English Names that Start With B

Somewhat dashing surname, but with serious teasing potential.

A once-popular nickname for Albert and Bertram now being polished up by hip Brits, but still hibernating in the Land of Nerd over here.

Belden is a little-used surname-name that might work in this age of Belles.

This is a solid surname choice for people looking for a change from Cooper, Parker and Carson. Australian parents will probably instantly associate this name with famous rock legend Jimmy Barnes, but this has an even older pedigree as a namesake - Barnes Wallis was a UK aviator and inventor, most remembered for designing the Dambuster bomb (a bomb that bounces across water to reach its target) and working on supersonic flight in the 1940s and 50s.

Possibility for fans of science fiction writer Ray.

Barker may be appealing to parents looking for a name with many layers - not only does it share a meaning with the more common Shepherd and Tanner, it also brings to mind the bark of a tree, making this a surreptitious choice for nature enthusiasts.

Sounds too much like buxom.

Birch or even Burke is better.

A rowdy name nobody ever heard of, till Nick Nolte gave it to his son.

If you prefer the woods to the ocean, you'll want to name your son (or daughter) Beech instead of Beach.

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

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

One occupational name unlikely to find a single taker.

Brock plus.

Blakesley is the name of a village in England, also sometimes found as a surname along with Blakely and Blakeley, turned into a first name for their daughter by reality stars Trista and Ryan Sutter. Blakesley joins other -ley ending names -- Hadley, Finley -- as one of the most popular forms of unisex names with a girlish spin.

Try telling the kids it really means "pretty face" and not "burper".

Why not stick with the original.

Bernie, with airs.

Might be an honorific for novelist Saul Bellow, although bellowing is not the gentlest of sounds. Consider Saul instead.

We don't see this one making it unless you have a compelling family reason.