930+ English Names for Boys

If you feel a burning need to gussy up Ray -- think again.

And if it's triplets: Pembroke, Pendleton, and Penley.

Drover, an ancient occupational surname, is right in step with today's styles and would make a distinctive choice. Drover and brothers are fresh updates of such now-widely-used names as Carter and Cooper.

This is an occupational surname for one who made nails and has been used by one Berry to honor a Canadian World War I hero, Col. George Nasmith. Other related names with the same meaning nclude Nayler, Naismith, Naysmith and Neasmith. Trivia note: Dr. James Naismith is considered the inventor of basketball.

A video-game name ("Final Fantasy VII") with an unappealing sound and meaning.

Cooper would be a more engaging C-starting occupational choice.

Name of a poet, this will be one for consideration by literary parents. The name fits well with the current trend towards surnames as given names, but beware the three syllable pronunciation, which may be a trap for the poetically disinclined.

Too tightly associated with the real-life villainous Captain Bligh of The Mutiny on the Bounty.

A casual take on Corbin.

fuhgeddaboutit.

 As a surname, it's most familiar as Hearst -- publishing magnate William Randolph and kidnapped granddaughter Patty. Few would use it if it wasn't their own family name.

Distinguished though it is, it will never shake its portly cigar-smoking image.

Two completely different images come from its national pronunciations -- BOY-err or boy-AY -- the latter giving it an effete French accent.

As always, that oy sound is problematic.

Not only did rocker John Mellencamp name his son Speck, but he appended the middle name Wildhorse to it.

Try Abraham or Lincoln instead.

To honor Roy's son...or grandson.

Another stiff northerly choice.

Writer Anne Tyler gave this apt name to the hippie child in her novel Amateur Marriage, but she wasn't the first -- it was also used by the Puritans. Today it would be quite a loaded choice.

One place-name that doesn't make the cut as a person name, associated with several commercial enterprises. We've seen it used by Chicago Cubs fans — Sheffield is the name of a major street bordering Wrigley Field.