English Boy Names That Mean Bird
English boy names that mean bird span two real traditions: plain nature words like Talon and Jay, and old surnames that carry a raven or hawk in disguise.
Names102
OriginEnglish
MeaningBird
GenderBoy
English is unusually generous with boy names that point to birds, mixing plain nature words with old surnames that hide a bird underneath. Jay is the plainest example, a punchy one-syllable name that is simply the bird itself. Talon goes further, naming the claw of a bird of prey rather than the bird itself.
The bigger cluster here is raven names: Corbin, Korbin, and Korbyn all descend from the same Old French root, and Draven is often tied to the same bird. Coleman takes a gentler branch of the family tree, rooted in the word for dove.
Why So Many English Boy Names That Mean Bird Point to Ravens and Hawks
Three spellings of one name, Corbin, Korbin, and Korbyn, all trace to the same Old French word for raven, which is why raven names dominate this list more than any other bird. Talon and Arden lean the other direction, toward hawks and eagles: Talon names the claw of a bird of prey, while Arden is tied to an eagle valley in Shakespeare's forest of the same name. Marlon sits between the two, possibly meaning little hawk.
Surname Names That Sit Alongside the Bird Meanings
Not every name here is a bird word first. Remington, Gunner, and Jagger are English occupational or place-name surnames with no bird root at all, earning their place through the same rugged, surname-first-name sound parents already love in Corbin and Talon. Coleman bridges both worlds, doubling as an Irish word for dove and an English surname for a charcoal seller.
Names List
Remington#307 in the U.S.Settlement on the rim; the farm of the raven-familyPronounced REM-ing-tun▶Jay#392 in the U.S.Used as a given name from the bird name jay (from Old French jai), or as a short form of names beginning Pronounced JAY▶Gunner#506 in the U.S.English occupational/word name from 'gunner' (one who operates a gun), but also an anglicized form of thePronounced GUN-er▶Corbin#512 in the U.S.From Old French corbin or corbeau meaning 'raven' or 'crow,' derived from Latin corvus (raven); used as aPronounced KOR-bin▶Jagger#885 in the U.S.From a northern English dialect word jagger meaning a peddler, a hawker, or a person who carts goods; derPronounced JAG-er▶Arden#943 in the U.S.Eagle valley; from Celtic ard (high) + den (valley); or the Forest of Arden in Warwickshire, England (thePronounced AR-dun▶Korbin#1010 in the U.S.Raven; from Old French Corbin (raven-colored, dark), from corbeau (raven)Pronounced KOR-bin▶Wren#1025 in the U.S.The wren; from Old English wrenna (the small brown songbird, Troglodytes troglodytes)Pronounced REN▶Talon#1045 in the U.S.Claw; the sharp curved claw of a bird of prey; from Old French talon (heel, claw), from Latin talus (anklPronounced TAL-un▶Marlon#1084 in the U.S.Little hawk; little falcon; possibly from Old French merle (blackbird) + diminutive -on, or a form of MerPronounced MAR-lun▶Draven#1120 in the U.S.Of the raven; possibly from Old English draefan (to drive, to hunt) or a creative variant of Raven; populPronounced DRAY-vun▶Coleman#1279 in the U.S.Dove keeper; follower of Saint ColumbaPronounced KOHL-man▶Korbyn#1666 in the U.S.A modern spelling variant of Corbin/Corbyn, from a Norman French surname derived from 'corbeau' ('raven, Pronounced KOR-bin▶Arnold#1681 in the U.S.From Germanic 'arn' (eagle) and 'wald' (power, rule), 'eagle power'.Pronounced AR-nuhld▶Kallum#1808 in the U.S.DovePronounced KAL-uhm▶Caelum#2026 in the U.S.DovePronounced KAL-uhm▶Arley#2055 in the U.S.From English place name/surname, Old English earn 'eagle' or hara 'hare' + leah 'clearing'Pronounced AHR-lee▶Fulton#2061 in the U.S.Bird hillPronounced FOOL-tuhn▶Corbyn#2131 in the U.S.RavenPronounced KOR-bin▶Kal#2349 in the U.S.Voice of God; a short form of Kalel (Superman's Kryptonian birth name) or an independent short form of CaPronounced KAL▶Jayvon#2377 in the U.S.God is gracious; a modern compound of Jay (from the initial J or the