British Girl Names and British Boy Names for Babies

Sometimes you do not have to look very far for the ultimate baby name inspiration. Case in point? The UK is teeming with beautiful British names for boys and girls. The list of top British baby names include both straight-up classics inspired by centuries of nobility and tradition, as well as up-and-coming name trends that venture off the beaten path. Colour names, obscure flowers, and surprising pop-culture-inspired picks tend to rise to the top of best British baby name lists, along with standards, like Charles, George, Catherine, or Elizabeth.

If you are searching for the perfect British baby name for your little one, you might just find it here. Here are some of our favourite 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 is an ancient name from the Apostles that has 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. It means 'battle worthy' and has French origins.

Henry: A classic that will seemingly never go out of style! Even in the United States, this noble English name meaning 'estate ruler' was in the top 20 in 2018.

Inigo: Parents seeking a unique British baby name might be charmed by this gem from the Spanish that is popular with 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.

Noah: The biblical name has been in the Top 5 in the US for years (and currently in the No. 1 spot!), and has steadily risen in popularity in Great Britain ever since the 1800’s, rounding out the list of top 10 British baby names currently. The name has Hebrew roots, and means 'rest' or 'comfort.'

Oliver: It is a popular baby British name meaning 'olive tree.' Give him the nickname 'Ollie' for extra flair.

Piers: The name with Greek origins meaning 'rock' is a trendy pick and a softer answer to Pierce.

Sebastian: This name has Greek and Latin roots and has been popular both in the UK and in America for years. Your little boy would be in the best company if you nicknamed him Seb.

Theo: The shortened version of Theodore is an oft-given name; Teddy is another option. Theodore means 'gift of God.'

British Girl Names

Agnes: It is an old-fashioned name that never really went out of style. Agnes has Greek origins, means 'pure' or 'virginal,' and would be an adorable pick for a baby girl.

Beatrix: This beautiful British baby girl name means 'she who brings happiness; blessed.'

Briony: It is in the British Top 100 and is 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.' Plus, Cressida appears in Shakespeare, giving it extra favour on our list of British baby names.

Florence: This pretty girls’ name from the Latin, means '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.

Gemma: Your 'precious stone' will be in good company with this popular British baby name.

Isla: The popular British name in this spelling and other variants (such as Ayla) is picking up speed in the US 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 cool-girl status.

Maisie: It is a super sweet diminutive of Margaret meaning 'pearl,' made extra relevant by the Game of Thrones star.

Nicola: This Italian version of Nicole (and the feminine of Nicholas) means 'people of victory' and this variation has a charming, exotic sound.

Philippa: Or Pippa, as she will likely be called, is a gorgeous British name. 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.

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.

Scarlette: Colour names are very popular, and this shade of red gets high marks. Similar choices that are popular there include Ruby and Violet.

Tamsin: It is a British baby name constructed by shortening Thomasina (another popular pick). 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 is 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 favourite in Britain. It means 'benevolent' and is one of those flexible baby names that pairs well with most surnames and middles.

Finlay: It is 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 for girls it is more common as a nickname for Mackenzie. 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 did not strike your fancy, take a look at our other favourite baby names:

Though picking the perfect 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 are looking ahead to the big day, do not forget to register for the ultimate baby gift: SNOO Smart Sleeper!