380+ British Boy Names With Meanings & Origins

Hey there! Looking for the perfect British boy names? You’re in for a treat because British boy names have got this amazing mix of history and style that’s hard to beat.

You know that feeling when you’re trying to pick the perfect name for your little one? It’s kind of like choosing their first outfit, except they’ll be wearing this one forever! And let me tell you, British names are like the perfectly tailored suit of baby names – they just work.

I mean, think about it. These names have been around for ages, passed down through generations of British families. Some come from kings and queens (hello, William and George!), while others have these cool stories behind them that’ll give your kid something fun to tell their friends when they’re older.

What I really love about British names is how they can be both fancy and down-to-earth at the same time. Like, you can name your kid Edward and he can go by Eddie when he’s playing in the sandbox. Pretty cool, right?

The best part? Whether you’re into super traditional names or something more modern, British names have got you covered. It’s like having a huge menu at your favorite restaurant – there’s something for everyone!

So grab a cup of tea (we’re talking British names after all!), and let’s dive into some amazing options that might just be perfect for your little prince-to-be.

British Boy Names

(Each paired with meaning and origin in a bite-sized format)

• Oliver – “Olive tree” (Latin)
• Harry – “Home ruler” (Germanic)
• George – “Farmer” (Greek)
• Noah – “Rest, comfort” (Hebrew)
• Arthur – “Bear” (Celtic)
• Leo – “Lion” (Latin)
• Muhammad – “Praised one” (Arabic)
• Oscar – “God spear” (Irish/Germanic)
• Charlie – “Free man” (Germanic)
• Henry – “Home ruler” (Germanic)
• Jack – “God is gracious” (Hebrew)
• Theodore – “Gift of God” (Greek)
• Freddie – “Peaceful ruler” (Germanic)
• Thomas – “Twin” (Aramaic)
• Lucas – “Light” (Latin/Greek)
• William – “Resolute protector” (Germanic)
• James – “Supplanter” (Hebrew)
• Edward – “Wealthy guardian” (Old English)
• Alexander – “Defender of people” (Greek)
• Max – “Greatest” (Latin)

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British Names for Boy

(Fresh takes on traditional favorites)

• Alfie – “Elf counsel” (Old English)
• Archie – “Truly brave” (Germanic)
• Hugo – “Mind, spirit” (Germanic)
• Louis – “Famous warrior” (French)
• Sebastian – “Venerable” (Greek)
• Felix – “Happy, fortunate” (Latin)
• Finn – “Fair-haired” (Irish)
• Albie – “Noble, bright” (Germanic)
• Rory – “Red king” (Irish/Gaelic)
• Jasper – “Treasurer” (Persian)
• Toby – “God is good” (Hebrew)
• Stanley – “Stone clearing” (Old English)
• Chester – “Fortress, camp” (Latin)
• Harvey – “Battle worthy” (Breton)
• Ellis – “Benevolent” (Welsh)
• Ralph – “Wolf counsel” (Germanic)
• Rex – “King” (Latin)
• Kit – “Bearing Christ” (Greek)
• Hugh – “Mind, spirit” (Germanic)
• Bertie – “Bright” (Germanic)

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English Boy Names

(Names with deep English roots and heritage)

• Edmund – “Rich protector” (Old English)
• Walter – “Army ruler” (Germanic/English)
• Percy – “One who pierces the valley” (Norman French)
• Harold – “Army ruler” (Old English)
• Edwin – “Rich friend” (Old English)
• Alfred – “Wise counselor” (Old English)
• Wilfred – “Desires peace” (Old English)
• Aldwin – “Old friend” (Old English)
• Edgar – “Wealthy spear” (Old English)
• Oswald – “Divine power” (Old English)
• Benedict – “Blessed” (Latin/English)
• Roland – “Fame of the land” (Germanic/English)
• Gilbert – “Bright pledge” (Germanic/English)
• Cedric – “Kindly and loved” (Celtic/English)
• Kenelm – “Helm of royalty” (Old English)
• Lambert – “Land bright” (Germanic/English)
• Cuthbert – “Famous bright” (Old English)
• Dunstan – “Dark stone” (Old English)
• Leofric – “Beloved ruler” (Old English)
• Wulfric – “Wolf power” (Old English)

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English Names for Male

(Modern favorites with English flair)

