Dobi Apps

120 English names

Easy English names for learners

English names that are easy to spell and pronounce and known worldwide: a safe choice if you are picking an English name for school or work.

Names

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. AlfieBoyAL-fee · Old EnglishMeans “elf counsel”Alfie is a short, friendly form of Alfred, an Old English name made of words for “elf” and “advice”. Alfred the Great was a famous Anglo-Saxon king of the 9th century. Alfie is now often given as a full name and has been one of the most popular boys’ names in England in recent years.
  5. 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.
  6. AmberGirlAM-bur · EnglishMeans “amber, a golden fossil resin”Amber is the English word for the golden-brown stone made from very old tree resin; the word itself came into English from Arabic through French. It started to be used as a first name in the late 19th century, together with other gem names. The 1944 novel Forever Amber made it much more popular.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. ArchieBoyAR-chee · GermanicMeans “genuine and bold”Archie began as a short form of Archibald, a Germanic name that became especially common in Scotland. Today Archie is usually given as a name on its own. It has been one of the most popular boys’ names in England and Wales in recent years.
  10. AshtonUnisexASH-tuhn · Old EnglishMeans “ash tree town”Ashton was first an English surname, taken from the many places called Ashton, meaning a settlement near ash trees. It became a first name in the 20th century. It is mostly given to boys, and only sometimes to girls.
  11. AvaGirlAY-vuh · HebrewMeans “life”The origin of Ava is not certain. It is usually treated as a form of Eve, from the Hebrew word for life, but there was also an old Germanic name Ava in the Middle Ages. The film star Ava Gardner made it well known, and it has been one of the top girls’ names in the US and UK in the 21st century.
  12. BaileyUnisexBAY-lee · EnglishMeans “bailiff”Bailey is an English surname for a bailiff, an officer who looked after land or the law; it can also come from the “bailey”, the outer wall of a castle. As a first name it is more common for boys in the UK but given to girls more often in the US.
  13. BethanyGirlBETH-uh-nee · HebrewMeans “house of figs”Bethany is the name of a village near Jerusalem in the New Testament, where Jesus visited his friends Mary, Martha and Lazarus. The meaning “house of figs” is the usual explanation, but it is not certain. Catholics first used it as a first name in honour of Mary of Bethany, and it became popular in the second half of the 20th century.
  14. BlakeUnisexBLAYK · Old EnglishMeans “dark; or pale, shining”Blake comes from an English surname with two possible sources: the Old English word for “black, dark” or a similar word for “pale, shining”. Nobody can be sure which one applies, so the name has two opposite meanings. It is mostly a boy’s name, but it is also used for girls.
  15. 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.
  16. CalvinBoyKAL-vin · LatinMeans “bald”Calvin comes from the French surname Cauvin, based on the Latin word calvus, “bald”. It was first used as a first name in honour of John Calvin, the 16th-century Protestant leader. It is most common in the US.
  17. CameronUnisexKAM-er-uhn · ScottishMeans “crooked nose”Cameron is the name of a famous Scottish clan, from the Gaelic words for “crooked” and “nose”. It became a first name in the 20th century. It is mainly given to boys, but girls get it too, sometimes spelled Camryn.
  18. CaseyUnisexKAY-see · IrishMeans “watchful, vigilant”Casey comes from the Irish surname Ó Cathasaigh, based on a word meaning “alert” or “on guard”. It became a first name in the US and spread from there. It is used for boys and girls in roughly similar numbers.
  19. CharlieUnisexCHAR-lee · GermanicMeans “free man”Charlie is a short form of Charles for boys and Charlotte for girls, both from a Germanic word for a man who was not a slave. It is now very often given as a full name. In the UK it is a favourite for boys, while in the US it is used for both genders.
  20. 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.
  21. 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.
  22. 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.
  23. DaisyGirlDAY-zee · EnglishMeans “daisy, day’s eye”Daisy is the name of the small white flower; the word comes from Old English and described how the flower opens in the morning and closes at night. It began as a pet name for Margaret, because the French word marguerite means daisy. Today it is used as a name of its own and is well liked in Britain.
  24. 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.
