100 Popular English Names: A Comprehensive List

Names are an integral part of our identity, and choosing the right name is an important decision. With so many options out there, it can be overwhelming to choose the perfect name for your baby or even for yourself. Here is a list of 100 popular English names, ranging from classic to modern, to help you make an informed decision.

Classic Names

William - This classic name has been a popular choice for centuries. It means "resolute protector."
Elizabeth - Meaning "pledged to God," Elizabeth has been a popular name since the 16th century.
James - This name has strong roots in the Bible and means "supplanter."
Mary - Mary has been a popular name for girls for centuries and means "wished-for child."
John - Another biblical name, John means "God is gracious."

Modern Names

Emma - This name has been rising in popularity as a modern classic and means "universal."
Liam - Liam has become a popular boy's name in recent years, meaning "strong-willed warrior."
Sophia - Meaning "wisdom," Sophia is a beautiful and popular name for girls.
Ethan - This name has risen in popularity in recent years and means "firm, strong."
Isabella - This romantic name means "God is my oath" and has been gaining popularity since the turn of the century.

Names Inspired by Nature

Aurora - This name means "dawn" and is inspired by the beautiful natural phenomenon.
River - A strong and visually appealing name inspired by nature.
Ivy - This name, inspired by the plant, has gained popularity in recent years.
Hazel - Meaning "the hazelnut tree," this name has become a popular choice in recent years.
Orion - This name is inspired by the constellation and has a unique and exotic feel.

Names Inspired by Colors

Scarlett - This name is inspired by the color red and is a strong and beautiful choice.
Grayson - This name means "son of the gray-haired one" and has become a popular choice in recent years.
Violet - This name, inspired by the color, has a romantic and classic feel.
Ruby - This name is inspired by the precious gemstone and has a retro vibe.
Jade - Another precious gemstone-inspired name, Jade is a beautiful and unique choice.

Names Inspired by Mythology

Athena - This name, inspired by the Greek goddess of wisdom, is a strong and beautiful choice.
Apollo - This name has roots in Greek mythology and means "manly beauty."
Aurora - This name, also inspired by Roman mythology, means "goddess of the dawn."
Atlas - This name is inspired by the Greek god of mythology who held up the world.
Luna - This name, inspired by the Roman goddess of the moon, has a beautiful and mystical feel.

Unisex Names

Jordan - This unisex name means "flowing down" and has become a popular choice for both boys and girls.
Rowan - This name means "little redhead" and has become a popular unisex choice in recent years.
Taylor - This name, meaning "tailor," has become a popular choice for both boys and girls.
Charlie - This timeless name has become a popular unisex choice in recent years.
Riley - Meaning "valiant," Riley is a beautiful and strong unisex choice.

Names Inspired by Old Hollywood

Marilyn - This classic name is inspired by the iconic actress Marilyn Monroe.
Clark - This name is inspired by the legendary actor Clark Gable and has a strong and classic feel.
Audrey - This name is inspired by the iconic actress Audrey Hepburn and has a timeless feel.
Jameson - This name, inspired by the legendary actor James Dean, has become a popular choice in recent years.
Brando - This name is inspired by the iconic actor Marlon Brando and has a strong and unique feel.

Names Inspired by Music

Lennon - This name is inspired by the legendary singer-songwriter John Lennon and has a unique and musical feel.
Hendrix - This name is inspired by the legendary singer and guitarist Jimi Hendrix and has a strong and unique feel.
Elvis - This name is inspired by the iconic singer Elvis Presley and has a retro and cool feel.
Bowie - This name is inspired by the legendary musician David Bowie and has a unique and edgy feel.
Adele - This name is inspired by the iconic singer Adele and has a beautiful and musical feel.

Names Inspired by Literature

Holden - This name is inspired by the classic novel "The Catcher in the Rye" and has a strong and literary feel.
Harper - This name is inspired by the author Harper Lee and has a beautiful and literary feel.
Atticus - This name is inspired by the classic novel "To Kill a Mockingbird" and has a classic and literary feel.
Dante - This name is inspired by the author Dante Alighieri and has a strong and literary feel.
Ariel - This name is inspired by the character in Shakespeare's "The Tempest" and has a beautiful and literary feel.

Names Inspired by Sports

Beckham - This name is inspired by the legendary soccer player David Beckham and has a strong and athletic feel.
Kobe - This name is inspired by the legendary basketball player Kobe Bryant and has a strong and athletic feel.
Serena - This name is inspired by the legendary tennis player Serena Williams and has a strong and athletic feel.
Jordan - This name is inspired by the legendary basketball player Michael Jordan and has a strong and athletic feel.
Bolt - This name is inspired by the legendary sprinter Usain Bolt and has a strong and athletic feel.

