1450+ English Names

An alternative to the highly popular Aubrey.

A bit too cunning.

Brooke variation – or is the other way around? – that makes it more a nature name, less an eighties-style androgynous name.

Short but not particularly sweet surname.

One of the bird names that's more appropriate for a boy, though it works for a girl too.

An old English redhead name -- one of the few that doesn't begin with the letter r -- with references both to a famous French knight and a magical horse.

Inventive way to honor a redheaded ancestor, though most people would mispronounce it reeding, making it sound to some kids like a school assignment: Redding is a preferable spelling.

Brusque and charmless, two things you don't want your son to be.

Rocking out on the porch with buddies Hubert, Norbert, and Osbert.

Time was, even C-starting Catherines who called themselves Kate spelled it with a K, but Cate Blanchett changed all. Cate is now as acceptable as (but not as well used as) Kate. Cait might be short for Caitlin.

Since this is a word that pertains to cowardice, not the most appealing choice. Raven, Arven, and Haven might be more positive options for those drawn to the name by its sound.

Not time yet for Thyme.

Peabody is a quintessentially Waspy surname that your child won't thank you for -- either the pea part or the body part, or the meaning part.

The name of the famous British man of letters might just appeal to some English majors as a more interesting alternative to Zachary. An appropriate playmate for Russell Crowe's boy Tennyson.

Way out.

This old-time name for a sofa would not be comfortable as a baby name.

Sounds as if it should have a Sir before it or a shire following it.

The Anglophile Howard.

One in the currently modish aden family of boys' names beginning to be used for girls as well as boys. The name Brayden was given to 15 baby girls in the US last year....and over 5000 baby boys, so it can hardly be considered gender neutral, but rather a boys' name occasionally used for girls.

This marvelously medieval name had a moment in the 1910s and 1920s but has dropped completely off the radar now.