Want to make a difference in your gent’s life by giving him a distinguishably unique British moniker?
Whether quintessentially British, traditional, or largely popular names in British pop culture, you can find your sweet spot in our list of the top 247 British baby boy names and their meanings.
Infused with gentle joyousness and a chirpy charm bursting from them, British boy names, like Charlie and Harry stand out - they're as British as a drizzle in July!
For lore lovers, legends like Arthur and Robin have etched their mark in British culture throughout the centuries, being authentically British and conveying a mythical aura they make gracefully for a masculine feel.
However, let's be candid: some names are more popular choices among Anglophiles. Names, like Oliver and Jack, might be just your cup of Earl Grey, so sweetly exuding a heckuva sense of Britishness!
Brimming with peaceable and gleeful beauty - just like the splendors and engulfing vistas of the British countryside - the names Finn and Jasper are tinged with a rustic yet refined aura, that is so hard to resist.
In this article:
With all of that in mind, you will be jolly impressed by our top 247 British baby boy names! Read on and explore a myriad of beautiful choices.
British names for boys
Aaron - High mountain, Exalted or Enlightened.
Adrian - From Adria or Dark
Alastair - Scottish variant of Alexander, meaning "defender of men."
Albert - Noble, bright.
Alfred - Wise counselor or Elf counsel.
Ambrose - Immortal or Divine.
Andrew - Manly, brave.
Anthony - Priceless or Highly Praiseworthy.
Archer - Bowman.
Arlo - Fortified Hill.
Arthur - Bear or Strong, courageous.
Asher - Happy, blessed.
Aston - From the eastern town.
Austin - Venerable or Great and a more modern interpretation is great or magnificent.
Barclay - Birch tree meadow.
Barnaby - Son of consolation.
Barney - Son of consolation.
Basil - Royal, kingly.
Benedict - Blessed.
Benjamin - Son of the right hand.
Bernard - Strong, brave as a bear.
Blake - Pale, fair or dark.
Bram - Bramble, raven or Father of many.
Brandon - From the beacon hill.
Brian - Strong, virtuous, honorable.
Brock - Badger.
Brody - Ditch or Muddy Place.
Byron - From the barns.
Callum - Dove.
Cameron - Crooked nose.
Cedric - Bounty or Kind and Loved.
Charles - Manly, strong.
Christopher - Christ-bearer.
Clarence - Bright, clear.
Clement - Merciful, gentle.
Clifford - Ford by the cliff.
Clive - Cliff.
Colin - Young creature.
Connor - Lover of hounds or Wise.
Crispin - Curly-haired.
Cyril - Lordly, masterful.
Cyrus - Sun.
Daniel - God is my judge.
David - Beloved.
Declan - Man of prayer.
Derek - People's ruler.
Desmond - Man from South Munster.
Dexter - Right-handed, fortunate, or one who dyes.
Digby - Ditch Town.
Dominic - Belonging to the Lord.
Douglas - Dark River.
Drew - Manly.
Duncan - Dark Warrior.
Dylan - Son of the sea.
Edmund - Prosperity, protection.
Edward - Wealthy guardian.
Edwin - Wealthy friend.
Eldon - Ella's Hill or Sacred Hill.
Elijah - My God is Yahweh.
Elliot - Yahweh is my God.
Elton - Ella's town.
Ethan - Firm, enduring.
Evan - God is gracious.
Everett - Strong or brave boar.
Ezra - Helper.
Farley - Fern wood.
Felix - Fortunate, happy.
Finn - Fair, White or Wanderer.
Fletcher - Arrow-maker.
Floyd - Gray-haired.
Francis - Free man.
Frederick - Peaceful ruler.
Gabriel - God is my strength.
Galvin - Sparrow.
Gareth - Gentle.
Geoffrey - Peaceful territory.
George - Farmer.
Gerald - Spear ruler.
Gideon - Mighty warrior.
Giles - Young goat.
Godfrey - Peace of God.
Graham - Gravelly homestead.
Grant - Large.
Grayson - Son of the gray-haired one.
Gregory - Watchful, alert.
Harold - Army power or leader.
Harrison - Son of Harry.
Harry - Army ruler.
