English Boy Names That Mean Earth
English boy names that mean earth turn everyday landscape words — valley, meadow, ridge, mountain — into given names parents choose for their sons.
Names300
OriginEnglish
MeaningEarth
GenderBoy
English has an unusual habit: it borrowed thousands of place names as surnames, then turned those surnames into first names. That's how a hollow valley becomes Holden, a hedged valley becomes Hayden, and a valley town becomes Dalton — three different words for the same low, sheltered ground.
Other names on this page climb out of the valley and onto higher, open ground. Leland is meadow land, Oakley is an oak meadow, and Brantley is a burnt clearing — each one a small, specific patch of English countryside carried forward as a name.
What English Boy Names That Mean Earth Have in Common
Nearly every name here started life as a surname tied to one particular piece of land — the family who lived by the hollow valley, the meadow, or the burnt clearing eventually took that place's name as their own. Sawyer follows the same instinct from a different angle: it names the man who worked the timber those same valleys and meadows produced.
From Open Ridgelines to the World's Highest Peak
Not every earthy name here is a quiet valley. Ridge is a single hard syllable for a mountain spine, while Everest stretches that same idea all the way to the highest point on the planet. Sage and Rowen bring the earth theme down to ground level instead, naming what grows in it rather than its shape, and Dallas adds the wide-open feel of frontier land.
Names List
Sawyer#122 in the U.S.One who saws wood; from Middle English saghiere (sawyer), occupational surname for a lumber workerPronounced SAW-yer▶Hayden#161 in the U.S.Hay valley or hedged valley; from Old English haeg (hay or hedge) + denu (valley)Pronounced HAY-dun▶Dallas#238 in the U.S.From the meadow dwelling; from the valley placePronounced DAL-us▶Holden#297 in the U.S.Deep valley; hollow valleyPronounced HOHL-den▶Dalton#448 in the U.S.English surname from an Old English place name combining 'dæl' (valley) and 'tun' (settlement, town), meaPronounced DAWL-tun▶Oakley#454 in the U.S.English surname from Old English 'ac' (oak) and 'leah' (woodland clearing, meadow), meaning 'oak clearingPronounced OHK-lee▶Sage#456 in the U.S.From the English word 'sage' meaning a wise person, and also the aromatic herb, both derived from Latin 'Pronounced SAYJ▶Rowen#488 in the U.S.Variant of Rowan, from Irish Gaelic 'ruadhán' meaning 'little red one' (from 'ruadh,' red), and also fromPronounced ROH-en▶Leland#494 in the U.S.English surname from Old English 'laeg' or 'leah' (meadow, fallow ground) and 'land' (land), meaning 'meaPronounced LEE-lund▶Brantley#499 in the U.S.English surname from German-derived 'brand' (fire, sword) and Old English 'leah' (woodland clearing), meaPronounced BRANT-lee▶Ridge#530 in the U.S.From Old English hrycg meaning 'spine' or 'ridge,' referring to a long raised strip of land; used as a suPronounced RIJ▶Everest#796 in the U.S.Dweller by the boar wood or forest; an English surname from a place name combining Old English eofor (boaPronounced EV-er-est▶Landen#813 in the U.S.Long hill; variant of Landon, from Old English lang (long) + dun (hill, down)Pronounced LAN-dun▶Rey#908 in the U.S.From Spanish rey meaning king; also used as a variant of the English name Ray, itself a short form of RayPronounced RAY▶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▶Landyn#952 in the U.S.Long hill; Y-spelling variant of Landon/Landen, from Old English lang (long) + dun (hill, down)Pronounced LAN-dun▶Kingsley#984 in the U.S.King's meadow; from Old English cyning (king) + leah (clearing, meadow)Pronounced KINGZ-lee▶Harley#1017 in the U.S.Hare's meadow; from Old English hara (hare) + leah (clearing, meadow)Pronounced HAR-lee▶Leighton#1039 in the U.S.Herb garden settlement; from Old English leac-tun (leek garden/farm, herb settlement)Pronounced LAY-tun▶Slade#1051 in the U.S.Valley; flat-bottomed valley; from Old English slaed (valley, dell, wooded hollow)Pronounced SLAYD▶Kendall#1231 in the U.S.Valley of the River KentPronounced KEN-dul▶Wylie#1234 in the U.S.Well-watered meadow, spring clearingPronounced WY-lee▶Marley#1238 in the U.S.Pleasant wood or clearingPronounced MAR-lee▶Braden#1246 in the U.S.Broad valley; salmonPronounced BRAY-den▶Harlow#1251 in the U.S.Heap of rocks; army hillPronounced HAR-loh▶Kamdyn#1295 in the U.S.Winding valley; from the place namePronounced KAM-din▶Dale#1306 in the U.S.Valley, low-lying land between hillsPronounced DAYL▶Rylo#1327 in the U.S.Rye meadow; rye clearingPronounced RY-loh▶Haiden#1329 in the U.S.Hay valley; heathenPronounced HAY-den▶Kip#1456 in the U.S.From the pointed hill; young male sheepPronounced KIP▶Rylen#1460 in the U.S.Rye meadow; rye clearingPronounced RY-len▶Carver#1478 in the U.S.From an English occupational surname for a carver or sculptor of wood or stone, now used as a given name.Pronounced KAR-vuhr▶Hampton#1521 in the U.S.from an Old English place name and surname meaning "home settlement" or "settlement by a meadow or river Pronounced HAMP-tuhn▶Ranger#1533 in the U.S.from the