bird) + -von (German/Slavic: of/fromPronounced JAY-von▶Arlin#2418 in the U.S.Pledge; oath; a variant of Arlen or Arlene, from German/Irish Arlin (eagle land) or from Celtic arlen (plPronounced AR-lin▶Korben#2761 in the U.S.RavenPronounced KAWR-bin▶Talan#3140 in the U.S.Variant of Talon, from Old French talon ('heel,' 'claw of a bird'), used as a given name evoking strengthPronounced TAY-lan▶Clarke#3331 in the U.S.Clerk, scribe, scholar; the e-spelled form of the English occupational surname ClarkPronounced KLARK▶Hawk#3343 in the U.S.The bird of prey; from Old English hafoc, used as a sharp-eyed nature namePronounced HAWK▶Hawkins#3344 in the U.S.Son of Hawkin — a medieval diminutive of Hal/Harry or of the bird-name Hawk — an English surname with seaPronounced HAW-kinz▶Sully#3577 in the U.S.Pet form of Sullivan — Irish Ó Súileabháin, 'dark/hawk eyes' — also an English place-name, 'south meadow'Pronounced SUH-lee▶Burdett#3683 in the U.S.Burdett is an English surname of Norman French origin, generally traced to a diminutive of a personal namPronounced bur-DET▶Avett#3787 in the U.S.From the surname Avett — Avis/Avery family lines ('bird' or elf-counsel readings) — Avett Brothers-famousPronounced AY-vət▶Brant#3891 in the U.S.From Germanic brand, 'sword, fire' — also the brant goose and Mohawk leader Joseph BrantPronounced BRANT▶Murle#3901 in the U.S.Murle is a spelling variant of Merle, from the Old French merle, meaning blackbird. It also brushes againPronounced MERL▶Byrd#4115 in the U.S.Byrd is a surname turned first name, from the Old English brid or byrd, 'bird'. It began as a nickname foPronounced BURD▶Corwin#4328 in the U.S.From an English surname — possibly Old French cuer, 'heart' (a friend of the heart), or 'raven friend'; rPronounced KOR-win▶Heron#4341 in the U.S.From the word heron (the wading bird) — also the Greek name Heron, linked to 'hero'; routes layeredPronounced HAIR-ən▶Falcon#4920 in the U.S.From the word falcon — Latin falco, 'a falcon, a hawk' (a swift bird of prey, a symbol of speed and keen Pronounced FAL-kən▶Sparrow#5012 in the U.S.From the word sparrow — Old English spearwa, 'a sparrow' (a small, spirited songbird); here for boysPronounced SPAIR-oh▶Arlie#5061 in the U.S.From Arley/Earlie — Old English, 'the eagle meadow' or 'the hare meadow' (an -ie form); routes layeredPronounced AR-lee▶Arlis#5062 in the U.S.A vintage name — variously a form of Arles/Arley ('the eagle meadow'), or linked to Hebrew 'a pledge'; hePronounced AR-liss▶Finch#5101 in the U.S.From the word/surname finch — Old English finc, 'a finch' (a small, cheerful songbird)Pronounced FINCH▶Tallon#5401 in the U.S.-ll- spelling of Talon — from Old French talon, 'a heel; a claw, a talon' (a bird of prey's claw)Pronounced TAL-ən▶Myrl#5512 in the U.S.Myrl is a short unisex name from the Merle/Myrtle group; the Merle side comes from French merle, 'blackbiPronounced MURL▶Remmington#5591 in the U.S.-mm- spelling of Remington — from Old English, 'the farm/settlement on the boundary stream', or 'the ravePronounced REM-ing-tən▶Derl#5700 in the U.S.Derl is a short, homespun early-century name, most plausibly a variant of Earl or Merle. Earl comes from Pronounced DURL▶Jayton#5747 in the U.S.A modern name joining Jay (the jaybird, or a J- name) with the -ton ending ('a town'); also a Texas placePronounced JAY-tən▶Wrenley#6146 in the U.S.A modern name joining Wren ('a small bird') with -ley ('a meadow, a clearing'); 'a wren's meadow'; used fPronounced REN-lee▶Fowler#6253 in the U.S.From the English occupational surname Fowler — from Old English fugelere, 'a bird-catcher, a hunter of wiPronounced FOW-lər▶Tallen#6404 in the U.S.A spelling echoing Talon/Tallon — from Old French talon, 'a talon, a claw (of a bird of prey)'; routes laPronounced TAL-ən▶Ardyn#6842 in the U.S.A spelling of Arden — variously 'the great forest' (Celtic) and 'the eagle valley' (Old English); used foPronounced AR-din▶Murl#6971 in the U.S.Murl is a phonetic variant of Merle, from Old French merle, 'blackbird' (via Latin merula). It may also dPronounced MURL▶Lakyn#7506 in the U.S.A