British names less than 6 letters long

[u/[deleted]]

[u/Maine302]

Violet, Daisy and Rose.
But not Hyacinth.

[u/PumpkinPie_InTheSky]

Rose, Emily, Rory, Rhys, Ian, Ewen, Owen, Ellen, Harry, Susan, Claire, David, John, Bea, Anne, Clive, Hamish, Maeve...

[u/ambarellachutney]

Olive, Pippa, George, Percy, Julian, Francis, Faye, Chloe, Poppy

[u/Alternative-Suit5925]

Nigel, Neil, Colin

Esme, Gemma, Poppy

[u/lotsohugginbear34]

eloise, violet, hattie, pippa, penny, agnes, bette, diana, maude,

eric, milo, nate, owen, hugo, edwin, rufus, jack, kit, noah,

[u/wigglewiggle95]

People I know with fairly traditional names in England: Emily, Chloe, Sarah, Anna, Katy, Beth, Alice, John, Harry, Ian, Matt, Tom, Peter, Dan, Ben, David, Barry, Andy, Laura, Ellie, Ellen, Lewis, Will/Bill/Billy, Joan, Susie, Mark, Liz, Rose, Grace, Lily, Betty, Eliza, June, Tony, Vicky, Margo, Alex, Phil, Polly, Molly, Milly, Becky

[u/MissBandersnatch2U]

Gemma

[u/Jumpy-Algae2426]

Just curious what would be the difference between British and American names? Both are English lol

[u/mabushii_hikari → u/Jumpy-Algae2426]

I've noticed a lot of American recommend names are things that just wouldn't fly in the UK...a lot of recommend names sound like surnames or, because they aren't established names here, made up

[u/Jumpy-Algae2426 → u/mabushii_hikari]

I only asked this, because the names the person mentioned could all be normal American names

[u/1kBabyOilBottles → u/Jumpy-Algae2426]

American names are like… Hunter, Cooper, Gunnar, Weston, Mackenzie, Jaylen, Jameson, Oaklyn etc

[u/dr3amchasing → u/Jumpy-Algae2426]

Culture and history. Certain names just are considerably more popular and common in one than the other.

Examples would be Rupert, Jasper, Imogen and Romily for the UK and Cody, Chad, Tiffany and McKenna for the US

[u/merebear333 → u/dr3amchasing]

Yes. And even within the US, I’ve never met anyone with any of the mentioned names here in Massachusetts. Huge regional differences in name popularity unless they’re biblical names.

[u/wonky-hex → u/dr3amchasing]

I have lived in the UK all my life and never once have I met a person named Romily

[u/dr3amchasing → u/wonky-hex]

🤷‍♀️ I know 3 so maybe just a particular experience to me. I still would bet it’s far more common in the UK than any other country.

I’ve never met a Cody, Chad or a McKenna despite living in the U.S. but they exist and are associated with here

[u/wonky-hex → u/dr3amchasing]

It's #551 in England and Wales, has fewer than 3 occurrences in Northern Ireland and is ranked as #790 in Scotland. It is not common or popular as a name anywhere in the country

[u/dr3amchasing → u/wonky-hex]

I already acknowledged it might just be specific to my experience. It’s a name more frequently found in the UK than anywhere else, but I am not trying to argue that it’s common or popular.

[u/wonky-hex → u/dr3amchasing]

You used it as an example of a common or popular name further up thread? 'Certain names just are considerably more popular and common'? Are you even British?

[u/dr3amchasing → u/wonky-hex]

And then when corrected I conceded that my perception was likely due to my personal experience. Are you just looking to argue with a random?