• Daniel – “God is my judge” (Hebrew/English use)
• Adam – “Earth” (Hebrew/English use)
• Benjamin – “Son of the right hand” (Hebrew/English use)
• Christopher – “Christ bearer” (Greek/English use)
• David – “Beloved” (Hebrew/English use)
• Ethan – “Strong, enduring” (Hebrew/English use)
• Frederick – “Peaceful ruler” (Germanic/English use)
• Gregory – “Watchful” (Greek/English use)
• Isaac – “He laughs” (Hebrew/English use)
• Jonathan – “Gift of God” (Hebrew/English use)
• Kenneth – “Born of fire” (Scottish/English use)
• Lawrence – “From Laurentum” (Latin/English use)
• Matthew – “Gift of God” (Hebrew/English use)
• Nicholas – “Victory of the people” (Greek/English use)
• Patrick – “Nobleman” (Latin/English use)
• Peter – “Rock” (Greek/English use)
• Richard – “Strong ruler” (Germanic/English use)
• Samuel – “Name of God” (Hebrew/English use)
• Stephen – “Crown” (Greek/English use)
• Timothy – “Honoring God” (Greek/English use)

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United Kingdom Names for Male

(Representing all regions of the UK)

• Angus – “Unique strength” (Scottish)
• Bryn – “Hill” (Welsh)
• Callum – “Dove” (Scottish)
• Dylan – “Son of the sea” (Welsh)
• Ewan – “Born of yew” (Scottish)
• Gareth – “Gentle” (Welsh)
• Hamish – “Supplanter” (Scottish)
• Iain – “God is gracious” (Scottish)
• Llewellyn – “Leader’s image” (Welsh)
• Malcolm – “Disciple of Saint Columba” (Scottish)
• Owen – “Young warrior” (Welsh)
• Rhys – “Enthusiasm” (Welsh)
• Scott – “From Scotland” (Scottish)
• Tadhg – “Poet” (Irish)
• Vaughan – “Small” (Welsh)
• Wallace – “Foreigner” (Scottish)
• Conor – “Lover of hounds” (Irish)
• Niall – “Champion” (Irish)
• Seamus – “Supplanter” (Irish)
• Fergus – “Man of force” (Scottish)

Check Out: 380+ Scottish Boy Names and Their Hidden Meanings

Victorian British Boy Names

(Bringing back that gorgeous old-world charm!)

• Ambrose – “Immortal” (Greek/Victorian era favorite)
• Bartholomew – “Son of Talmai” (Aramaic/Victorian high society)
• Cornelius – “Horn” (Latin/Victorian upper class)
• Thaddeus – “Heart” (Aramaic/Victorian period)
• Clarence – “Bright” (Latin/Victorian nobility)
• Montgomery – “Man power” (French/Victorian aristocracy)
• Augustus – “Majestic” (Latin/Victorian royalty)
• Reginald – “Counsel power” (Germanic/Victorian gentry)
• Horatio – “Timekeeper” (Latin/Victorian naval)
• Leopold – “Bold people” (Germanic/Victorian royalty)
• Barnaby – “Son of consolation” (Aramaic/Victorian era)
• Percival – “Pierce the valley” (French/Victorian romance)
• Algernon – “With whiskers” (French/Victorian aristocrat)
• Mortimer – “Dead sea” (French/Victorian nobility)
• Sylvester – “Of the forest” (Latin/Victorian period)
• Theophilus – “Friend of God” (Greek/Victorian clergy)
• Phineas – “Oracle” (Hebrew/Victorian merchant)
• Godfrey – “God’s peace” (Germanic/Victorian upper class)
• Bartholomew – “Son of Talmai” (Aramaic/Victorian period)
• Woodrow – “Row of houses” (Old English/Victorian era)

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Unique British Boy Names

(Trust me, these are real head-turners!)

• Aurelius – “The golden one” (Latin/British)
• Lysander – “Liberator” (Greek/British use)
• Rafferty – “Flood tide” (Irish/British use)
• Inigo – “Fiery” (Spanish/British aristocracy)
• Cosmo – “Order, beauty” (Greek/British upper class)
• Caspian – “From Caspia” (Literary/British)
• Peregrine – “Traveler” (Latin/British nobility)
• Atticus – “From Attica” (Latin/British use)
• Balthazar – “Protect the king” (Phoenician/British)
• Quentin – “Fifth” (Latin/British)
• Tarquin – “Proud” (Etruscan/British)
• Rufus – “Red-haired” (Latin/British)
• Maximus – “Greatest” (Latin/British)
• Caius – “Rejoice” (Latin/British)
• Titus – “Title of honor” (Latin/British)
• Cyprian – “From Cyprus” (Greek/British)
• Magnus – “Great” (Latin/British)
• Lucian – “Light” (Latin/British)
• Septimus – “Seventh” (Latin/British)
• Cassius – “Hollow” (Latin/British)

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Classy British Boy Names

(These names just ooze sophistication!)

