72 Baby Names That Start With E (Meanings & Origins)

If you’re looking for baby names that start with E, you’re in the right place—because this list is packed with options that are actually usable, not just filler.

From timeless classics like Emma and Elijah to modern, unique picks you probably haven’t seen everywhere yet, E names have this easy, elegant feel that just works. Below are 72 real names, each with actual origin and meaning—not just a style descriptor.

Whether you want something soft and sweet, bold and modern, or completely uncommon, this list has you covered with boy, girl, and unisex baby names—all starting with E.

Let’s find a name you actually love.

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Girl Names That Start With E

• Emma – Germanic, from “ermen,” meaning “whole” or “universal,” Emma has topped U.S. name charts for well over a decade, helped by its short, universally pronounceable sound. It requires no nickname and pairs with virtually any surname.
• Emily – Latin, from the Roman family name Aemilius, meaning “rival” or “eager,” Emily was the single most popular U.S. girl name for over a decade in the 1990s-2000s. Em or Millie both work as nicknames.
• Ella – A short form most often tied to Eleanor or Isabella, Ella carries the Germanic root “alle,” meaning “all” or “completely.” It’s remained a steady top-20 name, helped by singer Ella Fitzgerald.
• Evelyn – An English surname of Norman French origin, possibly related to Aveline, Evelyn has surged back into the U.S. top 20 after being more common for boys a century ago. Eve or Evie both work as nicknames.
• Elizabeth – Hebrew, meaning “God is my oath,” Elizabeth is one of the longest-running royal and biblical names in the Western world, carried by queens, saints, and first ladies. Liz, Beth, Eliza, and Ellie all work as nicknames.
• Elena – The Spanish/Italian/Slavic form of Helen, meaning “light” or “torch,” Elena has a graceful, romance-language sound that’s grown steadily in the U.S. over the past two decades. Lena is a natural nickname.
• Everly – An English surname meaning “boar meadow” or “wild boar clearing,” Everly surged in the 2010s, partly through the Everly Brothers’ musical legacy.
• Emilia – The Latin/Italian elaboration of Emily, Emilia carries the same “rival” or “eager” root with a more ornate, romance-language sound. It’s gained visibility through Shakespeare’s Othello and actress Emilia Clarke. Millie is a natural nickname.
• Eva – A Latin/Hebrew variant of Eve, meaning “life,” Eva has stayed a steady, elegant choice across many European languages without major spikes.
• Eliza – A shortened form of Elizabeth, Eliza has functioned as a standalone name since the 18th century, carried by Eliza Hamilton and popularized further through the musical Hamilton.
• Elsie – A Scottish diminutive of Elizabeth or Helen, Elsie had its first wave of popularity in the late 1800s and has returned strongly as part of the broader vintage revival.
• Esther – Persian/Hebrew, possibly meaning “star,” Esther is the name of the Old Testament queen who saved her people from genocide. Essie is a nickname option.
• Eden – Hebrew, meaning “delight” or “pleasure,” Eden refers directly to the biblical garden of paradise. It works for either gender and carries obvious symbolic weight.
• Esme – French, meaning “esteemed” or “loved,” Esme has old aristocratic roots in England dating back centuries and gained modern visibility through the Twilight series.
• Ember – An English word name referring to a glowing coal or the remnant of a fire, Ember carries warm, smoldering imagery distinct from typical nature names.
• Evangeline – Greek, meaning “bearer of good news,” Evangeline gained lasting literary fame through Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s narrative poem of the same name. Eva or Evie both work as nicknames.
• Eleanor – A Provençal/French name of uncertain origin, possibly meaning “light” or “the other Aenor,” Eleanor carries serious royal history through Eleanor of Aquitaine. Nora, Ellie, and Lena all work as nicknames.
• Estelle – French/Latin, meaning “star,” Estelle has a vintage, glamorous sound reinforced by its use in Great Expectations. Stella is a natural variant.
• Elspeth – The Scottish form of Elizabeth, Elspeth carries the same “God is my oath” meaning with a distinctly Scottish sound.
• Enya – An anglicized form of the Irish Eithne, meaning “kernel” or “seed,” Enya gained global recognition through the Irish singer of the same name.
• Eulalia – Greek, meaning “well-spoken” or “sweetly speaking,” Eulalia carries real religious weight through Saint Eulalia of Barcelona, a young martyr venerated across Spain. Lala is a nickname option.
• Erika – The feminine form of Erik, meaning “eternal ruler,” Erika has stayed a steady, if not trendy, choice across Scandinavian and English-speaking countries alike.
• Elodie – French, meaning “marsh flower” or possibly from a Visigothic root meaning “foreign riches,” Elodie carries genuine French elegance and has grown quickly in the U.S. over the past decade.
• Emmeline – A French/Germanic elaboration of Emma, Emmeline carries real historical weight through suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst. Emmy or Line both work as nicknames.
• Evie – A nickname-turned-given-name most often short for Evelyn or Eve, Evie has grown as a standalone choice for its bright, cheerful sound.

