This page brings together 30 English names that start with the letter N, running alphabetically from “Nathan” to “Niamh.” You’ll find a mix of classic, biblical, vintage, and modern choices for boys and girls. People use these names to name children, explore family heritage, or simply enjoy the meanings and stories behind each one.
English names are the personal names commonly given to people in English-speaking countries, drawn from many sources like Hebrew, Greek, Latin, and Gaelic roots. Many carry meanings that go back centuries, and some surprise you, such as “Nevaeh,” which is simply the word heaven spelled backwards.
Below you’ll find the table with Name, Gender, Origin, Meaning, Famous Namesakes, and Description.
Name: This shows the name itself, listed alphabetically, so you can quickly scan the page and find the one you’re looking for.
Gender: This tells you whether a name is typically used for boys, girls, or both, helping you choose one that fits your needs.
Origin: This points to the language or culture a name comes from, giving you a sense of its background and how it first appeared.
Meaning: This explains what a name actually means, often revealing a lovely or surprising idea hidden inside a familiar word.
Famous Namesakes: This lists well-known people who share the name, so you can connect it to faces and stories you may already recognize.
Description: This gives you a short, friendly summary of each name, covering its history, popularity, and any common nicknames or spelling variations.
English names
Name
Gender
Origin
Meaning
Famous Namesakes
Nathan
Male
Hebrew
“He gave” or “gift”
Nathan Lane, Nathan Fillion
Nathaniel
Male
Hebrew
“Gift of God”
Nathaniel Hawthorne, Nat King Cole
Nancy
Female
English/Hebrew
“Grace”
Nancy Reagan, Nancy Sinatra
Natalie
Female
Latin
“Born on Christmas Day”
Natalie Portman, Natalie Wood
Naomi
Female
Hebrew
“Pleasantness”
Naomi Campbell, Naomi Watts
Neil
Male
Gaelic
“Champion” or “cloud”
Neil Armstrong, Neil Young
Nelson
Male
English
“Son of Neil”
Nelson Mandela, Nelson Rockefeller
Nicholas
Male
Greek
“Victory of the people”
Nicolas Cage, Saint Nicholas
Nicole
Female
Greek/French
“Victory of the people”
Nicole Kidman, Nicole Richie
Nigel
Male
Latin/English
“Dark” or “champion”
Nigel Mansell, Nigel Havers
Nina
Female
Various
“Little girl” or “grace”
Nina Simone, Nina Dobrev
Noah
Male
Hebrew
“Rest” or “comfort”
Noah Webster, Noah Centineo
Noel
Unisex
French
“Christmas”
Noel Gallagher, Noel Coward
Nora
Female
Irish/Latin
“Honor” or “light”
Nora Ephron, Nora Roberts
Norman
Male
English/Germanic
“Northman”
Norman Rockwell, Norman Schwarzkopf
Norma
Female
Latin
“Rule” or “pattern”
Norma Shearer, Norma Jeane Mortenson
Nelly
Female
English
“Light” or “horn”
Nelly Furtado
Newton
Male
English
“New town”
Sir Isaac Newton
Noble
Male
English/Latin
“Aristocratic” or “high-born”
Noble Johnson
Ned
Male
English
“Wealthy guardian”
Ned Kelly, Ned Beatty
Nadia
Female
Slavic/English
“Hope”
Nadia Comaneci
Nathanael
Male
Hebrew
“Gift of God”
Nathanael Greene
Nevaeh
Female
English (modern)
“Heaven” spelled backwards
None notable
Nita
Female
English/Spanish
“Grace” or “gracious”
None notable
Norbert
Male
Germanic
“Bright north”
Saint Norbert
Nolan
Male
Irish/English
“Champion” or “noble”
Nolan Ryan, Christopher Nolan
Neville
Male
English/French
“New town”
Neville Chamberlain
Nellie
Female
English
“Light” or “shining one”
Nellie Bly
Nadine
Female
French/English
“Hope”
Nadine Coyle, Nadine Gordimer
Niamh
Female
Irish/English
“Bright” or “radiant”
Niamh Cusack
Descriptions
Nathan
A classic biblical name borne by a prophet in the Old Testament. It has remained steadily popular in English-speaking countries for generations.
