350+ Old English Names For Boys: Retro & Traditional Options

 

Top Benefits Of Choosing Old English Names For Your Little One

Many Old English names for men and young boys remain popular in modern times. This can be seen in their regular appearance on the Top 10 baby names. This is posted by the SSA (Social Security Administration) in the US. (1)

For example, William, Oliver, James, Theodore, and Henry were in the US’s top 10 baby boy names in 2022. (1)

English boy names can be a safe, traditional choice for your baby. So they don’t have to worry about spelling out their name. 

They don’t have to continually explain its meaning when they’re older (as they might with exotic and international choices).

We’ve prepared this list of the 350+ most popular names for boys. We included retro choices from Old English and some related names in other languages.

The popularity ranks listed below come from data by the SSA based on actual registered births in the US. (1)

 

Are Old English Names Easy To Spell & Pronounce?

Yes. Most Old English names have a phonetic spelling. They’re commonly linked with real-life or fictional people. So, they’re often easy to spell and pronounce.

 

The Most Common & Popular OId English Names For Men

Some of the most common Old English names, including variants of names from other languages:

 

Albert

• Origin/Gender: Old English and German name for boys

• Meaning/Description: “Bright,” “noble,” or “famous”

• Pronunciation: “ahl-bert”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #614 (one of the best boy names)

• Namesakes: German-born theoretical physicist Albert Einstein

• Also after American actor Albert Brooks 

• Variants: Related to the Germanic name “Adalbert” or “Adelbert”

• Also spelled as Alberto (Italian and Spanish boy name) and Elbert

 

Alden

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: Warrior name that means “wise protector”

• Also an ‘old man’ name that means “old friend”

• Pronunciation: “awl-duhn”

• Length: 5 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+ (rare boy name)

• Namesakes: American author Alden Carter and composer Alden Jenks

• Variants: Elden and Aldden

 

Alfred

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Wise counselor” or “elf counsel” (elf boy name)

• Pronunciation: “ahl-fred”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #848

• Namesakes: Alfred the Great (the king of the Anglo-Saxons)

• Also after English film director Sir Alfred Joseph Hitchcock KBE

• Variants: Alfie and Alfredo (Spanish and Italian boy name)

 

Alvin

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: Traditional boy name that means “noble friend” or “friend of the elves”

• Pronunciation: “ahl-veen”

• Length: 5 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #737

• Namesakes: American philosopher Alvin Plantinga

• Also a fictional name after Alvin Seville (the leader of the animated series “Alvin and the Chipmunks”)

• Variants: Alfvin (Old Norse and Norwegian boy name), Alfwin, Alwin (German boy name), and Aldwin

 

Archie

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Bold,” “brave,” or “genuine”

• Pronunciation: “ahr-chee”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #377

• Namesakes: Prince name after Prince Archie of Sussex (the son of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle)

• Variants: Also a nickname for Archibald

 

Arthur

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Celtic boy name

• Meaning/Description: Powerful name that means “strong as a bear” (“artos” means “bear”)

• Pronunciation: “ahr-thoor”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #140

• Namesakes: Mythical name after King Arthur (of the Celtic legend “Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table”)

• Variants: Artur and Arturo

 

Ashley

• Origin/Gender: Old English gender-neutral name

• Meaning/Description: Nature name meaning “ash tree”

• Pronunciation: “ash-lee”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+ (boy)

• Namesakes: English football coach and former player Ashley Cole

• Other namesakes include American pro wrestler Ashley Remington

• Variants: Ashlie, Ashlee, Ashli, and Ashlea

 

Aubrey

• Origin/Gender: Old English and German boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Elf ruler” or “chieftain” 

• Also a magical name that means “supernatural being”

• Pronunciation: “aw-bree”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+ (boy)

• Namesakes: American former professional baseball player Aubrey Lewis Huff III

• Also after British actor Aubrey Morris

• Variants: Aubrie, Aubri, and Aubree

 

Baldwin

• Origin/Gender: Old English, Anglo-Saxon, and German boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Bold friend” or “brave”

• Pronunciation: “bawl-dwin”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Royal name after several kings (e.g., King Baldwin III of Jerusalem from the 1130s) and noblemen

• Variants: Baldwyn, Bawdwin, Baldwen, and Baldwwin

 

Benedict

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Latin boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Brave friend” or “blessing”

• Pronunciation: “ben-uh-dikt”

• Length: 8 letters, 3 syllable boy name

• Popularity/Rank: #963

• Namesakes: Mystical name after the fictional character Benedict of Amber in “The Chronicles of Amber” and English actor Benedict Timothy Carlton Cumberbatch

• Also a spiritual name after several popes (e.g., Pope Benedict XVI from the 2000s) and saints (e.g., St. Benedict the Moor)

• Variants: Benedetto, Benediktas, and Benito

 

Benjamin

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Hebrew boy name

• Meaning/Description: Biblical boy name that means “the son of my right hand”

• Pronunciation: “ben-juh-meen” 

• Length: 8 letters, 3 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #9

• Namesakes: Biblical name after Jacob’s youngest son

• Modern namesakes include American actor Benjamin McKenzie and figure skater Benjamin Okolski

• Variants: Beniamino (Italian)

• Pet names for Benjamin include “Benny,” “Ben,” “Benj,” and “Benji”

 

Bernard

• Origin/Gender: Old English and German boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Strong as a bear” (“bern” means bear); a name that means “strong”

• Pronunciation: “buhr-nahrd”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Retired NASCAR racing driver Bernard Alvarez 

• Also after CEO Bernard Arnault, the founder of LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton (known as the world’s largest luxury goods company) 

• Variants: Nicknames can include “Bernie” or “Bern”

 

Blake

• Origin/Gender: Old English gender-neutral name

• Meaning/Description: Nonbinary name that means “fair-haired” or “white and shining”; also a black boy name that means “black” or “dark” 

• Pronunciation: “bleyk”

• Length: 5 letters, 1 syllable boy name

• Popularity/Rank: #228 (boy)

• Namesakes: American professional basketball player Blake Austin Griffin

• Also after American country singer Blake Shelton 

• Variants: Blakie, Blakely, and Blakey

 

Bob

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: Cute boy name that means “bright and famous” or “bright fame”

• Pronunciation: “bob”

• Length: 3 letters, 1 syllable

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan

• Standalone first name or a nickname for longer names like “Robert” (e.g., English actor and film director Bob Hoskins, born Robert William Hoskins)

• Variants: Bobb and Bobo

 

Bradley

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: Country boy name that means “broad meadow”

• Pronunciation: “brad-lee”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #344

• Namesakes: American actor and filmmaker Bradley Charles Cooper

• Also after English actor Bradley James

• Variants: Bradlee, Bradly, and Bradli

 

Brian

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Irish boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Someone who is from a high and noble birth”

• Pronunciation: “bry-uhn”

• Length: 5 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #290

• Namesakes: American singer-songwriter Brian Douglas Wilson

• Also after English songwriter-singer Sir Brian Harold May CBE 

• Variants: Bryan, Briant, and Brjánn (Icelandic and Scandinavian boy name)

 

Cameron

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Gaelic unisex name

• Meaning/Description: Gender-neutral name that means “crooked nose,” “bent nose” or “crooked river”

• Pronunciation: “kam-uh-ruhn”

• Length: 7 letters, 3 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #64; surprisingly, despite its meaning, this name is a favorite choice by many parents

• Namesakes: American actor and model Cameron Riley Monaghan

• Also after award-winning American filmmaker Cameron Bruce Crowe (i.e., Grammy Award, Academy Award, and BAFTA Award)

• Variants: Kameron, Kamron, Cammeron, and Camron

 

Carter

• Origin/Gender: Old and Middle English unisex name

• Meaning/Description: Occupational name meaning “cart driver” or “one who transports goods with a cart or wagon”

• Pronunciation: “kar-tur”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #47 (boy)

• Namesakes: American TV personality and former model Carter Oosterhouse

• Also a last name (e.g., British archaeologist and Egyptologist Howard Carter who discovered 18th Dynasty Pharaoh Tutankhamun’s tomb)

• Variants: Carrter, Cartere, Cartier, and Karter

 

Cash

• Origin/Gender: Latin and Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: 1 syllable boy name that means “hollow,” “money,” or “case”

• Pronunciation: “kash”

• Length: 4 letters, 1 syllable 

• Popularity/Rank: #263

• Namesakes: ​​Used as a last name after legendary American country singer-songwriter Johnny Cash and a first name after musical artist Cash Colligan

• Variants: Kash

 

Cecil

• Origin/Gender: Old English unisex name of Latin and Old Welsh origin

• Meaning/Description: “Sixth” or “blind” 

• Pronunciation: “ses-uhl”

• Length: 5 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Poetic name after American pianist and poet Cecil Taylor

• Also a badass boy name after the fictional character Cecil Harvey (the playable main character in the video game “Final Fantasy IV”)

• Variants: Cecily and Cicely; also relates to the Roman name “Caecilius”

 

Chad

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: Warrior name that means “warlike,” “defender,” or “protector”

• Pronunciation: “chad”

• Length: 4 letters, 1 syllable

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American former professional football player Chad Ochocinco Johnson

• Also after American musician (Red Hot Chili Peppers’ drummer) Chad Gaylord Smith

• Variants: Chaddie and Shad

 

Chance

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Middle English unisex name

• Meaning/Description: “Good fortune” or “blessed by fortune” 

• Length: 6 letters, 1 syllable

• Popularity/Rank: #341 (boy)

• Namesakes: Soccer player Chance Myers

• Also after American music composer Chance Thomas 

• Variants: Chanze

 

Channing

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Old French boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Knowing” or “an official of the church” 

• Tough boy name that means “young wolf”

• Pronunciation: “chan-ing”

• Length: 8 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American actor Channing Tatum and television TV producer

• Also after American writer Channing Gibson

• Variants: None

 

Charles

• Origin/Gender: German and Old English baby name 

• Meaning/Description: “Free man”

• Pronunciation: “charlz”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #50

• Namesakes: King Charles of England

• Also after English novelist Charles John Huffam Dickens

• Variants: Derived from the German boy name “Karl”

 

Charlie

• Origin/Gender: Old English gender-neutral name

• Meaning/Description: “Free man” or “warrior”

• Pronunciation: “char-lee”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #178

• Namesakes: African classical pianist Charlie Albright

• Also after British actor Charlie Clements

• Variants: Charli, Charleigh, and Charlee

• Standalone old-fashioned boy name that can also be a nickname for “Charles” (e.g., Charlie Chaplin was born Charles Spencer Chaplin)

 

Christopher

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Greek boy name

• Meaning/Description: “One who is a Christ-bearer” or “one who holds Christ in his heart”

• Pronunciation: “krist-uh-fur”

• Length: 11 letters, 3 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #56

• Namesakes: American film director, author, and “Superman” actor Christopher D’Olier Reeve

• Variants: Comes from the Greek name “Christóforos”; nicknames include “Chris”

 

Clifford

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Anglo-Saxon boy name

• Meaning/Description: “The steep edge of a ford” or “ford by a cliff”

• Pronunciation: “klif-urd”

• Length: 8 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: English journalist and author Clifford Longley

• Also after American artist Clifford Ross

• Variants: Clyfforth, Cliford, and Clyfford; nicknames include “Cliff”

 

Clinton

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “A town near a hill,” “from the headland estate,” or “settlement on a hill”

• Pronunciation: “klin-tn”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American football wide receiver Clinton Solomon

• Other namesakes include New Zealand racing cyclist Clinton Avery

• Variants: Klinton, Clinnton, and Clintton

 

Cyril

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Greek name

• Meaning/Description: “Masterful” and “lordly”

• Pronunciation: “seer-uh;”

• Length: 5 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Popular saint and pope name (e.g., St. Cyril the Philosopher and Pope Cyril II of Alexandria)

• Variants: Kyril, Kyrill, Ciril, and Cyrill

 

Darwin

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Beloved friend” or “dear friend”

• Pronunciation: “daar-wn”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #987

• Namesakes: American basketball coach and former player Darwin Cook

• Also a last name (e.g., English naturalist and writer Charles Darwin)

• Variants: Derwin, Derwynn, Darwen, and Darvin

 

David

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Hebrew boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Beloved” or “dearly loved”

• Pronunciation: “day-vid”

• Length: 5 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #31

• Namesakes: Biblical name after King David (Israel’s second king who killed the fearsome giant Goliath when he was younger)

• Variants: Daveed, Davey, Davide, and Daweed

 

Douglas

• Origin/Gender: Old English, Gaelic, Scottish, and Irish name

• Meaning/Description: “Dark river,” “dark glass,” or “dark stream” (name that means “water”)

• Pronunciation: “doog-luhs”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #828

• Namesakes: American authors Douglas A. Anderson and Douglas A. Hicks

• Variants: Dúghlas, Duggie, and Dougie

 

Dwight

• Origin/Gender: Old English, Flemish (a Dutch and Belgian language), and Dutch boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Fair one,” “white,” or “blonde”

• Pronunciation: “dwite”

• Length: 6 letters, 1 syllable

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: 34th US President Dwight David Eisenhower and American country singer-songwriter and actor Dwight David Yoakam

• Variants: Diot (Latin) and DeWitt (Dutch)

 

Earl

• Origin/Gender: Old English and North American boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Warrior”

• Also a title for royalty that means “prince” or “nobleman”

• Pronunciation: “url”

• Length: 4 letters, 1 syllable

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American jazz pianist and bandleader Earl Kenneth Hines

• Also after American actor Earl Boen

• Variants: Erroll, Erle, Erol, and Errol

 

Edgar

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Prosperous spear” or “fortunate and powerful”

• Pronunciation: “ed-gahr”

• Length: 5 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #418

• Namesakes: American writer Edgar Rice Burroughs
  Also after English filmmaker Edgar Howard Wright

• Variants: Another form of the Old English name “Eadgar”

 

Edmund

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Successful defender,” “wealthy protector,” or “protector of riches”

• Pronunciation: “ed-muhnd”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Magical name after Edmund Pevensie (one of the main characters in “The Chronicles of Narnia” book series)

• Variants: Nicknames can include “Eddie” and “Ed”

 

Edward

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Anglo-Saxon boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Guardian of prosperity” or “wealthy guardian”

• Pronunciation: “ed-wahrd”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #216