Boy Names That Start With E

• Ethan – Hebrew, meaning “firm” or “enduring,” Ethan appears in the Old Testament as a wise man mentioned alongside Solomon. It’s remained a steady U.S. top-20 name for over two decades.
• Elijah – Hebrew, meaning “my God is Yahweh,” Elijah is one of the most significant prophets in the Old Testament, known for his confrontation with the prophets of Baal. Eli is the natural nickname.
• Elias – The Greek form of Elijah, carrying the same “my God is Yahweh” meaning, Elias has a softer, more international sound than its Hebrew counterpart.
• Everett – An English surname derived from the Germanic “eber” (boar) and “hard” (brave/strong), Everett carries vintage charm reinforced by its use across several notable Americans. Ev is a natural nickname.
• Easton – An English place name meaning “east-facing settlement,” Easton crossed into first-name use in the 2000s as part of the broader surname-name trend.
• Emmett – A medieval English surname derived from Emma, Emmett has a grounded, classic-cool sound reinforced by its use in Twilight and The Fault in Our Stars.
• Edward – Old English, meaning “wealthy guardian,” Edward carries centuries of British royal history, from Edward the Confessor onward. Ed, Eddie, Ted, and Ned all work as nicknames.
• Elliot – A variant of Elias/Elijah filtered through Old French, Elliot has a soft but grounded sound that works for either gender.
• Eric – Old Norse, meaning “eternal ruler,” Eric carries real Viking-age history, including explorer Erik the Red.
• Enzo – An Italian short form of Lorenzo or Vincenzo, Enzo carries bold, stylish European energy and gained visibility through Ferrari founder Enzo Ferrari.
• Ezekiel – Hebrew, meaning “God will strengthen,” Ezekiel is a major Old Testament prophet known for his vivid visions. Zeke is a natural nickname.
• Emmanuel – Hebrew, meaning “God is with us,” Emmanuel carries direct religious significance as a name for Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew. Manny is a common nickname.
• Evan – The Welsh form of John, meaning “God is gracious,” Evan has a clean, simple sound that’s stayed popular for decades without major spikes.
• Edwin – Old English, meaning “wealthy friend,” Edwin carries real Anglo-Saxon royal history as the name of a 7th-century king of Northumbria. Ed or Win both work as nicknames.
• Eli – A short form of Elijah or Elias, Eli has functioned as a standalone biblical name in its own right, referring to the high priest who raised the prophet Samuel.
• Ernest – English, derived from the Germanic “ernst,” meaning “serious” or “resolute,” Ernest carries old-school literary weight through Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest and author Ernest Hemingway. Ernie is a natural nickname.
• Ellis – A Welsh surname form of Elias, Ellis has a modern, soft-but-stylish sound that works for either gender.
• Emory – An English surname derived from the Germanic “Amalric,” meaning “work ruler,” Emory works for either gender with a soft, contemporary sound.
• Evander – Greek, meaning “good man,” Evander appears in Roman mythology as a Greek hero who founded a city on the future site of Rome. It gained modern visibility through boxer Evander Holyfield.
• Everest – Named directly for the world’s tallest mountain, itself named after surveyor Sir George Everest, this name carries obvious ambition and scale.
• Errol – A Scottish place name of uncertain origin, Errol gained lasting visibility through actor Errol Flynn.
• Edison – An English surname meaning “son of Edward,” Edison carries direct association with inventor Thomas Edison, giving it built-in intellectual, inventive connotations.
• Ephraim – Hebrew, meaning “fruitful,” Ephraim was one of Joseph’s two sons in Genesis and became the name of one of the twelve tribes of Israel.
• Ewan – The Anglicized Scottish form of Eòghan, possibly meaning “born of the yew tree” or related to “youth,” Ewan carries real Gaelic history and gained visibility through actor Ewan McGregor.
• Eamon – The Irish form of Edmund, meaning “wealthy protector,” Eamon carries real Irish political history through Eamon de Valera, one of Ireland’s founding statesmen.