English occupational term for a forest keeper or gamekeeperPronounced RAYN-jur▶Radley#1583 in the U.S.from an English place name and surname meaning 'red meadow' or 'reedy clearing', from Old EnglishPronounced RAD-lee▶Bentlee#1589 in the U.S.Meadow with bent-grass (decorative respelling of Bentley)Pronounced BENT-lee▶Lake#1632 in the U.S.from the English word "lake," used as a nature name and topographic surnamePronounced LAYK▶Brent#1649 in the U.S.From an English surname derived from place names, thought to come from a Celtic or Old English element mePronounced BRENT▶Arrow#1672 in the U.S.the English word "arrow" used as a modern nature/word namePronounced AIR-oh▶Woodrow#1694 in the U.S.from an English place name and surname meaning 'row of houses by a wood', from Old EnglishPronounced WOOD-roh▶Huntley#1697 in the U.S.Hunter's meadowPronounced HUNT-lee▶Oaklen#1699 in the U.S.A modern invented American name combining the nature word oak with the fashionable -len/-lyn suffix (as iPronounced OHK-luhn▶Sky#1702 in the U.S.from the English word "sky" (from Old Norse sky, "cloud"), used as a nature namePronounced SKY▶Camdyn#1708 in the U.S.Respelling of Camden, an English place name, often interpreted as 'enclosed/winding valley'.Pronounced KAM-duhn▶Hardin#1710 in the U.S.Hare valley (surname-derived place name)Pronounced HAR-din▶Lyndon#1754 in the U.S.Linden tree hillPronounced LIHN-duhn▶Woods#1759 in the U.S.Dweller by the wood(s)Pronounced WOODS▶Percival#1768 in the U.S.Pierce the valleyPronounced PERR-sih-vuhl▶Brentley#1775 in the U.S.English surname-turned-given-name combining Old English 'brant' ('steep, high') and 'leah' ('woodland clePronounced BREHN-tlehy▶Brayson#1817 in the U.S.HillPronounced BRAY-suhn▶Monty#1826 in the U.S.MountainPronounced MAHN-tee▶Henley#1882 in the U.S.From an English place name, 'high clearing' or 'wood/clearing of a settlement', from Old English heah 'hiPronounced HEHN-lee▶Truitt#1886 in the U.S.Place of resinous woodPronounced TROOEETT▶Sylvan#1911 in the U.S.Wood, forestPronounced SIL-vuhn▶Holt#1920 in the U.S.From Old English holt 'wood, grove, small forest'.Pronounced HOHLT▶Sheldon#1961 in the U.S.Valley with steep sidesPronounced SHEHL-duhn▶Taysom#1989 in the U.S.Transferred English surname, linked to the Tyson group (Old French tison 'firebrand'); popularized by TayPronounced TAYS-ohm▶Fulton#2061 in the U.S.Bird hillPronounced FOOL-tuhn▶Haysen#2099 in the U.S.Modern respelling/blend of Hayden/Hayes (Old English haeg 'enclosure', + dun 'hill'); coined as spelledPronounced HAYS-ehn▶Elwood#2134 in the U.S.Elder tree forestPronounced EHL-wood▶Blair#2166 in the U.S.Plain, field, battlefieldPronounced BLEHR▶Leyton#2217 in the U.S.Town with a leek gardenPronounced LAY-tuhn▶Ripp#2249 in the U.S.from Ripley: 'rippel' (grove, thicket) + 'leah' (clearing, meadow), i.e. a clearing in the woodsPronounced RIP▶Drayden#2421 in the U.S.Dry valley; a variant of Dryden (Old English: dry valley, or the surname of poet John Dryden), with a modPronounced DRAY-dun▶Clint#2439 in the U.S.Fenced settlement; hillside enclosure; short form of Clinton, from Old English Clint (a cliff, a rocky hiPronounced KLINT▶Rustin#2461 in the U.S.Red-haired; from the Rust family; variant of Ruston/Riston, from Old English hris (brushwood) + tun (settPronounced RUS-tin▶Selvin#2464 in the U.S.Friend at court; from Germanic Selvin/Sylvain (sel: hall, palace + win: friend) or a variant of Sylvain (Pronounced SEL-vin▶Dael#2474 in the U.S.Valley; dale; from Old English dael (a valley) — a variant spelling of Dale; possibly also Hebrew Dael (kPronounced DALE▶Brantlee#2555 in the U.S.firebrand; or steep woodland clearingPronounced BRANT-lee▶Weslee#2586 in the U.S.West meadowPronounced WEHS-lee▶Bowden#2595 in the U.S.above the hill / bow hillPronounced BOW-dehn▶Branden#2596 in the U.S.Hill covered with broomPronounced BRAN-duhn▶Grayden#2674 in the U.S.grey valley / grey settlementPronounced GRAYD-ehn▶Ahron#2743 in the U.S.High mountainPronounced EHR-uhn▶Winslow#2776 in the U.S.Hill belonging to Wine Pronounced WIHNZ-loh▶Bray#2789 in the U.S.HillPronounced BRAY▶Huxlee#2958 in the U.S.Woodland, clearingPronounced HUHKS-lee▶Adams#3207 in the U.S.Son of Adam; from the Hebrew adam meaning man formed from the earthPronounced AD-umz▶Styles#3256 in the U.S.English surname for someone living by a stile — the steps over a field wall — now chosen for its word-meaPronounced STYLZ▶Timber#3258 in the U.S.Wood prepared for building; from Old English timber, 'building material, structure' — a rugged nature worPronounced TIM-bər▶Arlow#3267 in the U.S.Variant of Arlo, a name of debated origin — likely from Edmund Spenser's poetic place name Arlo Hill, itsPronounced AR-loh▶Haddon#3283 in the U.S.Heather hill; from English place names combining Old English haeth, 'heather, heath', with dun, 'hill'Pronounced HAD-ən▶Walton#3315 in the U.S.From English place names meaning 'walled town', 'wood town', or 'Briton settlement' — Old English elementPronounced WAWL-tən▶Berkley#3327 in the U.S.Birch-tree clearing or meadow; a spelling of Berkeley, from Old English beorc, 'birch', plus leahPronounced BERK-lee▶Harlo#3342 in the