What customs and traditions are associated with English baby names?

English naming customs typically involve three elements - a given name, a middle name (s), and a family name. The British follow a patrilineal naming system where the child inherits their fathers family name. However, following the patrilineal naming system is not mandatory. Instead, parents have the freedom to choose their childs last name. Some parents could also give their child the mothers last name. In contrast, others may provide both mother and father surnames in a hyphenated form, reflecting the flexibility in English naming traditions and customs.

How do English baby names reflect a person's heritage?

English naming conventions are diverse, encompassing people from different religions, ethnicities, and cultural backgrounds. Many parents may opt for names that mirror their ethnic and cultural connections. For example, parents of Irish heritage may choose titles like Liam. On the other hand, those of Greek origin might opt for names like Sophia or Alexander. Parents may also pick names that reflect their regional heritage. For example, Devon and Kent are names inspired by specific regions or places within England. Furthermore, many families pass down names from one generation to another or choose monikers inspired by literary and historical figures.

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1696 English Baby Names with Meanings, Starting With A

Written by Shikha Thakur, MBA Specialty: Relationships and Baby NamesExperience: 7 years

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Edited by Siddharth Kesiraju, MA, Certification in Relationship Coaching Specialty: Love, Marriage and RelationshipsExperience: 7 years

Siddharth holds a certification in Relationship Coaching and a masters degree in communication and journalism from the University of Hyderabad. He has around seven years of experience in various fields of writing and editing.

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Fact-checked by Praggya Joshi, MA, BEd Specialty: Child education & activitiesExperience: 2 years

Praggya Joshi holds a bachelor's degree in Education and a master's in Ancient Indian History from University of Delhi. She has a robust knowledge of literature, society, and ethics. Praggya has been a content writer since 2021, researching and writing on education, health and wellness, and travel.

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Last Updated on Oct 3, 2023

Illustration: MomJunction Design Team

Name	Gender	Meaning
Ava	Girl	Desire; Life; Bird-like; Voice; Sound
Alexander	Boy	Defender of mankind
Asher	Boy	Happy; Blessed; Someone who lived by an ash tree or ash grove
Audrey	Girl	Noble strength
Adrian	Boy	Man from Hadria
Alice	Girl	Noble; Kind; Nobility
Aaron	Boy	Exalted; High mountain
Autumn	Girl	Name of the season Autumn; Fall
Axel	Boy	Father is peace
Ariana	Girl	Most holy; Golden life; Noble; Aryan

Athena	Girl	Of Athens; Wise; Goddess of war and wisdom
Alexis	Girl	Defender; Helper
Adalynn	Girl	Noble; Of a noble kind
Alaia	Girl	Joyful; Happy; Lofty
Ashton	Boy	Ash tree town; From the ash tree farm
Archer	Boy	Bowman
Adalyn	Girl	Noble; Of a noble kind
Atlas	Boy	To endure; Bearer of the heavens
Arthur	Boy	Bear king; Bear
Alexandra	Girl	Defender or helper of the people

Ariella	Girl	Lioness of God
Alani	Girl	Little rock; Handsome; Orange tree or orange fruit; Peaceful; Fragrant
Aubree	Girl	Elf ruler; King of the elves
August	Boy	Respected; Esteemed; Venerable; Exalted
Arabella	Girl	Lovable; Invokable; Yielding to prayer; Beautiful grace
Alan	Boy	Handsome; Little rock
Alaina	Girl	Little rock; Handsome; Torch; Shining light; Moon
Adelyn	Girl	Noble
Alayna	Girl	Handsome; Little rock; Torch
Alivia	Girl	Olive tree; Descendant of the ancestor

Alayah	Girl	Highborn; Lofty; Sublime
Anderson	Boy	Son of Andrew
Aspen	Girl	Aspen tree; Shaking or quaking tree
Ariyah	Girl	Lion; Noble; Melody
Adelynn	Girl	Noble
Arlo	Boy	Fortified hill; Between two highlands
Alaya	Girl	High Status; Exalted; Sublime; Dwelling; Abode; Imperishable; Permanence
Alexandria	Girl	Defender or helper of the people
Arielle	Girl	Lioness of God
Ainsley	Girl	Hermitage wood; Solitary clearing

