English names: how to choose one

Search and filter the list below of common English first names by gender and first letter. Each name has its American English pronunciation in IPA, its meaning or origin, and a famous person with the name where there is one.

First letter

158 names of 158

NamePronunciationGenderFamous namesakeMeaning
Aaron/ˈɛrən/MaleFrom Hebrew; meaning uncertain
Abigail/ˈæbəɡeɪl/FemaleFrom Hebrew, "my father is joy"
Adam/ˈædəm/MaleFrom Hebrew, "man," perhaps from "earth"
Aiden/ˈeɪdən/MaleFrom Irish Aodhán, "little fire"
Albert/ˈælbɚt/MaleAlbert EinsteinFrom Germanic, "noble and bright"
Alex/ˈælɪks/BothShort form of Alexander or Alexandra
Alexander/ˌælɪɡˈzændɚ/MaleFrom Greek, "defender of people"
Alice/ˈælɪs/FemaleFrom Germanic, "noble"
Amelia/əˈmiliə/FemaleAmelia EarhartFrom Germanic amal, "work"
Amy/ˈeɪmi/FemaleFrom Old French, "beloved"
Andrew/ˈændru/MaleFrom Greek, "manly, brave"
Angela/ˈændʒələ/FemaleFrom Greek angelos, "messenger, angel"
Anna/ˈænə/FemaleFrom Hebrew Hannah, "grace, favor"
Anthony/ˈænθəni/MaleFrom the Roman family name Antonius
Arthur/ˈɑrθɚ/MaleOrigin uncertain; perhaps Celtic "bear"
Ashley/ˈæʃli/FemaleFrom Old English, "ash tree meadow"
Audrey/ˈɔdri/FemaleAudrey HepburnFrom Old English, "noble strength"
Ava/ˈeɪvə/FemaleMedieval name; origin uncertain
Avery/ˈeɪvəri/BothFrom a surname, from Norman forms of Alfred
Bella/ˈbɛlə/FemaleFrom Italian, "beautiful"
Benjamin/ˈbɛndʒəmɪn/MaleFrom Hebrew, "son of the right hand"
Brian/ˈbraɪən/MaleIrish; perhaps Celtic "high, noble"
Cameron/ˈkæmərən/BothCameron DiazScottish surname, from Gaelic "crooked nose"
Caroline/ˈkɛrəlaɪn/FemaleFeminine of Charles, "free man"
Casey/ˈkeɪsi/BothFrom an Irish surname, "vigilant"
Charles/tʃɑrlz/MaleCharles DarwinFrom Germanic, "free man"
Charlie/ˈtʃɑrli/BothCharlie ChaplinShort form of Charles or Charlotte
Charlotte/ˈʃɑrlət/FemaleCharlotte BrontëFrench feminine of Charles, "free man"
Chloe/ˈkloʊi/FemaleFrom Greek, "green shoot"
Chris/krɪs/BothChris HemsworthShort form of Christopher or Christine
Christopher/ˈkrɪstəfɚ/MaleFrom Greek, "bearing Christ"
Claire/klɛr/FemaleFrom Latin clarus, "clear, bright"
Daisy/ˈdeɪzi/FemaleThe flower; Old English "day's eye"
Daniel/ˈdænjəl/MaleFrom Hebrew, "God is my judge"
David/ˈdeɪvɪd/MaleDavid BeckhamFrom Hebrew, "beloved"
Diana/daɪˈænə/FemaleRoman goddess of the moon and the hunt
Drew/dru/BothDrew BarrymoreShort form of Andrew
Dylan/ˈdɪlən/MaleWelsh; perhaps "great tide"
Edward/ˈɛdwɚd/MaleFrom Old English, "rich guardian"
Eleanor/ˈɛlənɔr/FemaleFrom Occitan Aliénor; origin uncertain
Elizabeth/ɪˈlɪzəbəθ/FemaleElizabeth TaylorFrom Hebrew, "my God is an oath"
Ella/ˈɛlə/FemaleElla FitzgeraldNorman name, from Germanic "other"
Emerson/ˈɛmɚsən/BothFrom a surname, "son of Emery"
Emily/ˈɛməli/FemaleEmily DickinsonFrom Latin Aemilius, perhaps "rival"
Emma/ˈɛmə/FemaleEmma WatsonFrom Germanic ermen, "whole, universal"
Eric/ˈɛrɪk/MaleFrom Old Norse, "ever ruler"
Ethan/ˈiθən/MaleFrom Hebrew, "firm, enduring"
