All posts by dan amos

Wayne

English Boy Name Wayne

Wayne, while a classic male name with famous namesakes like paragon of masculinity John Wayne, was not in the 100 most popular boy names in England in 2012. However, that means that your son, should you choose this name, would have a fairly unique name in amongst his friends and peers.

History of Name: Wayne

Short, easy to spell (with virtually no variations in common usage), Wayne originally meant wagon builder or driver, from its Old English derivation.

Variations in Spelling the Name Wayne

While the fact that they are not many variations in spelling the given name Wayne, there are a few variant spellings that might interest you if you like the name but want to add some flair: Wayne is also spelled Wain and Wayn.

Famous Men with the Name Wayne

The most famous English male with the name Wayne must be Wayne Rooney, the footballer who plays upfront  for England and Manchester United.

Other Waynes include John Wayne, the American cowboy. The famous performer Wayne Newton: think “Danke Schane” who lit up Las Vegas. Another strong masculine namesake was Wayne Gretzky. For the jokesters, Wayne was half of Meyer’s Wayne’s World.

Wayne is a name with a tradition of being a part of some unforgettable people, and has a strong, manly connotation. Or at least of someone that’s going to be noticed, and remembered.

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Kingsley

Meaning and Origin of the Name Kingsley

The name Kingsley has an English origin and a few meanings. The meaning of Kingsley in the UK comes from the Hampshire and Staffordshire areas and means old wood. The meaning of Kingsley in the US is from the kings field.

Popularity

Kingsley was not in the 100 most popular male names in 2012 in England (data from UK Government ONS).

Some Famous People Called Kingsley

A man with multiple areas of expertise is Sir Kingsley William Amis. This man has been an English novelist, poet, critic and a teacher. He has written various types of material including: multiple novels, volumes of poetry, his memoir and many more pieces of his work. In 2008 The Times wrote an article about the greatest British writers since 1945. The list had included Kingsley in the ninth place out of fifty.

Kingsley Jones is involved in the Welsh Rugby sport. He is a union coach and also a former player. Jones has had a few different titles of being a coach. He has also been captain for a team that he played for in Wales. He has won multiple caps for Wales. For several years he had become the rugby at sale director. His last coaching position was to coach for Russia and lead them to the world cup of 2011.

Sir Howard Kingsley Wood was an English politician for the Conservative party. Early on he had become a solicitor that specialized in industrial insurance. Being a member of parliament and also the London county council Kingsley had been given his first post as postmaster general. While working in this field he had turned the British post office into a business. Lastly, he had created the pay as you earn program so that the income tax is taken out of an employees current pay check instead of having the tax just to be collected.

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Howard

Meaning of the name Howard

Howard name was not one of the most popular names for babies in England according to data from the 2012 Office of National Statistics. The meaning of Howard is sheep herder. This name is Middle English in origin. This name dates back to the early times in England. A common variation of this name is Howie. Howard was also the surname of a noble British family. Part of this family was the Duke of Norfolk who first came to power in the 15th century.

Popularity

Although Howard is not in the top 100 boy’s names in England in 2012. It has been a very popular boy’s name in the USA, so much so between 1880 and 1957 it was in the top 100 name. Today it is not as popular as it once was and in 2013 it was in 1017th position (baby name data from Social Security Administration).

Famous People with the Name Howard

There are many famous people that are named Howard. Howard Donald is from the popular English singing group called Take That. This group went on to sell millions of records. Howard Hughes was an American film mogul and was also one of the first people that explored the field of aviation. Howard Wilkindin is one of the most popular football mangers in English. Howard Stern is an American radio host who gain popularity for his off coloured radio show. The name Howard has been the name of many famous people throughout the years.

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Adrian

History of the name Adrian

Although the name Adrian was not included in England’s 100 most popular boy names in 2014, it is still a lovely name that should undoubtedly be considered for your unborn son. One reason for this is simply because the name Adrian sounds quite pretty. It is also simple to spell and read, you don’t have to worry about anyone mispronouncing his name.

Although these are some great reasons to choose the name Adrian for your baby, you will surely want to know what the meaning of this name is. Adrian is an American, Latin, English, and Shakespearean name.

The meaning of Adrian is black, dark, and of the Adriatic (which refers to the Adriatic Sea region).