• Maximilian – “Greatest” (Latin/British aristocracy)
• Constantine – “Steadfast” (Latin/British royalty)
• Nathaniel – “Gift of God” (Hebrew/British gentry)
• Sebastian – “From Sebastia” (Greek/British upper class)
• Alexander – “Defender of the people” (Greek/British nobility)
• Dominic – “Belonging to the Lord” (Latin/British)
• Benedict – “Blessed” (Latin/British aristocracy)
• Fitzgerald – “Son of Gerald” (Norman-French/British)
• Archibald – “Genuine and bold” (Germanic/British)
• Montgomery – “Man power” (French/British nobility)
• Remington – “Place on a riverbank” (English/British)
• Wellington – “From the wealthy estate” (Old English)
• Harrison – “Son of Harry” (English/British)
• Kingsley – “King’s meadow” (Old English)
• Sterling – “Of highest quality” (English/British)
• Whitfield – “White field” (Old English)
• Montague – “Pointed hill” (French/British)
• Cambridge – “Bridge over the Cam” (English/British)
• Winchester – “Roman fort” (Old English)
• Kensington – “Town of Cynesige’s people” (English/British)

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Modern British Boy Names

(Fresh, cool, and totally now!)

• Jude – “Praised” (Latin/Modern British)
• Kai – “Sea” (Welsh/Modern British)
• Finn – “Fair-haired” (Irish/Modern British)
• River – “Stream” (English/Modern British)
• Phoenix – “Dark red” (Greek/Modern British)
• Blake – “Dark” (Old English/Modern)
• Axel – “Father of peace” (Scandinavian/British)
• Knox – “Round hill” (Scottish/Modern British)
• Zain – “Beauty” (Arabic/Modern British)
• Jasper – “Treasurer” (Persian/Modern British)
• Logan – “Little hollow” (Scottish/Modern British)
• Mason – “Stone worker” (English/Modern)
• Hunter – “One who hunts” (English/Modern)
• Riley – “Brave” (Irish/Modern British)
• Harley – “Hare clearing” (English/Modern)
• Eden – “Place of pleasure” (Hebrew/Modern British)
• Rowan – “Little red one” (Scottish/Modern)
• Oakley – “Oak meadow” (English/Modern)
• Jett – “Black gem” (English/Modern)
• Quinn – “Counsel” (Irish/Modern British)

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Traditional British Boy Names

(These names have been around forever – and for good reason!)

• Albert – “Noble bright” (Germanic/Traditional British)
  Remember this one? Queen Victoria’s beloved husband made it super popular!
• Winston – “Wine’s town” (Old English)
  Just like Churchill – can’t get more British than that!
• Douglas – “Dark water” (Scottish/British)
• Howard – “Noble watchman” (Old English)
• Bernard – “Bold as a bear” (Germanic/British)
• Philip – “Lover of horses” (Greek/British)
• Francis – “Frenchman” (Latin/British)
• Ernest – “Serious” (Germanic/British)
• Herbert – “Bright army” (Germanic/British)
• Morris – “Dark-skinned” (Latin/British)
• Norman – “Northman” (Germanic/British)
• Sidney – “Wide island” (Old English)
• Vincent – “Conquering” (Latin/British)
• Walter – “Army ruler” (Germanic/British)
• Wilfred – “Desires peace” (Old English)
• Gerald – “Rule of the spear” (Germanic/British)
• Leonard – “Lion strength” (Germanic/British)
• Raymond – “Wise protector” (Germanic/British)
• Alfred – “Wise counsel” (Old English)
• Harold – “Army leader” (Old English).

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English Names for Guys

(Perfect for the modern British gentleman!)

• Theo – “Gift of God” (Greek/English use)
  This one’s been climbing the charts like crazy lately!
• Liam – “Strong-willed warrior” (Irish/English use)
• Ethan – “Strong, enduring” (Hebrew/English use)
• Lucas – “Light” (Latin/English use)
• Mason – “Stone worker” (English)
• Alexander – “Defender of the people” (Greek/English use)
• James – “Supplanter” (Hebrew/English use)
• Aiden – “Little fire” (Irish/English use)
• Daniel – “God is my judge” (Hebrew/English use)
• Henry – “Home ruler” (Germanic/English use)
• Joseph – “God will add” (Hebrew/English use)
• Samuel – “Name of God” (Hebrew/English use)
• David – “Beloved” (Hebrew/English use)
• Carter – “Cart maker” (English)
• Owen – “Young warrior” (Welsh/English use)
• Wyatt – “Brave in war” (English)
• John – “God is gracious” (Hebrew/English use)
• Luke – “Light” (Greek/English use)
• Gabriel – “God is my strength” (Hebrew/English use)
• Connor – “Lover of hounds” (Irish/English use)

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British Names for Boys

(I just love how these mix classic and cool!)

