Beautiful Baby Names (take time to choose!)
Naming your baby is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make. Of course it may not be an English name, depending on your preferences or heritage. But the days of naming babies after celebrities, places of conception or even football teams seemed to have waned. More traditional names are now coming back into the fold.
The long-term effect of naming a baby is very real. The name may be shortened, it’s important to know if it goes well with the surname, some parents also choose middle names. And the name will appear forever on exam papers, CVs, invitations and even at wedding ceremonies.
There’s no rush. Once your babe is born, get together and come up with favourite names. Say the names out loud, write them down, think of possible ‘nicknames’ that may ensue. And don’t name people after pressure from relatives.
One woman with the lovely name of Peach in the US, says that people always ask her if her sister’s name is Papaya!
Coincidence? Sarah Blizzard is a weather presenter and David Limb is an orthopaedic surgeon. The Guardian
Research Meanings and Origins
Check the meaning behind each name. Biblical name meanings are easy to find out about. But you can always find out the meaning of names from other cultures and religions. Naming a baby after a nice positive event is good.
You don’t need a huge list, just come up with a few names that fit your taste and values. Names on themes on nature and serenity carry a calm quiet power. We like:
- Willow: Graceful and flexible, with a soft sound.
- River: Fresh and steady, good for boys and girls.
- Aurora: Dawn light and colour, poetic yet strong.
- Iris: A flower and a rainbow link, simple and bright.
- Rowan: A tree name with warmth, fits any gender.
Literary and Historical Gems
Names from books and history often carry nicely:
- Juliet: Romantic and clear, familiar yet not overused.
- Atticus: Calm strength and fairness, bookish with charm.
- Eliza: Lively and classic, linked to theatre and history.
- Dorian: Artistic and cool, with a gentle sound.
England’s Most Popular Baby Names (2025)
It’s not surprising that in a multi-cultural country, the most popular boys’ name at present is Muhammed. The most popular girls’ name however is quintessentially English – Amelia.
Many other popular names are Celtic (due to Scottish, Irish, Cornish, Welsh heritage). Here are a few lovely names on the top list that we think are just beautiful!
- Noah
- Ethan
- Oscar
- Caleb
- Joshua
- Finley
- Reuben
- Gabriel
- Nathaniel
- Aaron
- Maya
- Grace
- Arabella
- Clara
Swiss People Can’t Give Children Silly Names
It’s illegal in Switzerland to name your child something silly. The laws are not that strict, but you’re not allowed to name children after designer brands or where they were conceived. You’re also not allowed to use one-letter names, nor name after bad people from the Bible!
Baby Names That Are Banned Around the World
Many other countries have laws on what you can’t call your babies:
- In Mexico, banned names include Facebook, Twitter, Harry Potter, Rambo, Burger King and Pocahontas!
- In New Zealand, banned names include Lucifer (it’s another name for Satan in the Bible).
- In Sweden, banned names include Elvis, Superman and IKEA!
- In France, banned names include Nutella (the food brand), Mini Cooper (the car) and Prince William!
- In Japan, banned names include Akuma (again, a Japanese word for the devil)
- In the USA, banned names include cyanide (?)
- In Germany, banned names include Osama Bin Laden and (understandably) Adolf Hitler.
In Denmark, things are very strict. You have to choose from 7000 names, and are not allowed to choose any others (it seems to work, as Danes are some of the happiest people one earth).
In Iceland, surnames are ‘the son or daughter’ of the first name of the parent. For example, Björk Guðmundsdóttir (the daughter of) and Magnus Magnusson (the son of). He’s probably turning in his grave at the more recent editions of Mastermind (one dumbed-one question was truthfully ‘Which pet goes woof-woof?’)
Did The Beckhams Trademark Their Babies Names?
Yes, although this was apparently a kind of protection, so that other people and companies could not trade on their names, to sell things without their permission.
We think there should be more of a fuss in the fact that Victoria Beckham’s fashion brand scores the lowest possible at Good on You (meaning it has poor animal, environmental and human rights welfare). Yet everyone lauds it?
It’s a private family affair, but we would like to give a shout-out to Brooklyn and his wife’s upcoming animal welfare charity, which will be helping the many homeless pets in California (they were heavily involved in rescuing many, during the recent wildfires). We’ll pop a link to it, when there’s a site.
