Dobi Apps

113 English names

Classic English names

Timeless English names that have been in steady use for generations and never sound dated.

Names

  1. AaronBoyAIR-un · HebrewMeans “possibly high mountain or exalted”In the Bible, Aaron is the older brother of Moses and the first high priest of the Israelites. The real meaning is uncertain, and some scholars think the name may come from Egyptian. English speakers began using it after the Protestant Reformation, and it is still common today.
  2. AbigailGirlAB-ih-gayl · HebrewMeans “my father is joy”In the Bible, Abigail is a wise woman who becomes a wife of King David. English Puritans began using the name in the 17th century, and for a while “abigail” was also an everyday word for a lady’s maid because of a character in a popular play. Today it is a common girls’ name again, especially in the US.
  3. AdaGirlAY-duh · GermanicMeans “noble”Ada began as a short form of old Germanic names that start with adal, the word for “noble”. It was used in England from the 18th century and is best known through Ada Lovelace, who wrote about computer programs long before computers existed. Short and old-fashioned, it has become fashionable again in the 2020s.
  4. AdamBoyAD-um · HebrewMeans “man”In the Bible, Adam is the first man, made by God from the earth. The Hebrew word is probably connected to adamah, “earth” or “ground”. It has been used in English since the Middle Ages and is short and easy to say in many languages.
  5. AdrianBoyAY-dree-un · LatinMeans “from Hadria”Adrian comes from the Roman name Hadrianus, meaning a person from Hadria, a town in northern Italy. The Roman emperor Hadrian, who built Hadrian’s Wall in Britain, had this name. The only English pope, Adrian IV, also chose it in the 12th century.
  6. AlbertBoyAL-bert · GermanicMeans “noble and bright”Albert is a Germanic name that came to England with the Normans, but it was rare for centuries. It became very popular in Britain after Queen Victoria married the German Prince Albert in 1840. King George VI was also called Albert by his family.
  7. AlexUnisexAL-iks · GreekMeans “defender of men”Alex is a short form of Alexander for boys and Alexandra for girls, both from Greek words for “defend” and “man”. It is now often given as a full name on its own. Because it works for both genders, it is one of the best-known unisex names in English.
  8. AlexanderBoyal-ig-ZAN-der · GreekMeans “defender of men”Alexander comes from Greek words meaning “to defend” and “man”. It was made famous by Alexander the Great, the king of Macedon who built a huge empire. It has been used across Europe for centuries, including by several kings of Scotland.
  9. AliceGirlAL-is · GermanicMeans “noble type”Alice comes from Adalheidis, the same old Germanic name as Adelaide, and the Normans brought it to England in the 11th century. It was very common in the Middle Ages and became famous again through Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Queen Victoria also gave the name to one of her daughters.
  10. AmeliaGirluh-MEE-lee-uh · GermanicMeans “work”Amelia probably comes from the old Germanic word amal, meaning “work”, through the name Amalia, but it has also been mixed up with the Latin name Emilia. It arrived in Britain with the German royal family in the 18th century, and King George III named his youngest daughter Amelia. It has been one of the most popular girls’ names in England since the 2010s.
  11. AmyGirlAY-mee · LatinMeans “beloved”Amy comes from the Old French name Amée, from the Latin word for being loved. It has been used in England since the Middle Ages. Louisa May Alcott’s novel Little Women, with its youngest sister Amy March, helped keep it popular.
  12. AndrewBoyAN-droo · GreekMeans “manly”Andrew comes from the Greek name Andreas, based on the word for “man”. Saint Andrew was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus, and he is the patron saint of Scotland. The name has been common in Britain for many centuries.
  13. AnnaGirlAN-uh · HebrewMeans “grace, favour”Anna is the Greek and Latin form of the Hebrew name Hannah. In the New Testament, Anna is an old prophetess who sees the baby Jesus in the Temple. The name is used in almost every European language, which makes it easy to say anywhere.
  14. AnthonyBoyAN-thuh-nee · LatinMeans “from the Roman family name Antonius”Anthony comes from Antonius, the name of a Roman family; its original meaning is unknown. The “h” in the English spelling was added later because people wrongly linked it to the Greek word anthos, “flower”. Saint Anthony of Padua helped make the name popular in Catholic countries.