  25. DrewUnisexDROO · GreekMeans “manly, brave”Drew began as a short form of Andrew, from a Greek word for “man” and “brave”. It is also an English surname, and that is how many girls got it. It is mostly a boy’s name, though the actress Drew Barrymore made it familiar for girls.
  26. DylanBoyDIL-un · WelshMeans “great tide”Dylan is a character in Welsh legend, a sea god who appears in the Mabinogion. The name probably comes from Welsh words meaning “great” and “tide”, so it is often linked to the sea. The poet Dylan Thomas made it known outside Wales, and Bob Dylan later took it as his stage name.
  27. EdwinBoyED-win · Old EnglishMeans “rich friend”Edwin is an Anglo-Saxon name made of the Old English words for “wealth” and “friend”. It was the name of a 7th-century king of Northumbria in northern England. After the Norman Conquest it became rare, but it came back into use in the 19th century.
  28. EllaGirlEL-uh · GermanicMeans “all, other”Ella was a Norman name, probably from a Germanic word meaning “all” or “other”, though this is not certain. It is also used as a short form of names like Eleanor and Isabella. The jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald made it famous, and it has been a popular name in the UK and US for many years.
  29. EllieGirlEL-ee · FrenchMeans “uncertain, often linked with light”Ellie began as a pet form of Eleanor, and it is also used for Ellen and Elizabeth. Since the 1990s it has often been given as a full name on its own. It is one of the most popular girls’ names in the UK.
  30. ElliotUnisexEL-ee-uht · HebrewMeans “my God is Yahweh”Elliot comes from an English surname that grew from a medieval pet form of Elias, the Greek form of the Hebrew name Elijah. It is mainly given to boys. Girls are sometimes named Elliot too, especially in the US.
  31. ElsieGirlEL-see · HebrewMeans “my God is an oath”Elsie started in Scotland as a pet form of Elspeth, the Scottish form of Elizabeth. It was very common in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. After sounding old-fashioned for many years, it has become popular again in England.
  32. 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.
  33. 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.
  34. EvaGirlEE-vuh · HebrewMeans “life”Eva is the Latin and Greek form of Eve, the first woman in the Bible, whose name comes from a Hebrew word for life. It is used in many European languages and has been common in English since the 19th century. It is popular again in the UK and US today.
  35. FaithGirlFAYTH · EnglishMeans “faith, trust”Faith is the English word for belief and trust, especially trust in God. English Puritans began to use virtue words like this as names in the 17th century. It is still used, especially in the US.
  36. FelixBoyFEE-liks · LatinMeans “lucky, happy”Felix was a Roman name taken from the Latin word felix. It was borne by several early saints and popes, which kept it in use across Europe. Today it is popular in the UK and in German-speaking countries.
  37. FinleyUnisexFIN-lee · ScottishMeans “fair warrior”Finley comes from the Scottish Gaelic name Fionnlagh, made from words for “white, fair” and “warrior”. It is a popular boy’s name in the UK. In the US it is used for both genders and in recent years more often for girls.
  38. FinnBoyFIN · IrishMeans “fair, white”Finn comes from the Irish name Fionn, made famous by the hero Fionn mac Cumhaill (Finn McCool) in Irish legend. A similar name, Finnr, also existed in Old Norse. It has become a popular boys’ name in the UK and Ireland.
  39. FrankieUnisexFRANK-ee · LatinMeans “Frenchman”Frankie is a pet form of Francis for boys and Frances for girls. Both come from the Latin Franciscus, which referred to the Franks, the people who gave France its name. It is now often given as a full name to both boys and girls.
  40. FreyaGirlFRAY-uh · NorseMeans “lady”In Norse mythology, Freyja is the goddess of love, beauty and war, and her name simply meant “lady”. The name has been very popular in Britain, especially Scotland, since the 2000s.
  41. 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.
  42. HarleyUnisexHAR-lee · Old EnglishMeans “hare clearing”Harley comes from an English surname based on a place name, probably from Old English words for “hare” and “wood, clearing”. Many people also link it with the motorbike brand. It is more common for boys in the UK, while in the US it is given to both genders.
  43. 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.