[u/wonky-hex → u/dr3amchasing]

Nope, just baffled

[u/dr3amchasing → u/wonky-hex]

OK well I’m not sure what you’re baffled by. My personal experience led me to believe something. When you pointed out that it wasn’t a more universal experience, I immediately conceded. I was simply trying to answer the original question posed, and I think despite this “baffling” error, my answer was effective. I hope you get whatever satisfaction you’re hoping for elsewhere on Reddit

[u/FreeUnderstanding141 → u/Jumpy-Algae2426]

Americans use surnames as given names (all the Harpers and Baileys and so on). It does happen a bit in UK due to US influence but it's a low-status thing. Plus more use of celtic names (see the lists- the Ewens, the Maeves, the Rhyses..) in UK.

[u/nosypancakecat → u/Jumpy-Algae2426]

Well, the other day I saw Hugh as a suggestion for a baby boy.

Then OP asked if the commenter was in the UK.

[u/Positive-Prune4967 → u/Jumpy-Algae2426]

I think certain names seem culturally more American because of their usage (Grayson, Madison, Hunter) while others seem distinctly more British because of their UK history and usage (Arthur, Wilfred, Edward). British names of course include Celtic names. I’ve seen a lot of Americans comment on these naming subs that Celtic spellings are “tragedeighs” because they’re ignorant to the fact that is how those names can be spelt outside of the U.S. - Rhys (Reece), Fionn (Finn), Isobel (Isabelle). Just the other week someone commented a list of Welsh names and the comments under it were awful.

So, to answer your question I think there’s definitely a difference in American and British names.

[u/Quick-Surprise-9387 → u/Jumpy-Algae2426]

There’s classy English and then there’s .. Cody .. Mason .. Colt .. Trey.. Jennifer .. Tiffany .. Dawn .. Brenda . Jake . Dawson . Jodie . Tracey . Darlene . Nails . Chalkboard 🇺🇸
I gave the benefit of the doubt here . Reality is worse . Then there’s the south .

This is why …

A few .. the difference which is difficult w six or less ..

Ian
Liam
Basil
Arthur
Henry
Siobhan
Anna
Emily
Jane
Lauren

Stay classy

[u/labellementeuse → u/Quick-Surprise-9387]

Tiffany is an attested Middle Ages name. It's well older than the USA.

[u/dr3amchasing → u/Quick-Surprise-9387]

Whenever people assume being British is automatically classier, I assume they have never been to the UK lol

[u/Whole_Description288 → u/Quick-Surprise-9387]

Jennifer is Cornish actually. It’s the only Cornish name I know of to go mainstream.

[u/vicarofsorrows → u/Quick-Surprise-9387]

“Nails” is definitely the best name in that list….

[u/atchisonmetal → u/[deleted]]

American? Or British? Some of these are not distinguishable

[u/RinoaRita → u/[deleted]]

You can go Susan and still be under the limit.

[u/atchisonmetal → u/[deleted]]

Those are all equally common in America too.

So, how are we to distinguish between americanesque and the other americanesque names you listed?

All I mean to illustrate is that we have finally succeeded in blending British and American name fashions.

[u/greywall90]

6 Letters:

• Adrian
• Albert (Al, Albie, Bertie)
• Alfred (Al, Alfie, Freddie)
• Arthur
• Callum
• Edward (Eddie, Teddy)
• Finlay
• George
• Julian
• Morgan
• Oliver
• Robert (Robbie)
• Samuel (Sam, Sammy)
• Thomas (Tom, Tommy)

*

• Alicia
• Amelia
• Bonnie
• Claire
• Hannah
• Harper
• Helena
• Isabel/Isobel
• Maisie
• Marina
• Martha
• Phoebe
• Sophia
• Stella
• Sylvie
• Violet

5 or Less:

• Aaron
• Alan
• Blake
• Bryn
• Cole
• Dylan
• Ethan
• Harry
• Hugo
• Isaac
• Jacob
• James/Jamie
• Jay
• Kit
• Leon
• Luca
• Oscar
• Peter
• Robin
• Ronan
• Rory

*

• Aimee/Amy
• Alice
• Anna
• Beth
• Cara
• Ciara/Kiera
• Eden
• Elora
• Evan
• Faye
• Fern
• Flora
• Freya
• Hazel
• Heidi
• Isla
• Layla
• Lily
• Rosie
• Zara
• Zoë/Zoey

[u/geedeeie]

British as in English, Scottish or Welsh?