  15. ArthurBoyAR-ther · WelshMeans “possibly bear”Arthur is best known from the legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. Its origin is uncertain: it may come from the old Celtic word artos, “bear”, or from the Roman family name Artorius. It is an old royal name in Britain and has become very popular again in England.
  16. AudreyGirlAW-dree · Old EnglishMeans “noble strength”Audrey is a later form of the Old English name Æthelthryth, which was borne by a 7th-century princess and saint who founded a church at Ely. Cheap lace sold at her fair was called “St Audrey’s lace”, which gave English the word “tawdry”. The actress Audrey Hepburn made the name feel elegant again in the 20th century.
  17. BeatriceGirlBEE-uh-tris · LatinMeans “she who makes happy, blessed”Beatrice comes from the Latin name Beatrix, which was probably first Viatrix, “traveller”, but was changed to look like the Latin word for blessed. It is famous as the name of the woman Dante loved and wrote about in his poetry. Queen Victoria gave it to her youngest daughter, and Princess Beatrice of York carries it today.
  18. BenjaminBoyBEN-juh-min · HebrewMeans “son of the right hand”In the Bible, Benjamin is the youngest son of Jacob and Rachel. The “right hand” in the meaning may also mean “the south”, so the name is sometimes explained as “son of the south”. It has been used in English since the Reformation and is still very popular today.
  19. BrianBoyBRY-un · IrishMeans “possibly high, noble”Brian is an old Irish name; its meaning is not certain, but it may come from an old Celtic word for “high” or “noble”. It was made famous by Brian Boru, a High King of Ireland who died in 1014. It became very common in English-speaking countries in the 20th century.
  20. CarolineGirlKAR-uh-lyn · GermanicMeans “free man”Caroline is a French feminine form of Carolus, the Latin form of Charles, which comes from a Germanic word for a free man. It came to Britain with Caroline of Ansbach, the German wife of King George II, in the 18th century. It has stayed in steady use ever since.
  21. CatherineGirlKATH-rin · GreekMeans “pure”Catherine comes from the Greek name Aikaterine, whose real origin is unknown; early Christians linked it with the Greek word for pure. Returning crusaders brought the story of St Catherine of Alexandria to England, and the name became very common. Three of Henry VIII’s wives were called Catherine, and so is the present Princess of Wales.
  22. CharlesBoyCHARLZ · GermanicMeans “free man”Charles comes from the Germanic word karl, meaning a free man. Charlemagne (Charles the Great) made it famous in Europe, and the Normans brought it to Britain. Britain has had three kings called Charles, including King Charles III.
  23. CharlotteGirlSHAR-lut · GermanicMeans “free man”Charlotte is a French feminine form of Charles, from a Germanic word for a free man. It became common in Britain after Charlotte of Mecklenburg married King George III in the 18th century. The novelist Charlotte Brontë and today’s Princess Charlotte have kept it popular in England and the US in the 2020s.
  24. ChrisUnisexKRIS · GreekMeans “bearing Christ; follower of Christ”Chris is a short form of Christopher for boys and Christine or Christina for girls. These names come from Greek words connected with Christ and the Christian faith. As a name on its own it is usually male, but many women use it as a nickname.
  25. ChristopherBoyKRIS-tuh-fer · GreekMeans “bearing Christ”Christopher comes from Greek words meaning “Christ” and “to carry”. In a famous legend, Saint Christopher carried the child Jesus across a river, and he became the patron saint of travellers. The name has been used in England since the Middle Ages.
  26. ClaireGirlKLAIR · LatinMeans “clear, bright”Claire is the French form of the Latin name Clara, from a word for clear and bright. The Normans brought it to England, where it was often spelled Clare. It was especially popular in Britain in the 1960s and 1970s.
  27. ClaraGirlKLAIR-uh · LatinMeans “clear, bright”Clara comes from a Latin word for clear and bright, and was spread by St Clare of Assisi, a friend of St Francis. It was used in England from the 19th century, often in honour of the German pianist Clara Schumann. It is the heroine’s name in the ballet The Nutcracker in many versions.
  28. DanielBoyDAN-yul · HebrewMeans “God is my judge”In the Bible, Daniel is a prophet who survives a night in a den of lions. The name has been used in England since the Middle Ages and became very common after the Reformation. It is still widely used around the world.