Eva/ˈivə/FemaleFrom Hebrew, "life"
Evelyn/ˈɛvəlɪn/FemaleFrom an English surname; origin uncertain
Faith/feɪθ/FemaleThe English word "faith"
Felix/ˈfilɪks/MaleFrom Latin, "lucky, happy"
Fiona/fiˈoʊnə/FemaleFrom Scottish Gaelic fionn, "white, fair"
Frank/fræŋk/MaleFrank SinatraFrom the Franks, a Germanic people
Gabriel/ˈɡeɪbriəl/MaleFrom Hebrew, "God is my strength"
George/dʒɔrdʒ/MaleGeorge HarrisonFrom Greek, "farmer"
Grace/ɡreɪs/FemaleGrace KellyThe English word "grace"
Hannah/ˈhænə/FemaleFrom Hebrew, "grace, favor"
Harper/ˈhɑrpɚ/FemaleHarper LeeFrom a surname, "harp player"
Harry/ˈhɛri/MaleHarry StylesMedieval English form of Henry
Hayden/ˈheɪdən/BothFrom a surname, "hay valley"
Hazel/ˈheɪzəl/FemaleThe hazel tree
Helen/ˈhɛlən/FemaleHelen KellerFrom Greek; origin uncertain, often "torch"
Henry/ˈhɛnri/MaleFrom Germanic, "home ruler"
Iris/ˈaɪrɪs/FemaleFrom Greek, "rainbow"; also the flower
Isaac/ˈaɪzək/MaleIsaac NewtonFrom Hebrew, "he will laugh"
Isabella/ˌɪzəˈbɛlə/FemaleSpanish and Italian form of Elizabeth
Ivy/ˈaɪvi/FemaleThe ivy plant
Jack/dʒæk/MaleMedieval nickname for John
Jacob/ˈdʒeɪkəb/MaleFrom Hebrew, traditionally "holder of the heel"
James/dʒeɪmz/MaleEnglish form of Jacob
Jamie/ˈdʒeɪmi/BothShort form of James
Jane/dʒeɪn/FemaleJane AustenFeminine of John, "God is gracious"
Jasmine/ˈdʒæzmɪn/FemaleThe flower, from Persian yasamin
Jason/ˈdʒeɪsən/MaleFrom Greek, "healer"
Jennifer/ˈdʒɛnəfɚ/FemaleJennifer AnistonCornish form of Guinevere, "fair, white"
Jesse/ˈdʒɛsi/BothFrom Hebrew, perhaps "gift"
Jessica/ˈdʒɛsɪkə/FemaleCoined by Shakespeare, likely from Hebrew Iscah
John/dʒɑn/MaleJohn LennonFrom Hebrew, "God is gracious"
Jonathan/ˈdʒɑnəθən/MaleFrom Hebrew, "God has given"
Jordan/ˈdʒɔrdən/BothFrom the Jordan River; Hebrew "descend"
Joseph/ˈdʒoʊsəf/MaleFrom Hebrew, "he will add"
Joy/dʒɔɪ/FemaleThe English word "joy"
Julia/ˈdʒuljə/FemaleJulia RobertsFeminine of the Roman family name Julius
Julian/ˈdʒuljən/MaleFrom the Roman family name Julius
Justin/ˈdʒʌstɪn/MaleJustin BieberFrom Latin, "just, fair"
Kate/keɪt/FemaleKate WinsletShort form of Katherine
Katherine/ˈkæθrɪn/FemaleFrom Greek; origin uncertain, linked to "pure"
Kelly/ˈkɛli/BothKelly ClarksonFrom an Irish surname; meaning uncertain
Kevin/ˈkɛvɪn/MaleFrom Irish Caoimhín, "kind, handsome"
Laura/ˈlɔrə/FemaleFrom Latin laurus, "laurel"
Leo/ˈlioʊ/MaleLeo TolstoyFrom Latin, "lion"
Liam/ˈliəm/MaleIrish short form of William
Lily/ˈlɪli/FemaleThe lily flower
Lucas/ˈlukəs/MaleLatin form of Luke, "from Lucania"
Lucy/ˈlusi/FemaleFrom Latin lux, "light"
Luke/luk/MaleFrom Greek Loukas, "from Lucania"
Luna/ˈlunə/FemaleFrom Latin, "moon"
Madison/ˈmædəsən/FemaleFrom a surname, "son of Maud"
Mark/mɑrk/MaleFrom Latin Marcus, probably from Mars
Martin/ˈmɑrtən/MaleFrom Latin Martinus, "of Mars"
Mary/ˈmɛri/FemaleFrom Hebrew Miriam; meaning uncertain
Matthew/ˈmæθju/MaleFrom Hebrew, "gift of God"
Max/mæks/MaleShort form of Maximilian; Latin "greatest"
Maya/ˈmaɪə/FemaleMaya AngelouSeveral origins, incl. Greek Maia and Sanskrit