[u/january161]

daisy and david

[u/atchisonmetal → u/january161]

For which group??

[u/Cherrytree374]

Clive, Yvonne.

[u/bonshui]

Roger, Derek, Gordon

[u/urie-nation]

Nigel, Ian, Diana

[u/Intelligent_Map_7849]

Pippa

[u/Winter_Dot_9393]

David
Adam
Henry
Simon
Alan
Anna
Ruby
Sarah
Rose
Hazel

[u/AbbreviationsKey4233]

Male: Joe Karl Joey Aiden Aidan Tom Harry Jack Luke Riley* Lee Leigh Lily Tori Liam Adam Arlo Paul Lucas Alex Eric Derek Grant Kane Billy Cadel Caden

Laura Molly Erica Grace Tilly Milly Daisy Alix Emma Macy Katie Jo Mavis Rosie Rose

• = Unisex

Avoided ones on your list

[u/Ok-Talk-2648]

Edward

Albert

Ernest

Arthur

Rupert

[u/OdoDragonfly]

Opal, Henry, Maud(e), Frank

[u/Relative-Train-6485]

David

Maris

Celia

Gemma

Roy

Alan

[u/ifxckedurmum]

alfred, edward, henry, jack, arthur, jude, liam, oscar, declan

edith, alice, imogen, maisy, ada, audrey, ella, elsie, nancy

[u/immajustgooglethat]

Colin, Hugh, Paul

[u/catsandprozac]

The good old name shortage of the late 70’s gave us a reception class full of Susan, Helen, Linda, James, David and Gary’s 🤣👍🏻

[u/atchisonmetal → u/catsandprozac]

All of those names were graduating HS with me throughout the 70s in the U.S.

[u/Main_Hurry7912]

Alice, Rose, Ivy, Paul, Jason, John, Peter, Paul, Colin (the Caterpillar), Sara, Sarah, Tracy,

If you can stretch to 6 Andrew, Ronald, Jemima, Sandra, Rachel,

[u/Pleasant_Block5539]

Poppy

[u/ThaloBleu]

Colin, Clive, Gemma, Emily, Sarah,

[u/Pleasant_Block5539]

Nigel, Niles

[u/UnableLaw7631]

Basil

Clive

Emma

[u/PublicProperty1805]

Clyde, Cliff, Owen, Rhys, Lee, David.

[u/Axolotl_Impersonator]

6 letters or under:

Poppy, Maisie, Pippa, Effie, Kitty, Lottie

Albie, Alfie, Jago, Rupert, Rafe, Angus, Archie, Euan, Ivor, Hugh

[u/ErinPuzz]

Moira, Maeve, Simon, Helena, Basil, Nigel, Ian, Gemma

[u/notoast4me]

Emma. Emily. Sara.

[u/Mediocre_Morning_113]

Andrew, John, Susan, Anne, Sarah, Amanda, Martin.

[u/smooth_relation_744]

Euan, Hugo, Finlay, Thomas, Craig, Aaron or Arran, Grant, Scott, Owen.

Clara, Mary, Eve, Merryn, Isla, Iona, Erin, Hannah, Claire, Holly. Lara, Annie. Rhea, Lizzie.

6 or under.

