Nickname help!
We want to name our baby Penelope but we can’t decide on a nickname? Help!
England is a modern melting pot with a long and varied history.
With so much to choose from, English girl names and meanings can be as unique and special as your daughter.
Many English names for girls originated in classical languages like Greek or Latin, which adds another dimension to the meaning behind your baby’s moniker.
If you’re looking for a cute, romantic, or old-fashioned name for your new baby girl, there’s plenty of inspiration coming from jolly old England.
In this article: 📝
- Why choose an English baby girl name?
- Popular English girl names
- Old English names for girls
- Beautiful English names for girls
- Cute English names for girls
- Unique English names for girls
Why choose an English baby girl name?
Whether you or your partner were born in England, have English roots, or are just Anglophiles, England provides a wealth of stunning baby name ideas.
Perhaps you’re a fan of the royal family, took a memorable trip to London, or simply love the idea of a name steeped in tradition.
Whatever the case, English baby names are a sure-fire hit, and what’s more, they’re usually easy to pronounce and spell. Winner.
So what are some girl British names?
Here’s our pick of the best English names for girls. (PSA: there are lots!!)
Popular English girl names
If you’re wanting to follow the trends and choose a popular name for your baby girl, look no further.
The top baby names in the UK are often a year or two ahead of those from other English-speaking countries, so you know your little one will be leader of the pack from day one!
Although these names are common, their meanings might be very special to you, which will give these names a personal touch if you choose one.
So here are England’s top 10 baby girl names and their meanings from 2020:
- Olivia: Comes from the Latin for “olive tree”. Simple, beautiful. You can see why it’s #1!
- Amelia: This name actually has German roots, meaning “work” or “productivity”. A great choice if you want your little one to go far in life.
- Isla: Meaning “island” in Scottish, Isla is the English variant. We love the way it rolls off your tongue. Repeat after us: Isla, Isla, Isla… See?!
- Ava: A variation of the name Eve (which we also adore), there’s a couple of different meanings attributed to Ava. Perhaps it comes from the Latin “avis”, meaning “bird”, or the ancient Hebrew word, “Chava”, meaning “life”. We think it’s a super sweet choice either way.
- Mia: A shortened version of Maria, this name has Latin origins meaning “wished-for child”. Beautiful.
- Isabella: Although Isabella doesn’t necessarily sound like an English name, it’s actually a variant of Isabel, which in itself is a derivative of the name Elizabeth. Meaning “devoted to God” in Hebrew, this is a royal name indeed.
- Sophia: Greek in origin, meaning “wisdom”, this is a proud name to bestow upon your precious newborn.
- Grace: Linked to beauty and joy in Greek mythology, Grace is an elegant name choice for your new little lady.
- Lily: Named after the flower, a symbol of purity in Christianity, Lily is also thought to be a shortened version of Elizabeth.
- Freya: Meaning “noblewoman” in Scandinavian, Freya is also the name of the Norse goddess of love and beauty. How fitting for your precious daughter.
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Old English names for girls
If you want to take a trip through the history books, England has got you covered with plenty of inspiration from the royal family and classic literature as well as simple vintage-styled names from yesteryear.
We love these sweet names:
- Anne: Meaning “grace”.
- Agatha: Meaning “good” and “honorable” from the Greek word agathos.
- Audrey: Meaning “noble strength”.
- Alice: Meaning “noble” or “exalted”.
- Beatrice: Meaning “blessed one”.
- Betsy: Meaning “pledged to God”.
- Camila: Meaning “religious attendant” or “helper to the priest”.
- Catherine: Meaning “pure”.
- Charlotte: Meaning “free person”.
- Evelyn: Meaning “desired child” or “wished for”.
- Elizabeth: Meaning “God is my oath”.
- Eleanor: Meaning “shining light”.
- Elsie: Meaning “pledged to God”.
- Florence: Meaning “blooming” or “flourishing”.
- Heather: A distinctively English name meaning “evergreen, flowering plant”.