• Felix – “Happy, fortunate” (Latin/British)
  You know what’s funny? This name really does seem to bring good luck!
• Callum – “Dove” (Scottish/British)
  This one’s getting super popular in London lately.
• Rory – “Red king” (Irish/British)
• Jasper – “Treasurer” (Persian/British)
• Hugh – “Mind, spirit” (Germanic/British)
• Kit – “Bearing Christ” (Greek/British)
• Toby – “God is good” (Hebrew/British)
• Rex – “King” (Latin/British)
• Ellis – “Benevolent” (Welsh/British)
• Harvey – “Battle worthy” (Breton/British)
• Chester – “Fortress” (Latin/British)
• Stanley – “Stone clearing” (Old English)
• Ralph – “Wolf counsel” (Germanic/British)
• Hugh – “Mind, spirit” (Germanic/British)
• Bertie – “Bright” (Germanic/British)
• Albie – “Noble, bright” (Germanic/British)
• Archie – “Truly brave” (Germanic/British)
• Hugo – “Mind, spirit” (Germanic/British)
• Louis – “Famous warrior” (French/British)
• Sebastian – “From Sebastia” (Greek/British)

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British Names for Males

(These names feel like they could be in a fancy British drama!)

• Rupert – “Bright fame” (Germanic/British)
  Picture a charming British actor – this name just fits, right?
• Julian – “Youthful” (Latin/British)
• Marcus – “Warlike” (Latin/British)
• Dominic – “Of the Lord” (Latin/British)
• Adrian – “From Hadria” (Latin/British)
• Laurence – “From Laurentum” (Latin/British)
• Simon – “He has heard” (Hebrew/British)
• Vincent – “Conquering” (Latin/British)
• Roger – “Famous spear” (Germanic/British)
• Martin – “Warlike” (Latin/British)
• Philip – “Lover of horses” (Greek/British)
• Dennis – “Follower of Dionysus” (Greek/British)
• Russell – “Red-haired” (French/British)
• Lewis – “Famous warrior” (Germanic/British)
• Keith – “Wood” (Scottish/British)
• Graham – “Gravelly homestead” (Scottish/British)
• Colin – “Young creature” (Greek/British)
• Malcolm – “Devotee of Saint Columba” (Scottish/British)
• Bruce – “From the brushwood thicket” (Scottish/British)
• Gordon – “Great hill” (Scottish/British)

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British Male Names

(These feel like they walked straight out of a British period drama!)

• Edmund – “Rich protector” (Old English)
  Love how stately this sounds – reminds me of Narnia every time!
• Geoffrey – “Peace pledge” (Germanic/British)
  Fun fact: this name gave us ‘Jeff’ but sounds way fancier, don’t you think?
• Nigel – “Champion” (Norse/British)
• Roderick – “Famous ruler” (Germanic/British)
• Clive – “Cliff dweller” (Old English)
• Maurice – “Dark-skinned” (Latin/British)
• Desmond – “From south Munster” (Irish/British)
• Basil – “Royal” (Greek/British)
• Victor – “Conqueror” (Latin/British)
• Cecil – “Blind” (Latin/British)
• Lionel – “Young lion” (Latin/British)
• Claude – “Lame” (Latin/British)
• Cyril – “Lordly” (Greek/British)
• Vernon – “Alder tree grove” (Norman/British)
• Terence – “Tender” (Latin/British)
• Gilbert – “Bright pledge” (Germanic/British)
• Roland – “Fame land” (Germanic/British)
• Aubrey – “Elf ruler” (Germanic/British)
• Clifford – “Ford by a cliff” (Old English)
• Derek – “People ruler” (Germanic/British)

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English Names for Boy

(These are absolutely crushing it in British playgrounds right now!)

• Arthur – “Bear” (Celtic)
  This one’s making such a comeback – must be that Peaky Blinders effect!
• Harry – “Home ruler” (Germanic)
  Well, we can thank a certain prince and wizard for keeping this one popular!
• George – “Farmer” (Greek)
• Edward – “Wealthy guardian” (Old English)
• William – “Resolute protector” (Germanic)
• Charlie – “Free man” (Germanic)
• Oliver – “Olive tree” (Latin)
• James – “Supplanter” (Hebrew)
• Alexander – “Defender of people” (Greek)
• Thomas – “Twin” (Aramaic)
• Henry – “Home ruler” (Germanic)
• Jack – “God is gracious” (Hebrew)
• Daniel – “God is my judge” (Hebrew)
• Samuel – “Name of God” (Hebrew)
• Joseph – “He will add” (Hebrew)
• Benjamin – “Son of the right hand” (Hebrew)
• David – “Beloved” (Hebrew)
• Luke – “Light giving” (Greek)
• Michael – “Who is like God?” (Hebrew)
• Matthew – “Gift of God” (Hebrew)

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British Names for Boys

(These are totally in right now – and I can see why!)

