English Baby Names
Explore 2493 english names, each with its own meaning, history, and pronunciation. Find one that carries the stories you want your child to grow up with.
English names form the largest body of names in our index. They run from Old English roots (Edward, Alfred, Mildred) through Norman-French imports (Richard, William, Rose), biblical names anglicised through centuries of use (James, Mary, John), and a growing modern lineage of place-and-nature names (Willow, Brooke, Hudson).
A short history
The English naming tradition is famously layered. Old English names (Edwin, Edith, Alfred) survived the Norman Conquest in smaller numbers and returned in the Victorian revival. Norman names (William, Henry, Richard) became the aristocratic backbone after 1066. Biblical names were anglicised and spread widely through Reformation-era England. Puritan virtue names (Patience, Hope, Grace) added a distinct 17th-century layer.
Naming traditions
Middle names became common in England from the 18th century onwards, often preserving a mother's maiden name or honouring a godparent. Double middle names are now standard. Sibling sets in England tend towards soft internal matching rather than thematic locking (e.g. George and Charlotte rather than Grace and Hope).
Sound and style
English names span every syllable count, every sound pattern, and every register. The current mood favours short classics (Jack, Max, Leo, Ava) and nature-led picks (Willow, Hazel, Rowan). English is also the most 'sibling-set friendly' naming tradition because its breadth accommodates almost any pairing.
Mellor
“From the bare hill settlement”
Mellor is a strong, distinctive English surname name with deep roots in the north of England, carrying the rugged character of the Pennine landscape from which it originates. As a given name it is rare and has a confident, modern feel that appeals to parents seeking heritage names with genuine English provenance. It sits comfortably alongside the contemporary trend for using English place and surname names as first names.
Melody
“Pleasing sequence of musical notes”
Melody is a cheerful, musical name that has been in consistent use in English-speaking countries since the early twentieth century. It conveys a sense of harmony, creativity, and a bright, optimistic character, making it a perennial favourite among parents who appreciate word names with artistic associations. The name enjoyed particular popularity in the 1960s and 1970s and has seen renewed interest in recent decades.
Mercer
“Merchant of fine textiles”
Mercer is a sharp, confident English occupational surname name that has gained traction as a first name in recent years, fitting neatly into the trend for strong, one-syllable or two-syllable surname names. It carries connotations of commerce, craftsmanship, and the prosperous merchant class of medieval England. The name has a crisp, modern feel while remaining grounded in genuine English heritage.
Mercy
“Compassion and divine forgiveness”
Mercy is a beautiful English virtue name with a long history of use, particularly in Puritan New England and among nonconformist religious communities in Britain. It carries a powerful moral weight alongside a gentle, melodic sound, and has seen a strong revival in recent years as parents rediscover classic virtue names. The name balances strength of character with warmth and compassion.
Meredydd
“Great and protecting lord”
Meredydd is the ancient Welsh form of the name more commonly anglicised as Meredith, preserving the original orthography and connecting the bearer directly to Welsh linguistic heritage. It is rare as a given name outside Wales but carries considerable cultural and historical depth for families of Welsh descent. The name has a distinctive, musical quality reflective of the Welsh language's unique sound patterns.
Merida
“Wonderful and extraordinary spirit”
Merida is a vibrant, adventurous name that leapt into public consciousness with the release of Disney Pixar's 'Brave' in 2012, in which it was given to a fiercely independent Scottish princess. The name has a strong, spirited character that resonates with parents drawn to names suggesting courage and independence. Despite its fictional origins in English-language culture, it has genuine historical roots as a place name in Spain and as a given name in Hispanic communities.
Merlin
“Sea fortress or hill fortress”
Merlin is a name steeped in legend, most famously associated with the wise wizard and advisor to King Arthur in Arthurian mythology. It carries an air of mystery, wisdom, and otherworldly power that makes it a compelling choice for parents drawn to mythology and fantasy. The name has enjoyed a quiet revival in recent decades, appreciated for its deep roots and magical resonance.