Famous People Called Adrian

If you chose to name your child Adrian, he will also be sharing his name with a few other, well-known individuals named Adrian. Some of these individuals include the musical conductor Adrian Boult, the tennis player Adrian Ungur, Adrian Chiles a sports presenter and also the American football star Adrian Peterson.

Although Adrian is a nice name, it may not be the right name for your baby. If you’re searching for English baby names, do not hesitate to visit our website.

Colin

Meaning & Origin of the Boy’s name Colin

The name Colin is one that’s been around for a long time, and it’s the Anglicised version of the Gaelic  name ‘Coileáin’. The meaning of Colin “pup” or “cub,” meaning that its bearer comes from a wolfish background.

With roots in both old English and in Gaelic, Colin may also be a short form of Cailean, which sounds a bit archaic by today’s standards. The name may also be spelled with a double “l,” but doing so doesn’t change the meaning of the name at all.

Popularity

 

Though it has was not in the 100 most popular names in the U.K. in the year 2012 according to the Office of National Statistics. Despite that Colin’s popularity is still noticeable, and this name is still quite commonly used.

Famous People Called Colin

There are a number of famous people who have born the name Colin in the U.K., as well as abroad. The actors Colin Farrel and Colin Firth are two prominent examples from both the big and the small screen of men who’ve carried this name proudly. The American general Colin Powell is another individual who’s achieved international fame.

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Alexander

Alexander What’s in a Name?

Alexander has always been a popular boy’s name. Alexander is a Royal name and is one of the names of the new British Prince George. Alexander has been popular as a British name for many years.

Meaning and Origin of Alexander

The literal meaning of the name Alexander is helper and defender of mankind. Those who care about the actual translation of names are undoubtedly impressed by this. It’s origin is Greek.It has been popular throughout time and has long been in the top 30 of English names. Many people who have enjoyed this name have found it to be as strong masculine name. Alexander’s popularity may have something to do with Alexander the Great, who may have had an influence on the names continuous use throughout history.The name Alexander has stood the test of time, and has never really gone out of vogue. It is a testament to the enduring power of the name that it was strongly considered to be the first given name of the new baby royal. Look for the name Alexander to continue to be in the list of popular English names for years to come.

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Harrison

Meaning and Origin of the Name Harrison

Harrison is a surname that has become quite popular as a first name. So much in fact that in 2012 it was ranked the 24th most popular baby boy name in England. The meaning of Harrison is actually quite simple, son of Harry. Off course, due to Harrison’s popularity as a name we can guess that most little boys do not have a father named Harry. Their parents simply enjoy the name Harrison and the sense of power that it seems to emulate.

Famous People with the Name

Of course, one of the most famous people with the name Harrison is Harrison Ford known for playing Han Solo, Indiana Jones, and more. Another famous Harrison is Harrison Birtwistle a composer from Britain.

Variations of the Name

In some cases Harrison can also be spelt Harrysson or Harryson although when used as a given name most of the time it is spelt Harrison. Harison boys name seems to represent power and strength much like Ford and is one reason why the name has likely grown in popularity over the last few years.

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Jeremy

Meaning and Origin of Jeremy

The name Jeremy is derived from Jeremiah which is of Hebrew decent. The meaning of Jeremy is “God will uplift” and “the Lord loosens”.

Popularity of the Name

Unfortunately the name Jeremy seems to be less popular than it has been in the past. Recently the name Jeremy has not been on the list of the top 100 boy names in England. As with any name, the meaning of Jeremy is different to everyone. Some people use family names that are passed on from generation to generation, while others want to use names that are unique and less common.

Famous People Called Jeremy

There are many famous and influential people in the world that are named Jeremy. Jeremy Wade is from the television show River Monsters, is one person that is well known throughout the world.

Another Jeremy that is well known is Jeremy Mcgrath. Jeremy Mcgrath is nicknamed the king of motocross/supercross because of the influence he has had on that sport.

Jeremy Kyle is an English presenter who host a day time television talk show.

Jeremy is a strong name that is great for children, adults, and professionals alike.

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Harley

Meaning and Origin of Harley

The name Harley is English in origin and is a popular first name for men and last name as well. The meaning of Harley varies from ‘Hare Meadow’ to ‘Long field’, or possibly ‘Rocky or Eagle Meadow’. While primarily thought of as a boys name, Harley is also the first name of many women.