  29. DavidBoyDAY-vid · HebrewMeans “beloved”In the Bible, David is the young shepherd who defeats the giant Goliath and later becomes king of Israel. Saint David is the patron saint of Wales, and two kings of Scotland had the name. It has been one of the most common names in the English-speaking world for centuries.
  30. DianaGirldy-AN-uh · LatinMeans “divine, heavenly”Diana was the Roman goddess of the moon and of hunting, and her name probably comes from an old word linked to the sky and the gods. English speakers began to use it in the 16th century, after the revival of interest in classical stories. Diana, Princess of Wales, made it famous around the world.
  31. DominicBoyDOM-in-ik · LatinMeans “of the Lord”Dominic comes from the Latin name Dominicus, from dominus, “lord”. It was often given to boys born on a Sunday, the Lord’s day. Saint Dominic founded the Dominican order of monks in the 13th century, and the name is especially common among Catholics.
  32. EdwardBoyED-werd · Old EnglishMeans “rich guardian”Edward is an Anglo-Saxon name made of the Old English words for “wealth” and “guard”. It was the name of the English king Edward the Confessor, and it survived the Norman Conquest because people respected him. England and Britain have had eight kings called Edward.
  33. EleanorGirlEL-uh-nor · FrenchMeans “uncertain, often linked with light”Eleanor comes from Aliénor, an old name from the south of France whose origin is uncertain; it is often linked with Helen and with light, but this may not be correct. Eleanor of Aquitaine brought the name to England in the 12th century when she married King Henry II, and later Edward I married Eleanor of Castile. It is very popular again in the US and UK in the 2020s.
  34. ElizabethGirlih-LIZ-uh-beth · HebrewMeans “my God is an oath”Elizabeth comes from the Hebrew name Elisheva; in the New Testament, Elizabeth is the mother of John the Baptist. It became one of the most common English names after Queen Elizabeth I in the 16th century. Queen Elizabeth II, who reigned for 70 years, made it famous all over the world.
  35. EmilyGirlEM-ih-lee · LatinMeans “rival”Emily comes from Aemilia, the female form of an old Roman family name that probably meant “rival”. It became common in England in the 18th century, after the German royal family arrived; a princess named Amelia was often called Emily. The writers Emily Brontë and Emily Dickinson helped make it a classic.
  36. EmmaGirlEM-uh · GermanicMeans “whole, universal”Emma began as a short form of Germanic names starting with ermen, meaning whole or universal. Emma of Normandy became queen of England in the 11th century, and the name spread further after the Norman Conquest. Jane Austen’s novel Emma helped keep it popular, and it has been one of the top names in the US and Europe in recent years.
  37. EricBoyERR-ik · NorseMeans “ever ruler”Eric comes from the Old Norse name Eiríkr. The second part means “ruler”, and the first part probably means “ever” or “alone”. Erik the Red was a famous Viking explorer, and the name became common in English in the 19th century.
  38. EstherGirlES-tur · PersianMeans “star”Esther is the brave Jewish queen of Persia in the Old Testament book named after her. The name is probably from a Persian word for star, though some link it with the Babylonian goddess Ishtar. English Puritans used it from the 17th century, sometimes in the form Hester.
  39. EvelynGirlEV-uh-lin · GermanicMeans “uncertain, perhaps desired”Evelyn comes from an English surname, which came from the Norman girls’ name Aveline; that probably goes back to a Germanic word, but its meaning is not certain. At first it was used for both boys and girls, as with the writer Evelyn Waugh. Today it is almost always a girls’ name and one of the most popular in the US.
  40. FlorenceGirlFLOR-uns · LatinMeans “flourishing, blooming”Florence comes from the Latin name Florentius, from a word meaning to bloom or do well. In the Middle Ages it was used for both men and women. It became popular as a girls’ name after the nurse Florence Nightingale, who was named after the Italian city where she was born, and it is fashionable again in England.
  41. FrederickBoyFRED-rik · GermanicMeans “peaceful ruler”Frederick is a Germanic name made of words for “peace” and “ruler”. It was common among German kings, such as Frederick the Great of Prussia. It became more used in Britain after the German Hanoverian kings arrived, and several British princes were called Frederick.