  44. HaydenUnisexHAY-duhn · Old EnglishMeans “hay valley”Hayden is an English surname from place names, usually explained as “hay valley” in Old English. It became a first name in the late 20th century. It is mostly given to boys, but it is also used for girls.
  45. HazelGirlHAY-zul · EnglishMeans “hazel tree”Hazel is the name of a small tree that gives hazelnuts, from an Old English word, and also of a light brown eye colour. It was first used as a first name in the late 19th century, when nature names were fashionable. After a long quiet period, it is popular again in the US.
  46. HollyGirlHOL-ee · EnglishMeans “holly tree”Holly is the evergreen plant with shiny leaves and red berries, from an Old English word. Because people use it to decorate homes at Christmas, the name is often given to girls born in December. It became common in Britain and the US in the 20th century.
  47. HopeGirlHOHP · EnglishMeans “hope”Hope is the English word for wanting and expecting something good to happen, from Old English. It is one of the virtue names used by Puritans in the 17th century. It is often used today as a middle name as well as a first name.
  48. HugoBoyHYOO-goh · GermanicMeans “mind, heart”Hugo is the Latin form of Hugh, from a Germanic word for “mind” or “spirit”. It is used in many European languages, including Spanish, French and German. It has become popular in the UK in recent years.
  49. HunterBoyHUN-ter · EnglishMeans “hunter”Hunter began as an English and Scottish surname for a person who hunted animals. Like many surnames, it came into use as a first name, especially in the US. It became common there from the late 20th century.
  50. IrisGirlEYE-ris · GreekMeans “rainbow”In Greek mythology, Iris was the goddess of the rainbow, who carried messages from the gods. The name is also the word for a colourful flower and for the coloured part of the eye. It became a first name in the late 19th century.
  51. IslaGirlEYE-luh · ScottishMeans “from Islay, uncertain”Isla is taken from Islay, an island off the west coast of Scotland, and from a Scottish river of the same name; the meaning of the place name is not known. It is sometimes linked with the Spanish word isla, “island”, but that is a different word. Since the 2000s it has become one of the most popular girls’ names in Scotland and England.
  52. IvyGirlEYE-vee · EnglishMeans “ivy plant”Ivy is the evergreen climbing plant, from an Old English word, and has long been a symbol of loyalty and lasting love. It became a first name in the late 19th century with other plant names. It is very popular again in the UK and US in the 2020s.
  53. 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.
  54. JadeGirlJAYD · EnglishMeans “jade stone”Jade is a green stone used for jewellery and art. The word comes from Spanish piedra de la ijada, “stone of the side”, because people believed it could cure pain in the side of the body. It became a common first name in Britain from the 1970s.
  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. JesseUnisexJES-ee · HebrewMeans “gift”Jesse comes from the Hebrew name Yishai, which possibly means “gift”, though scholars are not certain. In the Bible he is the father of King David. Jesse is mostly a boy’s name, while girls more often use the spelling Jessie.
  58. 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.
  59. JordanUnisexJOR-duhn · HebrewMeans “flowing down”Jordan is the name of the river in the Middle East where, in the Bible, Jesus was baptised. The river’s Hebrew name comes from a word meaning “to go down”. It is more common for boys, but it is also a well-used girl’s name.
  60. JoyGirlJOY · EnglishMeans “joy, great happiness”Joy is the English word for great happiness, which came from Old French joie. It has been used as a name since the Middle Ages, but it became more common in the 20th century. It is a popular middle name too.
  61. JudeBoyJOOD · HebrewMeans “praised”Jude is a form of Judas, which comes from the Hebrew name Judah. Saint Jude was one of the apostles and is the patron saint of lost causes; the short form helped people avoid the name of Judas Iscariot. The Beatles song “Hey Jude” made it better known.
  62. JulesUnisexJOOLZ · LatinMeans “youthful, downy-bearded”Jules is the French form of the Roman name Julius, whose origin is uncertain; it may come from a Greek word for a young man’s first beard. In France it is a boy’s name. In English it is also used as a short form of Julia, Juliet or Julian, so it works for both genders.