Harley’s Popularity

Harley was the 35th most popular male baby name in England in 2012 (latest data from the ONS).

How to Pronounce Harley

The name Harley is pronounced har-lee.

Variations of the Name

The name Harley has many different variations such as, Arley, Arlea, Arleigh, Harlea, or Harly.

Famous People with the Name Harley

Many famous people have taken on the title of Harley whether in real life or in fiction. Examples include, the country singer, Harley Allen, the radio personality, Harley Brinsfield, Harley True Burton who was a Texas historian, college president, and mayor, Harley H. Christy, who was a vice admiral of the US Navy, Harley Dillinger, who was a Major League Baseball pitcher, and Harley Davidson, a popular American Motorcycle manufacturer founded by William S. Harley and Arthur Davidson. Some fictional characters have taken on the name Harley as well, the most famous of which is Harley Quinn, a popular character from Batman the Animated Series.

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Robert

Robert is popular male name thought the English speaking countries.

Robert’s Origins

Robert originate from the Germanic name Hrodebert, and was introduced into England and Britain during the Norman occupation.

Pronunciation

Pronunciation changes by location and local dialect, the most common usage is the English version: RAh-bert.

Robert meaning

The meaning of Robert is bright famed or shining and come from the Germanic elements  –hrod  (fame) and beraht (bright).

Robert Nicknames/ Variations

Rob, Robbie, Robby, Bob, Bobbie, Bobi, Bobby, Bert, Roberto, Beto, Rober.

Countries of Popularity

Robert is a popular boys name through out Europe and North America. Robert has been a popular boys name since the middle ages. Robert’s popularity has waned from previous years, but still remains in the top 100 boys names in many counties including: England (9th in 1996, 96th in 2010, Ireland (30th in 2002, 48th in 2012), Scotland(30th in 2000, 57th in 2012), Canada(59th in 2000, 100th in 2010), and the United States(10th in 1989, 61st in 2012).

In 2012, Robert was the 92nd most popular baby boy’s name in England in 2012 (National office for Statistics).

Famous Roberts

  • Robert Browning 1882-1899, English Poet and Playwright
  • Robert Burns 1759-1796, Scottish Poet
  • Robert Frost 1874-1963 American Poet
  • Robert Louis Stevenson 1850-1894 Scottish Novelist and Poet
  • Robert E. Lee 1807-1870, American General (Conferate Army)
  • Robert Redford 1936- living, American Actor
  • Robert Deniro 1947- living, American Hollywood Actor
  • Robert Downy Jr 1965- living, American Actor
  • Robert Plant 1948- Living, British Musician who played for the band Led Zeppelin

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Toby

Get the facts about the name Toby:

  • Origin England.
  • Meaning god is good
  • Popularity 71st posting in 2012 in England

Meaning and Origin of the Boy’s Name Toby

The boy’s name Toby is English in origin and is very popular in many English speaking countries. It comes from the Middle English vernacular form of Tobias. While Toby itself is English Tobias is actually Greek and roughly translates to good is Yahweh. Yahweh is a Jewish national god.

The meaning of Toby in the English language is god is good. The Irish also use a contraction of it in the form of Tobin. It is commonly a surname, but is also now used as a forename. Many people that like the name Toby also like names such as Noah and Liam, for boys, and lily and Emma, for girls. Many times people associate the name Toby with someone who is caring, stylish and lovable. Unless the Toby that they know doesn’t like them for any reason. In this case they can be very selfish and arrogant.

Popularity

Toby has been a popular name for many years. Often ranking in the top 300 baby names in English speaking countries. In England in 2012, Toby was the 71st most popular baby boy’s name. It  has also been popular in the United States and peaked in the 60’s and 70’s and continues to be popular.

Famous People Called Toby

  • Toby Flood the English international rugby player
  • Toby Faletau the Welsh and British Lions rugby player
  • Toby Jones an English actor who’s appeared in the Harry Potter films

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Stanley

Meaning and Origin of the Name Stanley

“Near the rocky meadow” is one meaning of the name Stanley. However the meaning of Stanley can also be interpreted as “stony meadow.” It is though that that the name Stanley has Old English origins. A number of places are also named Stanley, including 4 English towns in Derbyshire, County Durham, Crook, and West Yorkshire. Including England there are a total of 9 countries in the world with at least one city named Stanley.