Anaya	Girl	God answers; Misfortune; Adversity; Without a superior; He who no one can lead; Lord Vishnu; Brother; Spanish town
Archie	Boy	Holy and bold; Genuine and brave; Brave master
Alijah	Boy	The Lord is my God
Alicia	Girl	Noble; Kind; Nobility
Ari	Boy	Lion; Eagle; Brave; Most holy; Sun-like; Visible; Generous; Chief; Superior
Azalea	Girl	Dry
Ariah	Girl	Song; Melody; Gold
Astrid	Girl	Godly strength; Divine beauty
Averie	Girl	Elf counsel; King; Rich
Ariel	Boy	Lion of God

April	Girl	To open
Amber	Girl	Like a jewel; yellow-orange gemstone
Analia	Girl	Gracious; Merciful; Favor
Ariya	Girl	Honorable; Noble; Aryan; Song; Melody
Albert	Boy	Noble; Bright
Axton	Boy	Acca's stone; Town of ash trees
Anakin	Boy	Warrior
Aliana	Girl	Torch; Corposant; Moon; Sun; Most Holy; Noble and gracious
Aileen	Girl	Light; Torch; Corposant; Moon; Little bird
Alden	Boy	An old friend

Alec	Boy	Defender of the people
Anahi	Girl	Beautiful like a flower; Speaker; Immaculate; Immortal
Ashlyn	Girl	Dream; Vision; Ash tree clearing
Alaiya	Girl	Exalted; Sublime; High; Lofty
Averi	Girl	Elf counsel; King
Aubrie	Girl	Elf ruler; God is my strength
Aubrey	Boy	Ruler of elves; King of elves
Alianna	Girl	Noble grace; Holy; Torch; Sun
Avayah	Unisex	To breathe; To live; Heaven
Alaric	Boy	Ruler of all; Noble ruler

Alexia	Girl	Defender or helper of the people
Avalynn	Girl	Bird; Alive; Desired; Lake; Sound; Voice
Austyn	Boy	Magnificent; Exalted; To increase
Adler	Boy	Eagle
Addilynn	Girl	Noble or nobility
Azaria	Girl	One who is helped by God; Yahweh has helped
Aubrielle	Girl	Elf ruler; God is my strength
Aiyana	Girl	Eternal bloom; Ever-blooming flower; Flower; Silent
Arden	Girl	Great forest; Garden of Eden; High valley
Aislinn	Girl	Dream; Vision

Amayah	Girl	The end; Mother city; Heavenly valley; Close to God; Night rain
Aidyn	Boy	Educated; Intellectual; Enlightened; Little fire; Moonlight; Moon; Faith; Radiance
Aura	Girl	Breeze; Soft wind; Golden
Alexzander	Boy	Defender or helper of people
Aries	Boy	Ram
Agnes	Girl	Chaste; Pure
Annalee	Girl	God was gracious; God has shown favor; Chaste; Grace
Alaiyah	Girl	Sublime; High; Lofty
Avraham	Boy	Father of many
Avalyn	Girl	Bird; To live; To breathe; Sound; Voice

Aksel	Boy	My father is peace
Ayva	Girl	To breathe; To live
Anson	Boy	Son of Agnes
Alisha	Girl	Nobility; Kind; Noble; Protected by God
Aylani	Unisex	Chief; Orange tree
Aston	Boy	East town; Noble stone; Ash tree town
Axle	Unisex	My father is peace
Arisbeth	Unisex	My God is an oath
Aydan	Boy	One who is born out of fire; The Sun God; From the moon
Adilynn	Girl	Noble; Kind

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Infographic: Beautiful English Baby Names with Meanings, Starting With A

Your baby's name is a timeless expression of your love and aspirations for their future. It is a gift that will stay with them forever and remind them of their individuality. Understanding this, our infographic below brings you some adorable English Baby Names with Meanings, Starting With A that are distinct yet versatile. Explore them to find a beautiful name that best suits your preferences. Share this infographic with other soon-to-be moms and dads to help them choose an adorable title for their children.

English Baby Names with Meanings, Starting With A(infographic)

Look Up For Many More Names

Do you have a name in mind and want to know more about it? Or want to find names belonging to a particular origin, religion, or having a specific meaning? Use our search tool below to explore more baby names with different combinations.