Names Inspired by Faith

Noah - This biblical name means "rest, comfort" and has become a popular choice in recent years.
Faith - This name, inspired by the Christian virtue, has a beautiful and meaningful feel.
Caleb - This biblical name means "faithful, devotion" and has a classic and meaningful feel.
Grace - This name, inspired by the Christian virtue, has a beautiful and timeless feel.
Aaron - This biblical name means "mountain of strength" and has a strong and meaningful feel.

Names Inspired by History

Lincoln - This name is inspired by the iconic American president Abraham Lincoln and has a strong and historic feel.
Churchill - This name is inspired by the iconic British prime minister Winston Churchill and has a strong and historic feel.
Kennedy - This name is inspired by the iconic American president John F. Kennedy and has a historic and classic feel.
Nelson - This name is inspired by the iconic South African leader Nelson Mandela and has a strong and historic feel.
Joan - This name is inspired by the legendary French heroine Joan of Arc and has a historic and beautiful feel.

Names Inspired by Art

Monet - This name is inspired by the iconic French impressionist painter Claude Monet and has a unique and artistic feel.
Rembrandt - This name is inspired by the iconic Dutch painter Rembrandt van Rijn and has a unique and artistic feel.
Frida - This name is inspired by the iconic Mexican painter Frida Kahlo and has a strong and artistic feel.
Leonardo - This name is inspired by the iconic Italian artist Leonardo da Vinci and has a classic and artistic feel.
Georgia - This name is inspired by the iconic American painter Georgia O'Keeffe and has a unique and artistic feel.

Names Inspired by Astronomy

Cassiopeia - This name is inspired by the constellation and has a unique and exotic feel.
Sirius - This name is inspired by the brightest star in the sky and has a strong and unique feel.
Vega - This name is inspired by the fifth-brightest star in the sky and has a beautiful and unique feel.
Orion - This name, also inspired by the constellation, has a unique and exotic feel.
Celeste - This name, meaning "heavenly," has a beautiful and celestial feel.

Names Inspired by Travel

Paris - This name is inspired by the iconic city of Paris and has a romantic and exotic feel.
Rio - This name is inspired by the vibrant city of Rio de Janeiro and has a strong and exotic feel.
Boston - This name is inspired by the iconic American city of Boston and has a strong and classic feel.
Sydney - This name is inspired by the iconic Australian city of Sydney and has an exotic and beautiful feel.
London - This name is inspired by the iconic city of London and has a classic and timeless feel.

Names Inspired by Royalty

William - This name, already listed as a classic option, has strong roots in the British royal family.
Elizabeth - Also already listed as a classic option, has been a popular choice among British royals as well.
Victoria - This name has been a popular choice among British queens and means "victory."
Albert - This name has royal roots, with several British monarchs bearing the name.
Catherine - This name has been a popular choice among British queens and has a beautiful and classic feel.

Names Inspired by Hollywood Stars

Cooper - This name is inspired by the legendary actor Gary Cooper and has a classic and strong feel.
Monroe - Also already listed as a classic option, this name is inspired by the iconic actress Marilyn Monroe.
Bogart - This name is inspired by the legendary actor Humphrey Bogart and has a classic and strong feel.
Hepburn - Also already listed as an option, this name is inspired by the iconic actress Audrey Hepburn.
Grant - This name is inspired by the legendary actor Cary Grant and has a classic and strong feel.

Names Inspired by Animals

Leo - This name is inspired by the animal and means "lion," giving it a strong and unique feel.
Wolf - This name is inspired by the animal and has a strong and unique feel.
Phoenix - This name is inspired by the mythical bird and has a unique and exotic feel.
Bear - This name is inspired by the animal and has a strong and unique feel.
Tiger - This name is inspired by the animal and has a strong and unique feel.

Names Inspired by Food

Olive - This name is inspired by the food and has a unique and exotic feel.
Clementine - This name is inspired by the fruit and has a unique and beautiful feel.
Ginger - This name is inspired by the spice and has a strong and unique feel.
Kale - This name is inspired by the popular leafy green and has a unique and exotic feel.
Saffron - This name is inspired by the spice and has a unique and exotic feel.

Names Inspired by Fashion

Chanel - This name is inspired by the iconic fashion designer Coco Chanel and has a unique and stylish feel.
Vera - This name is inspired by the iconic fashion designer Vera Wang and has a unique and stylish feel.
Valentino - This name is inspired by the iconic fashion designer Valentino Garavani and has a unique and stylish feel.
Calvin - This name is inspired by the iconic fashion designer Calvin Klein and has a strong and stylish feel.
Gucci - This name is inspired by the iconic fashion brand and has a unique and stylish feel.

Choosing the perfect name can be a daunting task, but with so many options available, there is sure to be a name out there that is perfect for you or your baby. From classic names to modern options and unique choices inspired by various themes, this list of 100 popular English names is a great starting point for finding the perfect name.