Blake Overview
- Meaning: “Black” and “son of the lake.”
- Gender: Blake is a gender-neutral name.
- Origin: Blake comes from 1 of the 14 Tribes of Galway in Ireland. The name referred to descendants of Richard Caddell.
- Pronunciation: “BLAYK.”
- Popularity: Blake is a popular name for both men and women.
- Nicknames: Bee, Blakie, Blakey, Blakers, Kiki.
- Variations: Blakeney, Blakely, Blakeman, Blakelee, Blakeley, Blakely, Blakeny.
- Namesakes: Blake Lively, Blake Shelton, James Blake.
What Does Blake Mean?
Blake comes from Old English but has a disputed meaning. Many believe that it derives from the word “black” and refers to dark bodily traits such as hair or eyes. These names originally were “blac” and “blaac,” which were pet names for people with a certain hair or skin color.
A second theory is that the name is Welsh and means “son of the lake.” However, there is less evidence to defend this (1).
What Is the Origin of the Name Blake?
The name was also one of the 14 Tribes of Galway in Ireland. The name Blake in the tribe meant they were descendants of Richard Caddell, who they called Blake. Cadell was part of the Norman invasion of Ireland in the 12th century.
From that point, the name became “de Bláca” in Celtic.
Other origins involve Norsemen. In ancient times, Norsemen landed in England and brought the name Blaker, after a village in Oslo, Norway with them. Some theorize that this was the origin of Blake, though most agree with the Old English theory.
How Popular Is the Name Blake?
The name Blake is popular. Since 2011, the name has moved from the top 900 names for baby girls to the top 200. It appears to be increasing each year as well, so the name doesn’t seem to be going out of style anytime soon (2).
For boys, however, the name appears to be declining in popularity. In 2000, it ranked in the top 100 names. Now, it stands at rank 205 (3).
How Do I Pronounce Blake?
The single-syllabled Blake is pronounced as “BLAYK”. It rhymes with “rake.” It is not commonly mispronounced in any way.
Is Blake a Boy or Girl Name?
Blake is a unisex name. In the past, it was predominantly a name given to male babies. However, it has increased in popularity as a woman’s name over the years.
Variations of Blake
There are a few variations of the name Blake as well. Many of them are on the nose, and add suffixes to the name. They are all of English origin as well.
Some of the known variants are:
- Blakeney (English)
- Blakely (English)
- Blakeman (English)
- Blakelee (English)
- Blakeley (English)
- Blakely (English)
- Blakeny (English)
Nicknames for Blake
Some of the common nicknames that can be used with Blake include:
- Bee
- Blakie
- Blakey
- Blakers
- Kiki
Similar Names to Blake
Names that give the same feel as Blake—whether that’s by region or sound—include:
For girls:
- Avery
- Blair
- Blais
- Beatrice
- Brook
- Emmy
- Reese
- Sawyer
For boys:
- Austin
- Blaine
- Chase
- Cole
- Drake
- Jake
- Logan
- Parker
Middle Names for Blake
Blake pairs nicely with many names in the middle. Some of our favorites include:
For girls:
- Amara
- Anna
- Cassie
- Chelsea
- Harper
- Inis
- Katherine
For boys:
- Aaron
- Arthur
- Christian
- Felix
- Finley
- Jackson
- Spencer
Sibling Names for Blake
If you are trying to pair up a Blake with a sibling, there are endless names to choose from. Perhaps we can help narrow down the best ones with these:
For a brother:
- Austin
- Brent
- Cullen
- Fynn
- Logan
- Mylo
- Owen
For a sister:
- Bastien
- Blair
- Bree
- Cameron
- Jo
- Madeline
- Ryan
Famous People Named Blake
Many famous people are also named Blake. They show the unisex nature of the name because some of the standout names include:
- Blake Griffin: American basketball player in the NBA and former Rookie of the Year.
- Blake Lively: American actor best known for her role in the television series “Gossip Girl.”
- Blake Michael: American actor best know for his role in the Disney Channel film Lemonade Mouth.
- Blake Shelton: American country music singer and songwriter, as well as a television personality on the “The Voice.”
- Blake Skjellerup: Australian speed skater who competed in the 2010 Winter Olympics.
- James Blake: English singer and songwriter best known for his self-titled album.
- Quentin Blake: English cartoonist and illustrator. He is best known for his work on the covers of Roald Dahl’s books.
Blake in Popular Culture
The name has also made its way into pop culture. Some of the best-known characters with the name include:
- Anita Blake: Character from the Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter novel series.
- Blake Carrington: A character from the TV program “Dynasty.”
- Blake Marler: A character from the TV program “Guiding Light.”
- Blake Tower: A character from the Marvel Comics universe.
- Daphne Blake: One of the four main characters on the animated television series “Scooby-Doo” by Hannah-Barbera.
Blake FAQs
In this section, we will look at anything we missed about the name Blake and fill in those gaps. Some of the most frequently asked questions about the name are:
Is Blake a Biblical Name?
No, Blake is not a biblical boy’s name, it is an old English name. However, the name is very popular within Christian communities.
Is Blake a Good Name?
Blake is a great name. It is one of the more popular single-syllable, gender-neutral names in the world, and growing in popularity.
Naming your new arrival Blake is also a great choice if you already have children with other single-syllable names like Brent.
What Is the Personality Type of Blake?
Blake is a leader and founder. They carry a sense of structure to their lifestyle and organize well. They value stability, discipline, reliability, and value itself.