• Namesakes: American actors Edward Harrison Norton and Edward Walter Furlong

• Variants: Relates to the Anglo-Saxon name “Éadweard”

 

Edwin

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Prosperous friend,” “wealthy friend,” or “rich in friendship”

• Pronunciation: “ed-win”

• Length: 5 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #358

• Namesakes: American soul music singer Edwin Starr

• Also a historical name after Edwin of Northumbria (an early medieval Anglo-Saxon kingdom); this king became a Christian saint

• Variants: Edwyn, Eddwin, and Eadwine

 

Elmer

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Germanic boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Famous noble”

• Pronunciation: “el-mehr”

• Length: 5 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #924

• Namesakes: American hall-of-fame baseball player Elmer Flick

• Also after American composer Elmer Bernstein

• Variants: Elmir, Ellmer, Elemer, and Elmmer

 

Elton

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: Country boy name meaning “from the old town”

• Pronunciation: “el-tuhn”

• Length: 5 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: English singer Sir Elton John

• Also after Australian rules footballer Todd Elton

• Variants: Ellton and Eltton

 

Emerson

• Origin/Gender: Old English unisex name

• Meaning/Description: “Emery’s son” or “brave and powerful”

• Pronunciation: “eh-mer-sn”

• Length: 7 letters, 3 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #271 (boy)

• Namesakes: American hip-hop artist Emerson Windy

• Other namesakes include American football running back Emerson Boozer

• Variants: Emmerson and Emersyn

 

Eric

• Origin/Gender: Old English, German, and Old Norse boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Eternal ruler,” “sole ruler,” or “ever-ruler”

• Pronunciation: “err-ik”

• Length: 4 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #229

• Namesakes: English singer-songwriter and guitarist Eric Patrick Clapton CBE

• Also after American actor Eric Anthony Roberts 

• Variants: Erik, Erick, and Errick

 

Ernest

• Origin/Gender: Old English and German boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Determined” or “serious”; comes from the Germanic word “ernst”

• Pronunciation: “er-nuhst”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American novelist Ernest Miller Hemingway

• Also after American country music singer Ernest Jennings Ford (stage name Tennessee Ernie Ford)

• Variants: Ernst (German), Ernnest, and Ernesto (Italian)

 

Francis

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Latin boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Free man” or “Frenchman”

• Pronunciation: “fraan-sis”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #462

• Namesakes: American film director, screenwriter, and producer Francis Ford Coppola

• Also after American actor Francis Cordero Capra

• Variants: Francys, Franscis, Fransis (Thai name), and Franciskus (Norwegian); can be spelled as “Frances” if used as a girl name

 

Frank

• Origin/Gender: Old English 

• Meaning/Description: Free man

• Pronunciation: “frangk”

• Length: 5 letters, 1 syllable

• Popularity/Rank: #439

• Namesakes: American musician Frank Vincent Zappa

• Also after English professional former player Frank James Lampard

• Variants: Franz, Frans, Frankie, and Franco

 

Frederick

• Origin/Gender: Old English and German boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Peaceful ruler”

• Pronunciation: “freh-dr-uhk”

• Length: 9 letters, 3 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #474

• Namesakes: American country music singer and songwriter Frederick Dierks Bentley

• Also after English novelist Frederick Forsyth

• Variants: Friedrich, Fredrick, and Frédéric; nicknames include “Freddie” and “Fred”

 

Garry

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Bold spear” or “hard spear”

• Pronunciation: “garr-eeh”

• Length: 5 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American film director, screenwriter, producer, and actor Garry Kent Marshall

• Also after American former professional basketball player Gary Dwayne Payton 

• Variants: Gary and Garri

 

George

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Greek boy name

• Meaning/Description: Country boy name that means “farmer” or “earthworker”

• Pronunciation: “jowrz”

• Length: 6 letters, 1 syllable

• Popularity/Rank: #142

• Namesakes: George Clooney, England’s Prince George, George Michael, and St. George (England’s patron saint)

• Variants: Georg, Jorge, Georgi, and Gjorgji

 

Gilbert

• Origin/Gender: Old English, Norman French, and German boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Bright pledge,” “shining pledge,” or “bright promise”

• Pronunciation: “gihl-bert”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American painter Gilbert Charles Stuart

• Also after American mixed martial artist Gilbert Melendez

• Variants: Gilbert, Gilberte, and Gillbert

 

Hamilton

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “From the flat-topped hill” or “from the mountain town”

• Pronunciation: “hah-muhl-tn”

• Length: 8 letters, 3 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American journalist and pharmacologist Hamilton Morris

• Also after the fictional character Hamilton Fleming in the “Young Americans” TV series 

• Variants: Hammilton and Hamiltton

 

Harley

• Origin/Gender: OId English unisex name

• Meaning/Description: “From the clearing of the army”

• Pronunciation: “haar-lee”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #927 (boy)

• Namesakes: American country and bluegrass singer-songwriter Harley Lee Allen

• Variants: Harlley and Harleigh

 

Harold

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Ruler of an army” or “army commander”

• Pronunciation: “harr-uhld”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #925

• Namesakes: American poet Harold Norse

• Other namesakes include stunt performer, actor, and comedian Harold Clayton Lloyd, Sr.

• Variants: Another form of the Old English name “Hereweald”

 

Harry

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Rules his household” or “army commander”

• Pronunciation: “heh-ree”

• Length: 5 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #695

• Namesakes: Standalone first name or a nickname for “Harold” and other longer names

• Famous namesakes include magician Harry Houdini

• Also after English singer-songwriter Harry Styles

• Variants: Harild and Hari

 

Henry

• Origin/Gender: Old English and German boy name

• Meaning/Description: “House ruler”

• Pronunciation: “hen-ree”

• Length: 5 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #7

• Namesakes: British actor Henry Cavill and American industrialist

• Also after business magnate (Ford Motor Company founder) Henry Ford 

• Variants: Henrik and Heinrich; relates to the German name “Haimirich”

 

Herbert

• Origin/Gender: Old English and German boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Famous within the army,” “bright army,” or “illustrious warrior”

• Pronunciation: “her-bert”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American novelist Herbert Gold

• Also after American composer Herbert Stothart

• Variants: Herrbert and Herbertt

 

Hugh

• Origin/Gender: Old English and German boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Intelligent,” “mind,” “soul,” or “bright in mind and spirit”

• Pronunciation: “hyoog”

• Length: 4 letters, 1 syllable

• Popularity/Rank: #811

• Namesakes: Famous namesakes include English actor Hugh Grant

• Also after Australian actor Hugh Michael Jackman AC

• Variants: Hughes, Huig, and Hugo

 

Jack

• Origin/Gender: Old and Middle English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “God is gracious,” “healthy,” “full of vital energy,” or “strong”

• Pronunciation: “jak”

• Length: 4 letters, 1 syllable

• Popularity/Rank: #15

• Namesakes: American actor Jack Palance and singer-songwriter Jack Hody Johnson

• Popular even in the Middle Ages to modern times (including in baby books or stories like “Jack and the Beanstalk”)

• Variants: Standalone name, but can also be a nickname for Jacob

• Relates to the biblical boy name “John”

 

James

• Origin/Gender: Old English, Greek, Latin, and Hebrew name

• Meaning/Description: James’ name meaning “supplanter” or “one who replaces”

• Pronunciation: “jaymz”

• Length: 5 letters, 1 syllable

• Popularity/Rank: #4

• Namesakes: Canadian filmmaker James Francis Cameron CC

• Also after American actor and filmmaker James Edward Franco

• Variants: Derived from “Jacob” (English form of the Hebrew name “Ya’aqov”) or “Jacomus” (Latin)

 

Jefferson

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Pledge of peace” or “son of Jeffrey”

• Pronunciation: “jef-fer-sn”

• Length: 9 letters, 3 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #759

• Namesakes: American illustrator Jefferson Wood

• Also a superhero name after Jefferson Pierce (also known as “Black Lightning” in DC Comics)

• Variants: Jeferson; a form of “Geoffrey”

 

John

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Hebrew name

• Meaning/Description: “Gift of God” or “God is gracious”

• Pronunciation: “jaan”

• Length: 4 letters, 1 syllable

• Popularity/Rank: #26

• Namesakes: American professional wrestler and actor John Felix Anthony Cena 

• Other namesakes include actor John Joseph Travolta

• Also a biblical name for one of Jesus’ disciples (known as “John the Beloved”)

• Variants: Jan, Jean, and Juan (Spanish)

 

Johnson

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Anglo-Norman boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Son of John”

• Pronunciation: “jaan-sn”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Also a last name (e.g., American professional auto-racing driver Jimmie Kenneth Johnson)

• Variants: Jonson Johnstone, Johnston, and Janssen; can also be used as a middle name for boys

 

Joseph

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Hebrew boy name

• Meaning/Description: “God will multiply” or “God will give”

• Pronunciation: “joh-zif”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #30

• Namesakes: American actor Joseph Leonard Gordon-Levitt

• Also a retro name from the Bible after one of Joseph’s 12 sons who was sold to Egypt but later delivered the family from a famine in their homeland

• Variants: Josef, Jozef (Dutch), Giuseppe (Italian), Youssef (Arabic boy name), and Iosif (Russian boy name)

 

Kent

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Celtic boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Bright white,” “border,” “coast,” “edge,” or “bordering of a circle”

• Pronunciation: “kent”

• Length: 4 letters, 1 syllable

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000

• Namesakes: American actor, painter, playwright, and screenwriter Kent Broadhurst 

• Also after novelist Kent Haruf

• Variants: Kenny and Ken

 

Leo

• Origin/Gender: Old English, German, and Latin boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Lion,” “lion-hearted,” or “brave people”

• Nature name that can also be a powerful choice for your baby

• Pronunciation: “lee-oh”

• Length: 3 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #22

• Namesakes: Famous Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy

• Also the names of several Roman Catholic pops (e.g., Pope Leo I the Great from the 440s)

• Variants: Leon 

 

Leonard

• Origin/Gender: Old English, Norman French, and German boy name

• Meaning/Description: Bold lion

• Pronunciation: “lee-oh-nard”

• Length: 7 letters, 3 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #713

• Namesakes: American actor Leonard Barrie “Barry” Corbin 

• Also after American film critic Leonard Maltin

• Variants: Leonardo (German and Italian), Lennard, Lenart (Slovene), and Lenard (Dutch)

 

Leslie

• Origin/Gender: Old English, Scottish, and Celtic unisex name

• Meaning/Description: “Holly garden” or “from the gray fortress”

• Pronunciation: “lez-lee”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+ (boy)

• Namesakes: American musician Leslie West 

• Also after American computer scientist Leslie Lamport

• Variants: Can also be spelled as “Lesley”

 

Lincoln

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Home by the pond,” “pool colony,” or “lake”

• Pronunciation: “lin-kuhn”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #54

• Namesakes: British-American computer scientist Lincoln Wallen 

• Also a name after Australian rugby player Lincoln Withers

• Variants: Lincon, Linkon, and Linken

 

Madison

• Origin/Gender: Old English unisex name

• Meaning/Description: Country boy name that means “good son” or “son of Matthew”

• Pronunciation: “ma-duh-sn”

• Length: 7 letters, 3 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+ (boy)

• Namesakes: American football player Madison Hedgecock 

• Also after American author Madison Jones 

• Variants: Maddison, Madyson, and Madisson

 

Morgan

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Old Welsh unisex name

• Meaning/Description: Mystical name that means “white sea dweller,” “sea-born,” or “sea circle”

• Pronunciation: “mor-gn”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #538 (boy)

• Namesakes: American baseball player Morgan Ensberg

• Other namesakes include American actor-producer Morgan Freeman 

• Variants: Muirgen (Irish), Morgen, Morggan, and Morggen

 

Nelson

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Son of a champion” or “son of Nell”

• Pronunciation: “nel-sn”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #797

• Namesakes: Former South African president and Nobel Peace Prize laureate (1993) Nelson Mandela

• Also after British singer Nelson Keene

• Variants: Neilson, Nilson, and Neilsson

 

Norman

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name 

• Meaning/Description: “Northerner” or “man from the north”

• Pronunciation: “nor-muhn”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American writer Norman Mailer

• Also after American painter Norman Rockwell 

• Variants: Normann and Norrman

 

Oliver

• Origin/Gender: Medieval English, Latin, and Old French boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Olive tree planter”

• Pronunciation: “ol-eeh-ver”

• Length: 6 letters, 3 syllable boy name

• Popularity/Rank: #3

• Namesakes: American physicist Oliver Keith Baker

• Also after British tennis player and actor Oliver Golding

• Variants: Comes from the Latin name “Olivarius”; nicknames include “Ollie”

 

Oscar

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Gaelic boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Spear of the gods,” “champion warrior,” or “deer-lover”

• Pronunciation: “aas-kr”

• Length: 5 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #201

• Namesakes: Italian high jumper Oscar Raise

• Also after Irish writer and poet Oscar Wilde

• Variants: Oskar and Osgar (Scottish Gaelic)

 

Parker

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Cultivated land” or an occupational name meaning “keeper of the park”

• Pronunciation: “park-ehr”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #94

• Namesakes: American professional baseball player Parker Dunshee

• Also after American actor Parker Stevenson

• Variants: Parkker, Parkley, Parky, and Parkie

 

Percival

• Origin/Gender: Old English and French name for boys

• Meaning/Description: Warrior name meaning “pierces the valley” or “pierce the vale”

• Pronunciation: “pur-suh-vl”

• Length: 8 letters, 3 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Among the legendary King Arthur’s knights of the round table

• Variants: Perceval, Parsifal, and Parzival; nicknames include “Percy”

 

Perry

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “From the pear tree” or “dweller by the pear tree”

• Pronunciation: “peh-ree”

• Length: 5 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American installation artist Perry Hoberman 

• Other namesakes include American football player Perry Hartnett

• Variants: Peri, Parri, Perri, and Parry

 

Presley

• Origin/Gender: Old English unisex name

• Meaning/Description: “From the clearing of the priest”

• Pronunciation: “prez-lee”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+ (boy)

• Namesakes: South African actor Presley Chweneyagae

• Also a last name (e.g., American singer and actor Elvis Presley)

• Variants: Pressley, Preslley, and Pressly

 

Ralph

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Wise counsel” or “wolf”

• Pronunciation: “rahlf”

• Length: 5 letters, 1 syllable

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American poet Ralph Waldo Emerson 

• Also after American actor Ralph Macchio

• Variants: Raul (Spanish), Raife, and Raif

 

Ramsey

• Origin/Gender: Old English unisex name

• Meaning/Description: “From the island of the rams” or “garlic island”

• Pronunciation: “ram-zee”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Also a last name (e.g., British guitarist Steve Ramsey)

• Variants: Ramsay

 

Randall

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Wolf shield” or “a person from the village edge or border area”

• Pronunciation: “ran-duhl”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American authors Randall Balmer and Randall Amster

• Variants: Randal, Rendell, Randell, and Randel

 

Reginald

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Latin boy name 

• Meaning/Description: “Ruler,” “strong,” or “counselor”

• Description: Royal name

• Pronunciation: “rej-un-nuhld”

• Length: 8 letters, 3 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Former NBA (National Basketball Association) player Reggie Miller (born Reginald Wayne Miller)

• Variants: Reinhold (German) and Reynaud (French)

 

Richard

• Origin/Gender: Old English, Norman French, and Old German boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Strong ruler” 

• Pronunciation: “rich-urd”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #219

• Namesakes: Famous namesakes include American actor Richard Gere

• Also after British tenor Richard Lewis

• Variants: Ricardo (Italian and Spanish), Rickard, and Rikard

 

Robert

• Origin/Gender: Old English and German boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Famous,” “bright,” or “bright fame”

• Pronunciation: “rob-uhrt”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank:#84

• Namesakes: American actor Robert Downey Jr. 