  42. GeorgeBoyJORJ · GreekMeans “farmer”George comes from the Greek word georgos, a person who works the earth. Saint George, who killed a dragon in legend, is the patron saint of England. Britain has had six kings called George, and Prince George keeps it a favourite royal name.
  43. GraceGirlGRAYS · EnglishMeans “grace, God’s favour”Grace is the English word for elegance and for God’s kindness, which came into English from Latin gratia. Puritans began using it as a name in the 17th century, along with other virtues. The actress Grace Kelly, who became Princess of Monaco, made it glamorous, and it is still very popular.
  44. HannahGirlHAN-uh · HebrewMeans “grace, favour”In the Old Testament, Hannah prays for a child and becomes the mother of the prophet Samuel. English Puritans started using the name in the 17th century. It reads the same backwards and forwards, and it was especially popular in the 1990s and 2000s.
  45. HaroldBoyHARR-uld · Old EnglishMeans “army ruler”Harold comes from Old English words for “army” and “power”; the Old Norse name Haraldr has the same parts. King Harold II was the last Anglo-Saxon king of England, and he died at the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The name was rare for centuries but came back in the 19th century.
  46. HarryBoyHARR-ee · GermanicMeans “home ruler”Harry was the usual medieval English form of Henry, and it is also used as a short form of Harold. King Henry V was known as “Prince Hal” or “Harry”, and today Prince Harry carries the name. Harry Potter helped make it one of the best-known names in the world.
  47. HelenGirlHEL-un · GreekMeans “torch, light”In Greek mythology, Helen of Troy was the most beautiful woman in the world. Her name may come from Greek words for a torch or the moon, but its origin is not certain. It spread in Christian Europe through St Helena, the mother of the Roman emperor Constantine.
  48. HenryBoyHEN-ree · GermanicMeans “home ruler”Henry comes from a Germanic name made of words for “home” and “ruler”. The Normans brought it to England, and eight English kings were called Henry, including Henry VIII. It has become one of the most popular boys’ names in England and the US again.
  49. ImogenGirlIM-uh-jun · IrishMeans “maiden”Imogen is the heroine of Shakespeare’s play Cymbeline. In the old story the character was called Innogen, but the name was printed wrongly and the mistake stayed. It may come from the Gaelic word for a girl or daughter, and it is mostly used in Britain.
  50. IsaacBoyEYE-zuk · HebrewMeans “he will laugh”In the Bible, Isaac is the son of Abraham and Sarah. Sarah laughed when she heard she would have a child in her old age, which explains the name. It became common in English after the Reformation and is popular again today.
  51. IsabellaGirliz-uh-BEL-uh · HebrewMeans “my God is an oath”Isabella is the Latin form of Isabel, which began as a Spanish and southern French form of Elizabeth. Isabella of France became queen of England when she married Edward II in the 14th century. In the 21st century it has been one of the most popular girls’ names in the US and UK.
  52. JackBoyJAK · HebrewMeans “God is gracious”Jack began in the Middle Ages as a pet form of John, through the old form Jankin. It appears in many English stories and sayings, such as “Jack and the Beanstalk”. For many years it was the most popular boys’ name in England, and it is still a top choice.
  53. JacobBoyJAY-kub · HebrewMeans “holder of the heel”In the Bible, Jacob is born holding the heel of his twin brother Esau, and the name is linked to the Hebrew word for “heel”. It can also be understood as “one who takes another’s place”. The name James comes from the same source.
  54. JamesBoyJAYMZ · HebrewMeans “holder of the heel”James comes from Iacomus, a late Latin form of Jacob. Two apostles of Jesus were called James, and the King James Bible is named after King James I. It has been one of the most common boys’ names in the English-speaking world for centuries.
  55. JamieUnisexJAY-mee · HebrewMeans “supplanter”Jamie started as a Scottish pet form of James, which goes back to the Hebrew name Jacob. It is still used for boys, especially in the UK. Since the 20th century it has also been a common girl’s name.
  56. JaneGirlJAYN · HebrewMeans “God is gracious”Jane comes from Jehanne, an Old French feminine form of John, which goes back to Hebrew. It became common in England in the 16th century; Jane Seymour was the third wife of Henry VIII. Jane Austen and the novel Jane Eyre made it a lasting classic.