modern name, variously a spelling of Larkin (a pet form of Lawrence, 'from Laurentum') and Lakin (an EnPronounced LAY-kin▶Keatyn#8643 in the U.S.A spelling of Keaton — an English place/surname, variously 'a place of hawks/kites' and 'a shed/cottage tPronounced KEE-tun▶Arland#9016 in the U.S.Variously 'the eagle land' (English, from earn + land) and a form of Erland (Old Norse, 'a foreigner/straPronounced AR-land▶Hawkin#9208 in the U.S.An English surname from Hawkin, a medieval pet form of Henry (Hal + the diminutive -kin). A crisp surnamePronounced HAW-kin▶Jayen#9279 in the U.S.Jayen is a coined American boy's name joining the very popular Jay- element, on its own a nickname from nPronounced JAY-un▶Ardin#9947 in the U.S.A spelling of Arden — from the Old English/Celtic, 'a high/great place; a valley of the eagle; the ForestPronounced AR-din▶Culver#10073 in the U.S.From the Old English culfre, 'a dove/pigeon' (a symbol of peace and gentleness); a surname and nature-namPronounced KUL-vur▶Kayton#10368 in the U.S.A modern given name blending a Kay- element with a -ton ending, echoing the surname Keaton, 'place with hPronounced KAY-tun▶Keeton#10373 in the U.S.A spelling of Keaton, from an English surname/place-name, variously 'place with hawks/kites' or 'shed towPronounced KEE-tun▶Phynix#10514 in the U.S.A respelling of Phoenix, the mythical firebird of Greek myth that rises reborn from its own ashes; the naPronounced FEE-niks▶Robyn#10659 in the U.S.A 'y' spelling of Robin — a pet form of Robert ('bright fame') and the woodland bird. The -yn spelling rePronounced ROB-in▶Starling#10730 in the U.S.From the English word for the small, glossy songbird, also an established surname. A modern nature name wPronounced STAR-ling▶Clarkson#11156 in the U.S.From the English surname Clarkson, 'son of Clark,' where Clark comes from the occupational 'clerk; scribePronounced KLARK-sun▶Evelyn#11306 in the U.S.Evelyn began as an English surname (from the given name Aveline, likely 'desired; wished-for' or 'little Pronounced EV-uh-lin▶Hawke#11389 in the U.S.From the English word hawk, a keen-eyed bird of prey, and the surname Hawke; used as a bold, single-beat Pronounced HAWK▶Jayace#11496 in the U.S.Jayace reads as a modern American blend of Jay (a bright short name and bird) and Ace ('one; the best'). Pronounced JAY-ays▶Jaye#11499 in the U.S.Jaye is a spelling of Jay, a bright short name from the bird (and a short form for names beginning with JPronounced JAY▶Jinx#11540 in the U.S.Jinx is an English word meaning 'a charm or spell said to bring luck' (often bad luck), possibly from jynPronounced JINGKS▶Kestrel#11657 in the U.S.From the English word kestrel, a small hovering falcon. A nature and bird name used for both boys and girPronounced KES-trul▶Merrill#11828 in the U.S.From the English surname Merrill, from Old English 'pleasant hill' (myrig + hyll) or from a medieval formPronounced MAIR-ul▶Ramsay#11977 in the U.S.A Scottish surname and given name from an Old English place name, 'wild garlic island' (hramsa, 'wild garPronounced RAM-zee▶Rayven#11984 in the U.S.A modern respelling of Raven (the glossy black bird, long tied to wisdom and mystery in folklore), with tPronounced RAY-ven▶Roc#12010 in the U.S.A trimmed spelling of Rock ('strength; a boulder') and a short form of Rocco ('rest'); it also echoes thePronounced ROK▶Rooke#12018 in the U.S.An English surname from 'rook,' the black crow-like bird (and, later, the chess piece) - often a nicknamePronounced RUUK▶Rooker#12019 in the U.S.An English surname related to Rooke, from 'rook' (the crow-like bird), with an agent-style -er ending. AsPronounced RUUK-ur▶Rooks#12020 in the U.S.An English surname, the plural of Rooke/'rook' (the crow-like bird), often a place or family name. As a fPronounced RUUKS▶Swift#12123 in the U.S.An English word and surname meaning 'quick; fast-moving' (also the name of a fast-flying bird). As a surnPronounced SWIFT▶Tallan#12135 in the U.S.Tallan is best read as a spelling variant of Talon, the modern English word-name from a bird of prey's clPronounced