• Also after British actor Robert Pattinson

• Variants: Roberto (Italian), Ruprecht (German), and Robrecht (Dutch)

• Nicknames include “Bobby,” “Rob,” and “Bob”

 

Samuel

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Hebrew boy name

• Meaning/Description: “God has heard” or “asked of God”

• Pronunciation: “sa-myoo-uhl”

• Length: 6 letters, 3 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #20

• Namesakes: Biblical boy name for the prophet and judge (leader) in the Old Testament

• Other famous namesakes include singer Sam Smith and actor Samuel L Jackson

• Variants: Saamuel, Samuil, and Shmuel

 

Scott

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Latin boy name

• Meaning/Description: “From Scotland” or “the man with the shield”

• Pronunciation: “skot”

• Length: 5 letters, 1 syllable

• Popularity/Rank: #588

• Namesakes: Fictional character Scott Lang (Ant-Man) in the Marvel Comics universe

• Other famous namesakes include American musician Scott Ambush

• Variants: Scotty, Scottie, and Skott

 

Shaw

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “From the wood” or “dweller by the wood”

• Pronunciation: “shaa”

• Length: 4 letters, 1 syllable

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: British actor and TV presenter Shaw Taylor

• Also a middle name for boys (e.g., British writer on art and architecture Walter Shaw Sparrow)

• Variants: Shao

 

Sheldon

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: Country boy name that means “from the shelter of the hill” or “steep valley”

• Pronunciation: “shel-dn”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American Nobel Prize in Physics (1979) winner Sheldon Glashow

• Also after racing driver Sheldon Creed

• Variants: Sheldin, Shelldon, Shelddon, and Shieldon

 

Spencer

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Keeper,” dispenser,” or “steward”

• Pronunciation: “spen-sr”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #338

• Namesakes: American model and artist Spencer Elden 

• Also after American actor and musician Spencer Breslin

• Variants: Spenser and Spence

 

Stanley

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Lives by the stony grove,” “from the rocky meadow,” or “stony field”

• Pronunciation: “stan-lee”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #778

• Namesakes: American football player Stanley Berryhill 

• Also after American film director and writer Stanley Sheff

• Variants: Stanleigh and Stanly

 

Theodore

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Gift of God”

• Pronunciation: “thee-uh-dor”

• Length: 8 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #10

• Namesakes: Byzantine martyr and Warrior Saint Theodore Stratelates (from the 300s)

• Also after the 26th US President Theodore Roosevelt

• Variants: Theodorus (Latin), Theodoor (Dutch), and Teodor (Czech)

• Nicknames include “Teddy” and “Ted”

 

Thomas

• Origin/Gender: Old English, Aramaic, and Hebrew name

• Meaning/Description: Twin (twin name for boys)

• Pronunciation: “tom-uhs”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #45

• Namesakes: American actor and director Thomas Ellis Gibson 

• Other namesakes include American actor Thomas Mann 

• Variants: Tomass, Tomas, Thomaz, and Tommy

 

Todd

• Origin/Gender: Old and Middle English boy name

• Meaning/Description: Nature name that means “fox”

• Pronunciation: “tod”

• Length: 4 letters, 1 syllable

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American Christian musician-songwriter Todd Agnew 

• Also after Australian rugby player Todd Anderson

• Variants: Tadd, Thad, and Tod

 

Townsend

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “From the end of town”

• Pronunciation: “town-zend”

• Length: 8 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: 19th-century American merchant and politician Townsend Harris

• Also after motor racing driver Townsend Bell

• Variants: Townsende, Touunsende, Townesend, and Townshend 

 

Tucker

• Origin/Gender: Old English and German boy name

• Meaning/Description: Occupational name meaning “cloth softener” or “cloth weaver”

• Pronunciation: “tuh-kr”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #197

• Namesakes: American football player Tucker McCann

• Other namesakes include American ice hockey player Tucker Poolman

• Variants: Relates to the German name “Tucher”

 

Wade

• Origin/Gender: Old English, Anglo-Saxon English, and Scandinavian boy name

• Meaning/Description: “By the river crossing,” “to go,” or “crosser of the river”

• Pronunciation: “wayd”

• Length: 4 letters, 1 syllable

• Popularity/Rank: #346

• Namesakes: New Zealand race car driver Wade Cunningham

• Also after American basketball player Wade Baldwin IV

• Variants: Wayd and Waid

 

Waldo

• Origin/Gender: Old English and German boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Powerful ruler” or “famous bearer”

• Pronunciation: “waal-dow”

• Length: 5 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American novelist Waldo David Frank

• Other namesakes include screenwriter Waldo Miller Salt

• Variants: Walldo

 

Walter

• Origin/Gender: Old English and German boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Commander of the army”

• Pronunciation: “wol-tr”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #269

• Namesakes: American three-time Academy Award-winning actor Walter Brennan 

• Also a name after Dutch footballer Walter Waalderbos

• Variants: Nicknames can include “Walt” (e.g., Disney founder Walter Elias “Walt” Disney)

 

Wayne

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: Occupational name meaning “wagon maker”

• Pronunciation: “wayn”

• Length: 5 letters, 1 syllable

• Popularity/Rank: #769

• Namesakes: American author and sociologist Wayne Baker 

• Other namesakes include American journalist Wayne Brasler

• Also a last name (e.g., fictional character Bruce Wayne or Batman)

• Variants: Wayn and Wain

 

Wesley

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Anglo-Norman boy name

• Meaning/Description: Western boy name that means “from the clearing in the west”

• Pronunciation: “wez-lee”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #70

• Namesakes: American actor Wesley Snipes 

• Also after film director Wesley Anderson

• Variants: Weslee and Wessley 

 

Wilfred

• Origin/Gender: Old English and German boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Desire peace”

• Pronunciation: “wil-frid”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Puerto Rican boxer Wilfred Benítez

• Also after Bishop Wilfred Wood (the first black bishop in the Church of England)

• Variants: Wilfrid and Wilfrith

 

William

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Resolute protector”

• Pronunciation: “wil-yuhm”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank:#6

• Namesakes: Prince William (the Duke of Cambridge; England’s crown prince)

• Other namesakes include Brazilian newscaster-journalist William Bonner

• Variants: Nicknames include “Billy” and “Will”

 

Wright

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Scottish Gaelic boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Woodworker,” “wood shaper,” “carpenter,” or “craftsman”

• Pronunciation: “rite”

• Length: 6 letters, 1 syllable

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Also a last name (e.g., Australian rugby league footballer Broderick Wright; American football player Brock Wright)

• Variants: Wrighte and Right

 

What Are Old-Fashioned & Victorian-Era English Names?

Abbott

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Priest” or “father”

• Pronunciation: “ah-buht”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American naturalist and painter Abbott Handerson Thayer

• Variants: Abbot

 

Adney

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: Rare boy name that means “from the island of the nobleman”

• Pronunciation: “ad-nee”

• Length: 5 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: None

• Variants: Adenet and Addney

 

Aldwin

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Old friend” or “wise counselor”

• Pronunciation: “ahld-win”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: None

• Variants: Alddwin and Aldwinn

 

Almer

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Noble” or “nourishing and kind”

• Pronunciation: “ahl-mr”

• Length: 5 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: English footballer-manager Almer Hall (born Almeric George Hall)

• Variants: Allmer and Almerr

 

Averill

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: Warrior name that means “boar warrior” or “boar battle”

• Pronunciation: “ay-veh-ril”

• Length: 7 letters, 3 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: None

• Variants: Averil

 

Bentley

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Meadow with coarse grass,” “bent grass meadow,” or “from the clearing overgrown with bent grass”

• Pronunciation: “bent-lee”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #172

• Namesakes: American writer Bentley Little

• Also a last name (e.g., American country music singer Dierks Bentley)

• Variants: Bentlee, Bentleah, Bentelege, and Benetleg

 

Bertie

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Old German unisex name

• Meaning/Description: “Bright,” “bright raven,” “famous,” and “noble”

• Comes from the Old German word “beraht,” which means “bright” 

• Pronunciation: “bur-tee”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Fictional character Bertie Pollock in Alexander McCall Smith’s “The World According to Bertie”

• Also after retired Irish Gaelic footballer Bertie Cunningham

• Variants: Bert and Berty

 

Bertram

• Origin/Gender: Old English and German boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Bright raven”

• Pronunciation: “bur-truhm”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Historical name after the 6th-century bishop of Bordeaux Bertram

• Also after the Anglo-Saxon saint Beorhthelm of Stafford (also known as St. Bertram)

• Variants: Beorhthelm, Bartram, and Bertrand 

 

Charlton

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “From the farm of free peasants” or “settlement of free men”

• Pronunciation: “chaarl-tn”

• Length: 8 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Nigerian track and field athlete Charlton Ehizuelen

• Also after Australian tennis player Charlton Eagle

• Variants: Charleston and Charltton

 

Dayton

• Origin/Gender: “Old English boy name”

• Meaning/Description: “From the sunny town” or “ditch settlement”

• Pronunciation: “day-tn”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #1,000+

• Namesakes: American science fiction author Dayton Ward

• Also a last name (e.g., American illustrator Warren Dayton)

• Variants: Daytton and Daytonn

 

Egbert

• Origin/Gender: Old English, Germanic, and Anglo-Saxon boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Bright edge”

• Pronunciation: “egg-bert”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: German rower Egbert Hirschfelder

• Also a favorite name in the Middle Ages (e.g., King Egbert of Wessex in the 800s and Egbert of Liège from the 1000s)

• Variants: Eckbert, Ekbert, and Ecgbert

 

Everard

• Origin/Gender: Old English and German boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Hardy and brave”

• Pronunciation: “eh-vuh-rard”

• Length: 7 letters, 3 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: British inventor and railway engineer Everard Calthrop

• Also a magical name after the former Hogwarts School headmaster Professor Everard in the “Harry Potter” series

• Variants: Evererd, Everrard, and Everid

 

Everett

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Brave and strong bear” or “the strength or courage of a wild boar”

• Pronunciation: “eh-vr-uht”

• Length: 7 letters, 3 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #81

• Namesakes: American writer and playwright Everett De Morier

• Also after jazz guitarist Everett Barksdale

• Variants: Everet and Everitt

 

Geoffrey

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Norman French boy name

• Meaning/Description: “God’s peace”

• Pronunciation: “jeff-ree”

• Length: 8 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: English television presenter and actor Geoffrey Hayes

• Other namesakes include English poet and writer Geoffrey Chaucer

• Variants: Can also be spelled as “Jeffrey,” “Geffrey,” “Jeffory,” and “Jeffery”

 

Harper

• Origin/Gender: Old English unisex name

• Meaning/Description: Occupational name meaning “harpist” (one who plays the harp) or “minstrel”

• Pronunciation: “haar-pr”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+ (boy)

• Namesakes: American artist and musician Harper Goff 

• Other namesakes include American football player Harper LeBel

• Variants: Harpour, Harpur, Harpere, and Härpfer (German)

 

Horace

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Latin boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Time keeper” or “man of time”

• Pronunciation: “haw-ruhs”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American former NBA player Horace Jenkins 

• Also after Jamaican reggae singer Horace Andy 

• Variants: Relates to the Latin name “Horatius”

 

Hubert

• Origin/Gender: Old English and German boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Intelligent,” “bright or shining intellect,” or “right”

• Pronunciation: “hyoo-bert”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American philosopher Hubert Dreyfus

• Other namesakes include French comics creator Hubert Boulard

• Variants: Hubbert, Huberto (Spanish), Hobart, and Hubrecht (Dutch)

 

Lawrence

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Bright and shining one” or “the man from Laurentium (an ancient city in Rome)” 

• Pronunciation: “lorr-uhns”

• Length: 8 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #551

• Namesakes: Google Inc. co-founder Lawrence E. Page 

• Also after American opera singer Lawrence Brownlee

• Variants: Laurence and Lorenzo (Italian and Spanish); also relates to the Latin name “Laurentius”

 

Maurice

• Origin/Gender: Old English, Latin, and French name

• Meaning/Description: “One from Mauritania (an African country)” or a black boy name that means “dark-skinned” or “Moorish”

• Pronunciation: “maw-rees”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #1,000+

• Namesakes: Disney name after the fictional character Maurice (the father of Disney princess Belle in “Beauty and the Beast”)

• Variants: Morris, Mauricio (Spanish), and Maurits (Dutch)

 

Newton

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “From the new farm” or “new town”

• Pronunciation: “noo-tn”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: English singer-songwriter Newton Faulkner

• Historic name Newton D. Baker who served as the US Secretary of War during World War I

• Also a last name (e.g., English physicist, alchemist, mathematician, and philosopher Isaac Newton)

• Variants: Newtton

 

Nyle

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Celtic boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Island” or “champion”

• Pronunciation: “nyle”

• Length: 4 letters, 1 syllable

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American American model and actor Nyle DiMarco

• Also after American football coach Nyle Salmans 

• Variants: Nile and Niall

 

Peter

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Greek boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Stone” or “rock”

• Pronunciation: “pee-tr”

• Length: 5 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #214

• Namesakes: American actor and producer Peter Facinelli

• Other namesakes include Austrian badminton player Peter Zauner

• Also a biblical name for the apostle Simon (renamed Simon Peter), who became the rock of Christianity and the keeper of the keys of heaven’s gates, as appointed by Jesus

• Variants: Derived from the Greek name “Petros”

• Also spelled as Petter, Peterr, Pierre (French), and Pedro (Spanish)

 

Philip

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Greek name for boys

• Meaning/Description: “Fond of horses” or “friend of horses”

• Pronunciation: “fil-ip”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #494

• Namesakes: Prince Philip, the late Duke of Edinburgh

• Also the names of several kings in France, Portugal, Germany, etc. (e.g., King Philip of Belgium, Philip I of France, and the medieval King Philip of Sweden)

• Variants: Royal name relating to the Greek name “Philippos”

• Also spelled as Phillip and Philipp

 

Radford

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “From the ford covered in reeds” or “from the red ford” (name that means “red”)

• Pronunciation: “rahd-ford”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Also a last name (e.g., English film director and screenwriter Michael Radford and Zambian-born South African cricketer Wayne Radford)

• Variants: Raddford, Radfford, and Radforth

 

Raleigh

• Origin/Gender: Old English gender-neutral name

• Meaning/Description: “Deer’s meadow” or “from the clearing of the roe deer”

• Pronunciation: “rah-lee”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American artifact collector Raleigh DeGeer Amyx

• Also after Australian botanist Raleigh Black

• Variants: Ralegh, Rawleigh, Rawley, and Rallee

 

Willard

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Strong desire”

• Pronunciation: “will-ahrd”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American author Willard Huntington Wright (pen name S. S. Van Dine) 

• Also after American actor-rapper Willard Carroll Smith II (stage name Will Smith) 

• Variants: Willard; nicknames can also include “Will”

 

What Are Classic British Names?