  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. JustinBoyJUS-tin · LatinMeans “just, fair”Justin comes from the Roman name Justinus, based on the Latin word iustus. Saint Justin Martyr was an early Christian writer, and the emperor Justinian had a related name. It became very common in English-speaking countries in the late 20th century.
  65. KellyUnisexKEL-ee · IrishMeans “bright-headed; or war, strife”Kelly comes from the Irish surname Ó Ceallaigh, from an old name whose meaning is not certain. In Ireland it was first a boy’s name. Today it is used mainly for girls, especially in the US and UK.
  66. KendallUnisexKEN-duhl · EnglishMeans “valley of the river Kent”Kendall is an English surname taken from the town of Kendal in Cumbria, which lies in the valley of the river Kent. It was used for boys first. Today it is given more often to girls, especially in the US.
  67. KevinBoyKEV-in · IrishMeans “gentle birth”Kevin comes from the Irish name Caoimhín, made of words meaning “gentle” or “handsome” and “birth”. Saint Kevin founded a famous monastery at Glendalough in Ireland. The name became very popular around the world in the 20th century.
  68. KyleBoyKYL · ScottishMeans “narrow strait”Kyle comes from a Scottish Gaelic word for a narrow stretch of water between two pieces of land. It was first a place name in Ayrshire, Scotland, and then a surname. It became a common first name in the late 20th century.
  69. 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.
  70. LaurenGirlLOR-un · LatinMeans “from Laurentum”Lauren is a feminine form of Laurence, from a Latin name for a person from the town of Laurentum, which was linked with the laurel tree. The Hollywood actress Lauren Bacall made it known as a girls’ name in the 1940s. It was very popular in Britain and the US in the 1990s.
  71. LeahGirlLEE-uh · HebrewMeans “weary”In the Old Testament, Leah is the first wife of Jacob and the older sister of Rachel. Her name probably comes from a Hebrew word for tired, though some scholars connect it with an older word for a cow. Puritans began using it in the 17th century, and it is still common today.
  72. LeeUnisexLEE · Old EnglishMeans “clearing, meadow”Lee comes from an English surname based on the Old English word for an open space in a wood. It became popular as a first name in the 20th century. It is more common for boys, while girls often use the spelling Leigh.
  73. LeoBoyLEE-oh · LatinMeans “lion”Leo is the Latin word for “lion”. It was the name of many popes, including Pope Leo the Great. Short and easy to say in many languages, it has become one of the most popular boys’ names in England and the US in the 2020s.
  74. LeviBoyLEE-vy · HebrewMeans “joined, attached”In the Bible, Levi is one of the sons of Jacob, and his descendants, the Levites, served as priests. His mother Leah hoped the baby would bring her husband closer to her. The name has become popular in the US and UK in recent years.
  75. LiamBoyLEE-um · GermanicMeans “will helmet”Liam is the Irish short form of Uilliam, the Irish version of William. It spread from Ireland to other English-speaking countries in the late 20th century. It has been the most popular boys’ name in the US for several years in a row.
  76. LilyGirlLIL-ee · EnglishMeans “lily flower”Lily is the name of a tall white flower, from Latin lilium, which is a symbol of purity. It was also an old pet form of Elizabeth. It has been one of the most popular girls’ names in England and the US in recent years.
  77. LindaGirlLIN-duh · GermanicMeans “soft, gentle”Linda began as a short form of old Germanic names containing lind, which probably meant “soft” or “flexible”, though it may also refer to the linden tree. Many people also connect it with the Spanish and Portuguese word linda, “pretty”. It was one of the most common girls’ names in the US in the 1940s and 1950s.
  78. 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.
  79. 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.
  80. LunaGirlLOO-nuh · LatinMeans “moon”Luna is the Latin word for the moon and the name of the Roman goddess of the moon. It is also used in Spanish and Italian. In the 2020s it has become one of the most popular girls’ names in the US and many other countries.
  81. 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.
  82. 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.
  83. MaxBoyMAKS · LatinMeans “greatest”Max is a short form of Maximilian, from the Latin word maximus, and is sometimes short for Maxwell or Maximus. It is now very often given as a name on its own. It is popular in many countries because it is short and works in many languages.
