930+ English Names for Boys

An upper-crusty-sounding name with humble origins.

Perfect choice if your baby has grandpas named Barry and Eric, but also a bit military.

The new Randy -- though a bit commercial, as in Rand Corporation, Rand McNally, et al.

Seems to stand at attention and salute.

This scary word name was given to five baby boys in the US in 2013, entering the lexicon for the first time. Are the boys named Vice destined for a life of crime, or the creation of a media empire?

With the current taste for last names first, this sounds a lot cooler than Shawn; it also has creative connections to the great Irish playwright, George Bernard Shaw, novelist Irwin Shaw, and Big Band Era clarinetist/bandleader and one-time Ava Gardner husband Artie Shaw.

A friendly sounding surname name reminiscent of the increasingly popular Marlow and Harlow. British musician Gary Barlow is a notable namesake.

On the staff of a manor house.

Highly unusual but stylish-sounding occupational name, with a pleasant association with gardens.

There are ordinary folk named Prince, Earl, and Duke, so why not this rank of nobility as well? Many spellings compete, the most common being Marquis, Marquise, and Marquez. Rapper 50 Cent chose the Marquise version for his son; David Caruso chose Marquez.

More user-friendly, though less substantial, than Bartholomew.

Dark.

This version of Tristan, known to English Lit students from the novel Tristram Shandy, is rarely used in this country, but, though its similarity to the popular Tristan could prove confusing, still makes an interesting literary choice.

A dated fifties surname name that led to the nickname SAndy.

Sean and Robin Wright Penn chose this name for their son to honor their friend Dennis Hopper; others might associate it with the painter Edward. Couldn't be more spirited.

Serious surname choices, the latter form known via award-winning author Reynolds Price.

While it may sound a little dated, Lamar is a name that has never been outside the US Top 1000, but it is in danger of falling off the list.

Once a staple of the 1920s, like Leroy and Elwood, Elroy is languishing in style limbo now. One feature that might make it worth a second glance is its royal meaning, for those looking for a vintage twist on names like Royal and Reign. If you're in search of unique vintage baby names, this may be one for your list.

Nice sound, but double meaning -- shady glen or shady character.

A possible Christmas name for a baby boy, if you find Noel too mundane. But we fear it doesn't sound very festive.