U.S.W-less spelling of Harlow, from English place names usually parsed as 'army hill' or 'mound of the peoplePronounced HAR-loh▶Hawk#3343 in the U.S.The bird of prey; from Old English hafoc, used as a sharp-eyed nature namePronounced HAWK▶Kendell#3551 in the U.S.Double-l spelling of Kendall — the English town 'valley of the river Kent'; a surname-namePronounced KEN-del▶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▶Arbor#3596 in the U.S.From the English word arbor — Latin arbor, 'tree' — a leafy garden bower; a modern nature word-namePronounced AR-bor▶Kendal#3727 in the U.S.Single-l spelling of Kendall — the English town 'valley of the river Kent'Pronounced KEN-dəl▶Belmont#3768 in the U.S.From a French place name and surname, 'beautiful mountain' (bel, 'beautiful,' + mont, 'hill; mountain'). Pronounced BEL-mont▶Breeze#3794 in the U.S.From the English word breeze — via Spanish brisa, the gentle wind — a nature word-namePronounced BREEZ▶Dallin#3803 in the U.S.From an English surname — 'dale/valley dweller' readings — beloved in Latter-day Saint naming (Dallin H. Pronounced DAL-in▶Ashley#3886 in the U.S.Old English aesc-leah, 'ash-tree meadow' — Gone with the Wind's gentleman, originally malePronounced ASH-lee▶Atlee#3887 in the U.S.From Old English aet leah, 'at the meadow/clearing' — Amish-favored, PM-surnamedPronounced AT-lee▶Champ#3893 in the U.S.Clip of champion — Latin campio, 'field-fighter' — the victory nickname given outrightPronounced CHAMP▶Creek#3896 in the U.S.From the English word creek — Old Norse kriki, 'nook, bend' — the small-stream nature namePronounced KREEK▶Wylee#3967 in the U.S.-ee styling of Wiley — the Wylye river-meadow surname, 'tricky' adjective adjacentPronounced WY-lee▶Bryden#3988 in the U.S.Variant of Braden/Bryden — from Old English 'broad valley' or a Scottish surname; routes layeredPronounced BRY-dən▶Denton#3995 in the U.S.From Old English denu, 'valley', plus tun, 'settlement' — 'valley town'Pronounced DEN-tən▶Bradlee#4075 in the U.S.-lee spelling of Bradley — Old English brad, 'broad', plus leah, 'clearing, meadow'Pronounced BRAD-lee▶Dallen#4083 in the U.S.Modern name in the Dallin/Dalton family — Old English 'dale/valley' echo — with the -len ending; routes lPronounced DAL-ən▶Bradyn#4197 in the U.S.-yn spelling of Braden — from Irish Ó Bradáin, 'descendant of Bradán (salmon)', or English 'broad valley'Pronounced BRAY-dən▶Harden#4224 in the U.S.From an English surname/place-name — Old English hara, 'hare', plus denu, 'valley' — 'hare valley'Pronounced HAR-dən▶Koast#4255 in the U.S.K-spelling of Coast — from Latin costa, 'rib, side' — the seashore; a modern nature word-namePronounced KOHST▶Shaw#4289 in the U.S.From an English surname — Old English sceaga, 'a small wood, thicket, copse' — 'dweller by the wood'Pronounced SHAW▶Sydney#4292 in the U.S.From an English surname/place-name — Old English, 'a wide meadow' or 'St Denis'; routes layered; here forPronounced SID-nee▶Whittaker#4298 in the U.S.From an English surname — Old English hwit, 'white', plus aecer, 'field' — 'the white field'Pronounced WIT-ə-kər▶Acre#4414 in the U.S.From the word acre — Old English aecer, 'a field, tilled land' — also the ancient city Acre (Akko); routePronounced AY-kər▶Atley#4431 in the U.S.From an English surname — Old English aet leah, 'at the wood/clearing/meadow' — 'dweller at the lea'Pronounced AT-lee▶Brentlee#4574 in the U.S.Modern coinage joining Brent ('hill; burnt land') to the -lee ending ('meadow') — echoing Brantley/BentlePronounced BRENT-lee▶Gardner#4599 in the U.S.From an English surname — Old French gardinier, 'a gardener, keeper of a garden'Pronounced GARD-nər▶Huntlee#4604 in the U.S.-lee spelling of Huntley — Old English, 'the hunter's meadow/clearing'Pronounced HUNT-lee▶Odell#4651 in the U.S.From an English place-name/surname — Old English wad-hyll, 'woad hill' (where the dye-plant woad grew)Pronounced oh-DEL▶Sid#4669 in the U.S.Short form of Sidney/Sydney — from Old English, 'wide meadow', or Norman-French 'from St Denis'; routes lPronounced SID▶Hadley#4744 in the U.S.From an English place-name — Old English haeth, 'heather/heath', plus leah, 'meadow, clearing' — 'the heaPronounced HAD-lee▶Haidyn#4747 in the U.S.-yn spelling of Hayden — from Old English, 'the heather hill' or 'the hay valley'; routes layeredPronounced HAY-dən▶Blayden#4897 in the U.S.Modern coinage blending Blaine/Blake and the -aden names (Braden/Aiden, 'from the dark valley'/'little fiPronounced BLAY-dən▶Brently#4899 in the U.S.Spelling of Brantley/Brentley — from Old English, 'from the burnt clearing' or 'the steep meadow'; routesPronounced BRENT-lee▶Dune#4913 in the U.S.From the word dune — 'a hill or ridge of wind-blown sand' (via Dutch/French, from a Celtic root)Pronounced DOON▶Haydon#4928 in the U.S.-don spelling of Hayden — from Old English, 'the heather hill' or 'the hay valley'; routes layeredPronounced HAY-dən▶Hesston#4930 in the U.S.Double-s spelling of Heston — from Old English, 'the brushwood/heath settlement'; routes layeredPronounced HES-tən▶Aldon#5049 in the U.S.From an English name/surname — Old English, 'old friend' (Ealdwine/Alden) or 'the old hill' (eald, 'old',Pronounced AWL-dən▶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▶Dayne#5086 in the U.S.