37 British Baby Names for Your Posh Peanut
Anglophiles rejoice: The definitive list of the best British baby names is in! And did you know that the UK is teeming with beautiful British names for boys and girls that you may have never heard of?
According to inside sources (do the author’s friends across the pond count as inside sources?!), the tendency in Great Britain is to go one or two ways when naming a child: straight-up classics inspired by centuries of nobility and tradition...or way off the beaten path.
Of course, these are the English we’re talking about, so their version off the beaten path isn’t going to be quite as “out there” as many others tend to get. But color names, obscure flowers, and surprising pop-culture inspired picks tend to rise to the top of baby name lists, along with standards, like Charles, George, Catherine, or Elizabeth. Naming kids after the Royals is also prevalent there (just a quick Google will provide you a solid list!).
If you’re searching for the perfect British baby name for your little one, you might just find it here. Here are some of our favorite British names for babies...
British Boy Names
Alastair: The beloved traditional British boy name actually has Scottish roots as a version of Alexander.
Archie: This derivative of Archibald means “truly brave” and has shot up in popularity since the Duke and Duchess of Sussex imparted the British name on their first-born son last year.
Barnaby: A British boy name meaning “the son of consolation,” it’s an ancient name from the Apostles that’s been seen more and more in recent years in the UK.
Duncan: The Scottish name meaning “dark warrior” is not too rare nor too overused.
Felix: This British name means “happy” and “fortunate,” making this fancy, jaunty-sounding name a hope-filled choice for Baby Boy.
Harvey: This is one of those trendier British names picking up speed with modern parents in the UK. It means “battle worthy” and has French origins.
Henry: A classic that will seemingly never go out of style! This noble English name means “estate ruler.”
Inigo: Parents seeking a unique British baby name might be charmed by this gem from the Spanish that’s popular with English parents right now. It means “fiery”—and sounds like it, too.
Jasper: This popular British name has Persian origins meaning “bringer of treasure.”
Laird: The Scottish land-owner’s name is a slick pick for those who like one-syllable baby names, and is growing in popularity with British parents.
Noah: While the biblical name has been in the Top 5 in the US for years (and currently in the #1 spot!), it’s steadily risen in popularity in Great Britain ever since the 1800’s, rounding out their top 10 currently. The name has Hebrew roots, and means “rest” or “comfort.”
Oliver: It’s a popular baby name among British parents, meaning “olive tree.” Give him the nickname “Ollie” for extra British flair.
Piers: The name with Greek origins meaning “rock” is a trendy pick with UK parents and a softer answer to Pierce, which is also a posh British boy name.
Sebastian: This name has Greek and Latin roots and has been popular on both sides of the pond for years. Your little boy would be in the best British company if you nicknamed him Seb.
Theo: The shortened version of Theodore is an oft-given name for British baby boys; Teddy is another option. Theodore means “gift of God.”
British Girl Names
Agnes: It’s an old-fashioned name that never really went out of style in England. Agnes has Greek origins, means “pure” or “virginal,” and would be an adorable—if unconventional—pick for a baby girl.
Beatrix: This beautiful British baby girl name means "she who brings happiness; blessed."
Briony: It’s in the British Top 100, making it a gorgeous choice for your daughter. The name means “to sprout,” making it a perfect choice for outdoorsy parents, as well.
Cressida: This fun British name for girls is Greek for “gold,” and is beloved by UK parents. Plus, Cressida appears in Shakespeare, giving it extra cred on our list of British baby names. It’s pronounced phonetically so it won’t cause confusion.
Florence: The Brits have fun with this pretty girls’ name from the Latin, meaning “flourishing, prosperous.” Singer-songwriter Florence Welsh of Florence and the Machine has given the unique name a bit of an edge since bursting on the scene with her girl-power vibe.
Freya: The Norse name meaning “noble woman” has been popular in the UK for years and is becoming a favorite here.
Gemma: Your “precious stone” would be in good company in England with this pretty baby name that is a favorite there.
Isla: The trendy British name in this spelling and other variants (such as Ayla) is picking up speed in other parts of the world as well. Isla means “island” and it has a fun, whimsical sound.
Jocelyn: The ancient French name has a lovely British feel to it. Call her Jossie to secure English cool-girl status.
Maisie: It’s a super sweet diminutive of Margaret meaning “pearl,” and British mums love it (we do, too!).
Nicola: This Italian version of Nicole (and the feminine of Nicholas) is especially popular in the UK. The name means “people of victory” and this variation has a charming, exotic sound.
Philippa: Or Pippa, as she’ll likely be called, is a gorgeous English name with a royal feel. The female version of Phillip means “lover of horses;” Kate Middleton’s sister by this name made it popular the world over in recent years, but the equine name has deep British roots dating back to the 14th Century.
Poppy: British parents have loved flower names forever; this spirited one denotes a bright red bloom that stands for extravagance (or deep sleep) in the Victorian language of flowers. Other nature names loved by the English include Willow, Primrose, and Jasmine.
Rhonwen: It strikes the perfect note somewhere between recognizable and totally one-of-a-kind. The Welsh name meaning “slender” or “fair” is beloved in the UK but far less popular here than similar-sounding picks like Bronwen or Gwendolen.
Scarlette: Color names are big in Britain, and this shade of red gets high marks. Similar choices that are popular across the pond include Ruby and Violet.
Tamsin: It’s a British name constructed by shortening Thomasina (another popular pick among English parents), and it sounds cute enough to catch on here as well. The meaning is “twin,” so this would be an extra apt choice for the girl in a set of boy-girl twins, or any daughter who takes after her mother.
Tilly: A diminutive of Mathilda, the German girls’ name meaning “battle-mighty” is a stand-alone choice British parents have been loving in recent years.
Zara: This sweet British girls’ name sounds a bit more special than the ubiquitous Sara but it’s just as easy to pronounce and spell. In English, it means “princess,” but the multicultural name has other meanings from Hebrew and Arabic, including “blooming flower” and “God remembers.”
Gender-Neutral British Names
Ellis: This unisex baby name is of Welsh origin and is a favorite in Britain in recent years. It means “benevolent” and is one of those flexible names that pairs well with most surnames and middles.
Finlay: It’s the preferred British spelling of a Scottish/Irish name meaning “fair-haired hero” and we love it for both boys and girls.
Kenzie: For boys, this one is currently in the Top 1,000 in the UK, whereas parents in other parts of the world tend to prefer the longer version—Mackenzie—for girls. Either is acceptable for a boy or a girl, and both options feel both fresh and storied.
Lennon: After John, or just because you love it, this precious British unisex baby name rounds out our list. It means “lover” in Irish and lends to easy nicknames and a lifetime of, well, love!
Final Thoughts on British Baby Names
No matter if your baby’s name derives from actual royalty...or simply rock royalty, there are so many British names to inspire you. But if these British baby names didn’t strike your fancy, take a look at our other favorite baby names:
Though picking the perfect a baby name is a big part of planning for your little one’s arrival, so is planning a baby shower and creating a baby registry. And, as you’re looking ahead to the big day, don’t forget to register for the ultimate baby gift: SNOO Smart Sleeper!
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