Harvey - Battle-worthy.
Hawthorne - Lives where hawthorn hedges grow.
Hayden - Hedged valley.
Henry - Estate ruler.
Herbert - Bright army.
Horace - Timekeeper.
Howard - Noble watchman.
Hugh - Heart, spirit.
Hugo - Mind, intellect.
Ian - God is gracious.
Irving - Green River or Sea friend.
Isaac - Laughter.
Isaiah - Salvation of the Lord.
Ivan - God is gracious.
Ivor - Bow warrior.
Jack - God is gracious.
Jake - Supplanter.
Jacob - Supplanter.
James - Supplanter.
Jared - He descends.
Jarvis - Spear servant.
Jasper - Treasurer.
Jeffrey - Peaceful territory.
Jenson - Son of Jens.
Jeremy - Appointed by God.
Jesse - Gift.
Joel - Jehovah is God.
John - God is gracious.
Jonathan - God has given.
Joseph - He will add.
Joshua - Jehovah is salvation.
Jude - Praised.
Julian - Youthful.
Kai - Keeper of the keys or Earth.
Kane - Little battler.
Keith - Wood.
Kendrick - Royal power.
Kenneth - Handsome.
Kenton - King's town.
Kieran - Little dark one.
Kyle - Narrow.
Lachlan - From the land of lakes.
Lance - Lancer.
Lawrence - From Laurentum.
Leo - Lion.
Leopold - Bold people.
Lester - Fortified place.
Liam - Strong-willed warrior or Strong-willed helmet.
Lincoln - Town by the pool.
Lionel - Young lion.
Logan - Little hollow.
Louis - Famous warrior or Renowned Warrior.
Lucas - Light.
Luke - Man from Lucania or Light, Bright One, and Bringer of Light.
Malcolm - Devotee of Saint Columba.
Marcus - Warlike.
Mason - Stone worker.
Matthew - Gift of God.
Max - Greatest.
Merrick - Ruler of the sea.
Mervyn - Great, famous.
Michael - Who is like God?
Miles - Soldier.
Montgomery - Gomerick's Hill or Mountain of the Powerful Man.
Morgan - Sea warrior.
Morris - Dark-skinned or Moorish.
Mortimer - Stagnant pond.
Nathan - Given.
Nathaniel - Gift of God.
Neal - Champion.
Neville - New village.
Nicholas - Victory of the people.
Nigel - Champion or Dark.
Noah - Rest, comfort.
Norman - From the north.
Norris - From the north, Northener.
Oliver - Olive tree.
Orson - Bear cub.
Orville - Gold town.
Osbert - Divinely bright.
Oscar - God spear, deer-lover.
Oswald - God's power.
Owen - Young warrior.
Patrick - Noble.
Paul - Humble.
Percival - Pierce the valley.
Percy - Piercing the valley.
Peter - Rock.
Philip - Lover of horses.
Piers - Rock.
Prescott - Priest's cottage.
Quentin - Fifth.
Quillan - Cub.
Quincy - Estate of the fifth son.
Quintin - Fifth.
Radley - Red meadow.
Ralph - Wolf counsel.
Raymond - Wise protector.
Reggie - Mighty, powerful.
Reginald - Wise ruler.
Reuben - Behold, a son.
Rex - King.
Richard - Brave ruler.
Ridley - Reed clearing.
Robert - Bright, shining.
Robin - Famed, bright.
Roderick - Famous ruler.
Rodney - Island near the clearing or Roda's Island.
Ronald - Counselor-ruler.
Rory - Red King.
Ross - Red, headland.
Rowan - Little redhead.
Roy - Red.
Rupert - Famous type.
Russell - Little red one.
Ryan - Little King.
Samuel - Asked of God.
Sean - God is gracious.
Sebastian - Revered.
Selwyn - Manor-friend.
Seth - Appointed.
Sidney - Saint-Denis or Wide Meadow.
Simeon - He who hears.
Simon - He has heard.
Spencer - House steward.
Stanley - From the Rocky Meadow.
Stanton - Stony town.
Stephen - Crown.
Stewart - House guardian.
Terrence - Smooth, tender, or gracious.