-ay- spelling of Dane/Dean — 'a Dane (from Denmark)', or from Old English denu, 'a valley'; routes layerePronounced DAYN▶Holdyn#5110 in the U.S.-yn spelling of Holden — from Old English, 'the deep/hollow valley'Pronounced HOHL-dən▶Kensley#5147 in the U.S.From an English place-name/surname — Old English, 'Cyne's meadow' or 'the royal/bold one's clearing'; herPronounced KENZ-lee▶Oaklin#5175 in the U.S.Modern coinage joining Oak (the oak tree) to a -lin ending (echoing Oakley, 'the oak meadow', and OaklandPronounced OHK-lin▶Stokely#5197 in the U.S.From an English place-name/surname — Old English stoc, 'an outlying farm/hamlet', plus leah, 'meadow' — 'Pronounced STOHK-lee▶Woodley#5208 in the U.S.From an English place-name/surname — Old English wudu, 'wood, forest', plus leah, 'meadow, clearing' — 'tPronounced WOOD-lee▶Braedyn#5251 in the U.S.Brae-/-dyn spelling of Braden — from Old English, 'the broad valley', or Irish, 'descendant of Bradan (saPronounced BRAY-dən▶Garth#5283 in the U.S.From an English surname — from Old Norse garthr, 'an enclosure, a garden, a yard' — 'one who lives by thePronounced GARTH▶Holten#5286 in the U.S.From an English place-name/surname — Old English holt, 'a wood, a forest', plus tun, 'town/settlement' — Pronounced HOHL-tən▶Karver#5321 in the U.S.K-spelling of Carver — from an occupational surname, 'a carver, a sculptor of wood or stone'Pronounced KAR-vər▶Landan#5337 in the U.S.-an spelling of Landon — from Old English, 'the long hill' (lang, 'long', plus dun, 'hill')Pronounced LAN-dən▶Paden#5376 in the U.S.From an English surname/place-name — 'Pada's hill' or 'the pine-tree valley'; also echoes Payton/Aiden; rPronounced PAY-dən▶Bexley#5454 in the U.S.From an English place-name/surname — Old English byxe, 'box-tree', plus leah, 'clearing, meadow' — 'the bPronounced BEKS-lee▶Camp#5460 in the U.S.From the word/surname camp — from Latin campus, 'a field, a level open space'; also a short form of CampbPronounced KAMP▶Dalen#5469 in the U.S.From the English surname Dalen/Dallin — 'from the valley, the valley dweller' (Old English dael); also a Pronounced DAY-lən▶Wynter#5631 in the U.S.A Wyn- spelling of Winter — from the word/season 'winter' (Old English); a nature/season word-name; here Pronounced WIN-tər▶Fern#5719 in the U.S.From the word fern — Old English fearn, 'the fern plant'; predominantly a girls'/unisex nature name; herePronounced FURN▶Fields#5720 in the U.S.From the English surname Fields — 'one who dwells by the open fields' (from Old English feld, 'a field, oPronounced FEELDZ▶Harlyn#5731 in the U.S.A -yn spelling of Harlan — from Old English, 'the hare's land/meadow; a rocky land' (har, plus land); usePronounced HAR-lin▶Heyden#5734 in the U.S.An -ey- spelling of Hayden — from Old English, 'the hay valley; the heath/hedged hill' (heg/hege, plus dePronounced HAY-den▶Iden#5735 in the U.S.From the English surname Iden — from Old English, 'the pasture/woodland in the marsh' (a Kent place-name)Pronounced EYE-den▶Lelan#5783 in the U.S.A spelling of Leland — from Old English, 'the fallow or meadow land' (laege, 'fallow/untilled', plus landPronounced LEE-lən▶Rayleigh#5820 in the U.S.From the English place/surname Rayleigh — Old English, 'a roe-deer's meadow/clearing' (ra, 'roe-deer', plPronounced RAY-lee▶Colden#5940 in the U.S.From the English surname Colden — from Old English, 'the cool valley' (col, 'cool') or 'the coal valley' Pronounced KOHL-den▶Grantley#5976 in the U.S.From the English surname Grantley — from Old English, 'the great meadow' or 'the gravel clearing' (or 'GrPronounced GRANT-lee▶Haden#5979 in the U.S.A spelling of Hayden — from Old English, 'the hay valley' (heg plus denu) or 'the heath/hedged hill' (hegPronounced HAY-den▶Haydn#5984 in the U.S.A spelling of Hayden (and the surname of composer Joseph Haydn) — from Old English/German, 'the heath/hayPronounced HAY-dən▶Hilton#5985 in the U.S.From the English surname Hilton — from Old English, 'the hill town or estate' (hyll, 'hill', plus tun, 'aPronounced HIL-tən▶Landin#6035 in the U.S.An -in spelling of Landon — from Old English, 'the long hill' (lang, 'long', plus dun, 'hill')Pronounced LAN-din▶Slayde#6115 in the U.S.A -y- spelling of Slade — from Old English slaed, 'a valley, a dell; a low, flat woodland glade'Pronounced SLAYD▶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▶Rhettlee#6155 in the U.S.Rhettlee is a modern compound name joining Rhett and Lee. Rhett comes from the Dutch surname de Raedt, gePronounced RET-lee▶Bradly#6202 in the U.S.A spelling of Bradley — from Old English brad, 'broad', plus leah, 'a meadow, a clearing'; 'a broad meadoPronounced BRAD-lee▶Eldin#6240 in the U.S.Variously the Bosnian Eldin, 'of the faith/religion' (from Arabic din, 'faith'), and the English Elden, 'Pronounced EL-din▶Leelan#6323 in the U.S.A spelling of Leland — from Old English laege land, 'fallow land; meadow land (left untilled)'; routes laPronounced LEE-lən▶Leiland#6325 in the U.S.A spelling of Leland — from Old English laege land, 'fallow land; meadow land (left untilled)'; routes laPronounced