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1. Jack
Jack originates from the Hebrew, John, meaning 'the Lord is is Gracious'. Jock is a traditionally Scottish form. Jackson, a surname meaning 'son of Jack' is also found as a first name.
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2. Thomas
Thomas originates from the Aramaic nickname meaning 'twin'. It was first given to Jesus to an Apostle named Judas to distinguish him from Judas Iscariot. The abbreviation Tom appears in the Middle Ages. Tam and Tammy are the Scottish pet forms.
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3. James
With the accession of James VI as the first king of both Scotland and England in 1603, the name became popular in England. Pet forms include Jim, Jimmy and Jamie. The Irish form is Seamas and the Scots Hamish.
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4. Joshua
Joshua originates from the Hebrew meaning 'the Lord saves'. In the Old Testament Joshua succeeded Moses and finally led the Israelites to the Promised Land. The name was not used in England before the Reformation. Josh is a short form, Jesus is the Greek form of the name.
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5. Daniel
Daniel is the Hebrew name of an Old Testament prophet, meaning 'God has judged'. In Ireland and Wales it is often found as a version of the Irish Domhnall and Welsh Deiniol, meaning 'attractive, charming'. It's shortened forms are Dan and Danny.
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6. Harry
From the Old Norse, meaning 'army-power'; Harald is the original Scandinavian form. It was used in the Middle Ages, but went out of fashion until it became popular again in the 18th Century.
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7. Samuel
Samuel comes from the Hebrew meaning 'heard by God'. The Old Testament tells how the prophet Samuel was the leader of the Israelites and how he chose Saul and later David as their kings. Currently a popular choice, it shares short forms Sam and Sammy.
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8. Joseph
Joseph originated from the Hebrew meaning 'the Lord added'. The name was not often used until the 17th century, when Old Testament names were adopted by the Puritans, and Joseph became a favourite. Joe and Jo are common abbreviations and well used as names in their own right and Jos is also found.
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9. Mathew
Mathew originates from the Hebrew meaning 'gift of God', and the name of one of the Evangelists. After the Reformation, the Greek form, Matthias was adopted. In the Bible it is used for the name of the apostle chosen to succeed Judas Iscariot. Today the English form is popular, and the usual short form is Matt.
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10. Callum
Callum comes from the Latin columba, 'a dove'. When the Irish St Columba went as a missionary to Scotland in the 6th Century, he introduced the name there and it became a typically Scottish name along with Malcolm. It is found spelt Calum and Colum, while the form Colm is particularly popular in Ireland.
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