Megan/ˈmɛɡən/FemaleWelsh short form of Margaret, "pearl"
Mia/ˈmiə/FemaleShort form of Maria (Mary)
Michael/ˈmaɪkəl/MaleMichael JordanFrom Hebrew, "who is like God?"
Michelle/mɪˈʃɛl/FemaleMichelle YeohFrench feminine of Michael, "who is like God?"
Morgan/ˈmɔrɡən/BothMorgan FreemanWelsh; perhaps linked to "sea"
Natalie/ˈnætəli/FemaleNatalie PortmanFrom Latin natale domini, "Christmas Day"
Nathan/ˈneɪθən/MaleFrom Hebrew, "he gave"
Nicholas/ˈnɪkələs/MaleFrom Greek, "victory of the people"
Noah/ˈnoʊə/MaleFrom Hebrew, "rest, comfort"
Nora/ˈnɔrə/FemaleShort form of Eleanor and Honora
Oliver/ˈɑləvɚ/MaleOld French; perhaps from Latin oliva, "olive"
Olivia/oʊˈlɪviə/FemaleOlivia Newton-JohnFrom Latin oliva, "olive"
Oscar/ˈɑskɚ/MaleIrish; perhaps "deer lover"
Owen/ˈoʊən/MaleWelsh; perhaps from Latin Eugenius, "well born"
Parker/ˈpɑrkɚ/BothFrom a surname, "park keeper"
Patrick/ˈpætrɪk/MaleFrom Latin patricius, "nobleman"
Paul/pɔl/MalePaul McCartneyFrom Latin, "small"
Penelope/pəˈnɛləpi/FemalePenélope CruzFrom Greek; the faithful wife of Odysseus
Peter/ˈpitɚ/MaleFrom Greek, "stone"
Quinn/kwɪn/BothFrom an Irish surname, "descendant of Conn"
Rachel/ˈreɪtʃəl/FemaleFrom Hebrew, "ewe"
Rebecca/rəˈbɛkə/FemaleFrom Hebrew, perhaps "to tie, bind"
Richard/ˈrɪtʃɚd/MaleFrom Germanic, "brave ruler"
Riley/ˈraɪli/BothFrom a surname, "rye clearing"
Robert/ˈrɑbɚt/MaleFrom Germanic, "bright fame"
Robin/ˈrɑbɪn/BothRobin WilliamsShort form of Robert; also the bird
Rose/roʊz/FemaleThe rose flower
Rowan/ˈroʊən/BothRowan AtkinsonThe rowan tree; also Irish "little red one"
Ruby/ˈrubi/FemaleThe red gemstone
Ryan/ˈraɪən/MaleRyan GoslingFrom an Irish surname; perhaps "little king"
Sam/sæm/BothShort form of Samuel or Samantha
Samantha/səˈmænθə/FemaleOrigin uncertain; perhaps from Samuel
Samuel/ˈsæmjuəl/MaleFrom Hebrew, "God has heard"
Sarah/ˈsɛrə/FemaleFrom Hebrew, "princess"
Scarlett/ˈskɑrlət/FemaleScarlett JohanssonFrom a surname for a seller of scarlet cloth
Sebastian/səˈbæstʃən/MaleFrom Latin, "from Sebaste"
Simon/ˈsaɪmən/MaleFrom Hebrew, "he has heard"
Skyler/ˈskaɪlɚ/BothFrom the Dutch surname Schuyler, "scholar"
Sophia/soʊˈfiə/FemaleSophia LorenFrom Greek, "wisdom"
Stella/ˈstɛlə/FemaleFrom Latin, "star"
Stephanie/ˈstɛfəni/FemaleFrom Greek stephanos, "crown"
Stephen/ˈstivən/MaleStephen HawkingFrom Greek stephanos, "crown"
Taylor/ˈteɪlɚ/BothTaylor SwiftFrom a surname, "tailor"
Theodore/ˈθiəˌdɔr/MaleFrom Greek, "gift of God"
Thomas/ˈtɑməs/MaleThomas EdisonFrom Aramaic, "twin"
Tony/ˈtoʊni/MaleShort form of Anthony
Victor/ˈvɪktɚ/MaleVictor HugoFrom Latin, "winner"
Victoria/vɪkˈtɔriə/FemaleFrom Latin, "victory"
Vincent/ˈvɪnsənt/MaleVincent van GoghFrom Latin, "conquering"
Violet/ˈvaɪələt/FemaleThe violet flower and color
Vivian/ˈvɪviən/FemaleFrom Latin vivus, "alive"
Wendy/ˈwɛndi/FemaleMade popular by the play Peter Pan (1904)
William/ˈwɪljəm/MaleWilliam ShakespeareFrom Germanic, "will" and "helmet, protection"
Zoe/ˈzoʊi/FemaleFrom Greek, "life"