Popularity of the Name

In England, the name Stanley was rated number 72 on the most popular baby boy’s names list of 2012 according to stats from The Office of National Statistics. The name has 2 syllables created from 7 letters. The correct pronunciation is (Stan-Lee). Stanley began being used as a masculine name in the 11th and 12th century.

Famous People Called Stanley

The name Stanley is shared by many famous people. They include:

  • Stanley Kubrick (the famous American Film Director)
  • Stanley Sadie (British Musicologist)
  • Stanley Baker (Welsh Actor and Film Producer)
  • Stanley Tucci (American Actor, Writer, Film Director, and Film Producer)

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Brian

Save the Name Brian

The name Brian is slowly dying of non use in Britain. Despite famous celebrities like Brian Johnston, the cricket commentator and Brian Jones, the founder of the rock group the Rolling Stones. The name Brian was very popular in England and Wales in 1934, but since 1994 it has dropped out of the top 100.

Meaning and Origin

The meaning of Brian was derived from an Old Celtic word meaning “high” or “noble”. Another meaning of Brian is derived from the Celtic first name and used as a surname in the French and English languages.

Popularity

In the United States it was most popular, ranking in the top ten from 1968-1979. The Irish still love the name Brian because of the 10th century king of Ireland, Brian Boru.

Famous People with the Name Brian

Other famous people with the first name of Brian are the actor Brian Blessed, Brian Epstein, the manager of the Beatles. There is also Brian May, lead guitarist for Queen that wrote the song, We Will Rock You and Brian DePalma, the director of the hit movies Carrie and Bonfire of the Vanities.

So your child will be in good company with this name. Let’s put Brian back in the top ten where it belongs.

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Gary

Gary is a name you’ll find through England and the rest of the English speaking World. Discover the wonders of the name Gary.

Origin and Meaning of the Boy’s Name

The name Gary is a male name which may be of Germanic origin, possibly a variation of the word “gar” meaning spear; this meaning is also prevalent in Ireland. It may also be a derivation of the Celtic name Gareth, the Gaelic name Garaidh or the English Garrison; in fact Gary is often used as a nickname for these. Other pet names for Gary can be rather cute such as Gaz or Gazza. The meaning of Gary can also be traced to the Welsh for “gentle.”

Popularity of Gary

It was at its most popular in the 1960’s and the name Gary does did not make the list of the most fashionable baby boys’ names in Britain as of 2012, therefore it could be perfect for parents wishing to choose a less common name.

Famous People

Some famous people with the name Gary are: Garry Monk and Gary Lineaker both are British footballers, Gary Barlow the English singer and songwriter, the former cricketer Gary Sobers (Gary is a nickname for his first name, Garfield) and Gary Oldman the famous actor who hails from London

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Percy

History and Meaning of the English Name Percy

The meaning of Percy comes from the forms of Percival and Perseus. Percy can be used as a given name or a short name. Percy has been used as many first names and also many surnames.

Percy is used in four locations in the world. The first place is Percy-en-Auge, Calvados, France. This territory is located in northwestern France. This territory is also an “ancestral home to the House of Percy.” The House of Percy was founded in 1067 by William de Percy and is located in the England Kingdom. Percy, Isere, France is another territory located in southeastern France. The last territory in France is Percy, Manche. This territory is also a village that is located in northwestern France. The last location is a village in Percy, Illinois. This is a small village located in Randolph county.

Popularity

In 2012, the name Percy was not in the 100 most popular baby boys names in England.

Famous People Called Percy

One famous person is Percy Sledge. He has produced nine records and is known for the 1966 hit song “When a Man Loves a Woman.” Percy Jackson was a fictional character on a TV show. In the show he was made out to be a demigod, meaning a mortal mother and an immortal father. He was the main character that had supernatural abilities along with a magic sword. Percy Bysshe Shelley was known as a “major English Romantic poet” of his time. Critics saw him as “one of the finest lyric poets in the English language.” Percy is also a popular character in the children’s TV series Thomas the tank engine.

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Taylor

Meaning and Origin of the Name Taylor

The Taylor name is of English origin. The Taylor meaning refers back to its beginnings as an occupational surname(tailor), much like Thatcher, Farmer, or Shepherd. Transferred as a given(first) name, Taylor’s meaning is cutter of cloth in some translations, and it is fairly common in most English speaking countries. You can find the Taylor name in Wales, Scotland, Australia, Canada, and the United States, to name a few.