  57. JenniferGirlJEN-ih-fur · WelshMeans “fair, white”Jennifer is the Cornish form of Guinevere, the wife of King Arthur, whose Welsh name Gwenhwyfar begins with a word for fair or white; the second part is less clear. It was rare outside Cornwall until George Bernard Shaw used it in a 1906 play. It was one of the most popular girls’ names in the US in the 1970s and 1980s.
  58. JessicaGirlJES-ih-kuh · HebrewMeans “to behold”Jessica first appears in Shakespeare’s play The Merchant of Venice, as the daughter of Shylock. Shakespeare probably based it on Iscah, a minor woman in the Book of Genesis whose name may mean “to see” or “to look”. It became very common in Britain and the US in the 1980s and 1990s.
  59. JohnBoyJON · HebrewMeans “God is gracious”John comes from the Hebrew name Yochanan. In the Bible it was borne by John the Baptist and by John the Apostle, so it spread across the Christian world. King John of England signed the Magna Carta in 1215, and for centuries it was the most common boys’ name in England.
  60. JonathanBoyJON-uh-thun · HebrewMeans “God has given”In the Bible, Jonathan is the son of King Saul and the close friend of David. Their friendship is one of the best-known in the Bible. The name became common in English after the Reformation.
  61. JosephBoyJOH-zuf · HebrewMeans “he will add”In the Bible, Joseph is the son of Jacob who receives a coat of many colours, and also the husband of Mary, the mother of Jesus. The name was given in hope that God would add more children to the family. It has been common in Europe since the Middle Ages.
  62. JoshuaBoyJOSH-oo-uh · HebrewMeans “Yahweh is salvation”In the Bible, Joshua leads the Israelites into the Promised Land after the death of Moses. The name Jesus comes from the same Hebrew name. It became very popular in English-speaking countries from the late 20th century.
  63. JuliaGirlJOO-lee-uh · LatinMeans “of the Julius family”Julia is the female form of Julius, an old Roman family name; its meaning is not clear, though some say it meant “youthful” or was linked to the god Jupiter. Julia is mentioned in one of St Paul’s letters in the New Testament. It has been used in England since the 18th century.
  64. JulianBoyJOO-lee-un · LatinMeans “from the family of Julius”Julian comes from the Roman name Julianus, which was based on Julius. The meaning of Julius is uncertain; it is often explained as “youthful”, but this is not proven. Several saints had the name, and it has become popular in the US in recent years.
  65. JulietGirlJOO-lee-et · LatinMeans “of the Julius family”Juliet is the English form of the Italian Giulietta, a pet form of Giulia (Julia). Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, about two young lovers in Verona, made it famous. Many people still link the name with romantic love.
  66. KennethBoyKEN-ith · ScottishMeans “handsome, or born of fire”Kenneth is the English form of two Scottish Gaelic names: Coinneach, meaning “handsome”, and Cináed, which may mean “born of fire”. Kenneth MacAlpin is remembered as the first king of the Scots. The name spread beyond Scotland in the 20th century.
  67. LauraGirlLOR-uh · LatinMeans “laurel”Laura comes from the Latin word for the laurel or bay tree, whose leaves were used to crown winners in the ancient world. The Italian poet Petrarch wrote many love poems to a woman called Laura in the 14th century. It has been used in England since the 19th century.
  68. LeonardBoyLEN-erd · GermanicMeans “brave lion”Leonard comes from a Germanic name made of words for “lion” and “brave” or “hardy”. Saint Leonard was a popular saint in the Middle Ages, and the Normans brought the name to England. It was very common in the early 20th century.
  69. LouisBoyLOO-ee · GermanicMeans “famous in battle”Louis is the French form of a Frankish name made of words for “famous” and “battle”. Eighteen kings of France were called Louis, and the Normans brought the name to England. Today Prince Louis, the son of Prince William, carries it.
  70. LucyGirlLOO-see · LatinMeans “light”Lucy comes from the Latin name Lucia, from lux, the word for light. St Lucy was a 4th-century Christian saint whose feast in December is still a festival of light in Sweden. The Normans brought the name to England, and it has been widely used ever since.
