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.
Saxon
“Of the Saxon tribe”
Saxon is a bold, historically resonant name that connects directly to the Anglo-Saxon tribes who shaped the foundations of English language, law, and culture. The Saxons, originally from what is now northern Germany, became one of the defining peoples of medieval England after the 5th-century migrations. As a given name, Saxon projects strength and a sense of proud heritage, and has gained a following as a distinctive choice for boys.
Sayer
“Craftsman, carpenter, or one who saws”
Sayer is a dual-heritage name with both English and Welsh roots, functioning historically as an occupational surname before crossing into use as a given name. In Welsh, 'saer' means carpenter or craftsman, giving the name an honourable working-class dignity. As a given name, Sayer is uncommon and distinguished, offering a subtle nod to artisanal tradition.
Saylor
“Sailor, adventurous seafarer”
Saylor is a modern and energetic name that has grown in popularity as a given name, particularly for girls, in the early 21st century. It carries the nautical associations of a sailor's adventurous spirit as well as an alternate interpretation rooted in dancing, giving it a lively, free-spirited character. The name's fresh spelling distinguishes it from the more common 'sailor' while maintaining its breezy, outdoorsy appeal.
Scarlet
“Bright crimson red”
Scarlet is a vivid, striking name that has grown in popularity as a given name in English-speaking countries. It carries a sense of strength and intensity, associated with the rich crimson hue. The name gained cultural traction through literary figures and has become a fashionable choice for girls in the modern era.
Scarlett
“Red, scarlet cloth”
Scarlett originated as an English occupational surname for a person who sold scarlet cloth, a luxury fabric dyed a vivid red. The name carries rich associations with passion, vibrancy, and boldness, making it one of the most striking names in modern use.
Scout
“Curious explorer and observer”
Scout is a spirited, gender-neutral name with an adventurous feel rooted in English vocabulary. It rose to prominence as a given name largely through the beloved character Scout Finch in Harper Lee's 'To Kill a Mockingbird'. Today it appeals to parents seeking a distinctive, nature-adjacent name with literary heritage.
Seaton
“Settlement by the sea”
Seaton originated as a place name and surname in northern England, particularly in counties such as Cumbria and Yorkshire. As a given name it carries a distinguished, vintage quality associated with English aristocratic naming traditions. It offers a subtle nod to the sea without being as overt as names like Marina or Cove.
Sebastian
“Venerable or from Sebaste”
The name Sebastian traces back to the Greek Sebastianos, an adjective meaning 'venerable' or 'worthy of reverence,' which was also used as a demonym for inhabitants of Sebaste, a city in Asia Minor (modern Sivas, Turkey) whose name itself derived from the Greek sebastos, the Greek translation of the Latin Augustus, meaning 'majestic' or 'venerable.' In German culture, the name has been in continuous use since the early medieval period, cemented by the widespread veneration of Saint Sebastian, one of the most beloved martyrs in the Catholic Church.
Sedge
“The sedge grass”
Sedge is an English nature name taken directly from the sedge plant, a grass-like plant that grows in dense stands at the edges of rivers, lakes and marshes. The word derives from the Old English 'secg', itself from Proto-Germanic roots. Sedge landscapes are characterised by their quiet, watery beauty and the rustling of reeds in the wind. As a name, Sedge has a calm, grounded quality that belongs to a growing family of nature-inspired masculine names.
Sedgemoor
“Marshy ground with sedge grass”
Sedgemoor is an exceptionally rare given name drawn from the English landscape, specifically the Somerset Levels region in southwest England. It carries deep historical resonance as the site of the Battle of Sedgemoor in 1685, the last pitched battle fought on English soil. As a personal name it is highly unusual and would mark a bearer with a strong, distinctive identity rooted in English history.
Sedgwick
“Sedge grass farm settlement”
Sedgwick is a distinguished English surname that occasionally crosses into use as a given name, particularly in families honouring ancestral lineage. It has a strong, grounded sound evocative of the English countryside. The name carries intellectual associations through the prominent Sedgwick family of scientists and the arts.
Selah
“Pause, reflect and praise”
Selah is a serene, contemplative name drawn from the Hebrew scriptures that has been embraced within English-speaking communities, particularly those with religious backgrounds. It appears 74 times in the Psalms and three times in the Book of Habakkuk, carrying a meditative quality. In modern usage it has become a quietly stylish name valued for its spiritual depth and melodic sound.
Selby
“Willow tree settlement”
Selby is a quietly charming English name rooted in the town of Selby in North Yorkshire, historically important as the site of Selby Abbey. As a given name it has a gentle, countryside feel and works equally well for boys or girls. It sits in the tradition of English place-name surnames repurposed as first names.
Selena
“Moon goddess, luminous”
Selena is a lyrical, elegant name that entered English through classical mythology and has been warmly adopted across cultures. It carries a celestial quality linked to the moon goddess Selene of ancient Greece. The name is associated with beauty and musical talent, partly due to the enduring legacy of the beloved Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla.
Seline
“Moon, heavenly luminosity”
Seline is a rare and delicate variant of the moon-goddess name Selene, blending influences from Greek mythology and French naming traditions into an English context. It offers a softer, more understated alternative to Selena or Celine while retaining the same elegant, airy quality. The name suits those drawn to celestial themes without wanting a widely used name.
