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.
Reece
“Enthusiasm, ardour”
Reece is an Anglicised form of the Welsh name Rhys, meaning enthusiasm, ardour, or passionate fire. The name has moved comfortably from Welsh roots into mainstream English usage, particularly in England and Wales, where it has been a consistent chart presence since the 1980s. It is perceived as modern and strong, yet carries an ancient Welsh lineage stretching back to medieval princes.
Reed
“Red-haired”
Reed is an English name with two distinct possible origins. As a surname turned first name, it derives from the Old English read, meaning red, likely used as a nickname for someone with red hair, a tradition shared with Reid, its Scottish variant. Alternatively, Reed refers to the tall aquatic grass that grows in marshes and riverbanks, giving the name a clean, natural quality. Both senses, the vivid colour and the resilient waterside plant, contribute to Reed's quietly distinctive character.
Reeve
“Village official and trusted steward”
Reeve is a distinguished occupational name that has transitioned elegantly into use as a given name, carrying connotations of leadership, responsibility, and civic duty. The 'port-reeve' of medieval English towns was an early form of mayor, giving the name deep roots in the tradition of public service. Today Reeve projects a modern, crisp quality that feels both contemporary and historically grounded.
Regan
“Little king, strong-willed ruler”
Regan originates from the Old Irish ri, meaning king, combined with the diminutive suffix -an to form a term meaning little king or descendent of the king. It was originally a surname in the form O'Regan or O Riagain before transitioning into use as a given name. The name has been used for both sexes and carries a regal bearing softened by its diminutive origins.
Reggie
“Counsel power”
Reggie began as a nickname for Reginald, itself derived from the Germanic 'Raginwald', composed of 'ragin' meaning counsel and 'wald' meaning power or ruler. Over time Reggie has shed its diminutive status and become a fully independent given name in its own right. It carries a cheerful, approachable energy whilst retaining the underlying gravitas of its root meaning. The name strikes a pleasing balance between friendliness and quiet authority.
Reginald
“Counsel power”
Reginald is an English form of the Germanic name Raginald, composed of 'ragin' meaning counsel or decision and 'wald' meaning power or ruler. The name therefore means one who rules through wise counsel, combining the practical virtues of wisdom and authority. It was introduced to England by the Normans and became established throughout the medieval period. Its peak popularity in the late Victorian and Edwardian eras gave it a quintessentially British character: formal, dignified, and touched with a certain gentle eccentricity.
Regis
“Of the king, kingly”
Regis is derived from the Latin regis, the genitive form of rex, meaning king. The name therefore carries the literal sense of of the king or belonging to the king, and by extension conveys regal authority and noble character. It is associated in France with Saint Jean-Francois Regis, a seventeenth-century Jesuit priest and patron saint of social workers. The name has a formal, distinguished quality and a strong classical pedigree.
Reid
“Red-haired, ruddy complexion”
Reid is a crisp, one-syllable name with Scottish and English roots that has grown popular as a first name in recent decades. Originally a surname denoting red-haired ancestry, it now stands confidently on its own as a given name. Its brevity and strong sound make it particularly appealing in modern naming trends.
Reign
“Sovereign rule, supreme authority”
Reign is a bold, modern word name that has gained traction among parents seeking names with a powerful, regal connotation. Its homophone relationship with 'rain' and 'rein' adds a layer of phonetic richness. The name surged in popularity after celebrity usage in the 2010s and carries an unmistakably contemporary feel.
Rembrandt
“Bright counsel, sword of advice”
Rembrandt is an exceedingly rare given name in the English-speaking world, known primarily through the towering legacy of the 17th-century Dutch painter Rembrandt van Rijn. Its weight as a cultural symbol makes it a bold and unusual choice for a child. Parents who choose it typically do so as an homage to art, creativity, or Dutch heritage.
Remington
“Settlement by the raven's estate”
Remington transitioned from a prominent surname into a fashionable given name, bolstered in part by its association with the Remington firearms and typewriter brands. It has a rugged, frontier-era American feel while also sounding polished and distinctive. The name has seen steady growth in popularity, particularly in the United States.
Remus
“Legendary co-founder of Rome”
Remus is a name steeped in ancient Roman legend, most famously borne by one of the twin brothers, alongside Romulus, said to have been raised by a she-wolf and to have founded the city of Rome. In English culture the name gained a gentler association through Joel Chandler Harris's Uncle Remus folk stories. The name saw a modern revival in part through the Harry Potter character Remus Lupin.
Renard
“Clever as a fox”
Renard entered English usage from Norman French following the conquest of 1066 and was common in medieval England. Its enduring association with foxes, derived from the celebrated literary character Reynard the Fox, gives it a clever, cunning connotation. Today it is an uncommon but distinctive name in English-speaking countries.
Renaud
“Wise and powerful ruler”
Renaud arrived in England with the Norman Conquest and was common among the medieval Anglo-Norman aristocracy as a variant of Reginald and Reynold. While it largely fell out of common English use in favour of those anglicized forms, it persisted as a distinctive given name and surname. Its French sound gives it a refined, continental elegance.
Rene
“Reborn, spiritually renewed”
René comes from the Latin Renatus, meaning 'reborn' or 'born again,' a name with explicitly Christian connotations linked to the sacrament of baptism and the concept of spiritual rebirth. It entered Spanish-speaking cultures via French influence during the colonial period and was readily embraced for its elegant sound and powerful theological meaning. The name is used for both boys and girls across Latin America, though it skews masculine in some regions and feminine in others.