  71. LukeBoyLOOK · GreekMeans “from Lucania”Luke is the English form of the Greek name Loukas, meaning a person from Lucania in southern Italy; it is also often linked to the Latin word lux, “light”. Saint Luke wrote one of the four Gospels in the Bible. The name has been used in England since the Middle Ages.
  72. LydiaGirlLID-ee-uh · GreekMeans “woman from Lydia”Lydia was a region in what is now western Turkey, so the name first meant a woman from there. In the New Testament, Lydia is a seller of purple cloth who becomes one of the first Christians in Europe. In Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, Lydia is the youngest Bennet sister.
  73. MargaretGirlMAR-gret · GreekMeans “pearl”Margaret comes from the Greek word for a pearl, which itself probably came from Persian. St Margaret of Scotland, an 11th-century queen, made it very popular in Britain, and Queen Elizabeth II’s sister was Princess Margaret. It has more nicknames than almost any other English name.
  74. MarkBoyMARK · LatinMeans “probably from Mars”Mark comes from the Roman name Marcus, which is probably connected to Mars, the Roman god of war. Saint Mark wrote one of the Gospels and is the patron saint of Venice. The name became very common in English in the 20th century.
  75. MaryGirlMAIR-ee · HebrewMeans “uncertain, perhaps beloved or bitter”Mary comes from the Hebrew name Miriam, whose meaning is not known for sure; suggestions include “bitter”, “wished-for child” and an Egyptian word for “beloved”. As the name of Jesus’s mother, it has been one of the most important names in Christian Europe for centuries. England has had two Queen Marys who ruled in their own right, and Scotland had Mary, Queen of Scots.
  76. MatildaGirlmuh-TIL-duh · GermanicMeans “mighty in battle”Matilda comes from old Germanic words for strength and battle. The Normans brought it to England: Matilda of Flanders was the wife of William the Conqueror, and Empress Matilda fought for the English throne in the 12th century. Roald Dahl’s children’s book Matilda helped make it popular again.
  77. MatthewBoyMATH-yoo · HebrewMeans “gift of God”Matthew comes from the Hebrew name Mattityahu. Saint Matthew was one of the twelve apostles and is traditionally named as the writer of the first Gospel. The name has been used in England since the Normans and is still common today.
  78. MichaelBoyMY-kul · HebrewMeans “who is like God?”In the Bible, Michael is an archangel who leads the armies of heaven. The name spread across Europe in the Middle Ages through devotion to Saint Michael. In the US it was the most popular boys’ name for much of the second half of the 20th century.
  79. MichelleGirlmih-SHEL · HebrewMeans “who is like God?”Michelle is the French feminine form of Michel (Michael), from a Hebrew question meaning “who is like God?”. It became common in English-speaking countries in the 1960s, helped by the Beatles song Michelle. It was very popular in the US in the 1970s.
  80. NaomiGirlnay-OH-mee · HebrewMeans “pleasantness”In the Old Testament Book of Ruth, Naomi is Ruth’s loving mother-in-law. After losing her husband and sons, she says she should be called Mara, “bitter”, instead of Naomi. English Puritans used the name from the 17th century.
  81. NatalieGirlNAT-uh-lee · LatinMeans “Christmas day”Natalie comes from the Latin phrase natale domini, “birthday of the Lord”, so it was often given to girls born at Christmas. It came into English through French Nathalie and Russian Natalya. Actresses Natalie Wood and Natalie Portman made it well known.
  82. NicholasBoyNIK-uh-lus · GreekMeans “victory of the people”Nicholas comes from the Greek name Nikolaos, made of words for “victory” and “people”. Saint Nicholas, a 4th-century bishop known for giving gifts, is the origin of Santa Claus. The name has been used in England since the Middle Ages.
  83. NicoleGirlnih-KOHL · GreekMeans “victory of the people”Nicole is the French feminine form of Nicholas, from Greek words for victory and people. St Nicholas, the saint behind Santa Claus, made the male name popular across Europe. Nicole became common in English-speaking countries in the second half of the 20th century.
  84. NoraGirlNOR-uh · LatinMeans “honour”Nora is a short form of Honora, from the Latin word for honour, and is also used for Eleanor. It was especially common in Ireland. Henrik Ibsen’s play A Doll’s House made Nora famous, and the name is popular again in the US in the 2020s.