Senara
“Radiant Cornish Celtic saint”
Senara is a rare and beautiful name from the Celtic Christian tradition of Cornwall and Brittany in southwest England and northwest France. She was a legendary Breton princess who became a Christian saint, and the church at Zennor in Cornwall is dedicated to her. The name carries a mystical, ancient quality rooted in the wild Atlantic coastline of Celtic Britain.
Seneca
“Wise elder, philosophical depth”
Seneca is a distinguished name with strong classical roots, associated with one of Rome's greatest Stoic thinkers. In North America, Seneca is also recognised as the name of one of the six nations of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, lending it a layered cultural resonance. It is an uncommon but striking choice that conveys intellectual gravity.
Septimus
“The seventh-born child”
Septimus is a rare and distinguished name with deep Roman roots, once used as a practical birth-order name in large Victorian families. Its literary associations lend it an air of quiet intellectual intensity, and it has seen modest revival among parents drawn to classical names with historical character. The name has a noble, unhurried sound that stands apart from more common choices.
Serafina
“Fiery, ardent celestial being”
Serafina is an elegant and lyrical name with angelic origins, carrying both spiritual grandeur and a warm, melodic sound. It enjoyed use across Italian, Spanish, and English-speaking cultures and has grown in popularity through its appearance in beloved children's literature. The name projects beauty, grace, and a certain otherworldly charm.
Serena
“Calm, clear, tranquil”
Serena derives from the Latin Serenus, meaning calm, peaceful, or serene. It perfectly embodies its meaning with a name that sounds as tranquil as its definition suggests. The name has been used in Italy and across the Romance-speaking world for centuries, conveying an inner stillness and graceful composure. Its soft syllables and open vowels give it a flowing, musical quality that has made it a perennial favourite for parents seeking an elegant yet understated name.
Serenity
“Calm, peaceful, untroubled state”
Serenity is a modern English name that captures an aspirational quality, the wish for inner peace and tranquility. It rose sharply in popularity in the United States during the early 2000s and has remained a top-200 name for girls. The name is associated with both spiritual mindfulness and a gentle, composed nature.
Sevan
“Dark water, black lake”
Sevan is a distinctive and melodious name drawn from one of the most beautiful natural landmarks in the ancient world, Lake Sevan in Armenia. Though rooted in Armenian culture, it has found use across English-speaking communities as a unisex name admired for its brevity and striking sound. The name carries a quiet, elemental quality tied to water and landscape.
Severn
“Ancient British river, boundary”
Severn is a strong and evocative English name tied to Britain's mightiest river, which flows 354 kilometres through Wales and England. It carries a sense of ancient landscape and enduring natural power, and has occasionally been used as a given name for both boys and girls in English-speaking families. The name also gained environmental resonance through Severn Cullis-Suzuki, who became a global symbol of youth activism.
Severus
“Stern, strict, serious character”
Severus is a commanding and weighty name with deep Roman roots, used across the ancient world as a name for men of strong character and authority. In modern popular culture it gained renewed recognition through J.K. Rowling's 'Harry Potter' series, whose complex antihero Professor Severus Snape gave the name a fascinating moral ambiguity. It remains rare as a given name today, making it a bold and distinctive choice.
Shafiq
“Compassionate, kind-hearted, tender”
Shafiq is a name of Arabic origin widely used across Muslim communities in South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, and has become established in English-speaking countries through diaspora communities. It carries a profoundly positive meaning, reflecting an ideal of gentle, empathetic character. The name is also found in variant forms across multiple languages and cultures, reflecting its wide appeal.
Shakira
“Grateful, thankful one”
Shakira is a name of Arabic origin that has been embraced widely across the English-speaking world, largely through the global fame of the Colombian singer of the same name. Its meaning of gratitude gives it a deeply positive spiritual resonance, and its melodic three-syllable rhythm makes it pleasing to the ear. The name is used across Muslim communities and beyond, appreciated both for its sound and its uplifting meaning.
Shaw
“Dweller by a thicket”
Shaw began as an English topographic surname before transitioning into use as a given name. It carries a strong, grounded quality evoking the natural landscape of the English countryside. Its single-syllable simplicity gives it a modern, confident feel that has made it appealing as a first name.
Shay
“Admirable, hawk-like brightness”
Shay is a lively, gender-neutral name that has been embraced across English-speaking cultures. It gained traction as a standalone name in the late 20th century, valued for its breezy, informal charm. Its phonetic simplicity makes it easy to pronounce and remember across different languages and dialects.
Shayla
“Bright, graceful fairy palace”
Shayla emerged as a distinctly modern English name in the latter half of the 20th century, reflecting a trend of creating melodic, feminine names through inventive combinations. It carries a lyrical, flowing quality that has made it a favourite in American English-speaking communities. The name strikes a balance between familiar sounds and an original identity.
Shelby
“Willow farm on the ledge”
Shelby transitioned from an English surname to a given name in the 19th century and has been used for both males and females, though it leaned strongly female in American usage from the 1980s onward. It gained widespread recognition through popular culture, most notably in the film 'Steel Magnolias'. The name carries a warm, Southern American charm alongside its Norse heritage.
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