Popularity of the Name

As a first name, Taylor’s popularity in England peaked in 2001, when it ranked 64th among names given to baby boys. It still ranks in the top 100, however, landing as the 93rd most popular boys name in 2012. The name has also caught on as a much used character name on TV shows and in movie theatres.

 

Famous People Called Taylor

Taylor is considered to be a unisex name, meaning that it is appropriate for a boy or a girl. There are many famous examples of both. Taylor Lautner (movie actor), Taylor Twellman(retired soccer player), and Taylor Hall(professional hockey player) represent some of the men. Taylors Swift and Dayne (both professional singers) are a couple of examples of women with the first name Taylor.

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Tommy

Tommy Name Information

Whether you are expecting, interested in name origins or just curious about name meanings, this is the perfect place to find out more about the name Tommy. You can find the meaning behind the name, popularity information and about famous people that are named Tommy.

Meaning of Name Tommy

Tommy is a pet name, or nickname, of the names Thompson, Tomas and Thomas. Other variations are Tom or Thom. It comes mainly from the biblical name Thomas and it means “twin”. It is of English origin but is also popular elsewhere.

Popularity

According to the Office of National Statistics, Tommy was the 54th most popular name for baby boys in England in 2012. In the same year there were 1,281 recorded babies born in England named Tommy. It has risen in popularity in recent years.

Famous People Named Tommy

  • Tommy Hilfiger – the founder of the Tommy Hilfiger Corporation and a fashion designer from America
  • Tommy Steele – English entertainer, author, sculptor, and songwriter.
  • Tommy Lee Jones – American Academy Award winning director and actor. Starred in Captain America: The First Avenger, Lonesome Dove and No Country for Old Men.

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Alex

Meaning and Origin of then Name Alex

Throughout human history, Alex has held a unique place in history and still, to this day, is a name that carries heritage and strength. When one hears that name, the meaning of Alex that flashes into the mind’s eye is one of strength and power.

To understand the Alex name and its place in history, we have to look to Greece. The name originally hails from the Greek language, where it stands for Alexander. With this in mind, one remembers Alexander the Great. He is probably among the most important persons in history to use the Alex name. Other famous historical figures to have born the Alex name are Alex Ferguson, Alex Pettyfer, Alex Reid, Alex Rodriguez, Alex Smith, Alex Trebek, and many more. And, according to a study conducted in 2012, it was the 62nd most popular name of baby boys in England for that year.

In the Greek, the meaning of Alex is “Defender of men.” This is a very strong name, which would set up your child to be able to project an image of strength.

Popularity

Alex was the 62nd most popular baby boy’s name in England in 2012 (latest stats from the Office of National Statistics). Because of its place in history and its popularity, Alex is a name that brings meaning and weight to the bearer.

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Peter

Meaning and Origin of Peter

Peter is a common and widespread name in England and the rest of Britain.

The meaning of Peter is ‘rock’ from the Greek, ‘Petros’ meaning ‘stone’.

A boys name of Greek origin. It is a strong name dating back to Biblical times. Though popularity has been falling in the UK since the nineteen forties it has remained common in other countries, including Hungary, the US and the Netherlands.

Despite having roots in hundreds of other cultures the English form remains the most popular for ‘Peter’ anywhere. In all of its forms ‘Peter’ means the same thing; ‘rock’ or ‘stone’ and suggests a stalwart individual, one not easily swayed by others; a leader.

‘Peter’ is easily matched for middle names as well

How to Pronounce Peter?

Peter is pronounced as ‘pee-tur’.

Variations on the Name

Nicknames include ‘Pete’, ‘Petey’ and ‘Piet’

Famous People

Peter has been the moniker for many famous men throughout the ages. Perhaps one of the best known was the Apostle Peter, but others include Peter Jackson, a director, the singer Peter Cetera and several actors, including Peter Ustinov, Peter O’Toole and Peter Falk.

In literature the name earned its immortality in the form of Peter Pan which has remained a well-known story for over one hundred years, even being made into an animated motion picture by Walt Disney Productions in nineteen fifty-three.

Useful Resources

Our extensive list and meaning of boys names.

