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.
Peregrine
“Traveller, pilgrim”
Peregrine derives from the Latin 'peregrinus', meaning foreign, one who comes from abroad, or more poetically, a traveller or pilgrim. In the medieval Christian tradition, the pilgrim was an important spiritual figure, and the name carried connotations of spiritual journey and devotion. In England, Peregrine became established as a given name among the aristocracy, acquiring an air of dashing eccentricity and upper-class confidence. The Peregrine falcon takes its name from the same Latin root, as it was believed to be caught in the wild while already in passage rather than taken from the nest. This connection to one of nature's most spectacular birds adds another dimension to the name's appeal. Today, Peregrine is rare but perfectly at home among English parents who favour long, literary names with strong historical character.
Periwinkle
“Blue-purple flower or sea snail”
Periwinkle is a fanciful and rare given name drawn from the English word for both a flowering vine and a small coastal mollusc. The name has a gentle, artistic quality associated with its distinctive blue-lavender hue, making it appealing to parents who favour botanical and colour names. It sits firmly in the tradition of Victorian and Edwardian nature names, though it remains highly unusual as a personal name.
Perla
“Precious pearl of rare beauty”
Perla is a melodic given name used across English, Spanish, and Italian traditions, all deriving from the word for pearl. It carries the same gentle elegance as Pearl but with a softer, more lyrical sound. The name has been consistently used in English-speaking countries and is especially popular in communities with Latin American heritage.
Perrin
“Rock-solid and steadfast”
Perrin originated as a medieval French and English pet form of Peter and gradually became established as both a surname and a given name. It has a crisp, modern feel while retaining historical depth, making it attractive as a contemporary first name. The name gained additional cultural visibility through fantasy literature in the late 20th century.
Perry
“Pear tree”
Perry is an English occupational and locational surname turned given name, referring to someone who lived by or tended a pear tree. It also functions as a familiar short form of Peregrine, the Latin name meaning pilgrim or traveller. The name has a cheerful, approachable quality that sits comfortably in both classic and contemporary settings. Its brevity gives it a punchy, confident feel without losing warmth.
Perryn
“Stone-strong and enduring”
Perryn is a contemporary English spelling variation of the traditional name Perrin, combining historical roots with a modern aesthetic. The 'y' spelling lends the name a softer, more gender-neutral appearance that appeals to parents seeking names that work across the gender spectrum. It retains the same strong etymological meaning as its variant while feeling fresh and current.
Persia
“Land of ancient empire and splendour”
Persia is a place-inspired English given name that draws on the grandeur and mystique of the ancient Persian Empire. Like other geographic names adopted as first names, it carries an air of worldliness and historical romance. The name has been used sporadically in English-speaking countries since at least the 19th century and appeals to parents drawn to bold, evocative names with global resonance.
Petal
“Delicate flower petal”
Petal is a charming and tender English given name that draws directly from the natural world. It is most commonly used as a term of endearment in British English before its gradual adoption as a proper given name. The name suits the modern trend towards botanical and nature-inspired names and carries an inherently gentle, affectionate quality.
Petar
“Firm as a rock”
Petar is the South Slavic form of Peter, derived from the Greek 'Petros', which in turn translates the Aramaic 'Kephas', meaning rock or stone. The name was given by Jesus to his apostle Simon, making it one of the most historically significant names in Christianity. In its Petar form, it is particularly associated with Croatian, Serbian and Bulgarian traditions, where it has been among the most beloved masculine names for centuries.
Petersfield
“Peter's open field or land”
Petersfield is an exceptionally rare English given name derived from the market town of Petersfield in Hampshire, England, whose name dates back to the medieval period. Like other English place names adopted as given names, such as Chester, Bradford, or Clifton, it carries a strong sense of English heritage and geographic identity. Its use as a first name is highly unusual, giving any bearer a truly one-of-a-kind name with deep roots in the English landscape.
Peterson
“Son of Peter, stone heritage”
Peterson originated as an English and Scandinavian surname denoting descent from a man named Peter. Its adoption as a first name follows the broader trend of transferring family names into given names. It carries a sturdy, grounded quality rooted in its stony etymology.
Petrina
“Feminine form of Peter, steadfast as rock”
Petrina is an elegant feminine variant of the classic name Peter, used primarily in English-speaking countries and parts of Scandinavia. The name carries the same solid, enduring qualities associated with its root meaning. It enjoyed modest popularity in the mid-twentieth century and retains a refined, somewhat rare character today.
Petroc
“Cornish saint's name meaning rock”
Petroc is a distinctly Cornish name with deep roots in the early medieval Celtic Christian tradition of southwest England. Saint Petroc was a sixth-century monk who founded monasteries at Padstow and Bodmin, and his veneration made the name prominent in Cornwall for centuries. Today the name is a proud marker of Cornish heritage and identity.
Petronella
“Feminine elaboration of Peter, Roman stone lineage”
Petronella is a stately, full-form feminine name with strong Roman and medieval European roots that found its way into English usage through ecclesiastical and noble traditions. The name was borne by an early Christian martyr venerated as Saint Petronilla, which gave it widespread currency throughout medieval Europe. In English-speaking contexts it has always been considered an elaborated, formal alternative to the plainer Petra or Petrina.
Petronius
“Roman clan name, stone or rock lineage”
Petronius is a grand classical name of Roman origin that entered English usage primarily through scholarship and admiration of ancient literature. It is best known from the first-century Roman author Petronius Arbiter, credited with writing the satirical novel Satyricon. In English contexts the name has always been rare and literary in character, favoured by those with a deep appreciation of classical antiquity.
