1450+ English Names
- Creighton
Origin:
English and ScottishMeaning:
"hilltop town, rocky place"Description:
One instance where a phonetic spelling might be better.
- Tybalt
Origin:
Medieval form of TheobaldMeaning:
"from bold people"Description:
Similar in sound to the French "Thibault", which is far more popular, Tybalt is best known as the bloodlustful and brawling cousin of Juliet in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Perhaps this connotation has kept parents from using Tybalt. However, given the recent fad for all things Theo, Tybalt might offer a familiar yet unusual option for parents who like the meaning but want to swim against the current. Cute nicknames Ty and Tibby might also appeal.
- Brighton
Origin:
English place-nameDescription:
Out-of-the-way place name (it's an antiquated holiday spot on England's south coast) that might make a brilliant choice. Actor/director Jon Favreau named his daughter Brighton Rose.
- Dena
Origin:
HebrewMeaning:
"delicate or judged"Description:
The modern name Dena can be considered to come from either of two Old Testament names. Adina, which means delicate, was the name of a male soldier in the Bible. Dinah, meaning judged, Dinah was the daughter of Jacob and Leah. Dena is a common name in Amish communities.
- Audrina
Origin:
Variation of AudreyMeaning:
"noble strength"Description:
Audrina is a name that owes its fame to overnight reality TV sensation Audrina Partridge, one of the original cast of the MTV reality series The Hills.
- Golda
Origin:
English, YiddishMeaning:
"gold"Description:
A name with an obvious meaning, for a long time associated with Golda Meir, the fourth Prime Minister of Israel. Nickname Goldie seems to be catching on in the celebrity community.
- Bradford
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"wide river crossing"Description:
Brad in a Brooks Brothers suit.
- Clinton
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"hilltop town"Description:
Like many names that have strong political connotations, the attractiveness of the name Clinton will be affected by your world-view. But, taking politics out of the equation, Clinton has a lovely pastoral meaning, a strong sound and a tremendously wearable nickname - Clint - all which would seem to be in its favor for at least a second thought.
- Shelley
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"clearing on a bank"Description:
Despite its poetic associations, almost as dated as Sheldon, and more feminine.
- Rainey
Origin:
Word name or diminutive of Regina, LatinMeaning:
"queen"Description:
Has an old-time country feeling, perhaps due to Ma Rainey, considered the "Mother of the Blues". This is the most popular spelling of the name, given to about 50 girls last year, with half as many called Rainy and a quarter named Rainie, the spelling used by Andie MacDowell for her now-grown daughter.
- Fenton
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"marsh town"Description:
Fenton is the kind of surname name that's starting to sound almost like a normal first name these days. While it made a brief appearance on the Top 1000 in the late 1800s, today it's distinctive but in step with the times. And Fen as a nickname is undeniably cute -- a Ben of the future.
- Everard
Origin:
English spelling variation of EberhardMeaning:
"hardy"Description:
An older form of Everett that stays closer to its Germanic roots. Distinguished Everard is the name of several historical figures and literary characters, including a minor hobbit in The Lord of the Rings. Yet, even now that Ever- names are the height of style, Everard hasn't been seen on the charts for decades.
- Keaton
Origin:
English place and surnameMeaning:
"shed town"Description:
Keaton is an engaging surname name that's on the rise for both girls and boys. Some parents may use it to honor silent film star Buster Keaton or related to Diane Keaton, but others may see it as a stylish name in keeping with the Kardashian-influenced two-syllable n-ending surname names. Choices similar to Keaton include Keegan and Keenan.
- Terri
Origin:
English, diminutive of TheresaDescription:
See TERRY.
- Britton
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"from Britain"Description:
One case where a spelling variation improves the name, Britton is used about four times as often as Britain for both genders. Currently, the count of baby Brittons is running at about 4 to 3 in favor of the boys.
- Farrar
Origin:
English occupational nameMeaning:
"blacksmith, metalworker"Description:
Farrar has two separate origins: an occupational name meaning "smith", and a Scottish river name, from a Pictish word meaning "to wind". Barely ever recorded as a first name, Farrar is a blank slate that fits with the surname style that's popular today.
- Kenyon
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"white haired or blond"Description:
Kenyon is a very engaging British surname name, the middle y giving it a kind of southwestern canyonesque undertone.
- Harden
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"valley of the hares"Description:
While teasing about names is not as bad as it once was, the possibilities presented by this name would be difficult for any pubescent boy to resist.
- Duska
Origin:
English; CzechMeaning:
"twilight; soul"Description:
This name has two origins: the English word Dusk, meaning evening twilight and the Czech name for girls Duška meaning "soul or spirit". Either way, this is an interesting name with some potential.
- Banner
Origin:
English occupational nameMeaning:
"flag bearer"Description:
An undiscovered option among occupational names, Banner has never been used for more than 100 baby boys in a single year. But Banner has undeniable charm, much due to its associations with fêtes and phrases like "a banner year".