Michael

Michael Jackson, Michael Owen, Michael Faraday and Michael Palin are just some of the examples of famous Michael’s that are English. The name Michael is a very popular name but what is the meaning of Michael from the English prospective?

Origin of the Name Michael

The origin of Michael derives from Hebrew, and is a biblical name which means ‘like God’, but the English origin has claimed the name and put a spin on it, shortening the name Michael to: Mike, Mick, Mickey or Mikey.

People with this name have a tendency of being quiet, helpful and sympathetic. They are well-adjusted individuals albeit sometimes shy. Mike or Michael is respectful of others and has the ability to make plenty of friends. Michaels dislike change as they’re neat and organized but can often adapt well to it as they are instinctual and perceptive.

Popularity

Michael has always been a popular name is still very fashionable, which makes the name ever-lasting and timeless; the Michael name popularity compared to Mike is considerably higher but Mike can be an adaption of the name Michael.
According to the Office of National Statistics, in 2012, the Michael name popularity was positioned the 57th most popular baby boy’s name in England.

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Bill

Meaning and Origin

Bill is commonly derived from the name William
The Word Cloud for the name Bill

The English name Bill is one of the derivative of the name William. Some of the other variants of the name are Will, Billy, Willy, Liam and Wilem. Historically, the name William grew in recognition after the Norman Conquest in the 11th century. The name was synonymous with young men who were self-assured and leaders of their peers and grew immensely in its popularity. Bill is one the most popular derivations of William. The meaning of Bill is ‘resolute protector’.

People Called Bill

The name Bill rose in popularity between the 1940’s and 1980’s. There are some famous people who carry the name. Bill Murray, comedian, Bill Clinton, 42nd president of the United States, Bill Gates, Entrepreneur, Bill Cosby, Actor, Bill Kaultz, singer and the American western legends Wild Bill Hickock and Buffalo Bill to name a few.

Popularity

Since its rise in the mid 20th century, the popularity of Bill has somewhat declined over the years. Bill has not been on the top 100 most popular baby boy’s name list in England since 2009 according to the stats from the Office of National Statistics.

Characteristics of the Name

Some characteristics that are associated with the name are, mystical, wise, eccentric and intuitive.

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Simon

Meaning and Origin of the Name Simon

Simon is a English name that derived from Simeon, Jacob second son in the Bible. The meaning,of Simon is listen and, hear in English. Simon is considered to be Hebrew, but historians have reason to believe it could have originated in Greece. People with the name Simon are describe as people who like the arts.

Popularity

In recent years Simon has not been a popular name, Simon is the 247th most popular baby name in England and, government records prove that the name was given to a 170 boys in 2012. Simon may not be a popular name at this, but the Brits have many successful Simon’s.

Famous People

Simon Cowell is a entertainment mogul that created (and judge) on the singing/competition shows American Idol, Pop Idol, American Got Talent, Britain Got Talent, and X Factor (U.S and U.K); Cowell is also the owner of Syco a music and television company. Another famous Simon in the music industry is Simon Fuller, Fuller is most famous for his involvement in the hit dance competition show So You Think You Can Dance. Simon Easterby was an Irish international rugby player who played fro the Welsh side the Scarlets. Easterby is now the coach for the Scarlets.

In closing the British have many more famous Simon’s, Simon Le Bon (Singer, Duran Duran) , Simon Harris (Music Producer), Simon Kuper (Writer) are a few.

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Daniel

History and Origin of the Boy’s Name Daniel

Daniel is common male name in England, discover why this name has been so popular over the centuries from the biblical story of Daniel and the Lions to the modern day Daniel Radcliffe (from Harry Potter).

Daniel name meaning and origin

The first known use of the name Daniel was Hebrew in origin and means “God is my judge” in Hebrew. The name can be found numerous times throughout the Old and New Testaments.

Popularity

According to the latest statistics from the Office of National Statistics the name Daniel was the 16th most popular name given to boys in England in 2012, however the name was particularly popular between the 1940’s and the 1980’s.

Famous People Called Daniel

The Daniel’s popularity might fluctuate over time, but it persists in our culture. Several famous people bear the name including Daniel Radcliffe, star of the Harry Potter films, Daniel Craig, the latest actor to play legendary British secret agent, James Bond, Daniel Mendoza, English world champion hall of fame heavy weight boxer, and Daniel Sturridge, an English association football player. There are many more famous Daniel’s that can be found as well. Statistics show that the popularity of the name is once again on the rise and any child given the name is sure to be in great company.

