1450+ English Names
- Gracelynn
Origin:
Combination of Grace and LynnMeaning:
"Grace + lake; pretty"Description:
With Grace mega popular and Gracie on the rise, this modern compound name provides a trendy alternative. With the vibes of Brooklyn and Evelyn and the contemporary feel of Oaklynn and and Emberlynn, Gracelynn is currently in the US Top 400.
- Kenelm
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"brave helmet, protection"Description:
One of the least known of the Ken names, though could make an intriguing namesake for an outdated Kenneth.
- Sanford
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"sandy ford"Description:
A dated fifties surname name that led to the nickname SAndy.
- Calder
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"rocky water"Description:
One art name that sounds distinctly more masculine. Unless you're a big mobile fan, keep thinking.
- Treat
Origin:
English word and nicknameDescription:
One of the magical words of childhood (and beyond), and associated with actor Treat (born Richard) Williams, whose nickname came from ancestor Robert Treat Williams, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
- Seaton
Origin:
Scottish and EnglishMeaning:
"town by the sea"Description:
A perfectly fine Anglo surname, though we'd prefer Keaton. Oscar-winning writer-director George Seaton (Miracle on 34th Street, The Country Girl) was actually born George Stenius.
- Huntington
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"hunter's settlement"Description:
If Hunter just isn't full enough for you, place name Huntington might be a better option.
- Merry
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"lighthearted, happy"Description:
She'd better be. Merry is one of the classic names for Christmas babies.
- Dart
Origin:
English place- and word nameDescription:
This British river name sounds sleek and strong but perhaps a bit too energetic.
- Reed
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"red-haired"Description:
Sleek, unisex surname rarely heard for girls -- which could be seen as an asset.
- Shade
Origin:
English word nameDescription:
Nice sound, but double meaning -- shady glen or shady character.
- Brylee
Origin:
Modern invented nameMeaning:
"thorny woodland clearing"Description:
Blending the sounds of Bryce, Brian, Riley and Kylie, Brylee is a modern invention that ranked in the US Top 1000 from 2005 to 2022. It peaked back in 2012 when it was given to around 770 babies, but has since been in decline. Given to around 230 girls in a recent year, Brynlee and Oakley are now preferred.
- Brom
Origin:
Diminutive of Bromley, EnglishMeaning:
"broom meadow"Description:
Attached to one of the heroes of Christopher Paolini's megapopular fantasy novel Eragon, this name sounds strong yet sensitive.
- Faulkner
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"falconer"Description:
Faulkner is an old occupational surname that was used for someone who kept and trained falcons when falconry was a popular sport in medieval Europe. Anyone using it in contemporary America would probably be honoring Southern novelist William Faulkner. While we love the author, Falconer would probably be a slightly easier name to carry on the playground.
- St john
Origin:
English saint's nameDescription:
St. JOhn is mainly (but rarely) used by Catholics in England -- there's one in Jane Eyre. This would probably be too cumbersome for most American kids.
- Marvel
Origin:
English word nameDescription:
Marvel, now a character name in The Hunger Games series, was a miracle name of yesterday, on the girls' Social Security list until 1941 and reaching a high of 487 at the turn of the last century, when Marva was also in style.
- Bede
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"prayer"Description:
A famous seventh-century saint and church historian whose name has not survived as well as his works. Known as the Venerable Bede, this Benedictine monk is considered the first known writer of English prose, and highly influential via his The History of the English Church and People.
- Temple
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"dweller near the temple"Description:
The old word name Temple has gained some recent notice as a girls' name via admired autistic writer and inventor Dr. Temple Grandin (born Mary Temple), subject of an acclaimed biopic, in which she was played by Claire Danes.
- Arledge
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"dweller at the rabbit lake"Description:
Stiff and formal surname. Try Roone instead.
- Jetta
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"jet"Description:
Although this is a legitimate name, most people would associate it with a line of Volkswagens -- you'd be better off choosing a Mercedes.