Tara Gunn
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Finding a name for your boy is an entire experience on its own. Many parents find it a beautiful mix of excitement (I'm naming a whole person!) and pressure (what if I get it wrong?).
But don't worry—Family Education is here to help. If you're drawn to English names, we completely understand why. There's something wonderfully timeless about them—they carry echoes of history while still feeling fresh on a playground full of kids.
To make your naming journey a bit easier, we've gathered a variety of English boy names and meanings. Whether you're hoping for a name that everyone knows and loves, a name with centuries of tradition behind it, or maybe something so unique your son might be the only one in his class, these names have histories and meanings that are intriguing. Read on to get started!
Popular English Boy Names
Some English boy names are the cream of the crop according to parents, including the following popular choices.
- Alexander - Defender of men
- Arthur - Noble, courageous
- Benjamin - Son of the right hand
- Charlie - Free man
- Edward - Wealthy guardian
- Henry - Ruler of the household
- Jack - God is gracious
- James - Supplanter
- Liam - Resolute protector
- Oliver - Olive tree
- Samuel - God has heard
- Thomas - Twin
- William - Resolute protector
Common English Boy Names
These names blend familiarity with a timeless charm, making them common for a good reason—they're part of English tradition and are completely ageless.
- Adam - Earth, man
- Andrew - Strong, manly
- David - Beloved
- George - Farmer, earth-worker
- Mark - Warlike
- Matthew - Gift of God
- Michael - Who is like God
- Paul - Small, humble
- Peter - Rock
- Richard - Brave ruler
- Robert - Bright fame
- Stephen - Crown, garland
Unique English Boy Names
If you are interested in an English name but still want your child to stand out, these names are a refreshing choice while still reflecting English roots.
- Archer - Bowman, sharp and precise
- Ashby - By the ash tree
- Beckett - Bee cottage
- Calix - Chalice, cup of wine
- Evander - Bow warrior
- Heath - Wasteland, moor
- Jules - Youthful, downy
- Keaton - Place of hawks
- Lennox - Elm grove
- Sterling - Strong, pure
Traditional English Boy Names
All nations have traditions particular to them, and their importance should never be overlooked. The following boy names are very special to England and their meanings are key to many families.
- Albert - Noble, bright
- Alfred - Wise counselor
- Bartholomew - Son of Talmai
- Bernard - Brave as a bear
- Charles - Free man
- Edmund - Prosperous protector
- Geoffrey - Pledge of peace
- Harold - Army ruler
- Nigel - Champion
- Percival - Pierces the valley
Historic English Boy Names
England has a long and storied past, which also extends to boys' names. These names are historic and fascinating for a reason!
- Anselm - God’s protection
- Cuthbert - Famous, bright
- Francis - Free man
- Gawain - White hawk
- Hugh - Mind, intellect
- Lancelot - Servant
- Oswald - God’s power
- Roland - Famous throughout the land
- Walter - Army ruler
- Wilfred - Desire for peace
Rare English Boy Names
Exceptional names are sometimes hard to find, but we have collected the following rare boy names of English descent.
- Abbott - Father, priest
- Aldwyn - Old friend
- Branwell - From the ravine spring
- Clement - Merciful, mild
- Digby - Dyke farm
- Fenton - Marsh settlement
- Huxley - Hugo’s meadow
- Radley - Red meadow
- Thurstan - Thor’s stone
- Wesley - Western meadow
Literary English Boy Names
Works of literature and famous authors have long had influence over names, including the following options that have a flair of creativity and intellectual charm.
- Bennett - Blessed, from Pride and Prejudice
- Dorian - Of the Dorians, from The Picture of Dorian Gray
- Elliot - The Lord is my God, from Middlemarch
- Fitzwilliam - Son of William, from Pride and Prejudice
- Heathcliff - Cliff near a heath, from Wuthering Heights
- Huckleberry - Sweet berry, from The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
- Lysander - Liberator, from Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream
- Orlando - Famous land, from As You Like It
- Pip - Lover of horses, from Great Expectations
- Sawyer - Woodcutter, from The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
- Tristan - Tumult, sorrowful, from Tristan and Isolde
- Wolfgang - Path of the wolf, from The Three Musketeers
Biblical English Boy Names
Many families like to draw inspiration from faith or Biblical traditions. The following names are some of the most popular English boy names that come from the Bible.
- Aaron - Exalted, strong
- Caleb - Devotion, whole-hearted
- Elijah - My God is Yahweh
- Gideon - Hewer, destroyer
- Isaac - Laughter, joy
- Jonah - Dove
- Levi - Joined, united
- Noah - Rest, comfort
- Silas - Of the forest
- Solomon - Peaceful
Nature-Inspired English Boy Names
Are you a nature lover? These English names for boys encapsulate the beauty and tranquility of the natural world, from trees to water.
- Ash - From the ash tree
- Briar - Thorny bush of wild roses
- Brook - Small stream
- Clay - Earth, mortal
- Flint - Stream, hard rock
- Oakley - Meadow of oaks
- Reed - Red-haired or plant name
- River - Flowing body of water
- Warren - Protector of the park
- Wilder - Untamed, wild
Summing Up English Names for Boys
Choosing an English boy name can be a meaningful way to honor heritage or simply find a stylish name for your little one. Whether you're drawn to classic tradition or unique flair, this list has something for everyone. Happy naming!
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