• Leo – “Lion” (Latin/British)
  I love how this name’s short but still packs such a punch!
• Finn – “Fair-haired” (Irish/British)
  This one’s getting super popular with London parents lately.
• Max – “Greatest” (Latin/British)
• Theodore – “Gift of god” (Greek/British)
• Oscar – “God spear” (Irish/British)
• Isaac – “He laughs” (Hebrew/British)
• Adam – “Earth” (Hebrew/British)
• Caleb – “Faithful” (Hebrew/British)
• Nathan – “He gave” (Hebrew/British)
• Ryan – “Little king” (Irish/British)
• Dylan – “Son of the sea” (Welsh)
• Joshua – “God is salvation” (Hebrew/British)
• Sebastian – “Venerable” (Greek/British)
• Jacob – “Supplanter” (Hebrew/British)
• Zachary – “Remembered by God” (Hebrew/British)
• Gabriel – “God is my strength” (Hebrew/British)
• Owen – “Young warrior” (Welsh)
• Lucas – “Light” (Latin/British)
• Elijah – “Yahweh is God” (Hebrew/British)
• Noah – “Rest, comfort” (Hebrew/British)

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Male Names from England

(These names just scream British charm, don’t they?)

• Alfie – “Elf counsel” (Old English)
  You know what’s funny? This one started as a nickname but now it’s totally standing on its own!
• Archie – “Truly brave” (Germanic)
  Remember when the royals picked this? Talk about making a comeback!
• Harvey – “Battle worthy” (Breton)
• Chester – “Fortress” (Latin)
• Ellis – “Benevolent” (Welsh)
• Felix – “Happy, fortunate” (Latin)
• Hugh – “Mind, spirit” (Germanic)
• Kit – “Bearer of Christ” (Greek)
• Percy – “One who pierces the valley” (French)
• Ralph – “Wolf counsel” (Germanic)
• Rex – “King” (Latin)
• Stanley – “Stone clearing” (Old English)
• Toby – “God is good” (Hebrew)
• Vincent – “Conquering” (Latin)
• Walter – “Army ruler” (Germanic)
• Xavier – “New house” (Basque)
• Yates – “Gates” (Old English)
• Zachariah – “God has remembered” (Hebrew)
• Abbott – “Father” (Aramaic)
• Blake – “Dark” (Old English)

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British Names for Man

(These names just radiate that distinguished British vibe!)

• Alistair – “Defender of mankind” (Scottish/British)
  You’ll hear this one a lot in those fancy British TV shows – it just sounds posh, right?
• Benedict – “Blessed” (Latin/British)
  Yep, like Benedict Cumberbatch – he definitely helped make this name cool again!
• Crispin – “Curly-haired” (Latin/British)
• Dexter – “Right-handed” (Latin/British)
• Fletcher – “Arrow maker” (English)
• Giles – “Shield bearer” (Greek/British)
• Hamilton – “Beautiful mountain” (English)
• Irving – “Green water” (Scottish)
• Jerome – “Sacred name” (Greek/British)
• Kingston – “King’s town” (English)
• Lennox – “Elm grove” (Scottish)
• Maddox – “Son of Madoc” (Welsh)
• Neville – “New town” (Norman/British)
• Orion – “Rising in the sky” (Greek/British)
• Piers – “Rock” (Greek/British)
• Quentin – “Fifth” (Latin/British)
• Radley – “Red meadow” (English)
• Sterling – “Genuine” (English)
• Thorne – “Thorn bush” (English)
• Warwick – “Settlement by the weir” (English)

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UK Boys Names

(These are totally trending in British nurseries!)

• Tommy – “Twin” (English)
  Love how this old-school nickname is now a proper name – so cute on a little one!
• Reggie – “Counsel power” (Germanic)
• Logan – “Little hollow” (Scottish)
• Mason – “Stone worker” (English)
• Riley – “Valiant” (Irish)
• Blake – “Dark” (Old English)
• Austin – “Majestic” (Latin/British)
• Cole – “Coal black” (English)
• Deacon – “Messenger” (Greek/British)
• Elias – “Yahweh is God” (Greek/British)
• Flynn – “Son of the red-haired one” (Irish)
• Greyson – “Son of the steward” (English)
• Hudson – “Hugh’s son” (English)
• Jenson – “Son of Jan” (English)
• Kian – “Ancient” (Irish)
• Lachlan – “From the lake land” (Scottish)
• Maxwell – “Great stream” (Scottish)
• Nash – “By the ash tree” (English)
• Oakley – “Oak meadow” (English)
• Palmer – “Palm bearer” (English)

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European Boy Names

(These have a lovely British twist but with continental flair!)