  85. OliverBoyOL-iv-er · LatinMeans “olive tree”Oliver comes from the Old French name Olivier, usually linked to the Latin word for “olive tree”, although it may have Germanic or Norse roots. Oliver was a hero in old French legends of Charlemagne, and Charles Dickens later wrote Oliver Twist. It has been one of the most popular boys’ names in England and the US in the 2020s.
  86. OliviaGirluh-LIV-ee-uh · LatinMeans “olive”Olivia was first used by Shakespeare for a rich young woman in his comedy Twelfth Night. Its origin is debated: it is usually linked with the Latin word for olive, but it may have been made as a female form of Oliver. It has been one of the most popular girls’ names in England and the US in the 2020s.
  87. PatriciaGirlpuh-TRISH-uh · LatinMeans “noble, patrician”Patricia is the female form of Patrick, from the Latin word for a Roman noble. It became common in Britain after Princess Patricia of Connaught, a granddaughter of Queen Victoria, in the early 20th century. It was one of the top girls’ names in the US in the 1940s and 1950s.
  88. PatrickBoyPAT-rik · LatinMeans “nobleman”Patrick comes from the Latin word patricius, a member of the noble class in ancient Rome. Saint Patrick brought Christianity to Ireland in the 5th century and is its patron saint. The name is especially common in Ireland and among Irish families abroad.
  89. PaulBoyPAWL · LatinMeans “small, humble”Paul comes from the Roman family name Paulus. In the Bible, Saint Paul spread Christianity and wrote many letters in the New Testament. The name has been used across Europe for many centuries.
  90. PeterBoyPEE-ter · GreekMeans “rock, stone”Peter comes from the Greek word petros. In the Bible, Jesus gave this name to the apostle Simon, as a translation of the Aramaic name Cephas. Saint Peter is seen as the first pope, and the name has been common in Europe since the Middle Ages.
  91. PhilipBoyFIL-ip · GreekMeans “lover of horses”Philip comes from Greek words for “friend, lover” and “horse”. It was the name of Philip II of Macedon, the father of Alexander the Great, and of one of the apostles of Jesus. In Britain it is well known through Prince Philip, the husband of Queen Elizabeth II.
  92. RachelGirlRAY-chul · HebrewMeans “ewe, female sheep”In the Old Testament, Rachel is the beloved wife of Jacob and mother of Joseph and Benjamin. English Puritans began using the name in the 17th century. It was very common in Britain and the US from the 1970s to the 1990s.
  93. RaymondBoyRAY-mund · GermanicMeans “wise protector”Raymond comes from a Germanic name made of words for “advice” and “protector”. The Normans brought it to England. It was very common in the first half of the 20th century.
  94. RebeccaGirlrih-BEK-uh · HebrewMeans “to tie, bind”In the Old Testament, Rebecca is the wife of Isaac and mother of Jacob and Esau. Her name probably comes from a Hebrew word meaning to tie or join. Puritans used it from the 17th century, and Daphne du Maurier’s 1938 novel Rebecca made it famous in the 20th century.
  95. RichardBoyRICH-erd · GermanicMeans “brave ruler”Richard comes from Germanic words for “power” and “brave, hardy”. The Normans brought it to England, and three English kings had the name, including Richard the Lionheart. It has been a common English name ever since.
  96. RobertBoyROB-ert · GermanicMeans “bright fame”Robert comes from Germanic words for “fame” and “bright”. The Normans brought it to England, and in Scotland it is linked to the hero king Robert the Bruce. It was one of the most common boys’ names in Britain and the US for centuries.
  97. RoseGirlROHZ · GermanicMeans “rose flower”Rose was first a Norman name, probably from Germanic words for fame or horse. Over time people connected it with the flower, from Latin rosa, which is a symbol of love. It is now often used as a middle name as well as a first name.
  98. RuthGirlROOTH · HebrewMeans “friend”Ruth is the heroine of the Old Testament Book of Ruth, a woman famous for staying loyal to her mother-in-law Naomi. The meaning “friend” is the usual explanation, but it is not certain. Puritans used it from the 17th century, and it was very common in the early 20th century.