LEE-lənd▶Rowin#6385 in the U.S.A spelling of Rowan — variously 'little red one' (Irish ruadhan) and 'the rowan tree' (the red-berried moPronounced ROH-in▶Wensley#6422 in the U.S.From the English place-name Wensley — variously 'Woden's meadow' (the god Woden) and 'Waendel's clearing'Pronounced WENZ-lee▶Westlee#6423 in the U.S.A spelling of Westley/Wesley — from Old English west, 'west', plus leah, 'a meadow, a clearing'; 'the wesPronounced WEST-lee▶Ashlan#6476 in the U.S.A spelling variously of Ashlin ('the ash-tree pool/meadow', from Old English) and Aslan (Turkish, 'a lionPronounced ASH-lan▶Blakely#6491 in the U.S.From an English surname and place name — from Old English blaec, 'black; dark' (or blac, 'pale'), plus lePronounced BLAYK-lee▶Graydon#6571 in the U.S.From an English surname, variously 'the grey hill' (grey, plus dun, 'a hill') and 'son of the grey-hairedPronounced GRAY-dun▶Grizzly#6572 in the U.S.From the word grizzly — 'a grizzly bear' (and 'greyish; grey-flecked', from grizzle); a modern nature/worPronounced GRIZ-lee▶Hardyn#6574 in the U.S.A spelling of Harden/Hardin — from Old English, variously 'the hare's valley' (hara, 'a hare', plus denu,Pronounced HAR-din▶Harlowe#6575 in the U.S.A spelling of Harlow — from Old English, variously 'the army hill' (here, 'army', plus hlaw, 'a hill, a mPronounced HAR-loh▶Haywood#6579 in the U.S.From an English surname and place name — from Old English hege, 'a hedge; an enclosure', plus wudu, 'a woPronounced HAY-wood▶Hendon#6581 in the U.S.From an English place name and surname — from Old English heah, 'high', plus dun, 'a hill'; 'at the high Pronounced HEN-dun▶Hux#6585 in the U.S.A short form of Huxley/Huxton — English surnames, 'Hugh's meadow/settlement' (Hugh, 'heart; mind; spirit'Pronounced HUKS▶Kenley#6636 in the U.S.From an English surname and place name — from Old English, variously 'the king's/royal meadow' (cyne, 'roPronounced KEN-lee▶Layten#6655 in the U.S.A spelling of Layton/Leighton — from Old English leac-tun, 'a herb/leek garden; a vegetable enclosure' (lPronounced LAY-tun▶Riddick#6723 in the U.S.From an English/Irish surname, variously 'a dweller by the smooth or cleared field' and 'reedy enclosure'Pronounced RID-ik▶Snow#6759 in the U.S.From the word snow — 'frozen white precipitation; white as snow; pure' (from Old English snaw); a modern Pronounced SNOH▶Weslyn#6783 in the U.S.A modern elaboration of Wesley — from Old English, 'the western meadow; the western wood' — with the -lynPronounced WES-lin▶Westly#6784 in the U.S.A spelling of Wesley — from Old English, 'the western meadow; the western wood' (west, 'west', plus leah,Pronounced WEST-lee▶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▶Woodland#6864 in the U.S.Simply the English word woodland — land covered with trees — used as a name. It also exists as an EnglishPronounced WOOD-lund▶Brandy#6872 in the U.S.Variously a short form of Brandon ('broom-covered hill') and the word brandy (the spirit, from Dutch branPronounced BRAN-dee▶Camdon#6880 in the U.S.A spelling of Camden — from Old English, variously 'the winding valley' and 'the enclosed valley'; routesPronounced KAM-dun▶Carden#6884 in the U.S.From an English/Celtic surname, variously 'from the woodland/thicket' (Welsh cardden) and 'a wool-carder'Pronounced KAR-den▶Del#6903 in the U.S.A short form of names like Delbert ('bright as day; noble and bright'), Delmar ('of the sea'), and DelroyPronounced DEL▶Fennec#6948 in the U.S.From fennec — the small big-eared desert fox of North Africa (from Arabic fanak, 'a fox'); a modern naturPronounced FEN-ik▶Kingslee#7041 in the U.S.A spelling of Kingsley — from Old English, 'the king's meadow; the king's clearing/wood' (cyning, 'king',Pronounced KINGZ-lee▶Leelyn#7061 in the U.S.A modern blend of Lee ('a meadow; a clearing/wood') and Lynn ('a lake; a waterfall'); used for both sexesPronounced LEE-lin▶Leelynn#7062 in the U.S.A spelling of Leelyn — a modern blend of Lee ('a meadow; a clearing') and Lynn ('a lake; a waterfall'); uPronounced LEE-lin▶Linwood#7064 in the U.S.From an English place/surname — variously 'the stream by the wood' and 'the lime/linden-tree wood' (Old EPronounced LIN-wood▶Mayes#7081 in the U.S.From an English surname — variously 'son of May/Matthew' and 'from the meadow/field'; routes layeredPronounced MAYZ▶Nature#7099 in the U.S.From the English word nature — from Latin natura, 'birth; the natural world; the essential qualities of aPronounced NAY-cher▶Rigley#7147 in the U.S.A spelling echoing Wrigley/Rigby — from Old English/Old Norse, variously 'the ridge meadow' and 'the farmPronounced RIG-lee▶Riplee#7150 in the U.S.A spelling of Ripley — from Old English, 'the strip-shaped clearing/meadow' (ripel, 'a strip', plus leah,Pronounced RIP-lee▶Rydge#7153 in the U.S.A spelling of Ridge — from Old English hrycg, 'the ridge; the crest of a hill; the spine of high ground';Pronounced RIJ▶Thunder#7185 in the U.S.From the word thunder — 'the loud rumbling that follows lightning'; a bold nature/word-name; we note the Pronounced THUN-der▶Tyger#7193 in the U.S.A spelling of Tiger — from Greek tigris, 'a tiger' (the great striped cat) — famously