Pronunciation is in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), American English.

Do you need an English name?

No. Many people keep their own name, and English speakers are used to names from every language. If people find your name hard, you can teach them to say it, or use a shorter form of it.

Some learners like an English name for a class, a job with international clients, or a coffee-shop order. If you choose one, pick a name you will be happy to hear every day.

How to choose a good English name

  • Easy for you to say. Say it out loud. If it has sounds that are hard for you (th, r and l together, clusters like "str"), choose another. You will say your own name thousands of times.
  • A name people recognize. Names from the list below will sound natural. Many real names are also ordinary words (Rose, Grace, Hope) or began as nicknames (Sunny, Candy). How they come across varies by country and setting, and some feel playful or informal. An invented name may need explaining.
  • Check the meaning and associations. Search the name before you choose it. Think about what it brings to mind, such as a word meaning, a brand, or a famous character, and whether it feels formal enough for where you will use it.
  • Suits your age. Some names feel young (Mia, Liam), some feel classic (Emma, James), and some feel old-fashioned for a young person today (Mildred, Gertrude).
  • Close to your own name, if you like. Many people choose a name that starts with the same sound as their real name, or sounds similar: Minh → Mia, Jun → June.

Short forms and nicknames

Many English names have short forms that friends use. Some are obvious, and some are not:

Full nameCommon short forms
ElizabethLiz, Beth, Lizzie
WilliamWill, Bill, Liam
RobertRob, Bob, Bobby
KatherineKate, Katie, Kathy
RichardRick, Rich
MargaretMaggie, Meg
AlexanderAlex, Xander

If you meet someone called Bill, their full name is probably William. When you introduce yourself, say the form you want people to use: "I’m Alex."

Girls’ names, boys’ names, and unisex names

Most English names are clearly female or male. A growing number are unisex, used for anyone: Taylor, Jordan, Alex, Casey, Riley. Some names changed over time: Ashley was mostly a boy’s name in the past and is now mostly a girl’s name in the US.

Use the filters above the table to see only female, male, or unisex names.

First name and last name

In English the first name (given name) comes first, and the last name (family name, surname) comes last: in Emma Watson, Emma is her first name. On forms, "first name" means your given name, even if your language writes the family name first.

Use first names with friends and coworkers. With a title, use the last name: Mr. Lee, Ms. Garcia, Dr. Chen, never "Mr. John".