  99. SamUnisexSAM · HebrewMeans “God has heard”Sam is a short form of Samuel for boys and Samantha for girls. Samuel is a Hebrew name, usually explained as “God has heard” or “name of God”, and Samantha was probably made from it in America. Sam is one of the most common unisex short names in English.
  100. SamuelBoySAM-yoo-ul · HebrewMeans “name of God, or God has heard”In the Bible, Samuel is a prophet who chooses the first kings of Israel, Saul and David. The exact meaning is discussed, but it is often explained as “name of God” or “God has heard”. It became common in English after the Reformation and is still popular.
  101. SarahGirlSAIR-uh · HebrewMeans “princess, lady”In the Old Testament, Sarah is the wife of Abraham; God changes her name from Sarai to Sarah. It became common in England after the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century. It has been a favourite name in English-speaking countries ever since.
  102. SebastianBoysuh-BAS-tee-un · GreekMeans “from Sebaste”Sebastian comes from the Latin form of a Greek name meaning a person from Sebaste, a town whose name came from sebastos, “honoured”. Saint Sebastian was an early Christian martyr. It has become popular in the UK and the US in recent years.
  103. SimonBoySY-mun · HebrewMeans “he has heard”Simon comes from the Hebrew name Shimon, and it was also influenced by a Greek name of similar sound. In the Bible, Simon is the first name of the apostle Peter, and another apostle was also called Simon. It has been used in England since the Middle Ages.
  104. SophiaGirlsoh-FEE-uh · GreekMeans “wisdom”Sophia is the Greek word for wisdom, and the great church Hagia Sophia in Istanbul is named after Holy Wisdom. The name was used by European royal families, and it came to Britain with the German House of Hanover in the 18th century. It has been one of the most popular girls’ names in the US in the 21st century.
  105. StephenBoySTEE-vun · GreekMeans “crown”Stephen comes from the Greek word stephanos, a crown or wreath. In the Bible, Saint Stephen is the first Christian martyr. King Stephen ruled England in the 12th century, and the name is also spelled Steven.
  106. SusanGirlSOO-zun · HebrewMeans “lily”Susan is the English form of Susanna, from the Hebrew name Shoshannah, which comes from a word for a lily or similar flower. Susanna appears in the Bible, both in the Gospel of Luke and in a story added to the Book of Daniel. It was one of the most popular girls’ names in Britain and the US in the 1950s.
  107. TheodoreBoyTHEE-uh-dor · GreekMeans “gift of God”Theodore comes from the Greek name Theodoros, made of words for “god” and “gift”. The teddy bear was named after the US president Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt. It has become very popular in England and the US in recent years, often shortened to Theo.
  108. ThomasBoyTOM-us · AramaicMeans “twin”Thomas comes from the Aramaic word for “twin”. In the Bible, the apostle Thomas doubted that Jesus had risen until he saw him, which is why we say “doubting Thomas”. Saint Thomas Becket helped make it one of the most common names in medieval England.
  109. TimothyBoyTIM-uh-thee · GreekMeans “honouring God”Timothy comes from the Greek name Timotheos, made of words for “honour” and “god”. In the Bible, Timothy was a companion of Saint Paul, who wrote two letters to him. It came into English use after the Reformation.
  110. VictorBoyVIK-ter · LatinMeans “conqueror”Victor is a Latin word and was a Roman name. It was borne by several early saints and popes, which kept it in use in Christian Europe. The French writer Victor Hugo is one of its most famous bearers.
  111. VictoriaGirlvik-TOR-ee-uh · LatinMeans “victory”Victoria is the Latin word for victory and was the name of the Roman goddess of victory. It was rare in England until Queen Victoria, who reigned for most of the 19th century and gave her name to the Victorian age. Many places around the world, such as Lake Victoria, are named after her.
  112. VincentBoyVIN-sunt · LatinMeans “conquering”Vincent comes from the Roman name Vincentius, from the Latin verb vincere, “to conquer”. Saint Vincent de Paul, a 17th-century priest who helped the poor, made it popular among Catholics. The Dutch painter Vincent van Gogh is its best-known bearer.
  113. WilliamBoyWIL-yum · GermanicMeans “will helmet”William comes from Germanic words for “will, desire” and “helmet, protection”. It arrived with William the Conqueror and the Normans in 1066 and soon became one of the most common names in England. Four kings have had the name, and today Prince William carries it.