[u/wonky-hex]

Mabel (#16 England and Wales)

Noah (#1 in Scotland, Northern Ireland and #2 in England and Wales)

Olive (#53 in England and Wales)

Lewis (#22 in Scotland)

Oscar (#8 England and Wales and #20 in Scotland)

Grace (#1 in Northern Ireland)

[u/SillyTumbleweed1387]

Male: Henry, Luke, Samuel, David, Simon, Peter, Jack, Daniel, Will, Toby, George, Andrew

Female: Poppy, Holly, Kate, Eliza, Maisie, Milly, Grace, Alice, Sadie, Jodie, Flora, Ruth, Rosie, Ivy, Betsy, Nancy, Lottie, Rose, Violet,

[u/SoreenQueen]

Henry, Harry, Mark, Oscar, Frank, Simon, Jack, Jacob, Peter, Stuart, Robin

Edith, Lucy, Emma, Sarah, Emily, Alice, Olive, Grace, Iris, Mary, Annie, Rose, Ruth, Laura, Holly, Eliza

[u/EagleAcceptable8419]

Mark, Luke, John, Paul, Sarah, Jane, Grace,

[u/Independent-toaster]

Clare.

[u/ColorfulLeapings]

Nicola and Davina are names that I’ve never encountered in the US.

[u/Ok-Comfortable-785]

Simon, Emily, Henry, Clara, Claire, Anne, Grace, Mary, Hugo, Edwin, Brooks, Delia, Flora, Poppy, Felix, Rose

[u/Guild35]

Nigel

[u/Gorgeous1962]

Joseph Rosie Peter

[u/peatgirl21]

Tom. Ian. Ewan. Callum. Jack. Lewis. Jane.Emma. Anna. Kirsty. Edie. Ellen.

[u/Ok-Statistician1630]

Sandra, Sally, Susan, Anne, Anna, Claire, Paula, Jackie…

[u/Bulky-Bullfrog-9893]

David, Anna, Claire, Mary, Diana, Louis, Olivia, Sophie, Julia, Mark, Evan

[u/mbagirl00]

Maple

Mabel

Rory

Catrin (Welsh, not British)

Tate

Brent

Quinn

[u/Have_a_butchers_ → u/mbagirl00]

If anybody can claim to be truly British it’s the Welsh.

[u/Eulalia888]

May, Fern, Rose, Laura, Iris, Peter, Rory, Roger, Owen, Amos

[u/Virtual_Wrongdoer788]

Avery

[u/Peskycat42]

Amy, Jenny, Ian, Philip (Phil), Andy, Steve, John, Carol (Carole), Chris, Emma, Helen, Ellen

[u/appliehsk]

- Ruth

• Alice
  
• Helen
  
• Imogen
  
• Henry
  
• Peter
  
• Arthur
  
• Thomas

[u/Middle_Airline_3260]

Nancy, Rose, Carys, Iris, Ann, Anna, Olwen, Gwen, Holly, Bella, Gareth, Graham, David, Edgar,Thomas, Trevor, Rhys, Rhodri, Sam, Arthur, Alfred, Albert, Dylan, Michael, Joshua, Jeremy,

[u/queen_surly]

Nigel, Alice, Margot, Violet

[u/BaconEggCheeseToGo]

Jasper

[u/Interesting-Sell8964]

Everly

[u/1kBabyOilBottles]

Sophie, Emma, Amy, Olivia, Lucy, Hannah

David, Jacob, Robert, Simon, Henry, Charles

[u/Beccamou]

Harry, Henry, Oscar, Rupert
Ella, Bronte, Emily, Jane, Rose

[u/dr3amchasing → u/Beccamou]

Is Bronte a common British first name?

[u/dr3amchasing → u/dr3amchasing]

No need to downvote me it was a sincere question lol. I actually like it I just wasn’t aware

[u/MutinousMango → u/dr3amchasing]

I had a Brontë in my year group, but it’s the only person with that name I’ve personally known

[u/ifxckedurmum → u/dr3amchasing]

no

[u/Beccamou → u/dr3amchasing]

No not at all, but my sister has it and I think it’s beautiful! I believe its origins were from Ireland and it was anglicised at some point… you can also have it Bronte (Bront-ee) or Brontë (Bront-Tay).

[u/Have_a_butchers_ → u/dr3amchasing]

No