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British Baby Names 2019: 24 for American Parents to Steal

August 31, 2019 By appellationmountain 7 Comments

British Baby Names 2019The new data is out on British baby names.

Elea at British Baby Names provides the best analysis. Start with the new Top 100 list here. But it’s got me thinking: if you’re naming an American baby in 2019? Some of the names from that other English-speaking country might be exactly what you’re after.

After all, a handful of these names are heard in the US, but aren’t quite so popular here as they are there … yet.

Here are my picks for the two dozen best British baby names American parents should steal now.

BOY NAMES

Arlo – #36 in England & Wales; #278 in the US. I’ve called it one of the hottest boy names of 2019, but maybe I had my geography off by 3,500 miles or so.

Arthur – #7 in E&W; #230 in the US. It feels nicely British, doesn’t It? There’s the legendary king, plus the Weasley patriarch. But it works in the US, too. And hey – we now have Jason Momoa as Aquaman, aka Arthur Curry.

Dexter – #95 in E&W; #476 in the US. Long overlooked, save for serial killers and mad geniuses. But if Jaxon and Jax are big, why not Dexter and Dex?

Ellis – #87 in E&W; #317 in the US. A brother for Hayes and Wells.

Felix – #93 in E&W; #231 in the US. That ending X makes this vintage name modern and cool.

Frederick – #65 in E&W; #496 in US. English parents are wild for nickname names, and Freddie ranks #18. But American parents love a long, classic boy name. Christopher and Nicholas gave way to Alexander and Nathaniel, and now there’s Theodore and Benjamin. I say Frederick ought to be in the next wave.

Hugo – #53 in E&W; versus #496 in the US. An o-ender with a traditional vibe. In the US, it substitutes for Leo. Plus it’s got a great meaning, too – heart.

Jenson – #70 in E&W; unranked in the US, but Jensen is #293. Take a generation of moms named Jennifer, add our affection for Jackson and J boy names in general, and it’s stunning that we’re not hearing more of Jenson. Or is it Jensen? American parents favor the -en ending.

Jesse – #75 in E&W; #185 in the US. A Biblical pick with a cuddly vibe.

Rory – #38 in E&W; #368 in the US. Exclusively masculine in England, maybe The Gilmore Girls puts some American parents off this choice for their sons. (Though it shouldn’t. And Rory ranks a rarer #579 for girls anyhow.)

Stanley – #72 in E&W; #707 in the US. My sense is that love for Stanley is growing – slowly – in the US. But the numbers don’t match … yet.

GIRL NAMES

Ada – #55 in E&W; #251 in the US. Ada ought to be right up there with so many mini names parents love throughout the English-speaking world. But this big bump is probably brought to us by Peaky Blinders, a crime drama based on real nineteenth century events.

Beatrice – #84 in E&W; #573 in the US. An unassailable classic.

Bonnie – #81 in E&W; #691 in the US. The little girl from Toy Story, and a pretty name that feels traditional-ish.

Edith – #91 in E&W; #518 in the US. Vintage, strong, and with great built-in short form Edie.

Esme – #38 in E&W; #556 in the US. A slow-rising favorite in the US, long embraced in England.

Felicity – #100 in E&W; #354 in the US. A handful of pop culture uses have pushed this name into the American mainstream, but it remains just under the radar.

Florence – #15 in E&W; #971 in the US. A place name with a distinguished bearer or three, made cooler by Florence + the Machine.

Georgia – #71 in E&W; #223 in the US. American parents tend to like Georgia, but it’s the English who are using it in serious numbers.

Harriet – #45 in E&W; unranked in the US. If you love Abigail and Charlotte, but are crushed they’re so common, this is the name for you! Scarcely used in the US, Harriet is as cool as Juliet, with built-in nickname Hattie if you like – or not.

Margot – #99 in E&W; #358 in the US. It’s rising fast in both places, but this stylish o-ender is really topping the charts in England & Wales.

Martha – #94 in E&W; #797 in the US. A traditional name, worn by the very first of the First Ladies, and one of the first MTV VJs, too. A timeless classic.

Matilda – #31 in E&W; #489 in the US. Sparky and upbeat, nothing quite sounds like Matilda.

Poppy – #11 in E&W; #592 in the US. Americans love a good nature name, just like British parents. But this one hasn’t quite reached Lily/Daisy/Violet heights in the US.

What are your favorite British baby names? Do you expect to hear more of these in the US anytime soon?

Image by InspiredImages from Pixabay

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Comments

  1. Jaime says

    February 17, 2020 at 7:41 PM

    Love, love, love Bonnie and Margot! Also quite like Edith and Arlo.

    Reply
  2. Terni says

    September 8, 2019 at 11:43 PM

    I wonder if the Harriet Tubman movie will give the name a boost here in the states. Hoping so!!!

    Reply
    • appellationmountain says

      September 9, 2019 at 3:49 PM

      Oh, now THAT would be wonderful for all kinds of reasons …

      Reply
  3. Emma says

    September 2, 2019 at 12:29 PM

    Arthur, Ellis, Ada, Felicity, Harriet… I think popular British baby names are my style! 🙂

    Reply
  4. Another Emily says

    August 31, 2019 at 1:14 PM

    I really like Martha and Fredrick but my husband can’t stand either so they are both out for us. Florence and Hugo are also likeable names that I wouldn’t mind. Stanley and Margot are not my cup of tea, so to speak…

    Reply
  5. Allure says

    August 31, 2019 at 12:01 PM

    also Harley, Finley and Archie for boys

    Reply
  6. CB says

    August 31, 2019 at 11:12 AM

    Frederick is likely our go to if we have a boy. And Florence is a front runner for a girl. Love this list of names – but can’t get on board with Stanley lol.

    Reply

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