* Constantly evolving: New names are created all the time, while others fall out of use.
* Variations: There are countless spelling variations and nicknames for even common names.
* Cultural influences: English borrows names from many cultures, and what's considered a "name" in one context may not be in another.
However, we can look at some estimates:
* The SSA (Social Security Administration) in the US tracks baby names: They list thousands of popular names, but this is only a small subset of the total.
* Name databases: Websites and research projects collect names, but their comprehensiveness varies.
* Linguistic studies: Experts can analyze the structure of English to estimate the potential number of name combinations, but this is a theoretical limit.
Ultimately, the number of names in English is vast and constantly changing. Instead of a specific number, it's better to think of it as a dynamic and diverse landscape.