Boy Names Starting with E: Popular Ezra to Rare Eben

Boy names starting with E make for an long and intriguing set.

It’s the sixth most popular initial for our sons’ names. Naturally that means plenty of options, from the classic Edward to cool Enzo.

E names are topping the charts. Parents are looking to the Old Testament for inspiration, and finding a wealth of options for their baby boys.

A number of surname-style names make this list, too, from current baby name favorite Everett to possible up-and-comer Everson.

A few long-time favorites are still hanging on here, too. Evan, a cousin to John, peaked a decade ago but remains steadily popular. The Norse import Eric reached a high in the 1970s, but now feels more like a modern traditional than a trending one.

Read on for more of the best baby boy names starting with E.

MOST POPULAR BOY NAMES STARTING WITH E

ELIJAH (#5)

An Old Testament name, the prophet Elijah was known for working miracles. While the name has a long history of use, it’s never been as popular as it is today.

EZRA (#15)

Ezra has a razory, unexpected sound, along with a great meaning: help.

ETHAN (#25)

Another Biblical boy, we tend to think of Ethan as more modern. Maybe it’s because of American Revolutionary Ethan Allen, or maybe it’s thanks to so many contemporary characters, like the long-running Mission: Impossible franchise’s Ethan Hunt.

ELIAS (#35)

Another form of Elijah, Elias has enjoyed a long history of use.

EZEKIEL (#50)

Another Old Testament name, Ezekiel benefits from the ‘z’ as well as nickname Zeke.

ELI (#80)

A mini name with a big meaning: ascension.

EVERETT (#88)

A surname name boosted by the letter v.

ENZO (#90)

An Italian name, Enzo is short for Lorenzo – but it stands nicely on its own now.

EASTON (#96)

Modern and polished, Easton and Weston are both staples for our sons.

EMMETT (#118)

A homespun boy name that fits with -tt ending favorites like Bennett and Beckett. Emmet with a single T is occasionally seen, too. (Notably, the hero of The Lego Movie is Emmet Brickowski.)

EMILIANO (#133)

An elaborate take on the classic pan-European name Emil. It’s a brother for Leonardo.

EVAN (#137)

Long-time favorite Evan has transitioned from trending favorite to modern traditional.

ELLIOTT (#167)

A surname take on Elijah, and a well-established favorite.

EMMANUEL (#173)

A traditional name associated with Jesus, Emmanuel has never been particularly popular in English. But it fits well with long boy names like Sebastian that parents love now.

ELLIOT (#178)

Single-T Elliot is just slightly less popular than double-T Elliott. Combined, this name is more common than the individual numbers suggest.

EMILIO (#180)

Buoyed by our love of o-ending boy names, as well as the popularity of Amelia and Emilia, Emilio is a steadily rising favorite.

EDWARD (#213)

Regal Edward continues to be relatively uncommon, but remains a classic.

ERIC (#227)

A Scandi import meaning “ever mighty,” Eric has gone from trending 1970s favorite to solid staple name for a son.

ELIAN (#235)

Another cousin to powerfully popular Elijah, with a nod to boy names like Julian and Adrian.

EMERSON (#268)

A surname name equally popular for our daughters.

ELLIS (#273)

Another surname name choice related to Elijah.

ERICK (#302)

The second-most popular spelling of Scandi Eric. Erik is also seen, as are versions that swap the E for an A. ER actor Eriq La Salle adds one more option.

EZEQUIEL (#336)

A slightly different spelling of popular Ezekiel.

EDUARDO (#356)

The Spanish take on Edward.

EITHAN (#370)

Along with Eitan, the Hebrew name equivalent of Ethan. It’s also the preferred spelling in Mexico, which probably explains this spelling’s spike in use in the US.

EDWIN (#385)

Edwin means “rich friend,” but the name’s second syllable suggests victory.

EDGAR (#435)

Another Ed- name, this one bringing to mind creative powerhouses: Edgar Allan Poe and Edgar Degas.

EDEN (#438)

From the Biblical garden, a gender neutral name rising for boys as well as girls.

ESTEBAN (#441)

The dashing Spanish form of Steven.

ERIK (#455)

Another Eric option.

EMANUEL (#484)

A slimmed-down spelling of Emmanuel.

ENRIQUE (#562)

The Spanish form of Henry.

EMIR (#583)

A title from the Arab world, the rough equivalent of Prince.

ELIAM (#641)

A Hebrew name, Eliam means “God’s people.” But this name’s success is probably tied, in part, to our love of Liam.

ELIO (#646)

The Italian form of Helios, Elio was the sun god in Greek myth. Pixar’s Elio is an outer space adventure due in theaters in 2025.

EMMITT (#655)

Swap Emmett’s second ‘e’ for an ‘i’ and you’ll have Emmitt, as in NFL Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith.

ELISEO (#691)

A romance language take on Old Testament Elisha, boosted by that bright O ending.

EZRAH (#698)

Ezra with an H.

ENOCH (#717)

A Biblical boy name with a strong meaning: dedicated.

EMERY (#750)

A gender-neutral surname name more popular for our daughters, but with plenty of potential for boys, too.

EVANDER (#780)

It sounds like an Evan-Alexander mash-up, but Evander has roots in the ancient world. It means “good man.”

EDISON (#830)

An Ed- surname name that suggests world-changing inventor of the light bulb.

EMORY (#831)

Another spelling of Emery.

ELIEL (#833)

An Old Testament rarity with a flowing sound.

