"great river, wide flowing water"
Origin: Celtic/Latin
Language: English
London
Pronunciation: [ l-UHND-uhn ]
Does London flow with your last name?
The world's most iconic city as a bold given name
English
American
Sophisticated
Modern
Bold
Unique
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like London
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for London
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"bold place, wild settlement"
Origin: Proto-Celtic
Language: English
Browse names with similar meanings:
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to London
See all →What the London report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is London the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep London
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put London head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what London actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of London
London's etymology is debated among historians and linguists. The most accepted theory derives the name from the Romano-British 'Londinium,' possibly from a Celtic root related to the proto-Celtic 'londo' meaning 'wild' or 'bold,' or from 'Plowonida,' a pre-Celtic name meaning 'wide or navigable river.' Roman soldiers established Londinium around 43 AD on the Thames, and it grew into the largest city in the Roman Empire north of the Alps. The city's name has been virtually unchanged for nearly 2,000 years.
London as a given name began gaining traction in the early 2000s as place names became fashionable (Brooklyn, Paris, Cairo). Taylor Swift's hit song 'London Boy' (2019) gave the name additional cultural cachet, particularly for boys. The name is gender-neutral but trends slightly male.
London is one of the world's most iconic cities, carrying associations with history, literature, fashion, and royalty. As a given name, it projects a sophisticated, worldly quality. The name also carries the prestige of the British capital's cultural influence — from Shakespeare to the Rolling Stones to the BBC.
Historical Record
London first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 9,899 babies have been named London in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, London is past its peak , currently ranked #1,208 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- London has been continuously inhabited for over 2,000 years, making 'London' one of the oldest surviving place names in the British Isles
- Taylor Swift's 2019 song 'London Boy' sparked a measurable spike in baby name interest for London in the US
London in Other Languages
French
Londres
German
London
Italian
Londra
Spanish
Londres
Japanese
ロンドン
Popularity Over Time
#1,208
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Peaked 2010
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named London
J
Jack London
Writer
1876
American author of The Call of the Wild and White Fang, one of the first American writers to achieve international celeb...
American author of The Call of the Wild and White Fang, one of the first American writers to achieve international celebrity
L
London Tipton Fictional
Other
Fictional socialite character on Disney's The Suite Life of Zack & Cody (2005-2008), played by Brenda Song
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Jerome
Boy
"one with a sacred name"
#1,341
Benaiah
Boy
"built by the Lord"
#1,286
Gilbert
Boy
"famous through noble birth"
#1,397
Norman
Boy
"Norse man, Viking settler"
#1,313
Archibald
Boy
"truly brave"
#1,179
Compare London with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #1,208
- Total SSA Count
- 167
- Cultural Origins
- English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Lon
Lonny
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for London
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how London fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Girl Name
London is also used as a girl name, ranked #355.
View London as a girl name →Similar Names
See all names like London →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare London with...
Same Origin Names (English)
See all English names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with London
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with London and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how London sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Jerome
Boy
Latin via Greek origin
"one with a sacred name"
#1,341 in US
Benaiah
Boy
Hebrew origin
"built by the Lord"
#1,286 in US
Gilbert
Boy
Norman French origin
"famous through noble birth"
#1,397 in US
Norman
Boy
Old Norse origin
"Norse man, Viking settler"
#1,313 in US
Archibald
Boy
Old High German origin
"truly brave"
#1,179 in US
Gus
Boy
Germanic (Gustav) origin
"staff of the Goths"
#1,216 in US
Eyden
Boy
Old Irish via Gaelic origin
"little fire, fiery one"
#1,348 in US
Mayson
Boy
Old French via English origin
"stone worker"
#1,331 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with London's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About London
What does the name London mean?
"great river, wide flowing water" (from Celtic/Latin). "bold place, wild settlement" (from Proto-Celtic). London's etymology is debated among historians and linguists. The most accepted theory derives the name from the Romano-British 'Londinium,' possibly from a Celtic root related to the proto-Celtic 'londo' meaning 'wild' or 'bold,' or from 'Plowonida,' a pre-Celtic name meaning 'wide or navigable river.' Roman soldiers established Londinium around 43 AD on the Thames, and it grew into the largest city in the Roman Empire north of the Alps. The city's name has been virtually unchanged for nearly 2,000 years.
What is the origin of the name London?
London has Celtic/Latin, Proto-Celtic, English, and American origins. In Celtic/Latin, it means "great river, wide flowing water". In Proto-Celtic, it means "bold place, wild settlement".
Is London a boy or girl name?
London is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #1208. As a girl name, it is ranked #355. London is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce London?
London is pronounced l-UHND-uhn.
How popular is the name London?
London is currently ranked #1208 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for London?
Common nicknames for London include Lon and Lonny.
What are good middle names for London?
Popular middle name pairings include London James, London Reid, London Blake, London Grey, London Chase, and London Stone.
What are good sibling names for London?
Names that pair well with London as siblings include Paris, Brooklyn, Camden, Bristol, Beckham, and Dublin.
How many syllables does London have?
London has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is London a common or rare name?
London is an uncommon name, ranked #1208 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to London?
Are there other spellings for London?
Related spellings include Londyn.
About the Name London
London is a boy name with English and American origins . The name means "great river, wide flowing water" in Celtic/Latin .
Is London a boy or girl name? London is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #1,208 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #355. London is more commonly used as a girl name.
London is currently ranked #1,208 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name London has 2 syllables and is pronounced l-UHND-uhn, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for London include Lon and Lonny. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of London include Londyn . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Celtic/Latin Names
Browse all names with this origin
L
Names Starting with L
More boy names like London
Rising Names
Names gaining popularity right now
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Boy Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis