538 names
English Baby Names
538 English baby names for boys and girls, each with its meaning, pronunciation and variant spellings.
Updated
English given names draw on Old English compounds (Edward, "rich guardian"), Norman French imports, surnames turned first names (Madison, Harper), place names, and word names such as Hope or Ivy. This list also includes modern American coinages built from familiar sounds, noted as such on each page.
All names (538)
A
- Abbie my father is joyful
- Abby my father is joyful
- Adaline noble
- Addie noble
- Addison son of Adam
- Adley from an English surname of uncertain origin
- Ainsley An's meadow or clearing
- Aleigha modern spelling of Aliyah or Aleah
- Alisson noble
- Allison noble one
- Alvin elf friend
- Alyson noble
- Alyssa not mad; alyssum flower
- Alyvia variant of Olivia
- Anakin invented by George Lucas for Star Wars
- Anderson son of Andrew
- Andy manly
- Ann grace
- Annabel lovable or Anna plus Belle
- Annalee blend of Anna and Lee; grace and meadow
- Anson son of Agnes
- Archer bowman
- Archie genuine, bold, brave
- Arlene modern coinage, likely from Arline
- Arlo of uncertain origin
- Ashleigh ash tree meadow
- Ashley ash tree meadow
- Ashton ash tree town
- Aspen quaking tree or aspen tree
- Aubrianna modern coinage; no established meaning
- Audra modern name, possibly influenced by Audrey
- Audrina noble strength
- Austyn great, magnificent
- Avery elf ruler
B
- Baker one who bakes bread
- Banks riverbank
- Barrett from a surname possibly meaning 'strife, trouble'
- Baylee bailiff
- Beck stream or brook
- Beckett origin uncertain; possibly bee or stream
- Beckham Becca's homestead or hemmed-in land
- Bellamy beautiful friend
- Bennett blessed
- Benson son of Ben
- Berkley birch wood clearing
- Beverly beaver stream
- Billie resolute protector
- Bishop overseer
- Blake dark or fair
- Blakely dark meadow
- Blessing gift or favor
- Bobby bright fame
- Boston from Boston
- Bradley broad wood or meadow
- Brandon hill covered with broom
- Brandy brandy liquor
- Brantley clearing of the firebrand or Branta's clearing
- Braxton Brock's town or settlement
- Brayden broad valley
- Breana noble
- Brecken modern coinage; no established meaning
- Brenda sword, torch
- Brenton Bryni's settlement
- Brett a Breton, from Brittany
- Brianna feminine form of Brian
- Briggs bridge
- Brighton Beorhthelm's settlement
- Brinley burnt meadow
- Bristol the place at the bridge
- Britney from Brittany, a region in France
- Brittany from Brittany, a region in France
- Britton from Britain
- Brock badger
- Bronson son of the brown one
- Brooke small stream or brook
- Bryant strong, high
- Bryson son of Brice
- Byron from the barn
C
- Cadence rhythm or flow
- Cal short form of Calvin or Callum
- Cali short form of Calista; Greek 'beautiful'
- Cannon artillery piece; large gun
- Carly free man
- Carolyn free man
- Carrie free man
- Carter cart driver
- Casey brave in battle
- Cash maker of boxes; keeper of a money box
- Cassie diminutive of Cassandra; possibly 'shining upon man'
- Caylee modern blend of Kay and Lee
- Cedric literary invention; meaning uncertain
- Chad meaning uncertain
- Chance good fortune
- Chandler candle maker
- Channing uncertain; surname of debated origin
- Charleigh free man
- Chase to hunt
- Cherish to hold dear
- Chevy short form of Chevrolet or Cheviot
- Chris short form of Christopher or Christine
- Christine follower of Christ
- Cindy from Mount Cynthus
- Clarence from the title Duke of Clarence
- Clay clay earth or soil
- Clayton town by the clay
- Clifford ford by a cliff
- Clinton from an English surname taken from a place name
- Clover a flowering plant
- Colby Koli's farm or settlement
- Cole swarthy, coal-black; or from Nicholas
- Collins from the surname Collins
- Colter colt herder
- Colton from the coal or dark town
- Cooper barrel maker
- Cordell maker or seller of cord
- Corey from a surname derived from the Old Norse name Kóri
- Courtney from Courtenay, possibly short nose
- Coy surname of uncertain meaning
- Crew modern coinage; no established meaning
- Crosby village with a cross
- Crystal clear ice or crystal
- Curtis courteous, polite
D
- Daisy day's eye
- Dale valley
- Dallas possibly meadow dwelling
- Dalton from the valley town
- Dani God is my judge
- Dannie God is my judge
- Darcy from a Norman surname meaning from Arcy
- Darlene dear, beloved
- Darren modern coinage; no established meaning
- Darryl from Airelle
- Darwin dear friend
- Dash short form of Dashiell; from the word dash
- Dawson son of David
- Deacon servant, minister
- Dean valley
- Deanna variant of Diana, 'divine'
- Decker roofer or thatcher
- Denver Danes' crossing
- Denzel from the high stronghold
- Destinee destined to be
- Destiny fate or fortune
- Dixie southern region of the United States
- Don short form of Donald
- Drake from an English surname derived from words for dragon or male duck
- Drew sturdy; short form of Andrew
- Duke leader, nobleman
- Dustin Thor's stone
- Dwayne swarthy, dark
- Dwight meaning uncertain; possibly from Dionysius
E
- Earl nobleman
- Easton from the east town
- Ebony dark wood
- Eddie diminutive of Edward or Edwin
- Edgar wealthy spear
- Edison son of Edward
- Edward wealthy guardian
- Edwin rich friend
- Ellery uncertain; possibly alder tree clearing
- Ellianna blend of Ellie and Anna; akin to Eliana 'my God has answered'
- Elliot the Lord is my God
- Ellison son of Ellis
- Elyssa modern variant of Elissa or Alyssa
- Ember spark, burning low
- Emerald green gemstone
- Emerie variant spelling of Emery
- Emerson son of Emery
- Emery from Germanic Emmerich; the second element ric means power
- Emilee rival
- Emmalyn modern blend of Emma and the name ending lyn
- Emmie a diminutive of Emily
- Essence essential nature or quality
- Etta diminutive of names ending in -etta
- Evelina elaboration of Aveline; meaning uncertain
- Evelyn from the Norman name Aveline
- Everett brave as a wild boar
- Everlee boar clearing (variant of Everly)
- Everleigh from the boar meadow
- Everly from the boar meadow
F
- Faith complete trust or confidence
- Fanny diminutive of Frances or Stephanie
- Faye fairy or elf
- Fisher fisherman or fish seller
- Fletcher arrow maker
- Ford river crossing
- Forest woods
- Foster forester; foster parent
- Fox fox, the wild animal
- Frankie pet form of Frank, Francis or Frances
- Franklin free landowner
- Freddy peaceful ruler
G
- Garrison son of Garret; also 'fortified place'
- Gary short form of Gerard or Garret
- Gatlin companion, kinsman
- Gauge to measure or assess
- Gentry noble or well-born
- Gibson son of Gilbert
- Gillian feminine form of Julian; youthful
- Gracelyn graceful, favor
- Graham gravelly homestead
- Grant great or large
- Grayson son of the gray-haired one
- Grey color name
- Gus diminutive of Augustus or Gustav
H
- Hailey hay clearing
- Haleigh hay meadow
- Hallie diminutive of Harriet or Henrietta
- Halo from the English word halo, a ring of light
- Harlan meadow land
- Harlem from Harlem in New York, named after the Dutch city of Haarlem
- Harlow rocky hill or army hill
- Harper harp player
- Harriet ruler of the home
- Harris son of Harry
- Harrison son of Harry
- Hattie ruler of the home
- Hayden hay valley
- Hayes hedged area
- Haylee hay clearing or meadow
- Hazel hazel tree
- Heath heathland dweller
- Heather flowering evergreen plant
- Heaven paradise
- Heavenly of heaven; divine
- Henley high clearing or woodland clearing
- Hilary cheerful, happy
- Holden hollow valley
- Hollis dweller at the holly trees
- Holly the holly tree
- Honesty truthfulness and integrity
- Hope expectation of good
- Howard origin uncertain; possibly high guardian or brave heart
- Hudson Hugh's son
- Hunter one who hunts
- Huxley from an English surname taken from a place in Cheshire
I
J
- Jackeline variant spelling of Jacqueline
- Jackie diminutive of Jack or Jacqueline
- Jackson son of Jack
- Jacquelyn English respelling of Jacqueline
- Jade from the name of the green gemstone
- Jagger carter, peddler
- James supplanter, holder of the heel
- Jameson son of James
- Janelle elaborated form of Jane
- Janessa God is gracious
- Janet medieval diminutive of Jane
- Jarrett brave with the spear
- Jarvis from an English surname derived from the name Gervase
- Jax modern coinage; no established meaning
- Jay jay (the bird); short form of J- names
- Jayce healer
- Jefferson son of Jeffrey
- Jeffery peaceful pledge
- Jeffrey form of Geoffrey; the second element is Germanic frid, meaning peace
- Jemma a variant of Gemma
- Jenesis new beginning
- Jenna diminutive of Jennifer; fair or white
- Jeremy Yahweh will exalt
- Jersey from the island of Jersey
- Jessica to behold, foresight
- Jewel precious stone
- Jillian variant of Gillian, a feminine form of Julian
- Jimmy supplanter
- Joe God will increase
- Johnny God is gracious
- Jolene Jo with the suffix -lene
- Jordy pet form of Jordan
- Jordynn to flow down
- Josh short form of Joshua
- Joslyn from the Gauts, a Germanic tribe
- Journey a trip or voyage
- Joy joy
- Judson son of Judd
- Judy woman from Judea or Jewish woman
- Junior young one
- Jurnee journey
K
- Kade round, gentle
- Kallie diminutive of Callie or Callista
- Karissa variant spelling of Carissa
- Kasey vigilant, watchful
- Kathryn pure
- Kathy pure
- Katie pure
- Kaylah elaboration of Kay; also linked to Hebrew Kelila, 'crown'
- Kaylee modern blend of Kay and Lee
- Kayleigh modern coinage; no established meaning
- Kaylin modern coinage; no established meaning
- Kaylynn blend of Kay and Lynn
- Keaton place of hawks
- Kelsey from an English surname derived from a place name
- Kelsie Cēol's island
- Kendall valley of the River Kent
- Kendra modern coinage; no established meaning
- Kendrick royal ruler
- Kendyl variant spelling of Kendall
- Kenley clearing or meadow of a man named Cena
- Kenny handsome, born of fire
- Kensington town of Cynsige's people
- Kent from the edge of the land
- Kenyon from the place name Kenyon
- Kiana possibly Hawaiian form of Diana, 'divine'
- Kim gold; no established meaning in English
- Kimber modern short form of Kimberly
- Kimberly Cyneburg's clearing
- King ruler or leader
- Kingston king's town
- Kody descendant of a helpful person
- Kolby from the dark village
- Kolton from the coal or dark town
- Korbin raven
- Kourtney uncertain; possibly short nose or from Courtenay
- Krew crew, group
- Krystal clear, brilliant
- Kye variant of Kai or Kyle
- Kyla modern coinage; no established meaning
- Kyndal valley of the River Kent
L
- Lacey from Lacey, a place name
- Laci from Lassy, a place in Normandy
- Lainey diminutive of Elaine (Helen)
- Landon long hill
- Lane pathway or road
- Langston from the long town
- Larry crowned with laurel
- Lawson son of Lawrence
- Layton from the meadow town
- Leanna blend of Lee and Anna
- Ledger people's spear
- Lee meadow or woodland clearing
- Legacy something handed down
- Leigha meadow
- Leighton meadow settlement
- Leland meadow land
- Lewis renowned warrior
- Libby my God is an oath
- Liberty freedom
- Lillian derived from lily flower
- Lily lily flower
- Lilyanna lily and Anna
- Lincoln lake colony
- Lindsey island of Lincoln
- Liz God is my oath
- Londyn from London
- Lonnie diminutive of Alonzo or Leonard
- Luella blend of Lou and Ella
- Lyle island
- Lynn lake or waterfall
- Lyric words of a song
M
- Mabel lovable
- Macie from Massy, a French place name
- Maddie diminutive of Madison or Madeleine
- Madelyn woman from Magdala
- Madilynn of Magdala
- Madison son of Maud
- Mae month of May
- Maggie pearl
- Magnolia from the flowering tree, named after the botanist Pierre Magnol
- Malinda honey
- Maliyah modern form of Malia (Hawaiian Mary)
- Marilyn combination of Mary and Lynn
- Marleigh boundary wood or pleasant wood
- Marley marten wood or lake meadow
- Marlon of uncertain origin, perhaps from Merlin
- Marlowe remains of a lake
- Marshall one who looks after horses
- Marvin sea friend
- Maryann possibly sea of bitterness and grace
- Maryjane combination of Mary and Jane
- Mavis song thrush
- Maxton Maccus's settlement
- Mayson stone worker
- Meadow field of grass
- Melvin uncertain; possibly council friend or from Melville
- Mercy compassion, forgiveness
- Mike who is like God
- Miller miller or one who grinds grain
- Millie diminutive of Millicent or Mildred
- Milton mill town, settlement by the mill
- Miracle extraordinary event
- Mitchell who is like God
- Molly sea of bitterness
- Myah variant of Mia or Maya
- Mylee modern spelling of Miley
- Myra poetic coinage, perhaps from Latin myrra 'myrrh'
N
O
P
- Paige young servant or page
- Palmer one who holds palm branches
- Pamela modern coinage; no established meaning
- Parker park keeper
- Patience the capacity to accept delay
- Pearl precious gem
- Peighton Pæga's town
- Penny diminutive of Penelope; possibly 'weaver'
- Perry dweller by the pear tree
- Peyton fighting man's estate
- Phillip lover of horses
- Pierson son of Peter
- Piper flute player or piper
- Poppy a flower name
- Porter gatekeeper or doorkeeper
- Precious of great value
- Preston priest's town
- Prince from the English word prince, from Latin princeps, first or chief
- Princeton prince's town
- Promise assurance or vow
Q
- Quinton queen's settlement
R
- Rain rain
- Ralph wolf counsel
- Ramsey wild garlic island
- Raven raven (the bird)
- Ray counsel protector; ray of light
- Rayne rain; modern coinage; no established meaning
- Reign royal power
- Remington from an English surname taken from a place name
- Rhett transferred surname; no established meaning
- Ricky brave ruler
- Riggs ridge
- River river, flowing body of water
- Robin bright fame
- Rodney island near the clearing
- Ronnie ruler's counselor
- Roselyn variant of Rosalind
- Rosemarie combination of Rose and Marie
- Rowan little redhead; rowan tree
- Royal of royal blood; kingly
- Royalty royal status or nobility
- Royce from an English surname, probably from the medieval name Royse
- Ryder rider or mounted messenger
- Ryland land where rye is grown
S
- Sandy defender of men
- Saphire precious gemstone
- Sawyer woodcutter or one who saws wood
- Saylor sailor, one who works on a ship
- Scarlett scarlet, red; dealer in scarlet cloth
- Scott a Scot, a Gaelic speaker
- Scottie from Scotland
- Serenity calmness, tranquility
- Sevyn seven
- Shelby from the ledge estate
- Sheldon valley with steep sides
- Shepard sheep herder
- Shepherd one who herds sheep
- Sherlyn modern coinage; no established meaning
- Shirley bright meadow
- Sky sky, the heavens
- Slade valley or open space
- Sol sun; short form of Solomon
- Sonny son or little son
- Spencer steward or dispenser of provisions
- Stacy fruitful, steadfast
- Stanley stony meadow
- Star celestial body or bright light
- Stephany crown or garland
- Sterling etymology uncertain; possibly little star
- Stetson surname of uncertain origin
- Stevie crown or garland
- Stone stone
- Storm tempest
- Summer the season of summer
- Sutton from the southern town
- Sydney wide island
- Sydni wide island
T
- Talon claw
- Tanner leather worker
- Taryn modern name, perhaps from Tara and Karen
- Tate cheerful, bright
- Tatum Tata's homestead
- Taylor tailor
- Teddy diminutive of Theodore or Edward
- Terrell stubborn, puller
- Terry ruler of the people
- Tessa meaning uncertain; possibly to harvest
- Thatcher roof thatcher
- Tia short form of names ending in -tia
- Tianna modern form of Tiana, from Christiana or Tatiana
- Tim short form of Timothy
- Tinsley from Tinsley, a place named after a man called Tynni
- Todd fox
- Tommy twin
- Tony short form of Anthony
- Trace short form of Tracy
- Treasure valuable possession
- Trent strongly flooding (from the River Trent)
- Trenton town by the river Trent
- Troy from the ancient city of Troy or the French town of Troyes
- Tru truth
- Truett uncertain; possibly from a place name
- Truman true man, loyal one
- Tucker fabric pleater
- Turner one who works with a lathe
- Ty short form of Tyler, Tyrone, or Tyson
- Tyler maker of tiles
- Tyrell uncertain; possibly from a surname
- Tyson firebrand; high-spirited
U
- Unique one of a kind
V
W
- Wade river crossing
- Warren from La Varenne, a place name
- Watson son of Walter
- Waverly uncertain; possibly quivering meadow
- Wayne wagon maker
- Wells spring or stream
- Wendy name coined by J. M. Barrie
- Wes western meadow
- Wesley western meadow
- Weston from the western town
- Whitney white island
- Wilder untamed, wild
- Willie resolute protector
- Willow willow tree
- Wilson son of Will
- Winnie diminutive of Winifred or Gwendolyn
- Winston Wynn's town
- Winter the coldest season
- Wren small bird
- Wyatt brave in war
- Wylie from the willow meadow or crafty/cunning
Z
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