Unisex Baby Names That Start With E

• Emerson – An English surname meaning “son of Emery,” Emerson carries intellectual weight through essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson and works well for either gender.
• Ellery – An English surname of uncertain origin, possibly related to “alder tree,” Ellery has a light, modern sound that works for either gender.
• Elian – A modern international name used across several European and Latin American traditions, likely derived from Elias or Julian, Elian works for either gender with a soft, global sound.
• Echo – From Greek mythology, Echo was a nymph cursed to only repeat others’ words, and the name carries real mythological depth beneath its sound-based word-name appeal.
• Elior – Hebrew, meaning “my God is my light,” Elior works for either gender and carries genuine spiritual meaning.
• Eagan – An Irish surname meaning “fiery” or “descendant of Aodhagán,” Eagan has a strong, grounded sound and works for either gender.
• Eris – Greek, the goddess of strife and discord in Greek mythology, Eris carries bold, dramatic mythological weight and works for either gender.
• Emrys – The Welsh form of Ambrosius, meaning “immortal,” Emrys is tied to Merlin’s Welsh name in Arthurian legend, giving it real literary and legendary depth.
• Eira – A Welsh word meaning “snow,” Eira has a crisp, wintry sound and works for either gender, though usage currently leans female.
• Elin – The Scandinavian form of Helen, meaning “light” or “torch,” Elin has a minimalist, clean sound and works for either gender.
• Ezra – Hebrew, meaning “help,” Ezra was a priest and scribe in the Old Testament credited with restoring Jewish law after the Babylonian exile. It’s traditionally masculine but has grown in use for girls in recent years.
• Ever – An English word name suggesting permanence or eternity, Ever has a minimalist, modern sound and works for either gender.

Unique & Rare Baby Names That Start With E

If you’re looking for something a little different, these unique and rare E names stand out without feeling too over-the-top. They’re uncommon, memorable, and carry real meaning behind them.

• Eryx – From Greek mythology, Eryx was a Sicilian king and son of Aphrodite, giving the name real ancient legendary roots beneath its bold, edgy sound.
• Elowyn – A modern Welsh-flavored name likely built from a root related to “elm” with the common “-wyn” ending meaning “fair” or “white,” Elowyn has no single confirmed historical source but fits current nature-name trends.
• Ezriel – A variant spelling of Azriel, Hebrew for “God is my help,” Ezriel carries genuine biblical-adjacent meaning with a modern spelling twist.
• Evania – Likely a feminine elaboration of Evan or related to the Greek “euanthes” (blooming), Evania has a flowing, feminine sound without one single confirmed historical root.
• Elric – A modern literary name most associated with Michael Moorcock’s fantasy antihero Elric of Melniboné, Elric carries real fantasy-genre weight for parents who love the character.
• Eirian – Welsh, meaning “bright” or “beautiful,” related to “eira” (snow) and broader words for silver and brightness, Eirian works for either gender in Wales.
• Evanthe – Greek, meaning “blooming flower,” from “eu” (good/well) and “anthos” (flower), Evanthe carries genuine botanical meaning beneath its rare, romantic sound.
• Eliora – Hebrew, meaning “my God is light,” Eliora carries genuine spiritual meaning and remains rare in English-speaking countries.
• Elara – From Greek mythology, Elara was a mortal lover of Zeus and mother of the giant Tityos; the name is also used for one of Jupiter’s moons, giving it a nice double celestial-mythological meaning.
• Evadne – From Greek mythology, Evadne was the devoted wife of Capaneus who threw herself onto his funeral pyre, giving the name real, if tragic, mythological depth.

FAQs About Baby Names That Start With E

What are the most popular baby names that start with E?

Some of the most popular baby names that start with E include Emma, Emily, Evelyn, and Ella for girls, and Ethan, Elijah, Ezra, and Elias for boys. These names consistently rank highly because they are easy to spell, timeless, and widely recognized.

What are some unique baby names that start with E?

Unique baby names that start with E include Elowyn, Evanthe, Eirian, Ezriel, and Evadne. These names are less common but still carry real meanings and origins, making them great options if you want something different.

What are good unisex baby names that start with E?

Popular unisex baby names that start with E include Emerson, Elior, Eagan, Eira, and Ezra. These names work well for any gender and are especially popular with modern naming trends.

What is a rare girl name that starts with E?

Rare girl names that start with E include Eulalia, Evanthe, Evania, and Eliora. These names have a soft, elegant sound but are not commonly used, making them stand out.

What is a strong boy name that starts with E?

Strong boy names that start with E include Ezekiel, Evander, Everett, and Easton. These names have powerful meanings or bold sounds, making them feel confident and timeless.

What short baby names start with E?

Short baby names that start with E include Eli, Eva, Ezra, and Enzo. These names are simple, easy to say, and work well with a wide variety of middle and last names.

What vintage baby names start with E?

Vintage baby names that start with E include Eleanor, Estelle, Ernest, Edwin, and Elsie. These names have a classic feel and are making a strong comeback with modern parents.

What are cute baby names that start with E?

Cute baby names that start with E include Evie, Elsie, Eva, and Ella. These names have a playful, sweet sound and are often used as both full names and nicknames.

How do I choose the right baby name that starts with E?

To choose the right baby name, try saying it out loud with your last name, check possible nicknames, and think about how the name will grow with your child. It also helps to consider meaning, origin, and how popular or unique you want the name to be.

Still looking for the perfect name? You can browse even more ideas in our Baby Names A–Z list, where every letter is organized to make your search easier. Or head over to the Baby Names Hub for themed lists, unique name ideas, and curated collections to help you find a name that actually fits your style.