EVEREST (#837)

From the name of Earth’s highest mountain, a name that echoes current favorite Everett.

ELISHA (#855)

Long before Alicia became a Top 100 favorite for girls, Old Testament Elisha was the name of a prophet.

EDDIE (#858)

If you like Charlie over Charles, then maybe it’s Eddie, rather than Edward, that appeals.

ERNESTO (#866)

The Italian and Spanish form of Ernest, now more popular than the English version.

EIDEN (#890)

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EUGENE (#918)

A name long on the fringes, Eugene offers an appealing meaning: well born.

ERMIAS (#931)

The Amharic form of Jeremiah, accessible and surprising at the same time. It’s the given name of the late rapper better known as Nipsey Hussle.

EREN (#936)

A Turkish name meaning saint, though it might also have roots in Japanese, or simply be a fresh take on similar-sounding names, from Aaron to Oren.

ELIEZER (#987)

Another Old Testament discovery. The spelling Eleazar is sometimes seen, too.

EPHRAIM (#992)

The founder of one of the twelve tribes of Israel, Ephraim’s name means – appropriately – fruitful.

RARE BOY NAMES STARTING WITH E

EAMES

A surname name given a boost by husband-wife design team Charles and Ray Eames.

EAMON

An Irish take on Edmund.

EAN

Ian with an E.

EARL

Borrowed from the title, though Earl doesn’t sound especially aristocratic by 2020s standards.

EBEN

Eben means stone in Hebrew; you might know it as part of compound name Ebenezer. It sounds closer to Evan than Ethan.

EDMOND, EDMUND

An Old English name, Edmund was worn by two early kings of England. The spelling Edmond is more common in France.

EDSEL

Take Attila – as in the Hun – import it to German for a medieval poem, and you’ll arrive at Etzel. But we know Etzel as Edsel, a former car company.

EGAN

An Irish surname with a bright, eager sound.

EGON

A quirky name with Germanic roots and a sharp meaning: sword’s edge.

EGYPT

Borrowed from the name of the country.

EILIF

A Norse name with an intriguing sound.

EIRIAN

A unisex Welsh name meaning bright.

ELADIO

The smooth, Spanish form of Greek saint’s name Helladius.

ELDEN

Along with Elton, a surname inspired by a place name of debated meaning.

ELDRIDGE

It’s a cousin to the Germanic Aldrich, but it sounds like a polished, surname take on rugged Ridge.

ELGIN

A Scottish place name-turned-surname with a stand-out sound.

ELIAKIM

One of many elaborate – and rare – Old Testament boy names beginning with El.

ELIHU

Another Old Testament name, made famous by Elihu Yale, philanthropist and founder of the university that bears his name.

ELLERY

A surname name that brings to mind fictional detective Ellery Queen.

ELLINGTON

As in Duke.

ELLISON

Another surname possibility, Ellison tends to lean feminine, but is truly unisex.

ELON

An Old Testament name meaning “oak tree,” Elon is perpetually in the headlines thanks to controversial entrepreneur Elon Musk.

ELWOOD

As in Saturday Night Live sketch turned cultural phenomenon, Elwood Blues.

ELMER

A once-dashing surname name, now more commonly associated with the Looney Tunes’ Fudd.

ELMO

The little red monster makes it tough to imagine on a child, but before Sesame Street, there was 80s classic St. Elmo’s Fire.

ELROY

A take on Leroy, Elroy substitutes the Spanish ‘el’ for the French ‘le’ – the. Either way, the roy means king. Animated series The Jetsons took Elroy to space.

ELTON

As in Elton John, who borrowed the name from a fellow musician. A place name originally, it means Ellis’ town or Ella’s town.

ELVIS

As in the King, Elvis Presley.

EMIL

Emilio and Emiliano rank, but spare Emil remains rare.

EMRYS

A reader favorite, Welsh Emrys is associated with the story of Merlin.

ENDER

Ender means rare in Turkish, but it also sounds like a cousin for so many Anders names. Orson Scott Card’s Ender’s Game makes the connection with Andrew direct.

ENDYMION

A name from Greek myth, Endymion means “to dive in.”

ERASMUS

A Greek name meaning beloved.

ERNEST

It sounds like an old-school virtue name, an association reinforced by Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest. But Ernest is actually a Germanic name meaning serious.

EROS

A Greek god of love, also known as Cupid in the Roman pantheon.

ERROL

As in dashing Hollywood legend Errol Flynn.

ERVIN

Along with Erwin, a Germanic name we don’t hear often today.

ESAU

An Old Testament name, Esau is best remembered for conflict with his twin.

ESSEX

An English place name, boosted by the X ending.

ETIENNE

The smooth French form of Stephen.

EUSTACE

A saintly name with Greek roots.

EVARISTO

A cool romance language name, Evaristo means well-pleasing.

EVERARD

The original form of the name that became Everett.

EVERSON

Surname Everson probably comes from the Old English word eofor – boar. But Everson owes its popularity to the enduring Ever.

EVERTON

Another Everson option.

EVREN

An intriguing Turkish name, Evren belongs with Ev- names like Everson and Everett.

EWAN

Another form of John, and cousin to Evan, made familiar by actor Ewan MacGregor.

EWING

A surname made famous by the fictional family at the heart of Dallas.

EZIO

A soaring Greek name, Ezio means eagle.

What are your favorite boy names beginning with E?

 Originally published on November 2, 2020, this post was revised substantially and updated on March 7, 2022; April 17, 2023; July 31, 2023; and June 8, 2024.