spelled 'Tyger' in Pronounced TY-ger▶Bensley#7287 in the U.S.From an English place/surname, 'Benne's clearing/wood' (a personal name plus leah, 'clearing'); also usedPronounced BENZ-lee▶Boyce#7294 in the U.S.From a Norman-English surname, from French bois, 'a wood; the woods' — 'one who lives by the wood'Pronounced BOYS▶Chesney#7309 in the U.S.From a Norman-English surname, from French chesnai, 'oak grove; the oak wood'Pronounced CHEZ-nee▶Delton#7333 in the U.S.From an English place/surname, 'the town/settlement in the valley' (Old English dael, 'dale; valley', + tPronounced DEL-tun▶Kamdon#7469 in the U.S.A modern name, variously echoing Camden ('a winding/enclosed valley', English place) and a Kam + don coinPronounced KAM-don▶Kinsley#7496 in the U.S.From an English place/surname, 'the king's meadow/wood' (from cyne, 'royal', + leah, 'wood/clearing'); ovPronounced KINZ-lee▶Marlee#7530 in the U.S.A spelling of Marley — from an English place/surname, 'the pleasant/boundary wood or meadow' (also 'martePronounced MAR-lee▶Mays#7538 in the U.S.From an English surname, variously 'son of Matthew/May' and 'one who lived by a field' (also linked to thPronounced MAYZ▶Radd#7592 in the U.S.A modern name, variously a short form of names like Radley ('the red wood/clearing', English) and a coinaPronounced RAD▶Slader#7643 in the U.S.From an English surname, 'one who lives in a valley/dell' (from Old English slaed, 'a valley'); also a moPronounced SLAY-der▶Woody#7688 in the U.S.A pet form of Woodrow — from an English place/surname, 'a row of houses by a wood' (Old English wudu, 'woPronounced WOO-dee▶Cardell#7826 in the U.S.From an English surname, variously 'a thicket/wood' and 'the wild one'; also a modern given name; routes Pronounced kar-DEL▶Chatham#7839 in the U.S.From an English place/surname, 'a forest/wood settlement' (Celtic ceto, 'wood', + Old English ham, 'homesPronounced CHAT-um▶Dell#7861 in the U.S.From the English word/surname dell, 'a small wooded valley; a hollow' (from Old English dell); also a shoPronounced DEL▶Durham#7874 in the U.S.From the English place Durham — 'a hill island; a fortified hill on a peninsula' (Old English dun, 'hill'Pronounced DUR-um▶Farley#7906 in the U.S.From the Old English, variously 'a fern clearing/meadow' (fearn, 'fern', + leah, 'clearing') and 'a bull Pronounced FAR-lee▶Fielding#7909 in the U.S.From the Old English, 'one who dwells in the field/open country' (feld, 'field', + the -ing suffix); a plPronounced FEEL-ding▶Harlee#7923 in the U.S.A spelling of Harley — from the Old English, variously 'the hare's meadow' and 'the army/rock meadow' (haPronounced HAR-lee▶Huxten#7935 in the U.S.A modern name, variously echoing Huxley ('Hugh's meadow; an inhospitable place') and the place-ending -toPronounced HUK-sten▶Isley#7941 in the U.S.From the Old English, variously 'the island meadow' and 'Isa's wood/clearing' (linked to ieg, 'island', oPronounced IZE-lee▶Knoxley#8029 in the U.S.A modern name, joining Knox ('a round hill', from Scottish cnoc) with the place-ending -ley ('a meadow/clPronounced NOKS-lee▶Lindon#8055 in the U.S.A spelling of Lyndon — from the Old English, 'the hill of lime/linden trees' (lind, 'linden tree', + dun,Pronounced LIN-dun▶Lydell#8068 in the U.S.From the English surname Liddell/Lydell, 'from the loud/roaring valley; the loud stream' (Old English hlyPronounced ly-DEL▶Pike#8143 in the U.S.From the English, variously 'a pike (a long-bodied fish; a spear)' and 'a peak/pointed hill' (a surname fPronounced PYK▶Rawley#8159 in the U.S.A spelling of Raleigh/Rawley — from the Old English, 'the roe-deer clearing/meadow' (ra, 'roe deer', + lePronounced RAW-lee▶Rowley#8174 in the U.S.From the English place/surname Rowley — from the Old English, 'the rough clearing/meadow' (ruh, 'rough', Pronounced ROW-lee▶Sherrod#8203 in the U.S.From the English surname Sherrod/Sherwood, variously 'a clearer of land' and 'a shearer (of sheep)'; of uPronounced SHER-od▶Vale#8243 in the U.S.From the English word vale — via the Latin vallis, 'a valley; a dale'; a word/nature-name (also a surnamePronounced VAYL▶Ainsley#8280 in the U.S.From an English/Scottish place name and surname, read as 'one's own meadow' or 'hermitage clearing' (Old Pronounced AYNZ-lee▶Aker#8307 in the U.S.Variously from the English surname Aker, 'a field; an acre/cultivated land', and the Turkish Aker, 'a whiPronounced AY-ker▶Braedon#8377 in the U.S.A spelling of Braden/Braydon — variously from the Old English, 'a broad valley/hill', and the Irish surnaPronounced BRAY-den▶Brandyn#8379 in the U.S.A spelling of Brandon — from the Old English, variously 'a broom-covered hill' and 'a beacon hill' (brom/Pronounced BRAN-din▶Broox#8391 in the U.S.A spelling of Brooks — from the English, 'of the brook; one who lives by a stream' (a surname/nature-namePronounced BRUUKS▶Denham#8410 in the U.S.An English place-and-surname, 'homestead in a valley' (from denu, 'valley', + ham, 'homestead'), used as Pronounced DEN-um▶Dalvin#8435 in the U.S.A form/spelling linked to Delvin/Calvin — variously from the Old English, 'a friend; from the valley townPronounced DAL-vin▶Dudley#8471 in the U.S.From an English place/surname — the Old English Duddanleah, 'Dudda's meadow/clearing' (a personal name + Pronounced DUD-lee▶Hadden#8474 in the U.S.Hadden is an English and Scottish surname from a place-name, generally explained from Old English haeth (Pronounced HAD-un▶Hanley#8540 in the U.S.From an English place/surname — the Old English heah + leah, 'a high meadow/clearing'; we note the placePronounced HAN-lee▶Holter#8548 in the U.S.A German/English surname — from holt, 'a small wood/copse', hence 'one who lives in or by a wood'; we notPronounced HOHL-ter▶Joyner#8613 in the U.S.An English occupational surname — from joiner, 'a craftsman who joins wood; a carpenter/cabinetmaker'; wePronounced JOY-ner▶Kimber#8654 in the U.S.A short form of Kimberly — an English place/surname, 'Cyneburg's field/meadow' (the royal-fortress meadowPronounced KIM-ber▶Lleyton#8683 in the U.S.A spelling of Leighton/Layton — from the Old English leac + tun, 'a leek/herb-garden town/settlement'; wePronounced LAY-tun▶Lyndell#8685 in the U.S.An English place/surname — from the Old English lind, 'a linden/lime tree', + dell, 'a valley', hence 'thPronounced LIN-del▶Ogden#8759 in the U.S.From an English place/surname — the Old English ac + denu, 'the oak valley'; we note the placePronounced OG-den▶Rookie#8798 in the U.S.From the English word rookie, 'a beginner; a newcomer/first-year (in a sport or field)'; a word/nickname;Pronounced RUUK-ee▶Slayden#8844 in the U.S.A modern name, variously echoing Sladen/Slade (an English surname, 'a dweller in the valley/dell') with aPronounced SLAY-den▶Stan#8851 in the U.S.A short form of Stanley ('the stony clearing/meadow', English) and Stanislav ('glory of the camp/militaryPronounced STAN▶Wess#8909 in the U.S.A spelling of Wes, a short form of Wesley — from the Old English west, 'west', + leah, 'a meadow/clearingPronounced WESS▶Barlow#9061 in the U.S.An English surname — variously 'the barley hill/clearing' and 'the boar's clearing' (from bar + hlaw/leahPronounced BAR-loh▶Bladen#9069 in the U.S.A modern name, variously echoing Blade ('a cutting edge; a sword') and Braden ('a broad valley'); also anPronounced BLAY-den▶Braydyn#9077 in the U.S.A spelling of Braden/Brayden — variously 'descendant of Bradan (the salmon)' (Irish) and 'a broad valley/Pronounced BRAY-den▶Dallon#9148 in the U.S.A spelling of Dalton/Dallin — variously 'from the valley town' (English, dael + tun) and 'blind/proud' (fPronounced DAL-en▶Crosley#9158 in the U.S.An English surname and place name, 'clearing (or meadow) with a cross' (Old English cros + leah). A crispPronounced KROZ-lee▶Geordi#9255 in the U.S.A spelling of Geordie — a Northern English/Scots pet form of George, from the Greek georgos, 'a farmer; aPronounced JOR-dee▶Huxtyn#9299 in the U.S.A modern name, styled after Huxley/Huxton (an English surname, variously 'Hucc's meadow/town'); no singlePronounced HUX-tin▶Kenly#9418 in the U.S.A form of Kenley — from the Old English cyning, 'a king/royal', + leah, 'a wood/clearing', hence 'the royPronounced KEN-lee▶Kingsly#9444 in the U.S.A spelling of Kingsley — from the Old English cyning, 'a king', + leah, 'a wood/clearing', hence 'the kinPronounced KINGZ-lee▶Klover#9449 in the U.S.A spelling of Clover — from the word for the plant (from the Old English clafre), connoting luck (the fouPronounced KLOH-ver▶Terrin#9463 in the U.S.Terrin is a modern name read either as a spelling of Terran, from Latin terra, 'earth', or as a short, rePronounced TAIR-in▶Layke#9479 in the U.S.A modern respelling of Lake — from the English word lake, 'a body of water', a nature/word namePronounced LAYK▶Odie#9595 in the U.S.A pet form, variously of Odell ('woad hill', English) and Otto/Odis ('wealth/prosperity', Germanic); routPronounced OH-dee▶Theodorejames#9638 in the U.S.Not a traditional single name: this is the two-name combination Theodore James recorded as one field. ThePronounced THEE-uh-dor-jaymz▶Rhiley#9652 in the U.S.A spelling of Riley — variously from the Gaelic O Raghailligh, 'a courageous/valiant one', and the EnglisPronounced RY-lee▶Rigdon#9655 in the U.S.An English surname, variously 'from the ridge hill/valley' (from Old English hrycg, 'a ridge', + dun/denuPronounced RIG-dun▶Sherwood#9708 in the U.S.From the English place-name Sherwood — variously 'a bright/clear wood' or 'the shire wood' (from Old EnglPronounced SHUR-wood▶Summer#9723 in the U.S.From the English word summer — 'the warm season'; a nature/word-name; much more often a girls' name; herePronounced SUM-er▶Whitfield#9794 in the U.S.An English place/surname — 'from the white/bright field' (Old English hwit, 'white', + feld, 'a field')Pronounced WIT-feeld▶Winfield#9798 in the U.S.An English place/surname — 'from the friend's field/a meadow field' (from wine, 'friend', or winn, 'meadoPronounced WIN-feeld▶Wood#9802 in the U.S.From the English word/surname wood — 'a wood/forest; dweller by the woods'; a nature/word name; we note tPronounced WOOD▶Chesley#9904 in the U.S.Chesley is an English surname from a place name, generally read as an Old English compound with leah, 'clPronounced CHEZ-lee▶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▶Ashden#9971 in the U.S.A