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.
Starling
“Songbird evoking freedom and nature”
Starling is an English nature name derived directly from the glossy, iridescent songbird known for its remarkable murmurations. As a given name it is rare and evocative, appealing to parents drawn to ornithological names with an earthy, poetic quality. It carries associations with music, collective beauty, and graceful movement.
Stellara
“Of the stars, star-like radiance”
Stellara is a rare, inventive name that expands the familiar Latin root for 'star' with a flowing feminine suffix, giving it an ethereal and celestial quality. It sits at the intersection of classical Latin influence and modern English name-creation, appealing to parents seeking something both familiar in sound and genuinely unique. The name evokes the night sky and cosmic wonder.
Stelliana
“Full of starlight, most star-like”
Stelliana is an ornate, lyrical name that takes the well-known Stella and extends it into something grander and more uncommon. Its multi-syllabic rhythm gives it an almost musical quality, fitting for parents who love classical-sounding names with a celestial theme. Though rare in English-speaking countries, it has a timeless elegance that transcends trends.
Stephen
“Crown or wreath of honour”
Stephen is one of the most enduring given names in the English-speaking world, carried into English via Latin and Greek from an ancient root. It was the name of the first Christian martyr, Saint Stephen, which secured its widespread adoption throughout medieval Europe. The name projects strength, intelligence, and a timeless, dignified character.
Sterling
“Of the highest quality, like pure silver”
Sterling is a name drawn from the English monetary and metallurgical term for pure, high-quality silver, giving it connotations of value, purity, and lasting worth. It functions effectively as both a surname and given name, with a crisp, confident sound that has appealed to parents seeking strong, modern-feeling names. The name has gained renewed popularity in recent decades.
Stetson
“Son of Stephen, frontier spirit”
Stetson carries the rugged, frontier spirit of the American West, largely due to its association with the Stetson hat company founded by John B. Stetson in 1865. As a given name it is bold and distinctly American, evoking wide open plains, independence, and a pioneering character. Its use as a first name is a modern American phenomenon that has grown steadily since the late twentieth century.
Stirling
“Place of strife, dwelling by the stream”
From the Scottish city whose name is of uncertain but ancient origin, possibly derived from the Brittonic ystre meaning dwelling and Llwynin, a personal name, or from a Gaelic phrase meaning place of strife or the winding river. Stirling Castle was for centuries the most strategically significant fortress in Scotland, controlling the route between the Highlands and Lowlands. As a given name, Stirling carries all of this historic weight and the grandeur of one of Scotland's most iconic cities.
Stockton
“Settlement by a tree stump”
Stockton is a strong, grounded surname-turned-given name with solid Old English roots. It has the rugged, pioneering feel of many American place names, most notably Stockton, California, a city with a rich history tied to the Gold Rush era. As a first name it projects confidence and a distinctly American frontier spirit.
Storm
“Violent atmospheric disturbance, raw power”
Storm derives directly from the Old Norse word storm, meaning storm or tempest. As a given name it has been used in Scandinavia for generations, evoking the powerful, dramatic weather of the Nordic landscape and the untamed natural world. The name carries associations with strength, intensity, and elemental force. It has increasingly been adopted as a unisex name across Scandinavia, the UK, and the USA, particularly among parents drawn to nature names and names that convey bold, vigorous energy. Its single syllable makes it memorable and commanding.
Stormie
“Spirited, turbulent energy, untamed nature”
Stormie is a warm and whimsical variant of the weather-inspired name Stormy, softened slightly by its '-ie' ending which gives it a friendlier, more approachable feel. It is predominantly used as a feminine name and carries a sense of vivacious personality and emotional depth. The spelling differentiates it from the adjective while preserving all the elemental imagery.
Stowe
“Holy or sacred meeting place”
Stowe is a quietly distinguished name drawn from English topography and Old English vocabulary, suggesting both sanctity and community. It is most famously associated with Stowe, Vermont, a picturesque New England town, and Stowe House in Buckinghamshire, England, one of the grandest landscaped gardens in Britain. As a given name it has a rare, literary quality that appeals to parents seeking something understated yet historically rich.
Stratton
“Settlement on a Roman road”
Stratton is a strong, distinguished English surname-turned-given name with a clear etymological story tied to Roman Britain. It has a confident, patrician sound that sits comfortably alongside other surname-style names growing in popularity. Several English villages bear the name, giving it genuine geographic and historical grounding.
Suki
“Gentle beauty, gift of moonlight”
Suki is a sweet, melodic name that has been used in English-speaking countries for centuries, often as a pet form of Susan, though it now stands comfortably on its own. It gained cultural visibility through literary and cinematic characters, including the beloved character Suki in 'Avatar: The Last Airbender.' Its short, bright sound makes it feel both classic and contemporary.
Sullivan
“Dark-eyed, keenly perceptive”
Sullivan is a rich, resonant name that carries both Irish heritage and a strong English-language presence, making it a popular choice in the United States, United Kingdom, and beyond. As a given name it has a warm, approachable feel balanced by genuine substance. It is particularly popular in the United States, where it has risen steadily as parents favour substantive surname-style first names.
Sully
“Familiar, warm-hearted, trustworthy”
Sully is an endearing, approachable name that functions both as a standalone given name and as a natural nickname for Sullivan. Its casual, friendly sound gives it broad appeal across generations, and it has been boosted in popular culture by memorable fictional characters including Sully from Pixar's 'Monsters, Inc.' It carries a distinctly likeable, trustworthy quality.