Addison

• Origin/Gender: Old English unisex name

• Meaning/Description: “Adam’s son”; but also a baby girl name

• Pronunciation: “ahd-eeh-suhn”

• Length: 7 letters, 3 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+ (boy)

• Namesakes: American scientist Addison Bain

• Also after noted architect and builder Addison Kimball (several of his works are now part of the US National Register of Historic Places)

• Variants: Adison and Addyson 

 

Alan

• Origin/Gender: Old English, Celtic, and Welsh boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Handsome” or “cheerful”

• Pronunciation: “ah-lan”

• Length: 4 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #189

• Namesakes: American animator and YouTube personality Alan Becker

• Also after British composer-pianist Alan Bush

• Variants: Relates to the Welsh name “Alun”; also spelled as “Allan”

 

Alcott

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “The old cottage” or “from the oak cottage”

• Pronunciation: “awl-kot”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Also a last name (e.g., American philosopher Amos Bronson Alcott)

• Variants: Allcott, Alcot, and Alccott

 

Andrew

• Origin/Gender: Old English, Hebrew, and Greek boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Strong,” “brave,” and “manly”

• Pronunciation: “an-droo”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #61

• Namesakes: Former US Presidents Andrew Jackson (7th) and Andrew Johnson (17th)

• Also a biblical boy name after one of Jesus’ 12 disciples

• Variants: Comes from the ancient Greek name “Andreas”

• Also spelled as Anders (Scandinavian boy name and André (French and Portuguese)

 

Archibald

• Origin/Gender: Old English, Old German, and Scottish boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Strong,” “genuine,” and “bold”

• Pronunciation: “ahr-chee-bawld”

• Length: 9 letters, 3 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Scottish author Archibald Joseph Cronin

• Also a middle name (e.g., American theoretical physicist John Archibald Wheeler)

• Variants: Arquibaldo (Portuguese), Archambault (French), and Archivaldo

• Nicknames can include “Archie”

 

Arnold

• Origin/Gender: Old English and German boy name

• Meaning/Description: Powerful name that means “eagle power” or “strong ruler”

• Pronunciation: “aar-nuhld”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Austrian-born American actor Arnold Schwarzenegger

• Also after American folk artist Arnold Kramer

• Variants: Arnoud, Arnaud, and Arnault

 

Brandon

• Origin/Gender: Old English, Celtic, Scandinavian, Old Welsh, and Irish boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Beacon hill,” “chieftain,” and “prince or king”

• Pronunciation: “bran-duhn”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #211

• Namesakes: Canadian actor Brandon Jay McLaren 

• Also after American voice actor Brandon McInnis

• Variants: Brân (Old Welsh) or Breandán (Irish given name)

 

Clarence

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Latin boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Bright” and “clear”

• Pronunciation: “kleh-ruhns”

• Length: 8 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Blind US soul singer and musician Clarence Carter

• Other namesakes include Clarence Avant, known as the “God Father of Black Music” 

• Variants: Clarrance, Clarrence, Klarance, and Klarenz

 

Colin

• Origin/Gender: Old English, Gaelic, Scottish, and Greek boy name

• Meaning/Description: “People of victory” or “young creature”

• Pronunciation: “kol-uhn”

• Length: 5 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #293

• Namesakes: English actor-producer Colin Andrew Firth CBE

• Another namesake is Irish actor Colin James Farrell 

• Variants: Collin and Collinn

 

Cuthbert

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Bright and famous” or “brilliant”

• Pronunciation: “kuhth-bert”

• Length: 8 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Fictional name after Hogwarts Professor Cuthbert Binns in the “Harry Potter” series

• Variants: Cuthburt, Cudbert, and Cudberd

 

Daniel

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Hebrew boy name

• Meaning/Description: “God is my judge”

• Pronunciation: “dayn-yuhl”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #14

• Namesakes: American cartoonist Dan DeCarlo and racing car driver Dan Gurney

• Also a biblical boy name for the prayerful man who survived being thrown into the lion’s den after God sent angels to protect him

• Variants: Danniel, Daniyel, and Danilo (Italian and Spanish)

 

Edric

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Anglo-Saxon boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Rich and powerful”

• Pronunciation: “ed-reek”

• Length: 5 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Fictional character Edric in Frank Herbert’s sci-fi novel “Dune Messiah”

• Variants: Eadric, Edrik, and Eddric

 

Ellery

• Origin/Gender: Old English unisex name

• Meaning/Description: “From the alder tree” or “joyful”

• Pronunciation: “el-uh-ree”

• Length: 6 letters, 3 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Also a middle name (e.g., American solar astronomer George Ellery Hale and Transcendental poet William Ellery Channing)

• Variants: Elrey, Elarey, Ellerry, and Ellary

 

Gerald

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Rules with a spear”

• Pronunciation: “jerr-uhld”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #1,000+

• Namesakes: 38th US President Gerald Ford 

• Other namesakes include American basketball player Gerald Wallace 

• Variants: Nicknames can include “Gerry”

 

Godwin

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “God’s friend”

• Pronunciation: “god-win”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American football player Godwin Igwebuike 

• Other namesakes include Nigerian badminton player Godwin Olofua

• Variants: Godwine and Goddwin

 

Gordon

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Scottish boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Great hill,” “fort,” “spacious,” or “from the marshes”

• Pronunciation: “gor-duhn”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #968

• Namesakes: Scottish celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay 

• Other namesakes include Canadian singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot

• Variants: Gordie and Gòrdan

 

Grayson

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Son of Gary” or “son of a gray-haired man”

• Pronunciation: “gray-suhn”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #37

• Namesakes: American baseball player Grayson Rodriguez 

• Other namesakes include American golfer Grayson Murray

• Can also be a middle name for boys

• Variants: Greyson (British), Graysen, and Gracen

 

Howard

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Army guard,” “high defender” or “chief guardian”

• Pronunciation: “how-urd”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #1,000+

• Namesakes: British novelist and journalist Howard Jacobson

• Also after American fine art photographer Howard Schatz

• Variants: Hereward and Howward

 

King

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Ruler” or “monarch”

• Pronunciation: “king”

• Length: 4 letters, 1 syllable

• Popularity/Rank: #222

• Namesakes: American film director, screenwriter, and producer King Wallis Vidor

• Also considered a middle name and nickname

• Variants: None

 

Lewis

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Renowned fighter” or “famous warrior”

• Pronunciation: “loo-uhs”

• Length: 5 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #489

• Namesakes: Lewis Carroll (famous pen name of English author Charles Lutwidge Dodgson; he wrote “Alice in Wonderland”)

• Also after American football player Lewis Kidd

• Variants: Ludwig (German) and Ludvig (Scandinavian)

 

Louis

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: Warrior name that means “renowned warrior” or “loot bringer”

• Pronunciation: “lou-eeh”

• Length: 5 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #246

• Namesakes: Prince name after Prince Louis (the youngest son of Prince William and Kate Middleton)

• Variants: Luis (Spanish) and Luay (Arabic boy name)

 

Mark

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Latin boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Of Mars (the Roman god of war),” “consecrated to the god Mars,” or “to be warlike”

• Pronunciation: “mark”

• Length: 4 letters, 1 syllable

• Popularity/Rank: #247

• Namesakes: Popular biblical name (e.g., Mark the Evangelist, St. Paul’s associate and St. Peter’s disciple)

• Other famous namesakes include American actor Mark Wahlberg

• Also after American author Mark Twain

• Variants: Marc, Marek (Estonian), Marcus, Margh (Cornish – Celtic boy name), and Marco (Dutch and Italian)

 

Martin

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Latin boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Warrior of Mars (the Roman god of war)”

• Pronunciation: “mart-een”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #305

• Namesakes: Academy Award-winning film editor Martin Walsh 

• Also after British middle-distance runner Martin Steele

• Variants: Alternative spellings include Martyn and Maarten

 

Matthew

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Hebrew boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Gift of God”

• Pronunciation: “math-yoo”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #39

• Namesakes: Australian freestyle and medley swimmer Matthew Dunn 

• Other namesakes include American racewalker Matthew Forgues

• Biblical name for one of Jesus’ 12 disciples and the author of the first gospel (The Book of Mark in the New Testament)

• Variants: Mat, Mattiyahu (Hebrew), and Mathaios (Greek)

 

Michael

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Hebrew boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Gift of God” or “who is like God?”

• Pronunciation: “mai-kl”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #16

• Namesakes: English actor and rock singer Michael Des Barres 

• Other namesakes include American TV screenwriter Michael Berk

• Also a biblical and angel name (after Michael, the archangel)

• Variants: Mikael (Swedish), Michal (Polish), Mikkel (Danish and Norwegian), and Miguel (Spanish and Portuguese)

 

Morris

• Origin/Gender: Old English, French, and Latin boy name

• Meaning/Description: “One from Mauritania (a country) in Africa”

• Pronunciation: “morr-is”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American professional basketball player Morris Almond

• Other namesakes include Kenyan cricketer Morris Ouma

• Also a last name (e.g., Jamaican poet Mervyn Morris)

• Variants: Moritz and Moriz

 

Owen

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Welsh boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Young warrior” or “noble-born”

• Pronunciation: “oh-in”

• Length: 4 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #18

• Namesakes: American writer Owen Wister and actor Owen Wilson

• Variants: Alternative spellings include “Owain” and “Owyn”

 

Patrick

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Irish name

• Meaning/Description: “Patrician” or “nobleman”

• Pronunciation: “pat-rik”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #218

• Namesakes: American inventor Patrick Flanagan 

• Also after British actor Patrick Stewart

• Variants: Latin name “Patricius”

 

Raymond

• Origin/Gender: English, Norman French, and German boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Guards wisely,” “protecting hands,” or “wise protector”

• Pronunciation: “ray-muhnd”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #343

• Namesakes: American sculptor Raymond Kaskey

• Tough boy name after professional wrestler Raymond Rowe

• Variants: Raimund, Raimond, Ramundi, and Raimondo

• Nicknames include “Ray” (also a nonbinary name)

 

Roland

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Old German boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Famous or renowned throughout the land”

• Pronunciation: “row-luhnd”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #608

• Namesakes: French archaeologist Roland Étienne

• Also after American house music DJ, songwriter, and producer Roland Clark

• Variants: Rowland, Roldán, and Rolando

 

Ronald

• Origin/Gender: Old English, Scandinavian, and Norse boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Powerful ruler” or “counsel”

• Pronunciation: “row-nald”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #559

• Namesakes: English actor Ronald Colman

• Also after the fictional character Ronald Weasley in the “Harry Potter” series

• Variants: Rainald, Ronaldo, and Renaud

• Nicknames can include “Ron” (also a standalone given name)

 

Stephen

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Greek boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Wreath” or “crown”

• Pronunciation: “steff-en”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #359

• Namesakes: American wrestler, producer, and actor Steven James Anderson

• Other namesakes include American author Stephen King

• Also after American film director Stephen Clark Balderson

• Variants: Comes from the Greek name “Stephanos”

• Can also be spelled as “Steven”

 

Tom

• Origin/Gender: English, Aramaic, and Hebrew boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Twin” (derived from “Thomas”)

• Pronunciation: “tom”

• Length: 3 letters, 1 syllable

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American soccer defender Tom Hardy

• Other namesakes include English diver Tom Daley

• Also after American retired professional wrestler Tom Stone

• Variants: Tomé and Thom

 

Victor

• Origin/Gender: Old English, Greek, and Latin boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Conqueror” or “victor”

• Pronunciation: “vik-tohr”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #213

• Namesakes: American puppeteer and voice actor Victor Yerrid 

• Other namesakes include boxer Victor Ortíz 

• Variants: Also spelled “Vittorio” as an Italian boy name

 

What Are Medieval Names For Men?

