This page brings together 46 English names that start with the letter E, running alphabetically from “Edward” to “Ember.” You’ll find a mix of timeless classics, royal favorites, vintage charmers, and a few fresh, modern picks. These names work beautifully for naming a baby, choosing a character, or simply exploring the meaning and history behind a name you love.
English names are traditional given names rooted in the language and culture of England, often drawn from Old English, Norman, biblical, or Germanic origins. Many carry centuries of history, like “Edward,” a name worn by several kings of England. Others, such as “Ember,” show how the tradition keeps growing with warm, nature-inspired choices.
Below you’ll find the table with Name, Gender, Origin, Meaning, Famous Namesakes, and Description.
Name: This shows the actual name in alphabetical order, so you can quickly scan the full list and find the option you like best.
Gender: This tells you whether a name is typically used for a boy, a girl, or works comfortably for either, helping you narrow your choices.
Origin: This points to where the name comes from, such as Old English or Hebrew roots, giving you a sense of its background and heritage.
Meaning: This explains what the name actually means, like “wealthy guardian” or “star,” so you can pick one whose message truly resonates with you.
Famous Namesakes: This lists well-known people who share the name, from authors to actors, giving you real-world inspiration and a feel for its character.
Description: This offers a short, friendly summary of the name’s history, popularity, and personality, helping you decide if it fits what you want.
English names
Name
Gender
Origin
Meaning
Famous Namesakes
Edward
Male
English
Wealthy guardian
Edward VIII, Edward Norton
Edmund
Male
English
Wealthy protector
Edmund Hillary, Edmund Burke
Edwin
Male
English
Wealthy friend
Edwin Hubble, Edwin Land
Edgar
Male
English
Wealthy spear
Edgar Allan Poe, Edgar Degas
Egbert
Male
English
Bright edge of a sword
Egbert of Wessex
Eldon
Male
English
Elder’s hill
Eldon House figures
Elton
Male
English
From the old town
Elton John, Elton Brand
Emerson
Unisex
English
Son of Emery
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Emmett
Male
English
Universal, whole
Emmett Till, Emmett Brown
Ernest
Male
English
Serious, resolute
Ernest Hemingway, Ernest Shackleton
Everett
Male
English
Brave as a wild boar
Everett Dirksen
Elliott
Male
English
The Lord is my God
Elliott Smith, T.S. Eliot
Eugene
Male
English
Wellborn, noble
Eugene O’Neill, Gene Kelly
Elmer
Male
English
Noble and famous
Elmer Fudd, Elmer Gantry
Errol
Male
English
Wanderer
Errol Flynn
Emma
Female
English
Whole, universal
Emma Watson, Jane Austen’s Emma
Emily
Female
English
Rival, industrious
Emily Brontë, Emily Dickinson
Eleanor
Female
English
Bright, shining one
Eleanor Roosevelt, Eleanor of Aquitaine
Ella
Female
English
Fairy maiden, all
Ella Fitzgerald
Edith
Female
English
Prosperous in war
Edith Piaf, Edith Wharton
Eliza
Female
English
Pledged to God
Eliza Doolittle
Elizabeth
Female
English
Pledged to God
Queen Elizabeth II, Elizabeth Taylor
Eloise
Female
English
Healthy, wide
Eloise (Kay Thompson)
Emmeline
Female
English
Work, industrious
Emmeline Pankhurst
Esme
Female
English
Esteemed, beloved
Esme (Twilight, Salinger)
Estelle
Female
English
Star
Estelle Getty
Eve
Female
English
Life, living one
Eve (biblical), Eve Arden
Evelyn
Unisex
English
Wished-for child
Evelyn Waugh
Eunice
Female
English
Good victory
Eunice Kennedy Shriver
Effie
Female
English
Pleasant speech
Effie Gray
Ethel
Female
English
Noble
Ethel Merman, Ethel Barrymore
Ernestine
Female
English
Serious, resolute
Ernestine (Lily Tomlin)
Earl
Male
English
Nobleman, warrior
Earl Warren
Edna
Female
English
Rejuvenation, pleasure
Edna St. Vincent Millay
Eric
Male
English
Eternal ruler
Eric Clapton, Eric Idle
Ezra
Male
English
Helper
Ezra Pound, Ezra Koenig
Eddie
Male
English
Wealthy guardian
Eddie Murphy, Eddie Van Halen
Ed
Male
English
Wealthy guardian
Ed Sheeran
Ted
Male
English
Wealthy guardian
Ted Hughes, Ted Danson
Elsie
Female
English
Pledged to God
Elsie de Wolfe
Ettie
Female
English
Star or estate ruler
Ettie Rout
Enid
Female
English
Soul, life
Enid Blyton
Esther
Female
English
Star
Esther Williams
Ezekiel
Male
English
God strengthens
Ezekiel (prophet)
Elias
Male
English
The Lord is my God
Elias Howe
Ember
Female
English
Spark, glowing coal
Ember (modern usage)
Descriptions
Edward
A classic English royal name borne by several kings of England, long associated with strength and nobility. It remains popular and lends itself to friendly nicknames like Ed, Ted, and Ned.
Edmund
An old English name combining “ead” (wealth) and “mund” (protection), once carried by Anglo-Saxon kings and saints. It has a scholarly, dignified feel and survives in literature like Shakespeare and Narnia.
Edwin
A vintage English name dating to a 7th-century king of Northumbria. It pairs the elements for “wealth” and “friend” and has enjoyed waves of popularity over the centuries.