modern name, variously blending Ash ('the ash tree', English) with the -den suffix ('a valley', Old EngPronounced ASH-den▶Autumn#9981 in the U.S.From the English word autumn — 'the fall season; harvest time' (from the Latin autumnus); a nature/word-nPronounced AW-tum▶Berkeley#10006 in the U.S.From the Old English beorc ('a birch tree') + leah ('a meadow/clearing'), hence 'from the birch-tree meadPronounced BARK-lee▶Brandom#10017 in the U.S.A spelling of Brandon — from the Old English, 'from the broom-covered hill' or 'a beacon/fire hill' (bromPronounced BRAN-dun▶Braydan#10018 in the U.S.A spelling of Braden/Brayden — variously from the Irish, 'a descendant of Bradan (a salmon)' and the Old Pronounced BRAY-dun▶Breyden#10023 in the U.S.A spelling of Brayden/Braden — variously from the Irish, 'a descendant of Bradan (a salmon)' and the Old Pronounced BRAY-dun▶Briley#10025 in the U.S.A modern name, variously a Bri- (from Brian/Briar) + -ley ('a meadow/clearing') blend, or an English surnPronounced BRY-lee▶Bucklee#10028 in the U.S.A spelling of Buckley — from the Old English bucc ('a buck/male deer') + leah ('a meadow/clearing'), hencPronounced BUK-lee▶Calden#10031 in the U.S.From the Old English, variously 'the cold valley' (cald, 'cold', + denu, 'valley') and 'the calf hill'; aPronounced KAWL-den▶Coley#10063 in the U.S.Variously from the Old English, 'the coal/charcoal clearing' (col, 'coal', + leah, 'a meadow') and a shorPronounced KOH-lee▶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▶Dalon#10083 in the U.S.A modern name, variously an echo of Dalton/Dallon ('the valley town', Old English) or a Da- + -lon coinagPronounced DAL-un▶Daulton#10090 in the U.S.A spelling of Dalton — from the Old English dael ('a valley') + tun ('a settlement/town'), hence 'from thPronounced DAWL-ten▶Draiden#10138 in the U.S.A modern name, variously a Dr- + -aiden coinage (on the -aiden trend) or an echo of Dryden ('the dry vallPronounced DRAY-den▶Felton#10179 in the U.S.From the Old English feld ('a field') + tun ('a settlement/town'), hence 'from the field town'; a place-nPronounced FEL-ten▶Greydon#10211 in the U.S.A spelling of Graydon — from the Old English, 'the grey hill/settlement' (graeg, 'grey', + dun, 'a hill')Pronounced GRAY-den▶Hensley#10239 in the U.S.From an English surname/place-name, variously 'Henne's/Hengest's meadow' (linked to hengest, 'stallion', Pronounced HENZ-lee▶Hucksley#10247 in the U.S.A modern given name blending a Huck- element with the -ley ('meadow/clearing') ending, echoing the surnamPronounced HUKS-lee▶Huxly#10249 in the U.S.A spelling of Huxley, from an English surname/place-name, 'Hucc's meadow/clearing' (a personal name + leaPronounced HUKS-lee▶Kendale#10385 in the U.S.A spelling of Kendall, from an English place-name, 'the valley of the River Kent' (Kent, a river-name, + Pronounced KEN-dayl▶Kendel#10386 in the U.S.A spelling of Kendall, from an English place-name, 'the valley of the River Kent' (Kent, a river-name, + Pronounced KEN-dul▶Kentley#10391 in the U.S.A modern given name blending a Kent- element (an English river/county name) with the -ley ('meadow') endiPronounced KENT-lee▶Knightley#10421 in the U.S.From an English surname/place-name, 'the knight's meadow/clearing' (cniht, 'knight/servant', + leah, 'meaPronounced NYT-lee▶Kolden#10428 in the U.S.From the English place-name Colden, 'the coal valley/dark valley' (col, 'coal', + denu, 'valley'); also ePronounced KOHL-den▶Langdon#10453 in the U.S.From an English surname/place-name, 'the long hill' (lang, 'long', + dun, 'hill'); a distinguished namePronounced LANG-dun▶Lowe#10473 in the U.S.From the surname Lowe, with layered roots: an English name for a dweller by a hill or hollow (Old EnglishPronounced LOH▶Loxley#10474 in the U.S.From the English place name and surname Loxley, likely 'Locc's wood or clearing' (a personal name plus OlPronounced LOKS-lee▶Oaklynd#10588 in the U.S.A modern respelling near Oakland, 'oak land; a grove of oaks' — combining the sturdy oak tree with land. Pronounced OHK-lund▶Oceann#10591 in the U.S.A spelling of Ocean, the vast body of water — a nature word name evoking depth, calm, and the sea. The doPronounced OH-shun▶Oshyn#10606 in the U.S.A modern respelling of Ocean (the sea), reworked with a -yn ending. It reads as a nature word name in a tPronounced OH-shin▶Radlee#10628 in the U.S.A -lee spelling of Radley, an English place/surname name from Old English hreod ('reed') or read ('red') Pronounced RAD-lee▶Randon#10633 in the U.S.A modern name near Randall ('shield-wolf') and Brandon ('broom-covered hill'), read as a short, sturdy blPronounced RAN-dun▶
More English Meaning Guides
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Frequently Asked
What is the most common earth-related meaning in English boy names?
Valley is by far the most common. Holden, Hayden, and Dalton all describe a low stretch of sheltered land, just with different Old English words for the same kind of place.
Is Sage a nature name or a word name?
Both. Sage means 'wise one' but is also the name of the aromatic herb, so it carries both an earthy, grounded feel and a gentle nod to wisdom in one short word.