Nathaniel
A longer, more formal form of Nathan with biblical roots. It often gets shortened to Nate or Nat in everyday use.
Nancy
Originally a pet form of Ann, Nancy became a beloved standalone name. It peaked in popularity in the mid-20th century.
Natalie
Derived from the Latin for the Lord’s birthday, this name has an elegant, timeless feel. It is popular across many cultures.
Naomi
A biblical name from the Book of Ruth, where Naomi is Ruth’s mother-in-law. It has enjoyed a strong revival in recent decades.
Neil
An anglicized form of the Gaelic Niall, this name carries connotations of strength and victory. It saw wide use through the 20th century.
Nelson
Originally a surname meaning son of Neil, it became a given name honoring Admiral Horatio Nelson. It conveys leadership and dignity.
Nicholas
A name with deep roots in Christian tradition, linked to the saint who inspired Santa Claus. It is often shortened to Nick or Nicky.
Nicole
The feminine French form of Nicholas, Nicole became hugely popular in the late 20th century. It feels both chic and approachable.
Nigel
A distinctly British name derived from the Latin Nigellus. It evokes a certain old-world Englishness.
Nina
A short, melodic name found across many languages including Russian and Spanish. Its simplicity gives it cross-cultural appeal.
Noah
The biblical builder of the ark lends this name great heritage. It has surged to become one of the most popular boys’ names today.
Noel
Traditionally given to children born around Christmas, Noel works for both boys and girls. The feminine spelling Noelle is also common.
Nora
A short form of Honora or Eleanor, Nora has a warm, vintage charm. It has been climbing the popularity charts in recent years.
Norman
Referring to the Norsemen who settled in Normandy, this name has a sturdy, traditional quality. It was especially popular in the early 1900s.
Norma
Popularized partly by Bellini’s opera Norma, this name has a graceful, classic sound. It saw peak use in the mid-20th century.
Nelly
A diminutive of Eleanor or Helen, Nelly has a cheerful, old-fashioned appeal. It is sometimes spelled Nellie.
Newton
Originally a place name and surname meaning new settlement, it became a given name often honoring the great scientist. It feels scholarly and distinguished.
Noble
A virtue-style name suggesting honor and dignity. It originated as a surname before being adopted as a first name.
Ned
A traditional pet form of Edward, Ned has a friendly, down-to-earth feel. It has been used as a nickname for centuries.
Nadia
Though Slavic in origin, Nadia is widely used in English-speaking countries. It carries an optimistic, graceful meaning.
Nathanael
A variant spelling of Nathaniel found in some biblical translations. It shares the same meaning and dignified character.
Nevaeh
A modern invented name created by reversing the word heaven. It became surprisingly popular in the early 2000s.
Nita
A short, sweet name used as a diminutive of names like Anita or Juanita. It has a gentle, friendly sound.
Norbert
A name of Germanic origin used in English-speaking countries, combining elements meaning north and bright. It has an old-fashioned, scholarly air.
Nolan
Originally an Irish surname adopted as a first name in English usage. Its strong, modern sound has boosted its recent popularity.
Neville
Derived from a Norman place name meaning new settlement, Neville has a refined, traditional English character. It was more common in earlier generations.
Nellie
A vintage pet form of names like Helen, Eleanor, or Ellen. It has a sweet, nostalgic quality popular in the Victorian era.
Nadine
An elaborated form of Nadia, Nadine carries a graceful, romantic sound. It enjoyed popularity through the mid-20th century.
Niamh
Of Irish origin but increasingly used in English-speaking countries, pronounced “neev.” It evokes brightness and beauty.
If you think there is a missing term, let us know using the contact form.