Useful Resources

  • Our comprehensive list of English boys names.
  • Expecting a baby? Get huge offers on baby product.

Richard

Richard is a common name through Britain and it has a strong association with Kings and the English Royal family.

Origin of the Name Richard

The origin of the name Richard comes from France, Germany and England. No exact location can be pinpointed because of the similarities in their early dialects, but the rise of the name unquestionably came from Europe. It also enjoys modern widespread use in Denmark and Sweden.

Meaning

“Ric” means “ruler, leader, authority figure, king” in European language roots. “Hard” means strong, tough or brave. Combined together, the meaning of Richard can be interpreted as “strong ruler” or “brave leader.”

Popularity

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), Richard was not in the top 100 most popular boys’ names in 2012. The popularity of the name Richard was at its peak between the 1940s and the 1980s. It also saw significant use throughout history and folklore.

Famous Richards

Given its meaning and origins, it should come as no surprise that Richard is a popular name for rulers worldwide:

– Richard I of England, also known as Richard the Lionheart, was a Duke of Normandy and a prominent figure in the tales of Robin Hood.

– Richard has been the name of several United States presidents and vice presidents, including Richard Nixon, Richard Mentor Johnson and Richard “Dick” Cheney.

– Richard Foxe was the Bishop of Exeter, Durham and Winchester in sixteenth century England.

Other well-known Richards include Richard Rogers, a famous British architect, and Richard Gere, an award-winning Hollywood actor. There have also been several Saint Richards throughout history.

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Max

Max is a popular name for baby boys in England. Learn all the necessary facts about this name. 

Meaning and Origin

The name Max can be a shortened form of one of two names: Maximilian or Maxwell.
Maxwell comes from the Scottish place-name Mackeswell. Maccus obtained land on the Tweed River with a pool on it and named the pool “Maccus’ Wiel.” Wiel meant “pool.” His estate was named Mackeswell, and later it became a surname. The spelling and pronunciation varied until it settled on Maxwell. The word is of Old English origin. Maccus, though he lived in Scotland, got his land from the Saxons. Maximilian is from German, and the German is from Latin. Maximilianus is the Latin form, and that comes from Maximus (meaning “greatest”) and from Aemilianus. Maximus and Aemilianus were two Roman generals’ names, which Friedrich III of Germany combined them for his son’s name.

Popularity

Max is listed the 22nd most popular name for boys born in England in 2012. The
popularity of Max continues. The reasons are not clear, but perhaps its resemblance to words such as “maximum” is a factor.

Famous People Called Max

Famous people named Max include: Max Boyce, Max Clifford, Max Chilton, and Max Liebermann. Boyce was a famous Welsh singer and rugby fanatic from the coaling areas of Wales. Clifford is a British publicist who is known for working with b rate celebrities and  funneling stories to the British tabloids. He is under charges of sexual assaults and is scheduled for trial in March of 2014. Chilton is a well-known British race car driver. Liebermann was a turn-of-the-20th-century German Jew who painted impressionist style artworks.

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Noah

History of the Name Noah

The name Noah is Hebrew in origin. This name mean rest or comfort. Noah is a Biblical named from the Old Testament. Noah rounded up two spice of every animal on Earth and loaded them onto an ark that he built. After it rained for 40 days Noah and the animals were fine but everyone else was dead.

Popularity

Noah’s popularity is increasing in England. In 2012 Noah was the 16th most popular name for a boy. This information was obtained from the Office of National Statistics.

People Called Noah

There are many famous people with the name Noah. Noah Whiyle is an actor that played on the popular television series ER. Noah’s popularity increased due to these actors. Noah Baumbach was a famous writer, director, and film maker. He made films such as Mr. Jealousy and Highball. Noah Emmerich is a actor who become famous in the movie Beautiful Girls. He also had roles in The Trueman Show and he on television in the series The American. Noah Hathaway is another famous actor that started in The Never-ending Story and became a teenage heartthrob in Europe. Noah is a great name for a boy. It is unique and has a rich history behind it.

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Oscar

Oscar is a popular boy’s name in Britain and also one of the most prized awards in the film industry.