• Florian – “Flowering” (Latin/European)
  Fun fact: This name’s super popular in Austria but starting to catch on in the UK too!
• Henrik – “Ruler of the home” (Scandinavian)
  I just love how this one sounds – kind of royal but not too stuffy, you know?
• Laurent – “Crowned with laurels” (French)
• Marco – “Warlike” (Italian)
• Nico – “Victory of the people” (Greek)
• Paolo – “Small” (Italian)
• Rafael – “God has healed” (Spanish)
• Stefan – “Crown” (Greek)
• Thiago – “Supplanter” (Portuguese)
• Viktor – “Victor” (Slavic)
• Luca – “Light” (Italian)
• Matteo – “Gift of God” (Italian)
• Anders – “Manly” (Scandinavian)
• Pierre – “Rock” (French)
• Klaus – “Victory of the people” (German)
• Johann – “God is gracious” (German)
• Lars – “Crowned with laurel” (Scandinavian)
• Filip – “Friend of horses” (Slavic)
• Soren – “Stern” (Scandinavian)
• Gustav – “Staff of the Goths” (Swedish)

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Old English Boy Names

(These names are like stepping back in time – in the best way!)

• Aldwin – “Old friend” (Old English)
  Doesn’t this just make you think of cozy cottages and countryside walks?
• Cuthbert – “Famous bright” (Old English)
• Dunstan – “Dark stone” (Old English)
• Eadmund – “Blessed protection” (Old English)
• Fulke – “People’s guardian” (Old English)
• Godwin – “Friend of God” (Old English)
• Hereward – “Army guard” (Old English)
• Kenelm – “Brave helmet” (Old English)
• Leofric – “Beloved ruler” (Old English)
• Oswald – “Divine power” (Old English)
• Penda – “Guardian” (Old English)
• Redwald – “Power council” (Old English)
• Sigeric – “Victory ruler” (Old English)
• Thurstan – “Thor’s stone” (Old English)
• Uhtred – “Dawn counsel” (Old English)
• Wigbert – “Famous battle” (Old English)
• Wulfstan – “Wolf stone” (Old English)
• Yarmouth – “Mouth of the River Yare” (Old English)
• Zenric – “Royal power” (Old English)
• Aethelred – “Noble counsel” (Old English)

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Classic British Names

(These names are basically British history in a nutshell!)

• Charles – “Free man” (Germanic/British)
  You know what’s wild? This name’s been used by THREE British kings! Talk about staying power.
• Edward – “Wealthy guardian” (Old English)
  Ever notice how many Eddie’s there are in British shows? Now you know why!
• Robert – “Bright fame” (Germanic)
• Richard – “Strong ruler” (Germanic)
• John – “God is gracious” (Hebrew)
• William – “Strong-willed warrior” (Germanic)
• Thomas – “Twin” (Aramaic)
• James – “Supplanter” (Hebrew)
• David – “Beloved” (Hebrew)
• Peter – “Rock” (Greek)
• Michael – “Who is like God?” (Hebrew)
• Stephen – “Crown” (Greek)
• Christopher – “Christ-bearer” (Greek)
• Andrew – “Manly” (Greek)
• Matthew – “Gift of God” (Hebrew)
• Daniel – “God is my judge” (Hebrew)
• Paul – “Small” (Latin)
• Henry – “Home ruler” (Germanic)
• Anthony – “Priceless one” (Latin)
• Joseph – “He will add” (Hebrew)

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English Names for Boys

(These are the names you’ll hear all over British playgrounds right now!)

• Teddy – “Divine gift” (Greek)
  I can’t get over how cute this one is – it’s like a cuddle in name form!
• Freddie – “Peaceful ruler” (Germanic)
  Remember when this was just a nickname? Now it’s totally stolen the show!
• Bobby – “Bright fame” (Germanic)
• Jamie – “Supplanter” (Hebrew)
• Ollie – “Olive tree” (Latin)
• Frankie – “Free man” (Germanic)
• Tommy – “Twin” (Aramaic)
• Charlie – “Free man” (Germanic)
• Ronnie – “Mighty counselor” (Norse)
• Billy – “Resolute protection” (Germanic)
• Danny – “God is my judge” (Hebrew)
• Joey – “God will add” (Hebrew)
• Vinnie – “Conquering” (Latin)
• Robbie – “Bright fame” (Germanic)
• Johnny – “God is gracious” (Hebrew)
• Kenny – “Born of fire” (Celtic)
• Stevie – “Crown” (Greek)
• Mickey – “Who is like God?” (Hebrew)
• Andy – “Manly” (Greek)
• Benny – “Son of the right hand” (Hebrew)

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Unusual Old English Names for Boy

(Here’s where things get really interesting – these are like hidden gems!)