Edgar
A strong Old English name meaning “rich spear,” held by a 10th-century English king. Its literary connections, especially to Edgar Allan Poe, give it a moody, distinguished air.
Egbert
An Anglo-Saxon name meaning “bright edge,” famously borne by the first king to rule a united England. It feels charmingly archaic today.
Eldon
An English place-derived surname-turned-given-name meaning “elder tree hill.” It carries a quiet, countryside elegance.
Elton
An English habitational name meaning “Ella’s town” or “old town,” now world-famous through musician Elton John. It has a breezy, recognizable charm.
Emerson
Originally an English surname meaning “son of Emery,” now widely used as a first name for both boys and girls. It honors the essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson.
Emmett
An English surname derived from the medieval female name Emma, now a popular boys’ name. It has a wholesome, vintage appeal.
Ernest
An English name meaning “earnest” or “serious,” popularized in the Victorian era and immortalized by Oscar Wilde’s “The Importance of Being Earnest.” It suggests sincerity and determination.
Everett
An English surname from the elements for “boar” and “brave,” now fashionable as a given name. It has a sturdy yet refined sound.
Elliott
An English surname rooted in the Hebrew Elijah, popular as a first name with a literary, gentle quality. Spellings vary as Elliot, Eliot, and Elliott.
Eugene
An English form of the Greek Eugenios meaning “wellborn,” common in the early 20th century. It shortens warmly to Gene.
Elmer
An Old English name meaning “noble and renowned,” with a folksy, old-fashioned American charm. It is widely recognized from cartoons.
Errol
An English surname-derived name made glamorous by actor Errol Flynn. It has a dashing, adventurous feel.
Emma
A perennially popular English name of Germanic roots meaning “whole” or “universal,” beloved for its simple elegance. It topped baby-name charts for years and inspired Jane Austen’s heroine.
Emily
An English classic from the Latin Aemilia, associated with literary greats like Emily Dickinson and Emily Brontë. It has been a top girls’ name for decades.
Eleanor
A regal English name carried by medieval queens and Eleanor Roosevelt. It offers timeless sophistication and the cute nicknames Nell and Ellie.
Ella
A short, graceful English name with both Germanic and Norman roots, made iconic by jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald. Its simplicity keeps it consistently popular.
Edith
An Old English name meaning “rich in war,” common among Anglo-Saxon nobility and revived in modern times. It has a vintage, literary warmth.
Eliza
An English short form of Elizabeth, charmingly familiar from “My Fair Lady” and “Hamilton.” It feels both spirited and refined.
Elizabeth
One of the most enduring English names, borne by two English queens and countless notables. Its many nicknames—Liz, Beth, Betty, Eliza—make it endlessly versatile.
Eloise
A graceful English and French name meaning “healthy” or “famous in war,” with a storybook charm. It has surged in popularity for its elegant sound.
Emmeline
An old English name linked to suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst, sharing roots with Emily and Amelia. It feels delicate yet strong.
Esme
A dainty name of French origin embraced in English usage, meaning “esteemed.” It carries literary cachet from Salinger and modern fiction.
Estelle
An elegant English and French name meaning “star,” with a vintage glamour. It pairs well with the nickname Stella.
Eve
A short, classic English name meaning “life,” referencing the first woman in the Bible. Its simplicity gives it timeless appeal.
Evelyn
An English name from the surname Aveline, historically used for both sexes but now mainly for girls. It has a soft, vintage elegance.
Eunice
An English name of Greek origin meaning “good victory,” found in the New Testament. It has an old-fashioned, gentle dignity.
Effie
A sweet English short form of Euphemia, popular in the Victorian era. It has a cheerful, retro charm.
Ethel
An Old English name meaning “noble,” hugely popular around 1900 and now wonderfully vintage. It evokes early-20th-century stage stars.
Ernestine
The feminine form of Ernest, an English name suggesting earnestness and resolve. It has a quaint, antique flavor.
Earl
An English name taken from the noble title meaning “nobleman.” It has a strong, plainspoken American appeal.
Edna
An English name with Hebrew roots meaning “delight,” widely used in the early 1900s. It carries a homey, vintage warmth.
Eric
A name of Norse origin long naturalized in English, meaning “ever-ruler.” It is sturdy, friendly, and globally familiar.
Ezra
A name of Hebrew origin embraced in English usage, meaning “help.” It has surged recently for its crisp, modern-vintage sound.
Eddie
A friendly English diminutive of Edward or Edmund, often used on its own. It feels approachable and timeless.
Ed
A casual English short form of Edward or Edmund, simple and warm. It is widely recognized through stars like Ed Sheeran.
Ted
An English nickname for Edward or Theodore, with a breezy, vintage charm. It stands comfortably on its own.
Elsie
A charming English short form of Elizabeth, popular in the early 20th century and revived today. It has a sweet, nostalgic ring.
Ettie
A vintage English diminutive linked to names like Henrietta and Esther. It feels playful and antique.
Enid
A name of Welsh origin long used in England, meaning “soul,” and tied to Arthurian legend and author Enid Blyton. It has a quaint, literary feel.
Esther
An English name of Persian and Hebrew roots meaning “star,” from the biblical queen. It blends grace with quiet strength.
Ezekiel
A biblical name of Hebrew origin used in English-speaking countries, meaning “God strengthens.” It shortens charmingly to Zeke.
Elias
An English form of Elijah, with a smooth, classic sound and biblical roots. It has gained popularity for its gentle elegance.
Ember
A modern English nature name evoking glowing coals, prized for its warm, fiery imagery. It fits the trend of cozy word-names.
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