English Baby Names
Explore 2515 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.
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.
Miller
“One who grinds grain”
Miller is an English occupational surname for someone who operated a mill, grinding grain into flour. It moved into first-name use in the late twentieth century and has been climbing as part of the wider American taste for short, plainspoken occupational and surname-style boys' names. The two clean syllables and the natural Mill short form fit comfortably alongside Mason, Hudson, Carter and the broader surname-as-firstname family.
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.
Mirabel
“Wonderful and worthy of admiration”
Mirabel is a luminous, melodic name that feels both timeless and enchanting. It suits a child with a radiant personality and an imaginative spirit, carrying an air of wonder and delight. The name has gained renewed popularity following its appearance in popular culture while retaining its elegant classical roots.
Mirabelle
“Wonderful, admirable, worthy of wonder”
Mirabelle is an exquisitely feminine name that balances classical elegance with a warm, approachable feel. It evokes imagery of golden light and natural beauty, often associated with charm and grace. The name travels easily across cultures and languages, feeling at home in both formal and everyday settings.
Miracle
“Wonder, divine act”
Miracle is a modern word name taken directly from the English vocabulary word for an extraordinary event believed to be caused by divine intervention. It carries profound spiritual and emotional weight, often given to children born after difficulty, loss, or against the odds. The name is a declaration of gratitude and wonder, rooted in faith and the sense that a child's arrival is a gift beyond ordinary expectation.
Mitchell
“Who is like God”
Mitchell is a strong, dependable name that carries authority without feeling stiff or overly formal. It suits someone with natural leadership qualities and a grounded, practical outlook on life. Long popular in English-speaking countries, it remains a solid classic choice for boys.
Mitzi
“Beloved or wished-for child”
Mitzi is a vivacious, spirited name with a vintage Hollywood glamour that feels both retro and refreshing. It suits a bold, energetic personality with a flair for the dramatic and a love of life. The name enjoyed its peak popularity in the mid-twentieth century and is now rare enough to feel distinctive.
Molly
“Beloved, bitter, or wished-for child”
Molly is an endlessly warm and friendly name that radiates approachability and good humour. It suits someone with an open heart, a quick wit, and a natural ability to make others feel at ease. The name has been beloved across centuries and cultures, never feeling dated or out of place.
Mona
“Noble, solitary, or unique”
Mona is a sleek, sophisticated name with a quietly mysterious quality that has appealed to parents for generations. It suits someone with depth, artistic sensibility, and an air of calm self-possession. The name's international versatility means it feels at home across many different cultural contexts.
Monroe
“Mouth of the Roe River”
Monroe is a bold, charismatic name that projects star quality and natural confidence. Originally a masculine name, it has become increasingly popular as a gender-neutral choice, partly through celebrity influence. The name carries a glamorous cultural weight while remaining grounded in its Scottish heritage.
Montague
“Pointed hill”
Montague is an aristocratic, richly historical name that projects old-world refinement and intellectual gravity. It suits someone with a love of tradition, literature, and the finer things, carrying an unmistakably distinguished air. Though rare as a given name today, it is prized by parents seeking something genuinely uncommon with deep roots.
Montana
“Mountainous, of the mountains”
Montana carries a rugged, adventurous spirit evoking wide open spaces and natural grandeur. It is used for both boys and girls, though it has grown more popular as a feminine name in recent decades. The name suits free-spirited, independent personalities with a love of the outdoors.
Montgomery
“Power of man on the mountain”
Montgomery projects an air of dignified authority and old-world prestige, long associated with military leadership and the English nobility. It is most commonly used as a masculine given name and frequently shortened to the friendly nickname Monty. The name suits individuals who carry themselves with quiet confidence and natural leadership.
Montrose
“Hill of the headland”
Montrose is a rare and distinctive given name with a strong Scottish aristocratic heritage, most closely associated with the Marquess of Montrose. It carries a romantic yet powerful character, evoking Highland landscapes and noble lineage. The name appeals to parents seeking something historically rooted but genuinely uncommon.
Monty
“Short form of mountain names”
Monty has an irresistible warmth and good-humoured charm that has made it a perennial favourite as both a nickname and a standalone given name. It carries connotations of affability, wit, and a slightly rakish English spirit, popularised by wartime figures and beloved television comedies. The name suits outgoing, cheerful personalities with a natural gift for entertaining others.
Moorland
“Open upland terrain”
Moorland is an exceptionally rare given name with a distinctly poetic, landscape-inspired quality that evokes the wild beauty of the English and Scottish uplands. It belongs to a tradition of nature names that gained some currency in the Victorian era alongside names like Heath and Glen. The name suits independent, introspective individuals with a deep connection to the natural world.
Mordecai
“Servant of Marduk”
Mordecai is a name of great biblical weight and antiquity, associated with courage, loyalty, and the triumph of faith over adversity through the story of Esther. It was used regularly in Jewish communities and among Puritan settlers in England and America, who favoured Old Testament names. Though uncommon today, it is experiencing a modest revival among parents seeking names with genuine historical and spiritual depth.
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