1450+ English Names
- Braydon
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"wide valley"Description:
Like its cousin Braden, Braydon has been falling in popularity in recent years, perhaps signaling a weakening of the 'aden'-name epidemic. There are thousands of young Bradens and Braydons out there, including the son of Melissa Joan Hart.
- Wilton
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"place by a stream"Description:
As passé as Hilton and Milton.
- Longfellow
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"tall one"Description:
Longfellow is the first name of the eponymous hero of the classic 1936 film Mr. Deeds Goes to Town, later remade with Adam Sandler. But it's hard to imagine a modern parent using it except as a middle name to honor the poet.
- Acker
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"meadow of oak trees"Description:
Acker is a surname name that has not seen much use to date, but given it's lush nature meaning (and the fact that it also means "friend" in Somerset slang) this could be a cute choice for parents looking for something fresh. An added bonus its link to English "Master of the Clarinet" Acker Bilk. The Dutch version, Akker, is also an option.
- Burl
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"knotty wood; butler"Description:
This name has a nicely fragrant woodsy feel, bringing it into the nature-tree name category. Its only well-known bearer, folk singer and Oscar-winning actor Burl Ives, had the full birth certificate name of Burl Icle Ivanhoe Ives — nothing compared to his two siblings named Argola and Lillburn.
- Chesney
Origin:
English from FrenchMeaning:
"oak grove"Description:
A rising surname name for girls — it's overwhelmingly feminine, despite the association with Kenny Chesney.
- Babe
Origin:
Word name or diminutive of BarbaraDescription:
You can call your baby "babe," but don't name her that.
- Cuthbert
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"famous, brilliant"Description:
Years ago we might have said that this name was unthinkable, but with old-fashioned names being so popular right now (consider Atticus, Leonidas, Arthur, Jasper, Augustus etc) what's to stop Cuthbert from becoming more wearable? Bertie is a cute (and very fashionable) nickname option for this grand old name.
- Moore
Origin:
English place-nameMeaning:
"the moors"Description:
Moore is recommended as a rich and satisfying middle name choice, whether it relates to your own family history or not. Of the numerous outstanding Moore-surnamed namesakes, count sculptor Henry, writers Clement, Marianne and Brian, entertainers Demi, Dudley, Garry, Roger, Julianne, Melba and Mary Tyler, and provocateur Michael.
- Divine
Origin:
Word nameDescription:
Divine seems more proper a name with the rise of Heaven and its turned-around twin Nevaeh. Though superlative names like Divine -- Unique, say, or Precious -- sometimes seems as if they're trying to hard and protesting too much.
- Sherwood
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"bright forest"Description:
Unfashionable surname, best left in the forest with Robin Hood and his Merry Men.
- Bud
Origin:
English nicknameDescription:
This is a name you get stuck with, not (we hope) one your parents choose for you.
- Hamill
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"scarred"Description:
Though we usually think a name's image in contemporary culture supersedes its ancient meaning, this is a case where the definition could undermine a child's self-esteem.
- Marsden
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"boundary valley"Description:
Stuffy surname.
- Crawford
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"ford where crows gather"Description:
A common surname in Scotland, but a starchy first name choice.
- Gary
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"spear man"Description:
While not generally thought of as unisex, this is a male name that, like Perry and Barry, has occasionally been used for girls over the years.
- Lathan
Origin:
English surname or place nameDescription:
Lathan is a surname recorded as relating to the towns of Layton or Latham and meaning, depending on its derivation, barn or leek farm or farm by the water. As a first name, it's reminiscent of the popular Nathan.
- Seldon
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"from the house on the hill"Description:
Seldom heard as a first name.
- Princeton
Origin:
EnglishMeaning:
"princely town"Description:
This uppity name has been a fast climber in recent years, but we still think it's a bit much. Even abroad, where the connection to the prestigious university will be weaker, any name beginning with "Prince" will sound pretentious.
- Peace
Origin:
Word nameMeaning:
"peace"Description:
Peace may be an admirable sentiment to convey in a child's name, but the translated and thus more subtle versions, like Pax or Placido, might work better as first names.