- Hazel: Another English nature name, this one meaning “the hazel tree”.
- Jacqueline: Meaning “supplanter”. Related to the Hebrew boy’s name Jacob.
- Jane: A girl’s name of huge literary merit in the British canon. Jane means “God is gracious”.
- Margaret: Meaning “pearl”.
- Samantha: First recorded in England in the 17th century, this enduring name means “God has heard”.
- Victoria: Meaning “victorious”, but of course!
Beautiful English names for girls
Wondering what is the most attractive name for a girl?
How about one of these beautiful English names?
With names like Ella meaning “beautiful fairy woman”, how can you go wrong?!
- Ashley: A beautiful British [tree name] meaning “ash tree meadow”.
- Addison: This gender-neutral name means “of Adam”.
- Amber: Meaning “jewel”. As a Sanskrit name, Amber also means “sky”.
- Brooke: Meaning “small stream”.
- Chloe: Meaning “blooming”.
- Dawn: The OG dawn name.
- Ella: Meaning “beautiful woman”.
- Emily: Meaning “industrious” or “rival”.
- Georgia: Meaning “farmer” or “earth-worker”.
- Edith: Meaning “rich” or “happy”. We’ll take both!
- Holly: As in the “holly tree”.
- Ivy: Meaning “climbing, evergreen plant”.
- Kimberley: An Old English name meaning “from the wood of the royal fortress”.
- Pippa: Meaning “lover of horses”. A fitting English country name.
- Poppy: Meaning “red flower”. In England, the poppy has become an enduring symbol of remembrance.
- Rae: Meaning “ewe”. Related to the Hebrew name Rachel.
- Sadie: Meaning “princess”.
- Sophie: Meaning “wisdom”.
- Scarlett: Meaning “red”.
Cute English names for girls
If you want your baby’s name to reflect their cutest qualities, look no further. English baby girl names come in all shapes and sizes, but these are our pick of the absolute cutest:
- April: Meaning “to open”. A name filled with possibilities!
- Annie: Meaning “grace” or “favor”.
- Bethany: Meaning “house of figs”.
- Blossom: Meaning “to flourish” or “to bloom”
- Cressida: Meaning “gold”.
- Daisy: A dainty flower name.
- Eloise: Meaning “famous warrior”.
- Harriet: Meaning “home ruler”.
- Hope: A sweet virtue name inspiring ambition (and a little daydreaming).
- Imogen: Meaning “beloved child”.
- Josie: Meaning “Jehovah increases”.
- Lucy: Meaning “light”.
- Mabel: Meaning “lovable”.
- Millie: Meaning “gentle strength”.
- Martha: Meaning “lady”.
- Nancy: Meaning “grace”.
- Paige: Meaning “young helper”.
- Piper: Meaning “pipe player”.
- Rose: As in the bold, beloved flower.
- Summer: The highlight of the year and a time ripe for potential.
- Willow: Named for the graceful “willow tree”.
Unique English names for girls
Choosing an unusual English name for your daughter might inspire a lifetime of adventure and intrigue.
By having a less common name, your daughter might miss out on finding items in the shops with her own name on them, but she’ll be sure to know when someone’s calling her from across the park!
Inspiration for unique English names for girls might derive from English last names or be completely modern.
Lots are inspired by nature – be it plants, trees, or fruits.
We love them all but here are our favorites:
- Aspen
- Avery
- Addison
- Blakely
- Blythe
- Clover
- Clementine
- Evan
- Fern
- Hadley
- London
- Lilac
- Marigold
- Meadow
- Oakley
- Presley
- Parker
- Peyton
- Rayne
- Taylor
- Wren
There’s no denying finding the perfect name for your little lady is no easy task.
It takes time to choose the perfect name, and you might even want to wait to see your baby before deciding.
Our top tip? Make a shortlist of your favorite names and take them to the hospital with you so you don’t forget in the heat of the moment!
Practice calling your new precious baby by the names and see which one fits best.
And remember, you can always call in the Peanut community for a vote.