Renee
“Reborn, born again”
Renee is the anglicised form of the French feminine name Renée, which has been widely used in English-speaking countries since the mid-20th century. It gained popularity in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s, appreciated for its elegant, continental sound. The name carries a timeless quality that has kept it in steady use across generations.
Renzo
“Crowned with laurel”
Renzo is an Italian diminutive that has crossed into English-speaking use, appreciated for its energetic, modern feel. It is most associated with Italian culture but has gained traction in English-speaking countries as parents seek names with a distinctive yet accessible sound. The name has a creative, artistic connotation partly due to its association with renowned architects and designers.
Reuben
“Behold, a son”
Reuben is a classic biblical name that has been used in English-speaking countries since the Protestant Reformation, when Old Testament names became fashionable. It enjoyed particular popularity among Puritan settlers in early America and has seen a modern revival as vintage names return to fashion. The name has a warm, grounded character that has endeared it to parents seeking something traditional yet not overly common.
Reuel
“Friend of God”
Reuel is a rare and ancient biblical name that has been used quietly in English-speaking communities since the Reformation era. It is best known today as one of the middle names of J.R.R. Tolkien, the author of The Lord of the Rings, which has given it a certain appeal among literary and fantasy enthusiasts. Its rarity lends it a distinctive quality for parents seeking a deeply rooted, uncommon biblical name.
Revere
“To regard with deep respect”
Revere is an uncommon English given name most strongly associated with American patriot Paul Revere, whose midnight ride warning colonial militias has made the name synonymous with bold civic courage. It functions as both a surname used as a first name and a vocabulary word name with a powerful positive meaning. Parents drawn to this name often appreciate its combination of historical resonance and the noble quality of its literal meaning.
Reverie
“Pleasant daydreaming, dreamy state”
Reverie is a rare and whimsical word-name that has begun to appear on name charts in the early 21st century as parents explore evocative vocabulary names. It belongs to a family of dreamy, romantic word names alongside Aurora, Serenity, and Soleil. The name suits parents who favour a lyrical, artistic sensibility and want a name that feels both unique and inherently meaningful in everyday English.
Rex
“King”
Rex is a direct Latin borrowing meaning king. It was used as a formal title for Roman kings before the Republic, and as an honorific for rulers throughout the ancient world. As a given name in the English-speaking world it gained currency in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, prized for its punchy brevity, regal weight, and confident sound. It has a mid-century cool that modern parents find fresh and compelling.
Reynard
“Brave counsel, hardy adviser”
Reynard entered the English language primarily through the enormously popular medieval cycle of beast fables known as the Roman de Renart, in which a wily fox named Reynard outwits wolves, bears, and kings through cunning and wit. The name became so associated with foxes that 'reynard' became a common noun for fox in several European languages. As a given name it carries connotations of cleverness, boldness, and a sharp, independent mind.
Rhett
“Advice, counsel”
Rhett is a name that gained widespread recognition in English-speaking countries largely through the character Rhett Butler in Margaret Mitchell's 1936 novel Gone with the Wind and the 1939 film adaptation starring Clark Gable. It projects a strong, masculine, slightly roguish charm and has been consistently used in the American South. The name has seen renewed popularity in the 21st century as parents seek short, strong, single-syllable names with a distinctive character.
Rhianna
“Great queen, divine queen”
Rhianna is an anglicised spelling of the Welsh Rhiannon, the name of a powerful and graceful figure in Welsh mythology from the Mabinogion, associated with horses, birds, and the Otherworld. The name entered broader English use through Welsh cultural influence and gained wider exposure through Fleetwood Mac's 1975 song 'Rhiannon'. This particular spelling distinguishes it from the more directly Welsh form and from the Barbadian singer Rihanna, while sharing the same melodious sound.
Rhoda
“Derived from the Greek word for rose”
Rhoda is an English form of the Greek name Rhode, from 'rhodon' meaning rose. The name carries the gentle, fragrant beauty of the rose and its associations with love and grace. It appears in the New Testament, where Rhoda is a servant girl who answers the door when Peter is released from prison, making it a name with early Christian heritage as well as classical floral symbolism.
Rhodanthe
“Rose flower”
Rhodanthe is a rare and classically elegant name with deep roots in Greek botanical and mythological tradition. In Greek legend, Rhodanthe was a beautiful princess whose many admirers so annoyed the god Apollo that he transformed her into a flower, the rose, as an act of both punishment and preservation of her beauty. The name has also been applied to a genus of Australian paper daisies, giving it a natural, botanical freshness alongside its ancient heritage.
Rhoderick
“Famous ruler, glorious power”
Rhoderick is a distinctive anglicized spelling of the classic name Roderick, lending it a slightly more archaic and distinguished appearance. The 'Rho' prefix gives it a subtle classical resonance, evoking Greek letters and scholarly traditions. It remains rare enough to feel unique while still being recognizable to most English speakers.
Ria
“River, flowing”
Ria functions as a short form of Maria or Victoria, and also carries the Spanish and Portuguese geographical meaning of river inlet or estuary. As a standalone name it suggests something natural, flowing, and bright. It has a modern minimalist charm that belies its long history as a pet form: nimble, fresh, and immediately appealing without feeling lightweight.
Rica
“Eternal ruler, peaceful ruler”
Rica is a crisp, feminine given name used in English-speaking countries as both a standalone name and a diminutive of longer names like Erica, Ulrica, or Frederica. Its brevity gives it a modern, stylish quality while its roots connect it to centuries-old Germanic naming traditions. The name has enjoyed quiet but steady use across the English-speaking world throughout the 20th century.
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