Aeldra

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Anglo-Saxon unisex name

• Meaning/Description: Rare boy name that means “noble” or “lives at the elder tree”

• Pronunciation: “ayld-rah”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: None

• Variants: Viktor, Vitor, and Vittorio (Italian)

 

Aldred

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Wise counselor” or “old counsel”

• Pronunciation: “awl-dred”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Historic name after 10th-century Northumbrian bishop Aldred of Lindisfarne 

• Other namesakes include Aldred Lumley (the 10th Earl of Scarbrough, a town in England)

• Also a last name (e.g., British rower Mark Aldred)

• Variants: Aldret and Aldreth

 

Alexander

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Greek boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Defender of men”

• Pronunciation: “ah-lex-ahn-der”

• Length: 9 letters, 4 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #17

• Namesakes: Macedonia (an Ancient Greek kingdom) King Alexander the Great; also called Alexander III of Macedon

• Variants: Variants include the nonbinary name “Alex,” Alessandro (Italian name), Alejandro (Spanish and Hispanic name), and Aleksander (Czech or Polish)

 

Alger

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Elf spear”

• Pronunciation: “ahl-jr”

• Length: 5 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American football and basketball coach Alger H. Wood

• Also a last name (e.g., German football player Paul Alger)

• Variants: Algar, Alger, and Aucher

 

Alston

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Anglo-Saxon boy name

• Meaning/Description: Country boy name meaning “from the noble’s town,” “noble one’s settlement, or old stone

• Pronunciation: “aal-stn”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American mathematician Alston Scott Householder

• Also after Sri Lankan singer-songwriter and record producer Alston Koch

• Variants: Alstone and Allston

 

Bronson

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Son of Brown” or “son of brown-haired one”

• Pronunciation: “braan-sn”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #944

• Namesakes: American professional golfer Bronson Burgoon

• Also after American major league pitcher Bronson Arroyo (part of the 2004 Boston Red Sox World Series team)

• Variants: Bronnson and Bronsson

 

Claude

• Origin/Gender: French name

• Meaning/Description: “Limping” or “lame”

• Pronunciation: “klawd”

• Length: 6 letters, 1 syllable

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Even with this meaning, many parents choose this name for their children

• Some famous namesakes include French painter Claude Monet and actor Belgian Jean Claude Van Damme

• Variants: Claud, Claudius, and Claudio (Italian)

 

Dickinson

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Powerful, rich ruler” or “son of Dick (Richard)”

• Pronunciation: “dee-kuhn-sn”

• Length: 9 letters, 3 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Also a last name (e.g., Canadian pianist Brian Dickinson and professional ice hockey player Jason Dickinson)

• Can also work as a middle name for boys

• Variants: Dickenson and Dickanson

 

Dunstan

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Dark stone”

• Pronunciation: “dun-stuhn”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: St. Dunstan (the 10th-century Archbishop of Canterbury)

• Also a last name (e.g., Canadian-American voice actor Darren Dunstan)

• Variants: Dunnstan

 

Eldred

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Anglo-Saxon boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Old counsel” or “venerable“

• Pronunciation: “el-drid”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American actor Eldred Gregory Peck and Sierra Leonean academic and literary critic Professor Eldred Durosimi Jones

• Variants: Aldred and Elddred

 

Elliot

• Origin/Gender: Old English gender-neutral name

• Meaning/Description: “Noble battle” or “the Lord is my God”

• Pronunciation: “el-eeh-uht”

• Length: 6 letters, 3 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #150

• Namesakes: English actor Elliot Cowan and American jazz keyboardist Elliot Levine

• Variants: Elliott, Eliot, and Elyot

 

Hadley

• Origin/Gender: Old English unisex name

• Meaning/Description: Country name meaning “heath-covered meadow” or “heather field”

• Pronunciation: “had-lee”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+ (boy)

• Namesakes: UK fashion journalist Hadley Freeman

• Also after New Zealand data scientist and software developer Hadley Wickham

• Variants: Hadlee and Hadleigh

 

Rare & Unique Old English Names For Boys

Alford

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “From the old ford” 

• Pronunciation: “ahl-ford”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Place name after several towns and cities in the US, England, Australia, and Scotland;

• Also a last name (e.g., American basketball player and head coach Steve Alford and British historian Stephen Alford)

• Variants: Allford, Alfford, and Alsford 

 

Bond

• Origin/Gender: Old English unisex name

• Meaning/Description: “Tiller of the soil,” “farmer,” or “tied to the land”

• Pronunciation: “bond”

• Length: 4 letters, 1 syllable

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Also a last name (e.g., English rugby union player Tony Bond and American basketball player Phil Bond)

• Variants: Bondi (Old Norse) and Bunde

 

Booth

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Hut,” “cottage,” or “small dwelling place”

• Pronunciation: “booth”

• Length: 5 letters, 1 syllable

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American film, TV, and stage actor Booth Colman

• Also after American writer Booth Tarkington

• Variants: Bothe (Middle English)

 

Carling

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “From the hill where the old women gather” or “little champion”

• Pronunciation: “kaar-luhng”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Place name after the township of Carling in Ontario, Canada

• Also a last name (e.g., American historical fiction novelist John Carling)

• Variants: Carlynd, Carlin, Karlynd, Karlin, and Carland

 

Eardley

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “From the clearing by the home” 

• Pronunciation: “urd-lee”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: English artist and art dealer Eardley Knollys and Sri Lankan radio announcer Eardley Peiris

• Also last name (e.g., English footballer Bert Eardley)

• Variants: Ardley, Ardeley, and Ardleigh

 

Gladstone

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Scottish boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Kite-shaped stone”

• Pronunciation: “glad-stown”

• Length: 9 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Place name after several towns and cities in the US, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Canada, and Australia

• Also a Disney name after Gladstone Gander, Donald Duck’s cousin

• Variants: Gladston, Gledstanes, and Gledstone

 

Manton

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “From the hero’s village”

• Pronunciation: “man-tuhn”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Historic name after US Army Lieutenant General Manton Eddy (1892-1962)

• Also a last name (e.g., British mathematical physicist Nicholas Manton)

• Variants: Mantton

 

Ogden

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “From the valley of oak trees”

• Pronunciation: “aag-dn”

• Length: 5 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American poet Ogden Nash and tennis player and philanthropist Ogden Phipps

• Also a middle name (e.g., American actor David Ogden Stiers)

• Also a last name (e.g., fictional character Tiberius Ogden in the “Harry Potter” series)

• Variants: Ogdon, Oggden, and Ogdenn

 

Orton

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “From the town by the sea” or “from the shore farm”

• Pronunciation: “ohr-tuhn”

• Length: 5 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Also a last name (e.g., American professional wrestler and actor Randal Keith Orton)

• Variants: Orrton, Ortton, and Ortonn

 

Country-Themed Old English Names For Boys

Ackerley

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “From the clearing of oak trees” or “oak meadow”

• Pronunciation: “ayk-er-lee”

• Length: 8 letters, 3 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Also a last name (e.g., British author and literary journalist Joe Randolph Ackerley)

• Variants: Akerley, Ackerly, and Akeley

 

Acton

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Town in the oak trees” or “oak tree settlement”

• Pronunciation: “ak-tuhn”

• Length: 5 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Fictional character Acton in “The Sword of Shannara” book series

• Variants: Akton, Ackton, Actton, and Accton

 

Aldis

• Origin/Gender: Old English unisex name

• Meaning/Description: “From the old house,” “elder,” or “old one” (‘old man’ boy name)

• Pronunciation: “aal-dis”

• Length: 5 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American film and TV actor Aldis Hodge

• Also after Latvian-American volleyball player and Olympic medalist Aldis Bērziņš

• Variants: Alddis and Alldis

 

Bancroft

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Bean field” or “dweller near the bean farm”

• Pronunciation: “ban-kroft”

• Length: 8 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Also a last name (e.g., British jazz drummer and composer Tom Bancroft and Canadian actor Cameron Bancroft)

• Variants: Bamcroft, Bankroft, and Bancrofte

 

Barclay

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Scottish boy name

• Meaning/Description: Earthy name that means “birch tree meadow” or “where birches grow”

• Pronunciation: “bar-klee”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Canadian actor Barclay Hope and founder of the American Sail Training Association Barclay Harding Warburton III

• Also a western boy name after William Barclay “Bat” Masterson, an American Wild West figure

• Variants: Berkeley 

 

Barden

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “From the valley of barley”

• Pronunciation: “bar-dn”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Also a last name (e.g., British rugby union player Greg Barden and singer-songwriter Gary Barden)

• Variants: Bardem, Bardyn, and Bardene

 

Calvert

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: Country boy name meaning “one who is a shepherd or cowboy”

• Pronunciation: “kal-vert”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American actor and comedian Calvert DeForest

• Also a middle name (e.g., American writer Thomas Calvert McClary) and a last name (e.g., English saxophonist Robert Calvert)

• Variants: Calbert, Calverte, and Kallvart

 

Devon

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Irish boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Deep valley dwellers” and “defender”

• Pronunciation: “dev-uhn”

• Length: 5 letters, 2 syllables 

• Popularity/Rank: #837

• Namesakes: American athlete Devon Allen and English actor Devon Carlo Anderson

• Variants: Devin

 

Garrett

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: Warrior name that means “brave spearman” or “spear strength”

• Pronunciation: “gayr-et”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #463

• Namesakes: American actor, singer, and dancer Garrett Clayton

• Also after drummer Garrett Hammond

• Variants: Garret, Garrod (French), Garratt (Ireland), and Jarratt (English)

 

Garson

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Son of the spear” or “to protect”

• Pronunciation: “gahr-sn”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American film director Garson Kanin

• Also a last name (e.g., American actor Willie Garson)

• Variants: Garrison, Garcon, Gerson, and Gershon

 

Marlow

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “From the hillside lake”

• Pronunciation: “mar-low”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Place name after some cities and towns in the US and United Kingdom

• Also a last name (e.g., American realist painter Ken Marlow)

• Variants: Marlowe

 

Milton

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “From the mill by the farm”

• Pronunciation: “mil-tuhn”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American high jumper Milton Goode and English comedian Milton Jones

• Variants: Milten and Millton

 

Morten

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “From the farm by the moor”

• Pronunciation: “mor-ten”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American composer Morten Lauridsen and Danish handball player Morten Stig Christensen

• Variants: Morton

 

Remington

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “From a town near the border”

• Pronunciation: “reh-muhng-tn”

• Length: 9 letters, 3 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #244

• Namesakes: American painter, writer, and illustrator Remington Schuyler

• Also after British merchant and author Remington Norman

• Variants: Rimmington, Remmington, and Rimington

 

Stetson

• Origin: Anglo-Saxon and Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Boxer,” “fighter,” or “a wild person”; can also mean son of Stephen

• Pronunciation: “stet-sn”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank:  #238

• Namesakes: American football player Stetson Bennett and writer Jeff Stetson

• Variants: Stettson and Stetsson

 

Nature-Inspired Old English Names For Boys

Aiken

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Made of oak” or “keeper of horses”

• Pronunciation: “ay-kn ”

• Length: 5 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Also a last name (e.g., American singer and TV personality Clayton Holmes Aiken)

• Variants: Aikken and Aikenn

 

Ainsley

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Scottish gender-neutral name

• Meaning/Description: Unisex place name meaning “hermitage and clearing” or “meadow”

• Pronunciation: “aynz-lee”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+ (boy)

• Namesakes: English footballer Ainsley Maitland-Niles and chef and television presenter Ainsley Harriott

• Variants: Ainslee and Ainslie

 

Alder

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: Nature name that means “from the alder tree”

• Pronunciation: “aal-dr”

• Length: 5 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Anime boy name after Alder, the Unova region Champion in “Pokemon Black and White”

• Also a last name (e.g., American pioneer Jonathan Alder)

• Variants: Aldder

 

Farley

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “From the clearing of the bull”

• Pronunciation: “far-lee”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: British musician Farley Flex

• Also after Farley Katz, an American humorist in The New Yorker

• Variants: Farrley and Farlley

 

Lionel

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Latin boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Young lion”

• Pronunciation: “ly-uh-nuhl”

• Length: 6 letters, 3 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #619

• Namesakes: American singer, songwriter, and musician Lionel Richie

• Also after author Lionel Shriver

• Variants: Lionnell, Lyonnel, Lyonnell, and Lyinell

 

Morley

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “From the clearing by the moor”

• Pronunciation: “mor-lee”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Los Angeles street artist Morley 

• Also after Canadian novelist, short story writer, and playwright Morley Callaghan

• Variants: Moorley, Morely, and Morleigh

 

Wallabee

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: A twist to the nature name “Wallaby” (an Australian animal)

• Pronunciation: “wah-lah-bee”

• Length: 8 letters, 3 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: None

• Variants: Wallaby

 

Old-Timey Names For Your Little Man

What Are Vintage Names?

Adamson

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Son of Adam”

• Pronunciation: “ad-uhm-suhn”

• Length: 7 letters, 3 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Also a last name (e.g., British actor Nej Adamson and Scottish footballer Jimmy Adamson)

• Variants: Adamsson

 

Dane

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Scandinavian boy name

• Meaning/Description: “From Denmark,” “dweller in the valley,” or “God is my judge”

• Pronunciation: “dayn”

• Length: 4 letters, 1 syllable

• Popularity/Rank: #875

• Namesakes: Australian racewalking athlete Dane Bird-Smith

• Another namesake is American basketball coach Dane Fischer

• Variants: Dene, Dayn, and Dean

 

Everild

• Origin/Gender: Old English unisex name

• Meaning/Description: “Slayer” or “boar battle”

• Pronunciation: “ev-ehr-ild”

• Length: 7 letters, 3 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: None

• Variants: Eoforhild (Anglo-Saxon) and Averil

 

Fairfax

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Blond-haired” or “fair hair”

• Pronunciation: “fair-faks”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American writer and military historian Fairfax Downey 

• Other namesakes include New Zealand cricketer Fairfax Fenwick

• Also a last name (e.g., Australian rugby league footballer Russell Fairfax)

• Variants: Farefax

 

Flint

• Origin/Gender: Old English nonbinary name

• Meaning/Description: “Flint rock (name of the stone)” or “born near an outcrop of flint”; name that relates to fire

• Pronunciation: “flint”

• Length: 5 letters, 1 syllable

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American screenwriter Flint Dille

• Variants: None

 

Ford

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Ford of the river (a shallow place where water can cross),” “dweller at the ford,” or river crossing”

• Pronunciation: “ford”

• Length: 4 letters, 1 syllable

• Popularity/Rank: #473

• Namesakes: American screenwriter Ford Beebe and English painter Ford Madox Brown

• Variants: Forde and Fordd

 

Jesse

• Origin/Gender: Old English, Dutch, and Hebrew 

• Meaning/Description: “Gift,” “God’s gift,” “wealthy,” “king,” or “the Lord exists”

• Pronunciation: “jeh-see”

• Length: 5 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #194

• Namesakes: American actors Jesse Heiman, Jesse Metcalfe, and Jesse Bradford

• Also a biblical boy name for King David’s father

• Variants: Jessy and Jessie

 

Rockley

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “From the rocky clearing” or “rock meadow”

• Pronunciation: “rok-lee”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Also a middle name for boys after English amateur first-class cricketer Rockley Wilson (born Evelyn Rockley Wilson)

• Variants: Rocklly, Rokley, Ruckley, and Rocley

 

Romney

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Welsh boy name

• Meaning/Description: “From the broad river” or “winding river”

• Pronunciation: “raam-nee”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Also a last name after English painter George Romney

• Variants: Ramney

 

Rudyard

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “From the red enclosure” or a name that means “red”

• Pronunciation: “rud-yard”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Famous English author and poet Rudyard Kipling

• Also after Canadian TV anchor Rudyard Griffiths

• Variants: Ruddyard

 

Rylan

• Origin/Gender: Old English gender-neutral name

• Meaning/Description: “Dweller in the rye field,” “little king,” or “island meadow”

• Pronunciation: “rai-luhn”

• Length: 5 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #376

• Namesakes: Canadian hockey player Rylan Parenteau

• Variants: Ryland

 

What Are Fancy & Cool Male Names?