• Aldred – “Wise counsel” (Old English)
  I absolutely love this one – it sounds like something from a fantasy novel but it’s actually super historical!
• Wymond – “Protected peace” (Old English)
  Doesn’t this just make you think of knights and castles? So cool for a modern kid!
• Beowulf – “Bear wolf” (Old English)
• Egbert – “Bright edge” (Old English)
• Kenward – “Brave guard” (Old English)
• Leofwin – “Dear friend” (Old English)
• Merwynn – “Sea friend” (Old English)
• Osmund – “God’s protection” (Old English)
• Sigebert – “Bright victory” (Old English)
• Theodric – “People’s ruler” (Old English)
• Wigmund – “War protection” (Old English)
• Aelfric – “Elf ruler” (Old English)
• Bertram – “Bright raven” (Old English)
• Cynewulf – “Royal wolf” (Old English)
• Eadgar – “Wealthy spear” (Old English)
• Godric – “God’s ruler” (Old English)
• Hadwyn – “War friend” (Old English)
• Leofstan – “Beloved stone” (Old English)
• Ordway – “Spear from the point” (Old English)
• Wulfric – “Wolf power” (Old English)

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Popular Boys Names in London

(These are totally crushing it in the capital right now!)

• Zayn – “Beauty” (Arabic)
  This one’s huge in London – especially after that whole One Direction thing!
• Idris – “Ardent lord” (Welsh)
  Ever since Idris Elba, this name’s been climbing the charts like crazy.
• Kai – “Sea” (Hawaiian/Welsh)
• Arlo – “Fortified hill” (Old English)
• Roman – “Citizen of Rome” (Latin)
• Ezra – “Help” (Hebrew)
• Milo – “Soldier” (Latin)
• Otis – “Wealthy” (Germanic)
• Felix – “Happy, fortunate” (Latin)
• Atlas – “Enduring” (Greek)
• River – “Stream” (English)
• Asher – “Happy” (Hebrew)
• Eden – “Place of pleasure” (Hebrew)
• Phoenix – “Dark red” (Greek)
• Jude – “Praised” (Latin)
• Bear – “Bear” (English)
• Kit – “Bearer of Christ” (Greek)
• Wolf – “Wolf” (Germanic)
• Fox – “Fox” (English)
• Apollo – “Destroyer” (Greek)

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Popular British Male Names

(Let me share some names that are totally hot in Britain right now!)

• Jack – “God is gracious” (Hebrew)
  Funny story – this used to be just a nickname for John, but now it’s ruling the charts on its own!
• Harry – “Home ruler” (Germanic)
  Between Prince Harry and Harry Potter, this name just won’t quit – and I get why!
• Oliver – “Olive tree” (Latin)
• Charlie – “Free man” (Germanic)
• Muhammad – “Praised one” (Arabic)
• Theo – “Gift of God” (Greek)
• Arthur – “Bear” (Celtic)
• Noah – “Rest, comfort” (Hebrew)
• Oscar – “God spear” (Irish)
• Leo – “Lion” (Latin)
• George – “Farmer” (Greek)
• Henry – “Home ruler” (Germanic)
• Ethan – “Strong” (Hebrew)
• Alexander – “Defender of people” (Greek)
• Max – “Greatest” (Latin)
• Lucas – “Light” (Latin)
• Edward – “Wealthy guardian” (English)
• James – “Supplanter” (Hebrew)
• William – “Resolute protector” (Germanic)
• Thomas – “Twin” (Aramaic)

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Common British Male Names

(These are like the bread and butter of British names – super reliable!)

• Daniel – “God is my judge” (Hebrew)
  You know what’s great about this one? It works everywhere – from the playground to the boardroom!
• David – “Beloved” (Hebrew)
  This name’s been around forever, and it’s still going strong. Pretty impressive, right?
• Joseph – “He will add” (Hebrew)
• Samuel – “Name of God” (Hebrew)
• Benjamin – “Son of the right hand” (Hebrew)
• Matthew – “Gift of God” (Hebrew)
• John – “God is gracious” (Hebrew)
• Michael – “Who is like God?” (Hebrew)
• Christopher – “Christ-bearer” (Greek)
• Andrew – “Manly” (Greek)
• Robert – “Bright fame” (Germanic)
• Anthony – “Priceless one” (Latin)
• Richard – “Strong ruler” (Germanic)
• Peter – “Rock” (Greek)
• Paul – “Small” (Latin)
• Mark – “Warlike” (Latin)
• Stephen – “Crown” (Greek)
• Simon – “He has heard” (Hebrew)
• Philip – “Lover of horses” (Greek)
• Kevin – “Handsome” (Irish)

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British Men Names

(Hey, these are some seriously cool traditional names – let me tell you about them!)