  84. MayaGirlMY-uh · GreekMeans “uncertain, perhaps mother”Maya has several separate origins. In Greek mythology Maia was the mother of the god Hermes, and her name is linked to a word for mother or nurse; in Sanskrit, maya means “illusion”. The poet Maya Angelou made the name well known, and it is popular in many countries today.
  85. MeganGirlMEG-un · GreekMeans “pearl”Megan is a Welsh pet form of Meg, which is short for Margaret. For a long time it was used mostly in Wales. It spread across Britain, the US and Australia in the 1980s and 1990s.
  86. MiaGirlMEE-uh · HebrewMeans “uncertain, perhaps beloved or bitter”Mia began as a short form of Maria, the Latin form of Mary, in Scandinavia, Germany and the Netherlands. In Italian and Spanish it is also the word for “mine”, which many parents like. It has been one of the most popular girls’ names in the US and UK in the 21st century.
  87. MilaGirlMEE-luh · SlavicMeans “gracious, dear”Mila is usually a short form of Slavic names such as Ludmila and Milena, from a Slavic word for gracious or dear. In Spanish and Italian it can also be short for Camila, which comes from Latin, so its origin depends on the family. It has quickly become a popular name in the US and Europe.
  88. MilesBoyMYLZ · GermanicMeans “uncertain, possibly gracious”Miles comes from the old name Milo, which the Normans brought to England. Its meaning is not known for sure: it may come from a Slavic word for “gracious”, and people have also linked it to the Latin word miles, “soldier”. It is popular in the US today.
  89. MorganUnisexMOR-guhn · WelshMeans “sea circle”Morgan comes from the old Welsh name Morcant, probably from words for “sea” and “circle”, though the meaning is not certain. In Wales it has long been a boy’s name, but the witch Morgan le Fay in the King Arthur stories is female. Today it is used for both genders, and in the US mostly for girls.
  90. NathanBoyNAY-thun · HebrewMeans “he gave”In the Bible, Nathan is a prophet who bravely tells King David that he has done wrong. It is also used as a short form of Nathaniel. The name became common in English after the Reformation and is still widely used.
  91. NoahBoyNOH-uh · HebrewMeans “rest, comfort”In the Bible, Noah builds an ark to save his family and the animals from a great flood. The name was used by Puritans but was not very common until recent decades. It has been one of the most popular boys’ names in England and the US in the 2020s.
  92. 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.
  93. OscarBoyOS-ker · IrishMeans “possibly deer lover”Oscar is a hero in Irish legend, and the name may come from Irish words for “deer” and “loving”, though it may also come from Old English. It became famous across Europe through the 18th-century Ossian poems, and a Swedish king took the name. It is popular in the UK today.
  94. OwenBoyOH-in · WelshMeans “possibly well born”Owen is the English form of the Welsh name Owain. It may come from the Latin name Eugenius, “well born”, or from a Welsh word for “lamb”. Owain Glyndŵr led a famous Welsh rebellion against the English in the 15th century.
  95. ParkerUnisexPAR-ker · EnglishMeans “park keeper”Parker is an English surname for a person who looked after a park, a large area of land where animals were kept for hunting. It is mostly given to boys in the US. A smaller number of girls are also named Parker.
  96. 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.
  97. 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.
  98. PeytonUnisexPAY-tuhn · Old EnglishMeans “Pæga’s town”Peyton comes from an English surname based on a place name meaning the settlement of a man called Pæga. It is used for both genders in the US. In recent years it has been given more often to girls than to boys.
  99. PoppyGirlPOP-ee · EnglishMeans “poppy flower”Poppy is the bright red flower, from an Old English word. After the First World War, the poppy became the symbol for remembering soldiers who died, and people in Britain wear paper poppies in November. As a first name it has been very popular in England since the 2000s.
  100. QuinnUnisexKWIN · IrishMeans “descendant of Conn”Quinn comes from the Irish surname Ó Cuinn, from the old name Conn, which may mean “chief” or “sense, reason”. In Ireland it is mainly a surname. As a first name in the US it is now given more often to girls, but boys get it too.