Ainsworth 

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Anglo-Saxon boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Ann’s estate” or “enclosure”

• Pronunciation: “aynz-worth”

• Length: 9 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Also a last name (e.g., English footballer Lionel Ainsworth and historical novelist William Harrison Ainsworth)

• Variants: None

 

Alec

• Origin/Gender: Old English, Greek, and Scottish boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Defender of mankind”

• Pronunciation: “ah-luhk”

• Length: 4 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #739

• Namesakes: American actor Alec Baldwin

• Other namesakes include New Zealand musician Alec Bathgate

• Variants: A standalone given name or nickname for longer names like “Alexander”

 

Baxter 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: Occupational name meaning “baker”

• Pronunciation: “baks-tehr”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: English pop singer and Indie musician Baxter Dury

• Also after American cowboy and poet Baxter Black 

• Variants: Bakstere

 

Blade

• Origin/Gender: Old English nonbinary name

• Meaning/Description: “Glory” or “sharp portion of the knife or sword”

• Pronunciation: “blayd”

• Length: 5 letters, 1 syllable

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Blade Colton Hart (the son of Canadian wrestler Bret Hart)

• Also a last name (e.g., Irish rugby player Caolin Blade and American drummer-composer Brian Blade)

• Variants: None

 

Dennis

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Greek boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Follower of Dionysus (the Greek god of wine)”

• Pronunciation: “den-is”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #653

• Namesakes: American radio host Dennis Prager and German conceptual artist Dennis Rudolph

• Variants: Denis, Denys, and Denniz

 

Erling

• Origin/Gender: Old English, Scandinavian, and Old Norse boy name

• Meaning/Description: A royal name that means “the firstborn son of the earl” or “descendant of an earl”

• Pronunciation: “er-ling”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American contemporary composer Erling Wold

• Other namesakes include Norwegian jazz pianist and composer Erling Aksdal

• Variants: Eerling and Erlling

 

Evan

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Welsh gender-neutral name

• Meaning/Description: “God is gracious,” “good man,” or “good messenger”

• Pronunciation: “eh-vuhn”

• Length: 4 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #134

• Namesakes: Canadian filmmaker and comedian Evan D. Goldberg

• Also after American novelist Evan Dara

• Variants: Ivan and Evann

 

Hector

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Greek boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Holding fast” or “steadfast”

• Pronunciation: “hek-tr”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #354

• Namesakes: Australian radio and TV producer Hector Crawford

• Also after French composer Hector Berlioz

• Variants: Also spelled as “Hektor”

 

Joss

• Origin/Gender: Old English and German gender-neutral name

• Meaning/Description: “The merry one” or “little Goth”

• Pronunciation: “jaas”

• Length: 4 letters, 1 syllable

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American freestyle skier and Olympic gold medalist (2014) Joss Christensen

• Also after English footballer Joss Labadie

• Variants: Josh

 

Nightfall

• Origin/Gender: Old English unisex name 

• Meaning/Description: “Dusk,” “darkness,” or “night”

• Pronunciation: “nite-faal”

• Length: 9 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: After the deck-building card game “Nightfall”

• Variants: Night Fall

 

What Are Good Names For An Old Man?

Aldrich

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Old and wise” or “ruler”

• Pronunciation: “awl-drich”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American film director Aldrich Robert Burgess

• Also a place name after some cities or towns in the US (e.g., Aldrich, Minnesota)

• Variants: Aldritch, Aldridge, and Aldrych

 

Alfie

• Origin/Gender: Old English unisex name

• Meaning/Description: “Wise counsel”

• Pronunciation: “ael-fee”

• Length: 5 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American mathematician, musician, and singer-songwriter Alfie Agnew

• Other namesakes include English actor Alfie Allen

• Variants: Alffie

 

Algernon

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Wearing a mustache”

• Pronunciation: “al-juhr-nun”

• Length: 8 letters, 3 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: English novelist Algernon Henry Blackwood and poet Algernon Charles Swinburne

• Variants: Alggernon

 

Anthony

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Latin boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Highly praiseworthy” and “priceless one”

• Pronunciation: “an-tuh-nee”

• Length: 7 letters, 3 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #44

• Namesakes: American celebrity chef Anthony Michael Bourdain

• Other namesakes include Anthony Hopkins (Sir Philip Anthony Hopkins CBE)

• Variants: “Antoni,” “Antoin,” “Anton,” and “Antonio” (Italian and Spanish)

 

Bud

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Herald,” “friend,” “brother,” or “sprouting plant”

• Can also be a pet name or a shortened form of the endearment “buddy”

• Pronunciation: “bud”

• Length: 3 letters, 1 syllable

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American radio actor, announcer, and game show host Bud Collyer

• Also a common nickname (e.g., American jazz pianist Earl Rudolph “Bud” Powell and comedian William Alexander “Bud” Abbott)

• Variants: Buddy

 

Rudd

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Red-faced” or “ruddy-skinned (red face and lips)”

• Pronunciation: “ruhd”

• Length: 4 letters, 1 syllable

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Also a last name (e.g., American film and stage actor Paul Rudd and English cricketer Christopher Rudd)

• Variants: Rutt, Rud, Routt, and Roud

 

Place & Travel-Inspired Old English Boy Names

Afton

• Origin/Gender: Old English, Swedish, and Scottish unisex name

• Meaning/Description: “From the Afton river,” “evening,” or “afternoon”

• Pronunciation: “af-tuhn”

• Length: 5 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Also a place name after several towns and cities in the US, Canada, and United Kingdom

• Variants: Affton and Aftton

 

Cobham

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Village with the cottage”

• Pronunciation: “kaa-bm”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Place name after a borough in Surrey, England

• Variants: Cobbam

 

Elford

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Elder tree ford” or “ford near the elder tree”

• Pronunciation: “ehl-ford”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Place name after the Elford village in Staffordshire, England

• Also a last name (e.g., Australian rugby league player Shane Elford)

• Variants: Ellford and Elfford

 

Greeley

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Gray meadow”

• Pronunciation: “gree-lee”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Place name after several cities and towns in the US (e.g., Greeley, Colorado)

• Variants: Greely and Greelley

 

Melbourne

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English unisex name

• Meaning/Description: “Mill stream”

• Pronunciation: “mel-born”

• Length: 9 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Place name after the city of Melbourne in Victoria, Australia

• Variants: Melborn

 

Old English Names For Boys From A To Z

Old English Names For Boys Starting With A

Aegen

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Principle,” “first,” or “one”

• Pronunciation: “uh-jen”

• Length: 5 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: None

• Variants: Aegon and Aegean

 

Aegenbald

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “The first bold one” or “bold principle”

• Pronunciation: “un-jen-bald”

• Length: 9 letters, 3 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: None

• Variants: Ægenbald and Agenbald

 

Almer

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Nourishing and kind soul”

• Pronunciation: “ahl-mer”

• Length: 5 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Former US senator (Oklahoma) Almer Stillwell “Mike” Monroney 

• Variants: Almmer and Almerr

 

Alton

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Dweller at the old town”

• Pronunciation: “awl-tuhn”

• Length: 5 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American cinematographer and TV personality Alton Brown

• Also after English footballer Alton Thelwell

• Variants: Allton, Altton, and Altonn

 

Alwyn

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Wise friend,” “friend to all,” or “elf friend”

• Pronunciation: “awl-win”

• Length: 5 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American business journalist and editor Alwyn Scott

• Other namesakes include Australian triple jumper Alwyn Jones 

• Variants: Alwin and Alwwyn and Alwynn

 

Ashford 

• Origin: British and Old English boy name

• Meaning: “Ford by the ashes” or “ford by the ash trees”

• Pronunciation: “ash-frd”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes/Description: American musical duo Ashford & Simpson (husband-and-wife recording, songwriting, and production duo comprised of Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson)

• Variants: Ashfford and Ashforrd

Old English Names For Boys Starting With B

Beowulf

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: Badass boy name that means “war wolf,” “battle wolf,” or “intelligent wolf”

• Pronunciation: “bay-ow-wulf”

• Length: 7 letters, 3 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American set designer Beowulf Boritt (the son of historian Gabor Boritt)

• Also an Old English epic poem 

• Variants: Beowolf

 

Buford

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Beautiful fort” (name that means “beautiful”) or “ford near the aviary”

• Pronunciation: “byoo-ford”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American NFL player Buford Garfield “Baby” Ray

• Also after Sheriff Buford Hayse Pusser (the inspiration for the “Walking Tall” movie)

• Variants: Buphord, Bufford, and Bufoard

 

Byron

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: Country boy name that means “place by the cowsheds” or “at the byres (cowshed)”

• Pronunciation: “bai-ruhn”

• Length: 5 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #892

• Namesakes: American football player Byron Bailey and composer Byron Adams

• Variants: Byrron, Biron, Bironn, Byron, and Beyron

 

Old English Names For Boys Starting With C

Chesney

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: 

• Pronunciation:

• Length: letters, syllables

• Popularity/Rank:

• Namesakes:

• Variants:

 

Clayborne

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Oak grove”

• Pronunciation: “chez-nee”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: British pop singer Chesney Hawkes

• Another namesake is American stage actor and musician Chesney Snow

• Variants: Chessney and Chesnee

 

Colton 

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: Black baby name that means “from the coal town” or “swarthy (dark-skinned) person”

• Pronunciation: “kol-tohn”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #91

• Namesakes: American comedian, writer, actor, and producer Colton Dunn

• Variants: Colten, Coleton, Kolton, and Kolten

 

Craven

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Garlic place”

• Pronunciation: “kray-vn”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Also a last name (e.g., American NASCAR driver Ricky Craven and Canadian ice hockey player Murray Craven)

• Variants: Kraven and Crabháin (Irish and Gaelic)

 

Creighton

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Scottish boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Border”

• Pronunciation: “kray-tn”

• Length: 9 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American actor Creighton Tull Chaney (stage name Lon Chaney Jr.)

• Also after British rower Creighton Redman

• Variants: Crighton and Crichton (Scottish Gaelic)

 

Old English Names For Boys Starting With D

Dalton

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Valley settlement”

• Pronunciation: “daal-tn”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #516

• Namesakes: American sociologist Dalton Conley

• Also after American Major League Baseball player Dalton Guthrie

• Variants: Daulton, Dallton, and Daulton

 

Darell

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Dearly loved” or “open”

• Pronunciation: “dah-rel”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American impressionist, actor, and comedian Darrell Clayton Hammond 

• Also after American former professional basketball player Darrell Eugene Armstrong

• Variants: Darel, Darryl, Daryl, and Durrell

 

Darnell

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English unisex name

• Meaning/Description: “Hidden nook”

• Pronunciation: “dahr-nel”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American football players Darnell Dinkins, Darnell Clash, and Darnell Bing

• Variants: Darnel

 

Deacon

• Origin: Greek and old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Messenger” or “servant or a servant of God)”

• Pronunciation: “dee-con”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #515

• Namesakes: American bandleader and musician Deacon John Moore

• Variants: Deakon

 

Dee

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English unisex name

• Meaning/Description: “Dark” or “swarthy”

• Pronunciation: “dee”

• Length: 3 letters, 1 syllable

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American voice actor Dee Bradley Baker

• Variants: None

 

Delvin

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Bright friend,” “godly friend” or “proud friend”

• Pronunciation: “dehl-vin”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American soccer player Delvin Countess 

• Also after American football player Delvin Breaux 

• Variants: Delvinn, Dellvin, Delvvin, Delvyn, and Delven

 

Derwin

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Friend of the deer,” “gifted friend,” or “dear friend”

• Pronunciation: “dehr-win”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American film director Derwin Abrahams 

• Also after American NFL player Derwin Gray

• Variants: Derwyn, Derrwin, Derwinn, Durwin, and Darwin

 

Doane

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: Earthy name that means “low, rolling hills”

• Pronunciation: “down”

• Length: 5 letters, 1 syllable

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American musician Doane Perry and historian Doane Robinson

• Variants: Doan, Doune, and Donn

 

Donald

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Scottish boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Ruler of the world”

• Pronunciation: “don-uhld”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #676

• Namesakes: American actor and comedian Donald Faison 

• Other namesakes include American computer scientist Donald Knuth

• Variants: Donnell, Domhnall, Domnall, and Dumnagual

 

Draper

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Cloth seller or maker”

• Pronunciation: dray-per“

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Also a last name (e.g., English painter Herbert James Draper and American cinematographer Jack Draper)

• Variants: Draperr and Drayper

 

Old English Names For Boys Starting With E

Eaton

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Deer,” “island settlement,” or “riverside”

• Pronunciation: “eeh-tohn”

• Length: 5 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Also a last name (e.g., Canadian-American portrait painter Wyatt Eaton and Welsh gymnast David Eaton)

• Variants: Eatonn

 

Eberhard

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Brave boar” or “strong boar”

• Pronunciation: “eh-ber-hard”