• Edmund – “Rich protector” (Old English)
  You know what I love about this one? It’s got that whole Narnia vibe going on, but it’s not too out there.
• Benedict – “Blessed” (Latin)
  Between you and me, this one got super popular after Benedict Cumberbatch hit it big – and I can totally see why!
• Rupert – “Bright fame” (Germanic)
  This one’s got such a posh ring to it, doesn’t it?
• Hugh – “Mind, spirit” (Germanic)
• Julian – “Youthful” (Latin)
• Marcus – “Warlike” (Latin)
• Lawrence – “From Laurentum” (Latin)
• Simon – “He has heard” (Hebrew)
• Roger – “Famous spear” (Germanic)
• Martin – “Warlike” (Latin)
• Philip – “Lover of horses” (Greek)
• Dennis – “Follower of Dionysus” (Greek)
• Russell – “Red-haired” (French)
• Keith – “Wood” (Scottish)
• Graham – “Gravelly homestead” (Scottish)
• Colin – “Young creature” (Greek)
• Malcolm – “Devotee of St. Columba” (Scottish)
• Bruce – “From the brushwood” (Scottish)
• Gordon – “Great hill” (Scottish)
• Stuart – “Steward” (Scottish)

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Understanding British Boy Names

British names are like a tapestry woven from different cultural threads. You’ve got:

• Anglo-Saxon influences bringing strong, bold names
• Norman French adding sophisticated flair
• Celtic traditions contributing melodic, nature-inspired choices
• Royal history influencing naming patterns through generations

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Popular British Boy Names Today

Let’s talk about what’s hot right now in British naming! These days, you’ll hear lots of traditional names making a comeback in British playgrounds. Here’s what’s trending:

Current Top 10 British Boy Names

Rank	Name	Origin
1	Noah	Hebrew
2	Oliver	Latin
3	George	Greek
4	Arthur	Celtic
5	Muhammad	Arabic
6	Leo	Latin
7	Harry	Germanic
8	Oscar	Irish
9	Henry	Germanic
10	Theodore	Greek

Traditional vs Modern Names

Traditional British Names

These are the names that make you think of cozy cottages and afternoon tea:

• Frederick: A name that screams sophistication
• Edmund: Classic and dignified
• Benedict: Timeless and distinguished
• Rupert: Charming and quintessentially British

Modern British Names

Now we’re seeing lots of creative new choices popping up in British naming trends:

• Kai: Short, sweet, and contemporary
• Jude: Musical and modern
• Felix: Upbeat and friendly
• River: Nature-inspired and unique

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Regional Variations in British Names

You know what’s really cool about British names? They change depending on where you are in the UK! Let’s take a little tour around Britain and check out the different naming styles.

Scottish Names

Scottish parents love names that connect to their heritage. Walk around Edinburgh or Glasgow, and you might meet little boys named:

• Callum – such a friendly, warm name
• Hamish – totally classic Scottish
• Fraser – brings to mind those gorgeous Highland landscapes
• Murray – strong and traditional

Welsh Names

Welsh names have this amazing musical quality to them. They’re becoming super popular even outside Wales:

• Gareth – smooth and strong
• Dylan – poetic and flowing
• Rhys – short but packed with character
• Morgan – works beautifully for any gender

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Cultural Influences on British Names

Ever notice how TV shows and books can make certain names suddenly pop up everywhere? British naming trends are totally influenced by pop culture and media.

Literature-Inspired Names

British literature has given us some amazing name ideas. Think about these:

• Darcy: Thanks to Pride and Prejudice, this name’s got that dreamy romantic vibe
• Heathcliff: Wuthering Heights made this one mysterious and brooding
• Orlando: From Shakespeare to Virginia Woolf, this name’s got serious literary cred

Royal Impact

Let’s be real – when a royal baby gets named, that name shoots up the popularity charts! Just look at these royal-inspired names:

• William: Classic and princely
• Charles: Traditional but making a comeback
• Louis: Sweet and regal

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Choosing Your Perfect British Boy Name

Picking a name should be fun, not stressful! Here are some friendly tips to help you choose:

Practical Tips

1. Say it out loud – a lot! How does it sound when you call it across the playground?
2. Check the initials – make sure they don’t spell anything awkward
3. Think about nicknames – kids will definitely come up with them
4. Consider the meaning – sometimes it adds an extra special touch

Unique British Boy Names You Might Love

Looking for something a bit different? These names are gorgeous but you won’t hear them every day:

• Rafferty – got that cool, artistic vibe
• Barnaby – super charming and friendly
• Caspian – like something from a fairy tale
• Lysander – ancient but somehow modern too

The Rise of Gender-Neutral British Names

More and more British parents are picking names that work for any gender – isn’t that brilliant? Some favorites:

• Rowan – nature-inspired and gentle
• Blair – strong but soft
• Eden – peaceful and beautiful
• Robin – classic and sweet

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Wrapping It Up

Choosing a British boy name is like picking out a little piece of history for your child. Whether you go super traditional or totally modern, there’s something special about these names that’s stood the test of time.

Remember, the perfect name is out there – the one that makes you smile every time you say it. That’s the one for your little boy.

Just a friendly reminder – while you’re exploring these beautiful British names, trust your gut! The name that feels right to you is probably the perfect choice.

What do you think about British boy names? Got any favorites from this list? Whether you’re team traditional or loving the modern choices, there’s definitely something for everyone in the wonderful world of British names.