καρδιά),” same meaning. 2) From the Greek “kórē (κόρη),” meaning “girl, young woman, maiden, bride, young wife wife” plus “dêlos (δῆλος),” meaning “visible, conspicuous, manifest, to be clear or plain, limpid.” In turn, the name means “pure girl.” The name was borne by the tragic heroine of Shakespeare’s King Lear (1606), a character based on the legendary queen Cordeilla. Queen Cordelia was a legendary queen of the Britons, as recounted by Geoffrey of Monmouth. She was the youngest daughter of Leir and the second ruling queen of pre-Roman Britain. There is no independent historical evidence for her existence.

Girl

Pépin

This name derives from the Middle English “pippin / pippe,” meaning “a seed, or any of several varieties of eating apple that have a yellow or green skin with patches of red.” In turn, the name derives from the post-classical Latin “pītuīta > pipita,” meaning “mucus, phlegm.” Pippin, Peppin, and Pepin (Latin: Pippinus, Pipinus, and Pepinus) are variants of a single Frankish given name borne in the Carolingian family that ruled the Frankish Empire in what is now France and the western parts of Germany in the Middle Ages.

Boy

Telma

The origin of this name is still quite uncertain today. The theories include: 1) Invented by the novelist Marie Corelli for her novel “Thelma” (1887). The character was supposed to be Norwegian, but her name is not of Norwegian origin. 2) From the Ancient Greek word “thélema (θέλημα),” meaning “wish, will, desire,” from thélo (θέλω) / ethélō (ἐθέλω), meaning “want, would like, need.”

Girl

Kemp

champion

Boy

Jett

JET

Boy

Biff

punch

Boy

Fawn

young deer

Girl

Amity

Friendship

Girl

Dyson

son of DYE

Boy

Popular Themes in English Names

Related Origins

History of English Names

English names developed within the Germanic branch of Indo-European languages. The naming traditions from the British Isles have evolved over centuries, shaped by migration, trade, religion, and cultural exchange. Today's English names carry this history.

English naming traditions reflect the values and beliefs of the British Isles. Names served multiple purposes: identifying individuals, honoring ancestors, expressing hopes for a child's future, and marking religious or cultural affiliation. These functions shaped which names became popular and how they were used.

Today, English names appear far beyond the British Isles. Immigration, global media, and cultural exchange have made many English names familiar worldwide. Parents choose these names to honor heritage, appreciate their meanings, or simply because they like how they sound. The 106 names in this collection range from ancient choices still popular today to names that have fallen out of use but retain historical interest.

English Naming Traditions

English naming traditions have developed their own patterns and preferences. Names may honor family members, reflect religious beliefs, describe hoped-for qualities, or commemorate significant events. These patterns explain which names stayed popular.

These traditional patterns still matter, but modern parents also mix things up. Some combine traditional and contemporary elements, pick names from other cultures, or create unique variations of classic names.

Gender Distribution

106
Total Names
62
Boy Names (58%)
35
Girl Names (33%)

This collection breaks down to 58% masculine names (62) and 33% feminine names (35). About 8% (9) work as gender-neutral or unisex options.

How to Pronounce English Names

English names follow the phonetic rules of their language of origin. English speakers may need to adjust their pronunciation for sounds that don't exist in English. Each name page includes a pronunciation guide to help.

When in doubt about pronunciation, listening to native speakers helps more than reading transliterations. Each name page has a pronunciation guide. If you're considering a English name for your child, say it out loud and think about how others in your community will pronounce it.

English Names Today

Our collection includes 106 English names. While some are common choices, others are rare finds that could give a child a distinctive name with authentic cultural roots.

English names for boys outnumber those for girls at roughly 1.8:1 in our database. This reflects historical naming patterns, though modern naming trends are shifting.

Current naming trends show renewed interest in heritage names, with parents seeking meaningful connections to cultural roots. Some English names have crossed over to mainstream use, while others remain specific to English-speaking communities.

Frequently Asked Questions About English Names

What are popular English names for boys?

Popular English names for boys include Trent, Ellis, Baylee, Bailee, Bailey. Our database contains 62 English names traditionally given to boys, ranging from classic choices to unique options.

What are popular English names for girls?

Our collection includes 35 English names for girls. Popular choices blend traditional sounds with meaningful origins. Use the feminine tab to explore options organized by popularity.

What do English names typically mean?

English names carry meanings from the Germanic branch of Indo-European languages. Common themes in English names include red, new, noble, free. Each name in our database includes its specific meaning and cultural context.

How do you pronounce English names?

English names follow the phonetic rules of their language. Each name page includes a pronunciation guide. When uncertain, listening to native speakers provides the most accurate reference.

How many English names are there?

This database contains 106 English names: 62 for boys and 35 for girls. This represents documented names that have been used historically or are in current use. The actual number of English names ever used is certainly higher.

Are English names hard to spell?

Spelling difficulty depends on the specific name and your familiarity with English phonetics. Some English names have been adapted to English spelling conventions, making them straightforward. Others retain original spellings that may be unfamiliar. Consider how important easy spelling is to you when choosing a name.