• Length: letters, syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: German jazz musician and composer Eberhard Weber

• Also after St. Eberhard of Salzburg (from the 1100s)

• Variants: Eberhardt 

 

Eldridge

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English, Anglo-Saxon, and German boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Sage ruler” or “wise ruler”

• Pronunciation: “el-drij”

• Length: 8 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American city planner and author Eldridge Lovelace 

• Also after former football player Eldridge Small

• Variants: Elldridge

 

Elgar

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Elf spear”

• Pronunciation: “el-gahr”

• Length: 5 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: English conductor and composer Elgar Howarth 

• Also after South African Rugby Union Player Elgar Watts 

• Variants: Ellgar, Elgarr, and Elggar

 

Emmet

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Universal” or “whole”

• Pronunciation: “eh-mit”

• Length: 5 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Cute boy name after the fictional character Emmet Joseph Brickowski (a Master Builder and construction worker in “The LEGO Movie”)

• Variants: Emmett, Emmitt, and Emet

 

Erland

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English, Old Norse, and Old High German boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Earl’s land” or “noble’s land”

• Pronunciation: “air-land”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Swedish actor and author Erland Josephson

• Other namesakes include Norwegian novelist Erland Kiøsterud 

• Variants: Erlland

 

Errett

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Prosperity” or “advice wisdom”

• Pronunciation: “er-eht”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American archaeologist and experimental archaeology pioneer Errett Callahan

• Other namesakes include mathematician Errett Bishop

• Variants: Erret, Erett, and Eret

 

Ethelbert

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Noble bright”

• Pronunciation: “eh-thel-bert”

• Length: 9 letters, 3 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: English wood engraver and painter Ethelbert White

• Variants: Aethelbert and Æthelberht

 

Etheldred

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Noble strength”

• Pronunciation: “eh-thel-dred”

• Length: 9 letters, 3 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: None

• Variants: Ethelred

 

Old English Names For Boys Starting With F

Farren

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Handsome servant” or “adventurous”

• Pronunciation: “fehr-ehn”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: British film and TV director Farren Blackburn 

• Also after Australian rules footballer Farren Ray 

• Variants: Farrenn and Farenn

 

Faxon

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Thick-haired”

• Pronunciation: “fak-suhn”

• Length: 5 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Also a last name (e.g., American professional golfer Bradford John Faxon Jr.)

• Variants: Faxxon

 

Floyd

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Gray-haired”

• Pronunciation: “floyd”

• Length: 5 letters, 1 syllable

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American five-division boxing champion Floyd Mayweather Jr.

• Also after American country musician Floyd Tillman

• Variants: Floyde and Floid

 

Fred

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Peaceful ruler,” “elf counsel,” or “peace”

• Pronunciation: “fred”

• Length: 4 letters, 1 syllable

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American dancer, choreographer, actor, and singer Fred Astaire 

• Also after TV host Fred McFeely Rogers (stage name Mister Rogers)

• Variants: Freddy

 

Fridolf

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Peaceful wolf”

• Pronunciation: “free-dolf”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Swedish footballer Fridolf Martinsson 

• Other namesakes include Finnish wrestler Fridolf Lundsten

• Variants: Fridolph, Fridolv, and Fridulf

 

Old English Names For Boys Starting With G

Garfield

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “From the triangular field” or “field of spears”

• Pronunciation: “gaar-feeld”

• Length: 8 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: English documentary and fiction filmmaker Garfield Kennedy

• Also after American former professional basketball player Garfield “Gar” Heard 

• Variants: Garrfield

 

Garrard

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Spear brave” or “spear hard”

• Pronunciation: “garr-ard”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Also a last name (e.g., New Zealand rugby union official William George Garrard and American author Lewis Hector Garrard)

• Variants: Garard and Garrardd

 

Garrick

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “One who governs with a spear,” “oak tree grove,” or “spear king”

• Pronunciation: “geh-ruhk”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American actor and screenwriter Garrick Dowhen 

• Other namesakes include pianist Garrick Ohlsson

• Variants: Garik and Garick

 

Garton

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “From the enclosed farm”

• Pronunciation: “gart-uhn”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1.000+

• Namesakes: Also a last name (e.g., American composer and musician Brad Garton and English boxer Johnny Garton)

• Variants: Gartton, Garston, and Garstone

 

Ghislain

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English unisex name

• Meaning/Description: “Pledge”

• Pronunciation: “gis-layn”

• Length: 4 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Canadian illustrator Ghislain Barbe

• Also after Belgian racing driver Ghislain Cordeel

• Variants: Guislain, Guislayn, Ghislayn, and Gislenus (Latin)

 

Goddard

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Norman – Anglo-Saxon boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Good and strong”

• Pronunciation: “gaa-drd”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American music industry executive Goddard Lieberson

• Variants: Goudard and Godard

 

Goodwin

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Good friend” or “good wine”

• Pronunciation: “good-win”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Also a last name (e.g., American sociology expert Jeff Goodwin and English rock musician Jimi Goodwin)

• Variants: Godwin and Goodwinn

 

Graydon

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Someone from a gray settlement” or “son of the gray-haired man”

• Pronunciation: “gray-don”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American football coach Graydon Eggers 

• Also after Barbadian cricketer Graydon Nesfield

• Variants: Greydon

 

Grimshaw

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: Gothic name that means “dark woods”

• Pronunciation: “grim-shaw”

• Length: 8 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Place name after Grimshaw in Alberta, Canada and in Lancashire, England

• Variants: Grimshawe and Griemshaw

 

Grimsley

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Dark meadows” or “woodland clearing”

• Pronunciation: “grimz-lee”

• Length: 8 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Also a last name (e.g., American boxer and kickboxer Crawford Grimsley and opera singer Greer Grimsley)

• Variants: Grimleigh, Grimley, and Grimlie

 

Guildford

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Ford with yellow flowers”

• Pronunciation: “gil-ford”

• Length: 9 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Also a place name after Guildford in Surrey, United Kingdom

• Variants: Gilford, Guildeford, and Guilford

 

Old English Names For Boys Starting With H

Hadden

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Hill of heather”

• Pronunciation: “hah-den”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Also a last name (e.g., US federal judge Samuel Hadden Harper)

• Variants: Haddenn

 

Hadwin

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English, French, and Swiss boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Friend in war”

• Pronunciation: “had-win”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Also a last name (e.g., Canadian professional golfer Adam Hadwin)

• Variants: Haddwin and Hadwinn

 

Halford

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Hal’s ford” or “valley ford”

• Pronunciation: “hal-ford”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Also a last name (e.g., English heavy metal singer Robert John Arthur Halford)

• Variants: Hallford and Halfordd

 

Hardred

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Stern counsel” or “one born with red colored hair”

• Pronunciation: “hard-red”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: None

• Variants: Harddred

 

Harford

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Ford of the hares”

• Pronunciation: “haar-ford”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Also a last name (e.g., English economist and journalist Tim Harford and footballer Mick Harford)

• Variants: Hartford and Harrford

 

Hartman 

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Hard, strong man”

• Pronunciation: “hart-man”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American baseball pitcher Hartman Louis Oberlander 

• Also after Namibian – African football defender Hartman Toromba

• Variants: Harman and Harttman

 

Harvey

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Battle worthy”

• Pronunciation: “har-vee”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #403

• Namesakes: American comics creator and editor Harvey Kurtzman 

• Also after American NASCAR racing driver Harvey Eakin

• Variants: Harvey and Herve

 

Hereward

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Scandinavian boy name

• Meaning/Description: “High guardian”

• Pronunciation: “heh-ruh-ward”

• Length: 8 letters, 3 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Early English king called “Hereward the Wake”

• Variants: Harward and Herewward

 

Hernley

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “High woodland clearing”

• Pronunciation: “hern-lee”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: None

• Variants: Hernnley and Hernlley

 

Hilton

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Hill town”

• Pronunciation: “hil-tuhn”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American designer and artist Hilton McConnico 

• Also after Puerto Rican-American jazz pianist Hilton Ruiz

• Variants: Hiltun, Hillton, and Hiltton

 

Holt

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Forest” or “woods”

• Pronunciation: “howlt”

• Length: 4 letters, 1 syllable

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Fictional character Holt Mulligan in “The Lookalike” movie

• Variants: Hoult

 

Hooper

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Maker of hoops”

• Pronunciation: “hoop-er”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Fictional character Hooper Humperdink in the Dr. Seuss “Hooper Humperdink…Not Him” book 

• Variants: Hoopes, Hoopar, Hoopir, and Hoopper

 

Horatius

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Season” or “time keeper”

• Pronunciation: “huh-ray-shee-uhs”

• Length: 8 letters, 4 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Dutch painter Horatius Paulijn

• Variants: Horatio 

 

Old English Names For Boys Starting With I

Inglebert

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Brilliant,” “illustrious,” or “bright angel” (angel name)

• Pronunciation: “in-gel-bert”

• Length: 9 letters, 3 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: None 

• Variants: Englebert

 

Ingram

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Scandinavian boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Raven of peace”

• Pronunciation: “ing-gruhm”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American poet and journalist Ingram Crockett and composer Ingram Marshall 

• Variants: Ingrram

 

Irwin

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Boar friend, “high cliff,” or “verdant hill”

• Pronunciation: “ur-win”

• Length: 5 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Canadian comedian and writer Irwin Barker 

• Also after American cartoonist Irwin Caplan

• Variants: Erwinn, Erwin, Irwinn, and Irvin

 

Old English Names For Boys Starting With J

Jagger

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “One who cuts” or “carter”

• Pronunciation: “jah-gehr”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #784

• Namesakes: American racing driver Jagger Jones 

• Also after American skateboarder Jagger Eaton

• Variants: Jaggerr

 

Jarvis

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Servant spear” 

• Pronunciation: “jar-vis”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American basketball players Jarvis Hayes and Jarvis Varnado

• Variants: Jervis, Jarrvis, Jerrvis, and Gervis

 

Old English Names For Boys Starting With K

Kenneth

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English, Scottish, and Irish boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Born of fire” or “handsome”

• Pronunciation: “keh-neth”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #264

• Namesakes: British actor and filmmaker Sir Kenneth Charles Branagh 

• Also after American drummer and percussionist Kenneth Blevins

• Variations: Can be shortened to “Kenny” (e.g., American singer and songwriter Kenny Rogers, birth name Kenneth Ray Rogers)

 

Keyon

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Guiding leader” or “God is gracious”

• Pronunciation: “kay-uhn”

• Length: 5 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American jazz trumpeter, songwriter, and vocalist Keyon Harrold

• Other namesakes include football player Keyon Whiteside

• Variants: Keyyon and Keeyon

 

Kinsey

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English unisex name

• Meaning/Description: “King’s victory,” “royal,” or “victorious”

• Pronunciation: “kin-zee”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American journalist and digital media executive Kinsey Wilson

• Variants: Kinssey

 

Kirkwell

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “From the church’s spring”

• Pronunciation: “kirk-well”

• Length: 8 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: None

• Variants: Kirkwall and Kirkjuvágr (Norse)

 

Knightley

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English unisex name

• Meaning/Description: “Knight’s meadow”

• Pronunciation: “nait-lee”

• Length: 9 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Also a last name (e.g., English composer Caleb Knightley)

• Variants: Knightlie, Knightly, and Knyghtlye

 

Knox

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Scottish Gaelic boy name

• Meaning/Description: “From the small hill” or “round-topped hill” 

• Pronunciation: “noks”

• Length: 4 letters, 1 syllable

• Popularity/Rank: #200

• Namesakes: American painter and sculptor Knox Martin

• Also a middle name (e.g., 11th US President James Knox Polk)

• Variants: Knoxx

 

Old English Names For Boys Starting With L

Landon

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Ridge” or “long hill”

• Pronunciation: “lan-duhn”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #86

• Namesakes: American singer Landon Sears 

• Also after American ice hockey player Landon Wilson 

• Variants: Langdon, Landin, and Landyn

 

Lawson 

 

• Origin/Gender: British, Scottish, and Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Son of Lawrence” or “the son of the man from Laurentum”

• Pronunciation: “law-suhn”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #409

• Namesakes: Ghanaian footballer Lawson Sabah 

• Also after American psychiatrist and author Lawson Wulsin 

• Variants: Lawsson

 

Leighton

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English unisex name

• Meaning/Description: “Meadow settlement”

• Pronunciation: “lay-ton”

• Length: 8 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #821 (boy)

• Namesakes: American hurdler Leighton Dye 

• Other namesakes include Welsh footballer Leighton James

• Variants: Layton and Leaton

 

Linden

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Made from linwood,” “with linden trees,” or “linden tree hill”

• Pronunciation: “lin-dehn”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American TV and movie actor Linden Ashby 

• Also after football player Linden King

• Variants: Linnden

 

Lockhart

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Herdsman” or “deer from the forest”

• Pronunciation: “lok-hark”

• Length: 8 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Also a last name (Bahamian-American actor Calvin Lockhart)

• Variants: Lockeheart

 

Lynwood

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Lake by the woods”

• Pronunciation: “lin-wud”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Place name after Lynwood City in Los Angeles County, California

• Variants: Linwood and Lynwud

 

Old English Names For Boys Starting With M

Maitland

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English gender-neutral name

• Meaning/Description: “Meadow”; can also mean “bad-tempered”

• Pronunciation: “mayt-luhnd”

• Length: 8 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Place name after the city of Maitland in Florida

• Variants: Maittland

 

Malden

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Meeting place in a pasture” or “strong warriors’ valley”

• Pronunciation: “maal-dn”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Also a last name (e.g., American stage, movie and TV actor Karl Malden)

• Variants: Mallden and Maldden

 

Marden

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “The valley with the pool”

• Pronunciation: “maar-dn”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Also a last name (e.g., American writer Orison Swett Marden and artist Brice Marden)

• Variants: Mardden

 

Marvell

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Extraordinary,” “wonderful,” or “marvel”

• Pronunciation: “marv-ell”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American pioneer aviator Marvel Crosson 

• Other namesakes include African-American journalist Marvel Cooke

• Variants: Marvel

 

Meldon

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Mill hill”

• Pronunciation: “meld-uhn”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Also a last name (e.g., Irish surgeon and writer Austin Meldon)

• Variants: Melldon and Melddon

 

Melrose

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Scottish unisex name

• Meaning/Description: “Treeless hill”