Thane - Warrior or follower.
Theodore - Gift of God.
Thomas - Twin.
Timothy - Honoring God.
Toby - God is good.
Trevor - From the big village.
Tristan - Tumult, outcry.
Tyler - Tile maker.
Ulric - Power of the wolf.
Ulysses - To hate.
Vaughn - Little.
Vernon - Alder tree.
Victor - Conqueror.
Vincent - Conquering.
Wallis - A gender-neutral name Of Welsh origin, meaning foreigner or stranger.
Walter - Army ruler.
Ward - Guardian.
Warren - Guard or Animal enclosure.
Wayne - Wagon maker.
Wesley - Western Meadow or Western clearing.
Wilfred - Desiring peace.
William - Strong-willed warrior.
Winston - Joy stone.
Wyatt - Little warrior.
Yale - Fertile upland.
Yardley - From the enclosed meadow.
Yorick - Farmer, Earth Worker.
Zachary - God remembers.
Zane - God is gracious.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a British rare name for a boy?
A rare British baby name for a boy could be "Crispin." Crispin is of Latin origin and means "curly-haired" or "curly-headed."
It has a distinctive sound, and while it may not be as commonly used as some other names, it is uber-charming and wildly appealing with an injection of imposing vitality.
What are cool British names?
With a generous amount of stylish trendiness and contemporary appeal, here are some of the coolest British baby names for both boys and girls:
Cool British baby names for boys:
Felix: Felix is derived from the Latin word "felix," which means "fortunate" or "lucky."
Jasper: Jasper is derived from a Persian word meaning 'treasurer'."
Atticus: Atticus is derived from the Greek name "Attikos," meaning "from Attica." It is associated with the region of Attica in ancient Greece.
Arlo: The origins of Arlo are uncertain, but it might have Celtic or Anglo-Saxon roots and suggest 'fortified hill' or 'army hill.'
Hugo: Hugo is of Germanic origin and means "mind" or "spirit."
Finn: Finn is derived from the Old Norse name "Finnr," which means "white" or "fair."
Kit: Kit is a diminutive form of Christopher or Katherine.
Remy: Remy is of French origin and derived from the Latin name "Remigius," meaning "oarsman" or "rower."
Rowan: Rowan is derived from the Gaelic word "ruadh," meaning "red."
Dexter: Dexter comes from the Latin word meaning "right-handed" or "skilled."
Cool British baby names for girls:
Luna: Luna is of Latin origin - it is derived from the Latin word for "moon."
Freya: Freya is derived from Norse mythology, associated with the goddess of love, beauty, and fertility.
Ivy: Ivy is a botanical name derived from the climbing plant.
Aurora: Aurora is named after the Roman goddess of the dawn.
Thea: Thea is of Greek origins - it is derived from the Greek word for "goddess."
Ophelia: Ophelia is of Greek origin meaning 'help.' It is also notable for its association with Shakespeare's 'Hamlet'.
Willow: Willow is associated with the tree of the same name, symbolizing flexibility, resilience, and gracefulness.
Niamh: Niamh (pronounced NEE-av) is an Irish name meaning "bright" or "radiant."
Juno: Juno is derived from Roman mythology, where it represents the goddess of marriage and queen of the gods.
Mira: Mira has multiple origins and meanings. It can be derived from the Latin word meaning "admirable" or from Sanskrit meaning "sea" or "ocean." In Slavic languages, Mira also means 'peace'
What are some classy boy English names?
Oozing with refinement, grace, and rich glamour, here are some classy English boy names that will wow you:
Classy British boy names:
Alexander: Alexander is of Greek origin - it is derived from the Greek name "Alexandros," which means "defender of men" or "protector of mankind."
Benjamin: Benjamin is of Hebrew origin - it is derived from the Hebrew name "Binyamin," meaning "son of the right hand" or "son of the south."
Christopher: Christopher is of Greek origin - it is derived from the Greek name "Christophoros," which means "Christ-bearer" or "carrier of Christ."
Daniel: Daniel is of Hebrew origin - it is derived from the Hebrew name "Daniyyel," meaning "God is my judge."