TAL-in▶Wrenn#12223 in the U.S.A spelling of Wren, from the small songbird (Old English wrenna) and the English surname Wren, famous viaPronounced REN▶Aeries#12351 in the U.S.A modern respelling that reads near Aries, the zodiac ram, and near 'aerie,' an eagle's high nest. As a gPronounced AIR-eez▶Ava#12421 in the U.S.Overwhelmingly a girl's name (as borne by Ava Gardner), variously linked to a Latin/Germanic root and to Pronounced AY-vah▶Brandan#12558 in the U.S.Brandan is a variant spelling of Brendan (Irish, from a word for 'prince' or 'little raven') or Brandon (Pronounced BRAN-dun▶Crow#12665 in the U.S.A word-name from 'crow', the clever black bird, from Old English 'crawe'. A bold nature-and-bird name, alPronounced KROH▶Dove#12761 in the U.S.Dove is the English word for the bird, a long-standing symbol of peace, love and the Holy Spirit. As a giPronounced DUV▶Eagle#12781 in the U.S.Eagle is the English word for the great bird of prey, a symbol of strength, vision and freedom. As a givePronounced EE-gul▶Jaylun#13178 in the U.S.Jaylun is a respelling of Jaylon or Jaylen, popular modern boys' names formed from the bright Jay- openinPronounced JAY-luhn▶Keyton#13280 in the U.S.A modern spelling of Keaton, from English place names and the surname drawn from them — usually read as 'Pronounced KAY-tun▶Kilam#13304 in the U.S.Kilam is a modern American coinage that sits near Kylam and Callum without clearly descending from eitherPronounced KYE-lum▶Koleman#13326 in the U.S.Koleman respells Coleman, which has two well-attested roots: Irish Colman, a diminutive of colm ('dove', Pronounced KOHL-mun▶Lark#13368 in the U.S.Lark is the English word for the small songbird famed for singing at dawn, from Old English lawerce. It aPronounced LARK▶Lyrix#13420 in the U.S.Lyrix is a modern respelling of Lyrics, built on Lyric — from Greek lyrikos, 'singing to the lyre'. The xPronounced LEER-iks▶Naven#13592 in the U.S.Read by some families against the Sanskrit navin/naveen, 'new; fresh; novel' — a well-established Indian Pronounced NAY-ven▶Navilan#13593 in the U.S.A rare modern name. Some families connect it to the Kannada word navilu, 'peacock' — a bird of real cultuPronounced NAV-ih-lan▶Phenyx#13689 in the U.S.A modern respelling of Phoenix, from Greek phoinix — the fabled bird that dies in fire and rises again frPronounced FEE-niks▶Raevon#13715 in the U.S.Raevon joins the Rae- prefix to the -von ending of Davon, Javon and Kevon. Its spelling also catches the Pronounced RAY-von▶Ravyn#13736 in the U.S.Ravyn is a modern y-spelling of the nature name Raven, the glossy black bird long tied to wisdom and mystPronounced RAY-vun▶Robbin#13912 in the U.S.Robbin is a doubled-b spelling of Robin, historically a medieval pet form of Robert, from Germanic hrod (Pronounced ROB-in▶Spurgeon#13917 in the U.S.An English surname of uncertain root, sometimes linked to a place-name or to an old word for a sparrow. IPronounced SPUR-jun▶Thrasher#13993 in the U.S.Thrasher is an English occupational surname for a thresher of grain, from Old English therscan, 'to thresPronounced THRASH-ur▶Traven#14013 in the U.S.Traven is a modern coinage sitting between Travis and Raven. It is also the pen name of B. Traven, the noPronounced TRAV-un▶Zahmire#14190 in the U.S.A modern American respelling most naturally read as Zamir, a Hebrew name meaning 'song' or 'nightingale';Pronounced zuh-MEER▶Zamair#14199 in the U.S.A modern American coinage with no documented meaning; it is heard beside Zamir (Hebrew, 'song; nightingalPronounced zuh-MAIR▶
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Frequently Asked
Which name on this list has a bird meaning and the highest US ranking?
Among names with a genuine bird meaning, Corbin ranks highest at #512, meaning raven in Old French. Remington ranks higher overall at #307, but its meaning is a place name, not a bird.
Is Jay actually a bird name, or just a nickname?
Jay is a genuine bird name on its own. It doubles as a J-initial name and a Sanskrit word for victory, but its bird sense is the oldest and most direct meaning in the whole list.