Petrova
“Daughter of Peter, Slavic stone heritage”
Petrova is a Slavic feminine patronymic that has been adopted as a given name in English-speaking contexts, often chosen for its elegant, European sound. It gained particular cultural presence in Britain through Noel Streatfeild's beloved 1936 novel Ballet Shoes, in which Petrova Fossil is one of the three orphan sisters. The name carries a distinctive, literary quality that sets it apart from more common English names.
Petula
“Lively, forward-spirited modern coinage”
Petula is a twentieth-century English given name that rose to prominence largely due to the fame of British singer Petula Clark. Its origins are somewhat uncertain, it may be a fanciful invention or a pet-name elaboration, but it gained enough currency in the mid-century to be recognised as a standalone name. It carries a bright, musical association that makes it feel warm and approachable.
Petunia
“Trumpet-shaped flower”
Petunia is a botanical name derived from the flowering plant of the genus Petunia, which itself comes from a South American Guarani word for tobacco, petun, the plants being related. The flower is known for its vivid, trumpet-shaped blooms in shades of purple, pink, white, and red. As a given name, Petunia shares the whimsical, nature-loving spirit of Victorian floral names. It is rare as a personal name, lending it an eccentric charm and a distinctly individual character that sets it apart from more conventional botanical choices.
Petworth
“Peota's enclosure, ancient Sussex homestead”
Petworth is a topographical name originating from the historic market town of Petworth in West Sussex, England, which has been recorded since the Domesday Book of 1086. As a given name it is exceedingly rare, belonging to the category of English place-names occasionally adopted by families with ancestral ties to a location. It carries a deeply English, country-house character strongly associated with Petworth House, one of Britain's great stately homes.
Pewter
“Grey metallic alloy, old-world craft quality”
Pewter is an unconventional English word-name drawn from the traditional alloy that was the standard material for household vessels and tableware from the medieval period through the eighteenth century. Its use as a given name is extremely rare and distinctly modern, belonging to the trend of adopting material or colour words as names. It carries a cool, silvery-grey aesthetic and a sense of old-world craftsmanship.
Peyton
“Fighting man's estate”
Peyton is an English surname derived from a place name meaning the estate or settlement of Paeга, an Old English personal name connected with the word for fighting man or warrior. It originated as a locational surname in England before crossing the Atlantic and becoming a given name in the United States. It has grown into a confident, polished unisex name with a modern feel.
Philemon
“Affectionate and loving by nature”
Philemon is a classical Greek name with a rich literary and biblical heritage that entered English usage through Christian tradition and Renaissance scholarship. In the New Testament, Paul's Epistle to Philemon addresses a Christian convert called by this name, giving it strong ecclesiastical roots. In English the name has been used since the Reformation era, particularly among Puritans and later Nonconformists who favoured biblical names.
Philip
“Lover of horses”
Philip comes from the Ancient Greek Philippos, a compound of philos meaning 'loving' or 'friend' and hippos meaning 'horse'. Horses were symbols of power and prestige in the ancient world, so the name carried aristocratic connotations from its earliest use. It was borne by Philip II of Macedon, father of Alexander the Great, and has been used by European royalty ever since, including as the name of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
Philipa
“Lover of horses”
Philipa is a feminine variant of the classical name Philip, retaining the Greek sense of devotion to horses. It is a less common spelling compared to Philippa, lending it a distinctive and refined quality. The name carries an air of elegance and historical depth, associated with medieval European royalty and nobility.
Philippa
“Lover of horses”
Philippa is the feminine form of Philip, derived from the ancient Greek name Philippos, composed of 'philos', meaning lover or friend, and 'hippos', meaning horse. The horse was a symbol of noble status in ancient Greece and Rome, and a love of horses indicated a person of rank and cultivation. Philippa has a solidly British, aristocratic quality, associated with queens, noblewomen, and country estates. It is a name of considerable substance and history, and its range of nicknames, particularly the charming Pippa, gives it excellent everyday flexibility.
Phillipa
“Lover of horses”
Phillipa is a double-l spelling variant of the classical feminine name Philippa, reflecting the common English tendency to double consonants in adaptation of Greek and Latin names. It maintains the same dignified meaning and historical resonance as its counterparts. The name strikes a balance between traditional formality and approachable femininity.
Philo
“Friend or lover of wisdom”
Philo is a short, punchy name of Greek origin that has been used in the English-speaking world since at least the early modern period. It carries connotations of philosophy, friendship, and intellectual curiosity, as it shares its root with words like 'philosophy' and 'philanthropist'. The name has a pleasingly simple sound while conveying a depth of meaning rooted in classical learning.
Phineas
“Oracle”
Phineas is a name of uncertain ancient origin, most likely derived from the Hebrew Phinehas, possibly meaning oracle, serpent's mouth, or Nubian. It carries an air of eccentricity and intellectual vitality. The name gained literary fame through Phineas Fogg, the protagonist of Jules Verne's Around the World in Eighty Days, and has enjoyed a modern revival through popular culture. It is distinctive without being obscure.
Phineus
“Oracle or brazen-voiced prophet”
Phineus is a rare and ancient name drawn from Greek mythology, borne by several figures including a blind prophet-king punished by the gods. Its rarity in modern usage gives it a distinctive, scholarly quality appealing to parents who favour classical mythology and antiquity. The name is closely related to Phineas, which has seen a modest revival in contemporary naming trends.
Phoenix
“Immortal bird of fire and rebirth”
Phoenix derives from the ancient Greek word 'phoinix', referring to the legendary bird that cyclically burns itself to ashes and rises again reborn. The name evokes resilience, transformation, and the triumph of renewal over destruction. In antiquity the phoenix was a symbol of the sun, immortality, and the eternal cycle of time. As a given name it has become a bold unisex choice with a powerful, aspirational quality, appealing to parents who want a name that carries genuine mythological weight alongside modern energy.
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