Edward: Edward is of Old English origin, derived from 'Eadweard,' meaning 'wealthy guardian' or 'protector of riches.'
Frederick: Frederick is derived from the Germanic name "Friduric," which means "peaceful ruler" or "peaceful leader."
George: George is of Greek origin - it is derived from the Greek name "Georgios," meaning "farmer" or "earthworker."
Henry: Henry is derived from the Germanic name "Heimirich," which means "ruler of the home" or "estate ruler."
James: James is of Hebrew origin - it is derived from the Hebrew name "Ya'aqov," which means "supplanter" or "one who follows."
Jonathan: Jonathan is derived from the Hebrew name "Yehonatan," meaning "gift of God" or "Yahweh has given."
Lawrence: Lawrence is derived from the Latin name "Laurentius," which means "from Laurentum" or "crowned with laurel."
Matthew: Matthew is derived from the Hebrew name "Mattityahu," meaning "gift of Yahweh" or "gift of God."
Nicholas: Nicholas is derived from the Greek name "Nikolaos," meaning "victory of the people" or "people's conqueror."
Oliver: Oliver may be derived from the Old Norse 'Óleifr,' meaning 'ancestor's descendant,' or from Latin, relating to the olive tree.
Philip: Philip is derived from the Greek name "Philippos," which means "friend of horses" or "lover of horses."
Richard: Richard is derived from the Germanic name "Ricohard," which means "brave ruler" or "powerful leader."
Sebastian: Sebastian is derived from the Greek name "Sebastianos," which means "venerable" or "revered."
Theodore: Theodore is derived from the Greek name "Theodoros," which means "gift of God" or "God's gift."
Vincent: Vincent is derived from the Latin name "Vincentius," which means "conquering" or "prevailing."
William: William is derived from the Germanic name "Wilhelm," which means "resolute protector" or "strong-willed warrior."
What are classic British old man names?
Loaded with a distinguishable appeal and brimming with timeless charm, the following names epitomize the unique classic 'British old man' moniker. It was a no-brainer to add them to the list.
These names were popular in Britain during the early to mid-20th century and possess a distinct vintage allure:
Classic British popular baby names:
Albert: Albert is derived from the Germanic name "Adalbert," which means "noble" or "bright."
Arthur: Arthur's origins are debated, but it's often linked with the Celtic word 'arth', meaning 'bear'. The name might also relate to the Roman surname 'Artorius.'
Bernard: Bernard is derived from the Germanic name "Bernhard," which means "brave as a bear" or "strong as a bear."
Cecil: Cecil is derived from the Roman family name 'Caecilius', which is believed to be related to the Latin 'caecus', meaning 'blind.'
Clarence: Clarence was originally a title for a duke. It's believed to derive from the Latin 'Clarensis', which refers to the Clare region in Suffolk, England.
Ernest: Ernest is derived from the Germanic name "Ernust," which means "serious" or "earnest."
Frank: Frank is derived from a Germanic tribal name meaning 'free' or 'frank'. It can also be short for Francis or Franklin.
Harold: Harold is derived from the Old English name "Hereweald," which means "army ruler" or "leader of the army."
Herbert: Herbert is derived from the Germanic name "Heribert," which means "bright army" or "illustrious warrior."
Horace: Horace is derived from the Roman family name 'Horatius', but its meaning remains unclear.
Leslie: Leslie is derived from a Scottish Gaelic place name, 'Leas Celyn', meaning 'holly garden'. It was adapted into a surname before becoming a given name.
Reginald: Reginald is derived from the Germanic name "Raginwald," which means "counselor ruler" or "ruler with wise advice."
Stanley: Stanley originates from an Old English word, meaning 'stone clearing' or 'stony meadow.'
Sydney: Sydney is derived from the Old English 'Sidenie', meaning 'wide island'. Although there's a city named Sydney in Australia, the name's origin predates the city's founding.
Walter: Walter is derived from the Old Germanic name "Waldhar," which means "ruler of the army" or "powerful ruler."
Final thoughts
From posh to trendy and old-fashioned names, our list is sure to do the trick! If you haven’t yet found the perfect name, dive into our list of British baby girl names and their meanings, as well as British baby names and their meanings.
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