  101. ReeseUnisexREES · WelshMeans “enthusiasm, ardour”Reese is an English spelling of the Welsh boy’s name Rhys, borne by several medieval Welsh princes. In the UK the Welsh spelling Rhys and the form Reece are used for boys. In the US, Reese is now mostly a girl’s name.
  102. RileyUnisexRY-lee · IrishMeans “descendant of Raghallach”Riley usually comes from the Irish surname Reilly, from an old name whose meaning is unknown. It can also come from an English place name meaning “rye clearing”. It is popular for both genders, more for boys in the UK and more for girls in the US.
  103. RiverUnisexRIV-er · EnglishMeans “river”River is simply the English word for a large stream of water, used as a name since the late 20th century. It suggests calm, flowing nature. It is given to both genders, a little more often to boys.
  104. RobinUnisexROB-in · GermanicMeans “bright fame”Robin began in the Middle Ages as a pet form of Robert, a Germanic name made from words for “fame” and “bright”, and it is also the name of a small red-breasted bird. It is the name of the outlaw hero Robin Hood. In the UK it is more often a man’s name, while in the US it is more common for women.
  105. 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.
  106. RowanUnisexROH-uhn · IrishMeans “little red one”Rowan comes from the Irish name Ruadhán, from a word for “red”, and it is also the name of a tree with bright red berries. It is mostly a boy’s name. It is given to girls as well, often because of the tree.
  107. RubyGirlROO-bee · EnglishMeans “ruby, a red gem”Ruby is a precious red stone; the word comes from Latin ruber, meaning red. It was first used as a name in the late 19th century, together with other gem names. It has been one of the most popular girls’ names in England in recent decades.
  108. 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.
  109. SageUnisexSAYJ · EnglishMeans “wise; the herb sage”Sage is an English word for a wise person and also for a herb used in cooking. Both words come from Latin, through French. It is used for both genders, and somewhat more often for girls.
  110. 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.
  111. SamanthaGirlsuh-MAN-thuh · HebrewMeans “uncertain”Samantha seems to have been created in 18th-century America, perhaps by joining Samuel with the ending -antha, which may come from the Greek word for a flower. It became popular in the 1960s through the TV series Bewitched, about a friendly witch named Samantha. It was very common in the 1980s and 1990s.
  112. 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.
  113. 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.
  114. SkylerUnisexSKY-ler · GermanicMeans “scholar”Skyler comes from the Dutch surname Schuyler, which means “scholar”, with a spelling changed to look like the English word “sky”. It was used for boys first. Today it is given to both genders, and the spelling Skylar is more common for girls.
  115. StellaGirlSTEL-uh · LatinMeans “star”Stella is the Latin word for a star. The English poet Sir Philip Sidney used it in the 16th century in his love poems Astrophel and Stella, which made it a name. It is popular again in the US.
  116. SydneyUnisexSID-nee · Old EnglishMeans “wide island”Sydney comes from the English surname Sidney, usually explained as an Old English place name meaning “wide island”; an old idea that it comes from the French Saint-Denis is not supported. It was once mainly a boy’s name. Today the spelling Sydney is mostly given to girls, while Sidney stays more common for boys.
  117. TaylorUnisexTAY-ler · EnglishMeans “tailor”Taylor is an English surname for a person who made clothes, from an old French word meaning “to cut”. It became a first name in the 20th century. It was used for boys first, but in the US it is now mostly given to girls.
  118. TristanBoyTRIS-tun · WelshMeans “uncertain, possibly tumult”Tristan is the hero of the medieval love story Tristan and Isolde, part of the King Arthur legends. The name probably comes from the old Celtic name Drustan, whose meaning is uncertain; in French it was later linked to triste, “sad”. It has been used more often as a first name since the 20th century.
  119. WillowGirlWIL-oh · EnglishMeans “willow tree”Willow is a tree with long thin branches that often grows near water, from an Old English word. It became a first name in the 20th century as part of the trend for nature names. It is now popular in both Britain and the US.
  120. ZoeGirlZOH-ee · GreekMeans “life”Zoe is the Greek word for life, and early Greek-speaking Christians used it in place of Eve. It was an important name in the Byzantine Empire. It became common in Britain and the US from the 1970s.