Summer
“Warmth, abundance, and sun-filled vitality”
Summer is a bright, cheerful nature name that has been in consistent use as a given name since the 1970s, peaking in popularity in the 1990s and 2000s. It carries an inherently optimistic and carefree energy, evoking images of warmth, outdoor freedom, and abundance. The name is almost exclusively feminine and remains a beloved choice for parents seeking a name that feels both timeless and full of light.
Sunniva
“Gift of the sun”
Sunniva is an ancient name with Norse and Old English roots, borne most famously by Saint Sunniva, a legendary Irish princess said to have sought refuge in Norway. The name evokes warmth, brightness, and divine blessing. Though rare in modern usage, it retains a timeless, ethereal quality popular among parents drawn to historic saints' names.
Sunny
“Bright, cheerful, optimistic”
Sunny emerged as a given name in the late 19th century, embraced for its simple, joyful character. It has been used for both boys and girls, though it leans feminine in contemporary usage. The name's upbeat, approachable feel has kept it in steady use across English-speaking countries.
Suri
“Short form of Susan or Sarah”
Suri gained widespread attention as an English-language given name following the high-profile birth of Suri Cruise in 2006, after which it surged dramatically in baby name popularity charts. The name is short, melodic, and easy to pronounce across many cultures. Its multicultural resonance has helped it maintain appeal beyond the initial celebrity effect.
Susan
“Lily; pure and graceful”
Susan became one of the most dominant female names in English-speaking countries during the mid-20th century, consistently ranking in the most popular in the United States from the 1930s through the 1960s. It is the anglicised form of the ancient Hebrew Shoshana, passed through Greek and Latin into English. The name has a clean, classic sound that gave rise to a wealth of beloved nicknames including Sue, Susie, and Suze.
Susanna
“Graceful lily”
Susanna is one of the oldest continuously used female names in the English-speaking world, brought to Britain by early Christian tradition and found in English records from the medieval period onward. Its longer, more formal cadence distinguishes it from the shorter Susan, lending it an elegant, literary feel. The name experienced a notable revival in the late 20th century as parents sought classic names with historical depth.
Susannah
“Lily with archaic English grace”
Susannah is the spelling favoured in the King James Bible (1611), which gave the form particular resonance in English Protestant traditions. The name has a warm, pastoral quality and is frequently associated with American folk culture through the famous Stephen Foster song 'Oh Susanna'. It remains a timeless choice that balances historical depth with an approachable, friendly sound.
Susie
“Affectionate lily; cheerful and warm”
Susie has been used as an independent given name since at least the 19th century, and its informal warmth has kept it beloved in English-speaking cultures. It enjoyed particular popularity as a standalone name in the early-to-mid 20th century, appearing frequently in literature, songs, and popular culture. The name projects approachability and cheerfulness, making it a perennial favourite for characters in fiction and song.
Sutcliffe
“Southern cliff; strength and rootedness”
Sutcliffe is primarily a surname of Yorkshire, England, origin that has occasionally been adopted as a given or middle name in the Anglo-American tradition of using family surnames as first names. This practice of surname-as-forename became fashionable in the 19th century as a way to honour maternal family lines or distinguished forebears. The name carries a sturdy, Northern English character.
Sutherland
“Southern land; Norse heritage”
Sutherland derives from the Old Norse 'Sudrland', meaning southern land, a name given by Norse settlers in Orkney and Caithness to the territory lying south of their own settlements on the northernmost tip of Scotland. The geographical paradox of Scotland's most northerly mainland county being named the 'southern land' reflects the Norse perspective that defined Scottish place names for centuries. As a given name it carries connotations of Scottish Highland heritage, dramatic landscape, and the meeting of Norse and Gaelic cultures.
Sutton
“Southern settlement; rooted heritage”
Sutton is a classic English toponymic surname that has grown considerably as a given name, especially in the United States, from the early 21st century onward. It belongs to the fashionable category of strong, one-or-two-syllable surnames used as first names that projects confidence and a sense of heritage. The name works equally well for boys and girls, though in recent years it has trended toward feminine use in the US.
Swift
“Moving quickly; fleet of foot”
Swift began as an English surname rooted in the Old English adjective 'swift', and has gradually transitioned into use as a given name. It carries a modern, energetic quality that appeals to parents seeking strong, single-syllable names. The name conveys swiftness, determination, and forward momentum.
Swinbrook
“Stream where swine are kept”
Swinbrook is a rare English given name derived from the Oxfordshire village of the same name, historically associated with the aristocratic Mitford family. Its use as a personal name is highly uncommon and carries a distinctly English countryside character. The name evokes pastoral heritage and deep-rooted English rural tradition.
Swithun
“Strong bear or young warrior”
Swithun is an ancient Anglo-Saxon name borne by the 9th-century Bishop of Winchester who became one of England's most venerated saints. The name fell out of general use after the Norman Conquest but retains strong historical and ecclesiastical significance in England. It is occasionally revived by those with a keen interest in Anglo-Saxon heritage.
Sybella
“Prophetess or oracle”
Sybella is an elegant, extended variant of Sybil that gained popularity in England during the medieval and Victorian periods. Its melodic, feminine ending gives it a graceful, romantic quality that sets it apart from the plainer Sybil. The name carries connotations of wisdom, prophecy, and timeless femininity.
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