Meaning of Oscar:

Derived from the Gaelic “os” which means “deer” and “cara” which means “friend,” the name Oscar originated in Irish mythology and means Friend of Deer. The Norse and American meaning is Divine Spear.

Popularity:

Oscar was the 17th most popular boy’s name in England in 2012, according to the latest statistics from the Office of National Statistics. There were 3,289 baby boys given the name Oscar in 2012. The popularity of the name increases each year.

Famous People with the First Name Oscar:

A few celebrities with this name include:

  • Oscar Wilde, an Irish writer
  • Oscar Pistorius, a sprint runner who lost both his legs below the knee when he was a child
  • Oscar de la Renta, an American fashion designer
  • Oscar Peterson, a Canadian jazz pianist/composer
  • Oscar Traynor, Irish commander of the Dublin brigade IRA in the 1920s
  • Oscar I and Oscar II, Swedish kings of Norway and Sweden

“Oscar” is also the nickname given to the awards handed out by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

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Joe

Almost everyone knows someone named Joe, but interestingly enough Joe did not make the list of 100 most popular baby boy names in England as recorded by the Office of National Statistics. This is because many people actually only use the name Joe as a nickname and actually have a different forename.

Popularity

Joe is a very popular nickname for people named Joseph, Josiah, and Josephina. It is interesting to note that Joseph was the 22nd most popular boy’s name (ONS 2012) in England which is likely why Joe seems like such a mainstream name, because a lot of these people probably go by the Name Joe.

Meaning and Origin

The actual English meaning of Joe is ‘God will increase.’ However, since Joseph is the most popular form of the name, many people will say that the meaning of Joe is the same as Joseph, meaning God will make you fertile.

Famous People

There are plenty of famous people that were given the name Joe such as Joe Pesci, Joe DiMaggio, Joe Cocker, Joe Calzaghe, and Joe Biden the US vice president.

Useful Resources

  • Our list of English Boys Names
  • The most popular baby boys names in England
  • Massive savings on baby products can be found Here.

Freddie

Meaning and Origin

Freddie” is a shortened form of “Frederick”, which is the English version of the German “Friedrich.” “Freddie” loosely translates to, “peaceful ruler”, coming from the German word ‘frid’, meaning peace, and ‘ric’, which means ruler.

Popularity

“Freddie” is currently a very popular name in England and was the 18th most popular name in 2014 (up from 37th position in 2012). The name began to increase in popularity in 2005, and has increased in popularity each subsequent year. Since 2008, “Freddie” has been among the Top 60 boy’s names in both England and Wales.

Internationally the name has had limited popularity. Between 1920 and 1950 “Freddie” was extremely popular in the United States before falling out of favour. Due to the names German roots it has also remained popular in Germany.

Famous People

A famous Freddie, Freddie Mercury
A famous Freddie, Freddie Mercury

Some of the most famous people named Freddie include Freddie Mercury, who was the lead singer of the musical group Queen. Who are best known for their songs “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “We Are the Champions.” Other celebrities names Freddie include: Freddie Prinze, star of the show Chico and the Man and father of Freddie Prinze Jr., and Freddie Stroma, who played Cormac McLaggen in the Harry Potter movies.

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Elliot

Are you looking at naming your child Elliot? Elliot would be a unique name as it was not in the top 100 names of baby boy’s list of choices in 2012 according to the office of National Statistics.

Meaning and Origin of Elliot

According to research on the meaning of the name it has different meanings depending on which language it is translating from. Greek & American meanings are “Jehovah is God”, the English translation states “My God is Jehovah” and the French translation simply means “believes in God”. So if you are planning on raising your child in a Catholic-Christian lifestyle then this is a great selection.

Famous People

In regards to the name there were also famous people who also carried the name. Elliot Daly, an English rugby player, donned the name Elliot. Another famous Elliot, Elliot Ness who was famous in the early 1900’s for his role as a Chief investigator for Chicago during the Prohibition of alcohol.

Variations of the Name

The name has become consistently more popular over the past 100+ years is another thing to keep in mind – Elliot can be spelled with one or two L’s and also with two T’s (Elliott). Common nicknames for Elliot are El, Eli, Lotte and “E”. So keep all these ideas in mind and determine Elliot is a name that will work best for you.