• Pronunciation: “mel-rows”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Also a last name (e.g., George Melrose, a pioneer in South Australia in the 1800s)

• Variants: Mellrose

 

Melvin

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Gentle lord”

• Pronunciation: “mel-vin”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #830

• Namesakes: English comedian and presenter Melvin Odoom 

• Also after American bass guitarist Melvin Gibbs

• Variants: Melvvin and Melvinn

 

Merritt

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Boundary gate”

• Pronunciation: “mer-iht”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American linguist Merritt Ruhlen and actor Merritt Butrick

• Variants: Merit, Merrit, and Merrit

 

Mordrain

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Celtic boy name

• Meaning/Description: “King of the seas”

• Pronunciation: “mor-drain”

• Length: 8 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: None

• Variants: Mordrayn and Morrdrain

 

Old English Names For Boys Starting With N

Naylor

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Maker of nails”

• Pronunciation: “nay-lor”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Also a last name (e.g., British racing driver Brian Naylor and Australian rules footballer Bernie Naylor)

• Variants: Nailor

 

Nesbit

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Bend shaped like a nose”

• Pronunciation: “nez-bit”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Historic name after Sir Nesbit Josiah Willoughby of the British Royal Navy

• Variants: Nesbitt

 

Norton

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “North town”

• Pronunciation: “nort-uhn”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American landscape painter Norton Bush 

• Other namesakes include Brazilian actor Norton Nascimento

• Variants: Nortun, Nortone, and Nortown

 

Norvin

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Old High German boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Northern friend”

• Pronunciation: “norv-een”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: None

• Variants: Norvvin

 

Norward

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Warden of the north”

• Pronunciation: “Nor-ward”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: None

• Variants: Norwward and Norwardd

 

Norwood

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Woods in the north”

• Pronunciation: “nor-wud”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American philosopher Norwood Russell Hanson

• Variants: Norrwood

 

Old English Names For Boys Starting With O

Oakley

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English unisex name

• Meaning/Description: “Meadow of oak trees”

• Pronunciation: “owk-lee”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #394 (boy)

• Namesakes: American novelist Oakley Maxwell Hall 

• Also after playwright Oakley “Tad” Hall III 

• Variants: Oaklee, Oaklei, Oaklea, and Oaklie

 

Osbert

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Divinely brilliant” or “bright god”

• Pronunciation: “os-bert”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: English naturalist Osbert Salvin and writer Osbert Sitwell

• Variants: Ossbert

 

Osmond

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Divine protection” or “God’s protection”

• Pronunciation: “aaz-muhnd”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Canadian cinematographer Osmond Hudson Borradaile 

• Also after the early South Australian settler Osmond Gilles

• Variants: Osmund

 

Oswald

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Divine power”

• Pronunciation: “aaz-waald”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Canadian-American physician, molecular biologist, and medical researcher Oswald Avery 

• Also after St. Oswald of Worcester (the Archbishop of York in the 900s)

• Variants: Osswald and Oswalld

 

Oxford

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “From the oxen crossing”

• Pronunciation: “ox-ford”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Also a last name (e.g., English virologist John Oxford and footballer Ken Oxford)

• Variants: Oxfford

 

Old English Names For Boys Starting With P

Palmer

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English gender-neutral name 

• Meaning/Description: “One who holds the palm tree” or “pilgrim”

• Pronunciation: “pam-er”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+ (boy)

• Namesakes: Welsh rugby union footballer Palmer Griffiths 

• Other namesakes include Canadian illustrator Palmer Cox

• Variants: Palmerr

 

Parry

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Son of Harry” or “son of the home ruler”

• Pronunciation: “peh-reeh”

• Length: 5 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American Olympic shot putter Parry O’Brien 

• Also after Parry Gripp (an American musician of the pop punk band Nerf Herder) 

• Variants: Parri, Parrie, and Parrey

 

Patterson

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Son of Patrick”

• Pronunciation: “pah-ter-suhn”

• Length: 9 letters, 3 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Also a last name (e.g., American photographer Christian Patterson and wrestler Claude Patterson)

• Variants: Paterson and Pattersson

 

Patton

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Fighter’s town”

• Pronunciation: “pah-ton”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American comedian and actor Patton Peter Oswalt 

• Variants: Paton

 

Old English Names For Boys Starting With Q

Quiller

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: Occupational name that means “someone who wrote with a quill pen”

• Pronunciation: “kwill-er”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Fictional character Quiller in the “Quiller” series by English novelist Elleston Trevor

• Variants: Quiler

 

Quinton

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Queen’s settlement” or “fifth”

• Pronunciation: “kwin-tuhn”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #757

• Namesakes: American mixed martial artist Quinton Ramone Jackson 

• Also after American NFL football player Quinton Kyle Coples

• Variants: Quentin, Quenton, and Kwinton

 

Old English Names For Boys Starting With R

Radney

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Earth”

• Pronunciation: “rad-nee”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: None

• Variants: Raddney and Radnney

 

Radnor

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Reedy shore” or “red shore”

• Pronunciation: “rad-nor”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Also a last name (e.g., American actor, filmmaker, musician, and author Joshua Thomas Radnor)

• Variants: Raddnor

 

Old English Names For Boys Starting With S

Sandon

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “From the sandy hill”

• Pronunciation: “san-duhn”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American actor, film producer, and screenwriter Sandon Berg 

• Also after Australian former professional tennis player Sandon Stolle

• Variants: Sanddon and Sandonn

 

Saxon

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Germanic unisex name

• Meaning/Description: “Short sword” or “dagger”; also after the tribe of Germanic Saxons who conquered some parts of Europe in the 5th century

• Pronunciation: “sak-sn”

• Length: 5 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: British professional wrestler Saxon Huxley 

• Also after Scottish rugby football player Saxon McEwan

• Variants: Saxxon

 

Old English Names For Boys Starting With T

Tate

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English, Scandinavian, and Norse boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Cheerful”

• Pronunciation: “tayt”

• Length: 4 letters, 1 syllable

• Popularity/Rank: #234

• Namesakes: American stock car racer Tate Fogleman 

• Other namesakes include American basketball player Tate Armstrong

• Variants: None

 

Taylor

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Old French unisex name

• Meaning/Description: “Tailor” or “cutter of cloth”

• Pronunciation: “tay-lor”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American American singer and “American Idol” winner Taylor Hicks 

• Also after Olympic snowboarder Taylor Gold

• Variants: Tayllor and Tailor

 

Old English Names For Boys Starting With U

Udell

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Yew-tree valley”

• Pronunciation: “yoo-del”

• Length: 5 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: None

• Variants: Udall

 

Udolf

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Wealthy wolf”

• Pronunciation: “yoo-dolf”

• Length: 5 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: None

• Variants: Uddolf and Udolff

 

Old English Names For Boys Starting With V

Vance

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Marshland”

• Pronunciation: “vans”

• Length: 5 letters, 1 syllable

• Popularity/Rank: #978

• Namesakes: American American novelist and playwright Vance Bourjaily 

• Other namesakes include American musician Vance Dixon 

• Variants: Vanz

 

Varden

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Old French boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Green knoll” or “the green hill”

• Pronunciation: “vahr-duhn” 

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: None

• Variants: Vardden

 

Old English Names For Boys Starting With W

Wainwright

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Anglo-Saxon boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Maker of carts or wagons”

• Pronunciation: “wayn-rite”

• Length: 10 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Also a last name (e.g., British musician William Wainwright)

• Variants: Wainright, Waynewright, and Wainewright

 

Wakefield

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Watch field”

• Pronunciation: “wayk-feeld”

• Length: 9 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Also a last name (e.g., American poet and literary critic Richard Wakefield)

• Variants: Wakefeild 

 

Old English Names For Boys Starting With X

Xadrian

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English and American boy name

• Meaning/Description: Unknown meaning

• Pronunciation: “zayd-ree-uhn”

• Length: 7 letters, 3 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: None

• Variants: Adrian

 

Xander

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English and Greek boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Defender of humankind”

• Pronunciation: “zan-der”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #199

• Namesakes: American actor Xander Corvus 

• Also after Aruban baseball player Xander Yan Bogaerts

• Variants: Zander

 

Xavier

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English, Basque – Southwestern European, Spanish, and Arabic boy name

• Meaning/Description: “One who is bright or splendid” or “new house”

• Pronunciation: “zay-vee-yer”

• Length: 6 letters, 3 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #100

• Namesakes: American football player Xavier Beitia 

• Other namesakes include Peruvian poet Xavier Abril

• Variants: Zavier and Xavvier

 

Xhaiden

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English and American boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Cleansing beam of light”

• Pronunciation: “zay-den”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: None

• Variants: Xaiden

 

Old English Names For Boys Starting With Y

Yale

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Fertile moor,” “upland,” or “heights”

• Pronunciation: “yayl”

• Length: 4 letters, 1 syllable

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American violinist and composer Yale Strom

• Variants: None

 

Yardley

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Fenced meadow”

• Pronunciation: “yard-lee”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American gospel musician and recording artist Yardley Griffin

• Also a middle name (e.g., American painter and illustrator Charles Yardley Turner)

• Variants: Yardlee

 

Old English Names For Boys Starting With Z

Zachary

 

• Origin/Gender: Hebrew and Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “The Lord has remembered”

• Pronunciation: “zak-uh-ree”

• Length: 7 letters, 3 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #166

• Namesakes: American actor Zachary Abel 

• Also after American ice hockey player Zachary Aston-Reese

• Variants: Zakaria, Zacharias, Zekariah, Zakariya, and Zakariyya

 

Zane

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “God is gracious” or “gift from God”

• Pronunciation: “zayn”

• Length: 4 letters, 1 syllable

• Popularity/Rank: #258

• Namesakes: Australian guitarist Zane Banks 

• Another namesake is Latvian basketball player Zane Eglīte

• Variants: Zayne and Zain

 

Bonus List 1: Old English Names For Girls

Cordelia 

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English girl name

• Meaning/Description: “Heart”

• Pronunciation: “kor-del-eeh-yah”

• Length: 8 letters, 4 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: Canadian playwright and novelist Cordelia Strube 

• Also after British actress Cordelia Bugeja 

• Variants: Cordella

 

Edythe

 

• Origin/Gender: Old English boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Strife for wealth”

• Pronunciation: “eeh-dith”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: American film actress Edythe Marrenner (stage name Susan Hayward)

• Variants: Edith

 

Bonus List 2: Some Vintage Boy Names From Around The World

Some old man names to consider from languages across the globe:

 

Carson

 

• Origin/Gender: Irish and Scottish boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Son of the marsh-dwellers”

• Pronunciation: “kar-suhn”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #110

• Namesakes: American stock car racing driver Carson Kvapil 

• Also after child prodigy Carson Huey-You 

• Variants: Cason, Kason, Karson, and Cayson

 

Darren

 

• Origin/Gender: Irish or Gaelic boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Gift” or “little great one” 

• Pronunciation: “darh-uhn”

• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #852

• Namesakes: British BBC weatherman Darren Bett 

• Also after American writer, director, and producer Darren Star 

• Variants: Darrun, Darryn, Darrin, and Daren

 

Declan

 

• Origin/Gender: Irish boy name
• Meaning/Description: “Full of goodness” or “man of prayer” 
• Pronunciation: “dek-lan”
• Length: 6 letters, 2 syllables
• Popularity/Rank: #114
• Namesakes: Northern Irish character actor Thomas Declan Mulholland 
• Other namesakes include English professional footballer Declan Rice 
• Variants: Decclan, Declann, Decllan, and Deklan

 

Isaac

 

• Origin/Gender: Hebrew boy name

• Meaning/Description: “Rejoices,” “one who laughs,” or “laughter” 

• Pronunciation: “ai-zuhk”

• Length: 5 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: #42

• Namesakes: English mathematician and physicist Sir Isaac Newton

• Also a biblical boy name after the son of Abraham and Sarah

• Variants: Isaak, Ishak, Ishaaq, Ishaak, and Yitzhak

 

Loudoun

 

• Origin/Gender: German boy name

• Meaning/Description: “From the low valley”

• Pronunciation: “lau-dn”

• Length: 7 letters, 2 syllables

• Popularity/Rank: 1,000+

• Namesakes: A place name after Loudoun, a county in Virginia, USA

• Variants: Lowden, Loudon, and Lowdon

 

A History: How Old English Names Came To Be

Scandinavian and German languages influenced many Old English names because of the invaders that conquered England. These names later evolved to include Norman–French.

 

Factors To Consider When Choosing Your Baby’s Old English Name

Name Meaning & Spelling

• Check the correct spelling
• Check the name meaning, especially if you created spelling variations
• Check the pronunciation

 

Potential Nicknames

• Consider what nicknames can be used for the name
• Some nicknames also work as standalone names (e.g., “Edwin” to “Ed” and “William” to “Liam” or “Will”)

 

Versatile & Can Be Suitable For Varied Personalities

Some names are associated with certain personalities. This is often due to their meanings or portrayal in movies and literature. For example, “Alexander” and “Arnold” are often considered warrior names.

While you can choose names like “Benjamin” or “Robert” that can be suitable for varied personalities, don’t let naming stereotypes stop you from choosing a name you want for your baby.

 

Trends & Old English Boy Names’ Popularity

Despite coming from ancient times, many Old English boy names remain popular. 

These best boy names remain relevant, especially because they’re also favorite royal and prince names (e.g., Prince William, Prince George, etc.).

 

Resulting Initials

When choosing baby names, it’s best to check your baby’s resulting initials to avoid potentially funny, rude, or embarrassing outcomes (e.g., FAT, RAT, FBI, etc.)

 

FAQs

What Are Old English Boy Names With Historical Significance?

Some names commonly associated with kings and other royals:

• Charles
• Edward
• George
• Henry
• James
• Richard
• William

 

Can OId English Boy Names Be A Source Of Identity & Pride?

Yes. Old English names have a strong sense of history and honor. So, they can also be a source of pride and identity for your little one.

 

Will My Baby’s Old English Name Impact Their Future Success & Opportunities?

Studies on baby names and their effects on children’s future success are limited. So, we can’t conclude whether a boy’s name with Old English origin can affect their opportunities and future success.

Still, because many Old English names have strong meanings, they might boost your child’s self-confidence.

 

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You can also find ideas from the top 15 baby name generators.

 

 

References

(1) https://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/