20 Classic Baby Boy Names That Start with E

Looking for an evergreen E-name for a son? When it comes to classic boy names starting with the letter E, there's no shortage of options. From biblical Elijah to literary Edgar to regal Edward, here are 20 E-names that are rooted in tradition but feel perfectly child-appropriate in 2024.

1. Elijah: A biblical prophet name that feels current and classic at the same time.
2. Ethan: A faith-filled biblical classic to some; a pretty secular name for others.
3. Ezra: A unisex baby name that combines biblical gravitas with a cool, modern vibe.
4. Elias: A variation of Elijah.
5. Ezekiel: An Old Testament prophet name with a modern sensibility, Ezekiel has both depth and freshness.
6. Eli: A classic biblical name with broad appeal.
7. Everett: Not sure whether this one belongs with the classics or on the list of charming retro names, but either way, there's something about Everett that seems to appeal to 21st-century parents.
8. Emmett: There's just something about classic boy names that end in -tt!
9. Elliot: Elliot, Eliot, Elliott—choose your spelling!
10. Eric: Short, but not short for anything, this E-name has widespread appeal.
11. Edward: Regal, saintly and with a couple of user-friendly nicknames, Edward never seems to go completely out of style.
12. Ellis: A low-key classic that might appeal if you're looking for a name that's traditional and steady, but not too often heard.
13. Edwin: An understated classic that's been in steady use for generations but never chart-toppingly popular.
14. Edgar: A regal name, literary choice, and alternative to Edward, all rolled into one.
15. Eddie: Eddie may have started out as a nickname, but has stood on its own merits for decades.
16. Eugene: Eugene may not be the coolest name by today's naming standards, but it's got such great provenance that it would be hard to call it anything but a classic.
17. Ernest: A traditional name that not many parents are using at the moment—perfect if you want something nicely familiar but a little surprising.
18. Edmund: A currently overlooked classic with saintly cachet.
19. Elmer: This one is a bit of a mixed bag. On the one hand, it has the appealing El- prefix as well as history galore; on the other hand, people may associate the name with everything from Elmer's Glue to cartoon character Elmer Fudd to Elmer the Patchwork Elephant.
20. Earl: A lost classic worthy of revival, or a severely antiquated moniker best left to the annals of history? We'll let you be the one to decide.