Merritt
“Boundary gate or pleasant gate”
Merritt is a strong, surname-style given name that strikes a balance between classic and contemporary, fitting equally well on boys and girls. It conveys a sense of merit and worthiness, which lends it a distinguished, aspirational quality. The name is particularly popular in the American South and has a timeless appeal that transcends passing trends.
Merryn
“Beloved or great joy”
Merryn is a charming and relatively rare name with strong roots in the Celtic heritage of Cornwall and Wales, making it a distinctive choice with genuine historical depth. It has a melodic, lyrical quality that feels both ancient and fresh, appealing to parents seeking something uncommon yet deeply rooted. The name evokes the rugged, windswept beauty of the Cornish coastline and carries a gentle, spirited character.
Merton
“Settlement by the lake”
Merton is a dignified, old-fashioned English name with the solid, grounded quality associated with place-derived surnames used as first names. It has an intellectual and slightly formal air, perhaps influenced by Merton College, Oxford, one of the oldest colleges in the world. While uncommon as a given name today, it appeals to those who appreciate understated, historically rich choices.
Mervyn
“Great prince or eminent one”
Mervyn is a name with deep Welsh roots that was adopted into English usage, carrying a distinguished and somewhat old-fashioned charm that has kept it quietly in use for generations. It projects a sense of quiet authority and dignity, associated with learned and accomplished individuals. Though less common today than in the mid-20th century, it retains a noble, vintage appeal for those drawn to Welsh heritage.
Meryl
“Bright sea or sea-bright”
Meryl is an elegant and distinctive name that is strongly associated with excellence and artistic achievement, in large part due to its most famous bearer. It has a soft, melodic sound that feels both timeless and graceful, sitting comfortably across generations. Though primarily given to girls, its understated quality gives it a refined and literary character that continues to attract admiring parents.
Midland
“Central land or middle territory”
Midland is an extremely rare given name drawn from English geographical vocabulary, evoking the rolling, pastoral heartland of England. As a personal name it carries an earthy, grounded quality and a sense of rootedness in the English landscape and heritage. It suits parents with a deep connection to English history or the central counties of England who desire a truly one-of-a-kind name.
Midsummer
“The summer solstice season”
Midsummer is an evocative and imaginative nature name drawn from the English seasonal calendar, carrying associations with Shakespeare's enchanted forest, ancient bonfires, and the magic of the longest day. It is an exceptionally rare given name, prized by parents with a love of literature, nature, and the poetic English tradition. The name has a dreamy, luminous quality that feels both ancient and delightfully unconventional.
Mignon
“Darling or dainty”
Mignon is a delicate and charming name with a sweet, refined quality that has graced English-speaking households since the Victorian era when French-influenced names were fashionable. It is particularly associated with femininity, grace, and a certain old-world elegance that feels both romantic and timeless. The name gained cultural resonance through Ambroise Thomas's celebrated 1866 opera Mignon, based on Goethe's Wilhelm Meister.
Mikael
“Who is like God”
Mikael is a sleek, Scandinavian-inflected spelling of the classic name Michael that has gained traction in English-speaking countries as parents seek familiar names with an international edge. It retains all the strength and heritage of Michael while feeling slightly more distinctive and modern, with its crisp ending giving it a clean, Nordic aesthetic. The name is widely used across Scandinavia, the Baltic states, and increasingly in the English-speaking world.
Mikaela
“Who is like God”
Mikaela is a modern, stylish spelling of Michaela that has gained popularity in English-speaking countries since the late 20th century. It projects a strong yet feminine personality, often associated with confidence and individuality. The name appeals to parents seeking a classic biblical root with a contemporary flair.
Miles
“Gracious and beloved”
Miles is a name with a distinguished history in the English-speaking world, carried by Norman nobles into Britain after 1066. It has a cool, understated quality that has made it a perennial favourite among parents seeking a name that sounds both classic and effortlessly modern. The name is strongly associated with artistry and quiet intellectual strength.
Milford
“Ford by a mill”
Milford is a distinctly Anglo-American name with a sturdy, geographical character rooted in the English countryside. It was most popular as a given name in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in New England and the American Midwest. Today it carries a vintage, distinguished feel that appeals to those drawn to old-fashioned but uncommon names.
Millard
“Guardian or keeper of the mill”
Millard is a presidential-era American name that saw its greatest popularity in the mid-1800s, largely inspired by President Millard Fillmore. It carries a serious, dignified weight that speaks to an era of formal naming conventions and civic pride. Though rare today, it has a strong, memorable sound that gives it a certain distinguished vintage appeal.
Millbrook
“Stream beside a mill”
Millbrook is an extremely rare given name, far more commonly encountered as a place name across Britain, Canada, and the United States. When used as a personal name, it tends to be chosen for its rustic, pastoral charm and strong English countryside associations. It belongs to a category of nature-meets-craft names that evoke the pre-industrial English landscape.
Millicent
“Strong in work”
Millicent is a graceful English name with deep Germanic roots, meaning 'strong in work' or 'industrious strength.' It combines beauty with substance, suggesting a person who possesses both elegance and determination. The name has a long history in European royalty and was revived during the Victorian era, giving it a timeless, classic feel.
Millie
“Strong worker”
Millie is a diminutive of Millicent, Amelia, or Emily, all of which share roots relating to strength and work. Millicent derives from the Old French Melisende, from the Germanic elements meaning strength and work. Millie has become one of the most beloved girls' names in England, appreciated for its cheerful, friendly character and its ability to stand confidently as a name in its own right.
Millington
“Settlement by the mill”
Millington is a distinguished English surname-turned-given name with an aristocratic, country-estate quality. It was more commonly used as a first name in the Victorian era, when transferring English place names and surnames to given names was fashionable among the middle and upper classes. Today it has an air of refined vintage character and is genuinely rare as a first name.
Milo
“Milo is thought to derive from”
Milo carries Germanic roots with two possible derivations: from the element 'mild', meaning gracious or merciful, and from the Slavic root 'mil', also meaning gracious or dear. Some scholars connect it to the Latin 'miles', meaning soldier, giving the name a dual identity that balances warmth with strength. Its journey through medieval Europe saw it adopted widely, and today it sits comfortably as a modern unisex choice that feels both classic and approachable.
Milton
“Mill settlement or middle town”
Milton carries the weight of one of the English language's greatest literary legacies, as the name is indelibly associated with the 17th-century epic poet John Milton, author of Paradise Lost. It was widely used as a given name in the 18th through 20th centuries, particularly in the United States, where it has a warm, intellectual character. Today it sits at the crossroads of classic and vintage, appealing to those who appreciate literary history.
Mina
“Beloved diminutive of Victorian names”
Mina is a delicate, melodic name that has been used independently as well as a pet form of longer Victorian names, giving it both a standalone elegance and a sense of affectionate warmth. It gained literary fame through Bram Stoker's 1897 novel Dracula, where Mina Harker is one of the story's central heroines. The name has experienced a steady revival as part of the broader trend toward short, vintage feminine names.
Minerva
“Goddess of wisdom and mind”
Minerva is a grand, classical name that carries the full weight of Roman mythology and its associations with wisdom, strategy, and intellectual excellence. It was a popular choice in the 18th and 19th centuries among educated English and American families who wished to honour classical learning. Today it feels both strikingly vintage and powerfully distinctive, with a strong, confident sound that is hard to forget.
Minnie
“Will, protection, or wisdom”
Minnie carries a warm, vintage charm that has seen renewed popularity in the modern era. It evokes images of spirited, endearing characters and suits someone with a bright, cheerful personality. The name feels both nostalgic and fresh, fitting naturally on children and adults alike.
Minter
“Craftsman who coins money”
Minter is a rare and distinguished occupational name that carries a sense of precision and craftsmanship. Its surname-as-first-name style gives it a modern, gender-neutral edge that appeals to parents seeking something uncommon yet grounded. The name projects confidence and a connection to heritage.
Discover thousands of names in the app
Swipe through names, match with your partner, and find the perfect name together. Privacy-first, always.