Charming and handsome, British boy names are known for being undeniably adorable. Whether your favorite branch of British boy names favors their delightfully brief short forms as full names, studious and sophisticated monikers, or the names just getting off the platform in the US that are soaring across the pond, this list has it all! Today, I’ve collected 10 thoroughly British boy names that are guaranteed to appeal with their mesmerizing imagery and sweet meanings. So, without further explanation, let’s get right into it!
Arthur- A literary treasure, Arthur carries a brave and medieval ambiance, likely thanks to the famous Knights of the Round Table. Although many modern day parents have discovered heaps of appeal in Arthur, he only ranks at a mere #178 in the US compared to his #4 status in Britain. Originally a Celtic name that has become a staple in Britain over the years, this name meaning “bear” is a lovely and strong choice for a baby boy.
Harry- One of the biggest influences in baby naming is royal babies, whose names often spark a full-on revival of what was once brushed aside as a dusty and dated choice. While there haven’t been any recent royal babies answering to Harry, Prince Harry did recently name a son, thrusting his name and the name of his father into the spotlight. While the name Harry and word hairy sound identical, parents have begun to ignore the association, and Harry has leaped to #647 in the US.
Oscar- With Oliver bound for #1 after he skipped to the third spot this year in the US, parents are starting to look to Oscar as a plausible alternative. Yes, there’s the hot dog brand, but that hasn’t stopped Brits from launching Oscar to #10 with Americans not far behind at #205. This English name possesses a particular British flair that is accompanied by literary charm.
Alfie- There’s really nothing more iconically British than a nickname for a more sophisticated English appellation, in this case Alfie instead of Alfred. Ranking at a whopping #15 in Britain, Alfie surprisingly hasn’t yet cracked the top 1000 for the US, which is very shocking. However, American families might find Alfie too diminutive to really function in a real life setting, while it’s a bit more stylistically acceptable in Britain. Either way, it’s an adorable name to consider.
Archie- The name of Prince Harry’s new son, Archie has definitely spiked since his young namesake first appeared on the covers of hundreds of tabloids and became familiar to parents worldwide. At #19 in Britain and #672 in the US, Archie seems to be headed for success. However, nicknames as full names aren’t quite as popular in the US, and Archibald seems a little too much name for a lot of families who are looking to find a name fresh on the trend train, so it will be interesting to see Archie’s popularity shift over the next few years.
Reuben- A handsome boy name with class and charm, Reuben thoroughly British. Ranking in at #44 in England and Wales and a shockingly low #914 in the US, Reuben certainly appears as if he deserves more love, but the low numbers are just thanks to Ruben, a popular alternative spelling in the US. But still, this charming biblical and British boy name is irresistible!
Chester- A handsome vintage boy name that is appallingly rare in America, Chester ranks at #90 in Britain yet doesn’t even approach the top 1000 for the US. Because Chester is getting his revival in the UK, American baby naming trends are sure to follow suit, and Chester might become the next Theodore. Although the nickname Chet is a little out of style, Chester is overall an excellent name with a lot of potential.
Hugo- Got the -o ending and rank high in Britain? Boom, an overnight success! A trending name worldwide, the Latin Hugo, meaning “intellect,” reaches #460 in America and #48 overseas in Britain thanks to the charming vintage -o ending that’s as white hot as naming trends get right now.
Arlo- Although this may be a risky choice if you would prefer your son not share his name with girls due to an increase in female Harlows and Arlowes, Arlo has plenty of old-school appeal. Quirky and vintage, Arlo ranks at #271, just starting to heat up in the US following the current #34 status of the name in Britain. However, it’s hard to find a clear origin for Arlo, and he might be just a combo name to satisfy the recent ending in -o trends.
Jasper- Vintage and retro with the sweetest British undertone, Jasper is a gem name that has taken quite the jump recently. Number 136 in America and #84 in Britain, this lovely Persian find is climbing for both countries, falling in line with trends like Arthur, Dexter, and Oliver with an -er ending. Despite its popularity for boys, Team Pink is getting some use out of this stylish name meaning “bringer of treasure,” too.
And with that, my list of 10 boy names British through and through comes to an end. I hope you enjoyed and maybe found some new favorites or reunited with an old name flame!
Sincerely,
~Delphina Moon
Which of these names are your favorites? Any particular category of names you’d like me to discuss? Submit my form underneath the Contact tab!
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