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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711 English Baby Names Meaning, Starting With H

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
Henry	Boy	Home ruler
Hazel	Girl	The hazel tree
Hannah	Girl	Grace; Favor; God has favored me
Hunter	Boy	A Hunter; Pursuer
Hailey	Girl	Meadow of hay
Harrison	Boy	House ruler; Son of Harry
Hope	Girl	Expectation; The virtue of Hope
Holden	Boy	Hollow valley
Hallie	Girl	Dweller at the meadow
Hector	Boy	To check; To have; To hold; To restrain; Brown horse

Heidi	Girl	Noble birth; Nobility
Harvey	Boy	Strong in battle
Hank	Boy	Home ruler; God is gracious
Hugo	Boy	Mind; Spirit; Thought
Helen	Girl	Warm; Moon; To shine; Light; Sun
Hattie	Girl	Home or land ruler
Harley	Boy	Hare's meadow
Helena	Girl	Torch; Shining light
Huxley	Boy	Inhospitable place; Hugh's meadow, clearing, woodland
Houston	Boy	Hugh's town

Harlan	Boy	Hare's land; Flax
Holland	Girl	Woodland; Point of land; Heel; Land
Hadassah	Girl	Myrtle tree
Hayley	Girl	Hay clearing; Fence; Nook; Valley
Harry	Boy	Ruler of the household
Halle	Girl	Rock; Army ruler; Manor; Hall
Halo	Girl	Luminous ring; Divine aura; Disc of the Sun or Moon
Hugh	Boy	Mind; Thought; Soul; Spirit
Harlee	Girl	Hare of the clearing; Farm of the rocks
Harmoni	Girl	Variant spelling of Harmony; Concord

Howard	Boy	High defender; Chief guardian; Heart-brave
Haylee	Girl	Hay clearing
Hadleigh	Girl	From the heather meadow; Field of heather
Heath	Boy	Someone who lived on or near a moor or heath
Harold	Boy	Army king; Commander; Powerful; Mighty
Harris	Boy	Son of Harry; Home ruler; Army ruler
Harriet	Girl	Home ruler
Haiden	Boy	Hay valley; Hay hill; Armor; Clothes; Hedged valley
Heavenly	Girl	Of the heavens; Celestial; Divine
Harlie	Girl	Hare's meadow

Huck	Boy	Resembling the fruit
Hampton	Boy	Homestead farm
Haven	Boy	Harbor; Safe place
Hardin	Boy	Brave; Strong; Hardy; Valley of the hare; Affectionate
Haddie	Girl	Home ruler; Enclosure; Heather field
Haidyn	Girl	Hay valley; Armor; Clothes; Hay hill
Hiram	Boy	High born; Benevolent brother; Brother of the exalted
Haizley	Unisex	Unique; Contemporary
Hoyt	Boy	Someone who lives high or on a hill; Stick
Heidy	Girl	Nobility

Hernan	Boy	Spiritual pilgrim; Peace; Journey; Boldness; Daring
Holt	Boy	Forest; A small wood or grove of trees; Forested land
Hamilton	Boy	Mutilated; Crooked and dun; Hill
Hailie	Girl	Hay meadow
Harmonie	Girl	Harmony; In agreement
Heston	Boy	One who came from Heston; Farmstead; Settlement; Brushwood
Hazley	Unisex	Hazel tree meadow; Field of hazel trees
Huntley	Boy	From the hunt field; Meadow of the hunter
Harlen	Boy	Meadow of the hares
Henrietta	Girl	Ruler of an estate; Ruler of the home

Hawa	Girl	Air; Desire; To live; To breathe
Hazen	Boy	Smooth and beautiful
Hellen	Girl	Torch; Sunray; Shining light 60
Hollie	Girl	Holly tree; Hollow-eyed
Herbert	Boy	Bright army
Haylie	Girl	Hay clearing
Hatcher	Boy	Gatekeeper
Huxton	Unisex	House town
Haddon	Boy	Heathland hill; Heather-filled valley
Hardy	Boy	Brave; Heroic; Daring

Harmonee	Girl	Unity; concord; musically in tune
Hayleigh	Girl	Hay clearing
Hosanna	Girl	Deliver us; Rescue; Savior; Save
Hart	Boy	Strong; Brave; Stag; Romantic; Giving
Havyn	Girl	A variant of haven; Safety; Safe place; Port
Hosea	Boy	Salvation
Henderson	Boy	Son of Henry
Herman	Boy	Soldier; Army man
Holton	Unisex	Wooded hill town; Settlement in the forest
Huey	Boy	Mind; Thought; Spirit

Hillary	Girl	Cheerful; Glad; Merry; Happy;
Hadley	Boy	Heather field
Hania	Girl	Favor; Grace; Pleasant; Spirit warrior
Hutson	Boy	Hugh's spm
Haleigh	Girl	Field of hay
Harleen	Girl	Meadow of the hare; The clearing with lots of rabbits
Hutch	Boy	Mind; Thought; Spirit; Settlement of houses; Chest or Compartment
Humza	Boy	Steadfast; Strong
Holdyn	Boy	From the unoccupied Valley
Hayzel	Unisex	Hazelnut tree or the light brown colour

Harli	Girl	Hare clearing; Hare meadow; Rock; Heap of stones
Harden	Boy	Valley of the hare
Haydn	Boy	Heathen; Hedged-valley
Hagan	Boy	Noble; Youthful; Exalted son; Shelter
Hanson	Boy	Son of Hans; God is gracious
Homer	Boy	Pledge; Security; Hostage; A Helmet maker
Hansen	Boy	The son of Hans; Yahweh is gracious
Holley	Girl	Holly tree; Hollow-eyed
Haylen	Unisex	Hall of light
Henlee	Girl	From the high wood land; Hen; Wild bird

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Infographic: Beautiful English Baby Names Meaning, Starting With H

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 Meaning, Starting With H 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 Meaning, Starting With H(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.