95+ Famous Literary Baby Names For Girls And Boys

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If you love books, choosing a literary baby name for your baby is an extra special bonus.

Literature can transport us to different times, places, and worlds. People have been sharing their thoughts and feelings through poetry, music, and tales for a long time. Looking for baby names inspired by literature makes sense for those who love the depth and beauty of literary works. It’s only natural to want names for our children that honor the stories and writers we admire.

If you enjoy reading classic or modern literature, or if you like to write, you might be happy to name your child after a character from literature. Here are some great names from books to consider.

Famous Literary Baby Names For Girls With Meanings

  1. Albertine

The cute and charming female version of the name Albert, originating from Swiss, French, and Dutch, means ‘bright’. It is also the name of a novel by Christian Krohg. This trendy and traditional name is becoming popular again, along with names like Ella and Josephine.

  1. Alice

This adorable and traditional literary baby name for a girl is loved in the literary world. It has been mentioned in the book ‘Alice in Wonderland’ and is also used by modern writers. ‘

  1. Ana

The name is exotic and sensual, much like the author Anais Nin who wrote ‘Delta of Venus’. It is a variation of the name Anne and it means ‘gracious’.

  1. Anne

Choosing a literary baby name that is simple, sweet, and timeless is always a good idea. This name also has connections to a well-known book, ‘The Diary of a Young Girl.’

  1. Arrietty

The lively and attention-grabbing name comes from Mary Norton’s book ‘The Borrowers,’ which tells the tale of a small family living in secret inside a house.

  1. Arundhati

This beautiful Indian name means ‘goddess of the sky and stars’. It has a connection to the writer Arundhati Roy.

  1. Arya

Were you aware that the TV show ‘Game of Thrones’ is based on George R. R. Martin’s book series ‘Song of Ice and Fire’? Hopefully, your daughter will be as courageous as the character Arya Stark.

  1. Austen

Jane Austen, who wrote the popular book ‘Pride and Prejudice,’ has a lovely-sounding last name. It could also be seen as a clever variation on the common spelling of Austin.

  1. Beatrice

In Beverly Cleary’s book Beezus and Ramona, honor the older sister by naming your daughter Beatrice. You can call her Bee for short.

  1. Bella

The literary baby name Bella has a romantic and elegant sound to it. Have you heard that the popularity of the name Bella rose in 2011 thanks to the success of the ‘Twilight’ franchise?

  1. Brett

We really love this unisex name. It’s the name of the clever, intelligent, and captivating character in Ernest Hemingway’s book ‘The Sun Also Rises’. It has a nice vibe with a touch of femininity.

  1. Bronte

This literary girl will be named after the famous writing sisters, Anne, Emily, and Charlotte Bronte. The literary baby name Bronte comes from Greek and means ‘thunder’.

  1. Charlotte

Charlotte, the female version of the name Charles, has been well-liked for a long time. The name Charlotte has appeared in many books, such as the famous ‘Charlotte’s Web’ by E.B. White.

  1. Clarissa

Clarissa is the main character in Virginia Woolf’s book ‘Mrs. Dalloway’. She is thoughtful and lively. The name Clarissa is also used for the main character in a novel by Samuel Richardson from the 18th century.

  1. Cordelia

Cordelia is a strong and classy literary baby name that means ‘heart’. It’s no surprise that Cordelia from ‘The Last Lear’ was portrayed as a compassionate and supportive person.

  1. Daisy

Isn’t Daisy a cute literary baby name for your little one? The character Daisy Buchanan from ‘The Great Gatsby’ shows that this name will always be fashionable.

  1. Edwidge

This French version of the German name Hedwig has a sophisticated vibe, which is associated with the famous author Edwidge Danticat. The name means ‘war’.

  1. Elizabeth

Elizabeth in ‘Pride and Prejudice’ shows us a strong and intelligent woman who is unafraid to express her thoughts. You can even call her Lizzie, like the Bennet family does.

  1. Ellery

This literary baby name has a fancy and traditional appeal because of the famous mystery writer Ellery Queen. The name means ‘island with elder trees’.

  1. Eloise

The name from the book ‘Eloise at the Plaza’ became more well-known when the original book was published again.

  1. Emma

This nickname is associated with Emma Woodhouse, the main character in Jane Austen’s book ‘Emma’. The name is of Old Germanic origin and means ‘universal’, originally coming from longer names like Erminhilt, Ermingard, and Ermintrude. Over time, it became a popular literary baby name on its own.

  1. Esme

Esme is mentioned in two different literary works. The first reference is in J.D. Salinger’s ‘For Esme: With Love and Squalor’. The second reference is in the more recent ‘Twilight’ series.

  1. Ethel

Ethel was a lovely character in the book ‘The Newcomes’ by William Makepeace Thackeray. The name means ‘noble’ and is often used as a short form for names that start with Ethel, such as Ethelred.

  1. Gertrude

The name ‘Gertrude,’ which means ‘strength of a spear’, was mentioned in Shakespeare’s play ‘Hamlet’. It has a long and respected history thanks to its connection with Saint Gertrude the Great.

  1. Harper

Harper Lee was a well-known writer in our time. This literary baby name Harper originally comes from an Old English word meaning ‘someone who plays the harp’.

  1. Hazel

Hazel, the main character in ‘The Fault in Our Stars,’ is a powerful and motivating figure. Julia Roberts even named one of her daughters after Hazel.

  1. Henrietta

The novel ‘Henrietta’ was written by Charlotte Lennox. It is the Latin version of the name Henriette, which means ‘ruler’. This name was first used in France during the 16th century.

  1. Janie

Janie Crawford is a very important character in the book ‘Their Eyes Were Watching God’ by Zora Neale Hurston. You are allowed to give your son the same last name.

  1. Jhumpa

This literary baby name from India, which carries a lot of energy, became popular because of the well-known writer Jhumpa Lahiri. She is famous for her book ‘The Namesake.’

  1. Jo

Her actual name was Josephine, but we believe that someone as independent and determined as Jo March wouldn’t want to use her full name. You can also use Jo as a nickname.

  1. Julia

Julia Quinn, a writer who is famous for her historical romance novels, has a lovely first name. For those who like the name Julie but want something a bit different, Julia could be a good option. The literary baby name Julia comes from the Latin word for ‘young.’

  1. Juliet

Juliet is a very romantic name that you could consider for your daughter. However, there is a good chance that her friends at school might associate it with Shakespeare’s tragic character.

  1. Kairi

Kairi, the name of the female character in the ‘Kingdom Hearts’ series, comes from the Japanese word for ‘sea’.

  1. Katniss

If you are a fan of the ‘Hunger Games’ series and want to openly show your love for it, you can consider naming your child Katniss, after the main character. We believe this name could become very popular for babies in the future.

  1. Lisbeth

If you enjoy mysteries or are looking for a unique name similar to Elizabeth, you might like the name Lisbeth. It is known for being the name of a character in the book ‘The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo.’

  1. Louisa

Louisa May Alcott wrote the book ‘Little Women’, which is one of my favorite books. The literary baby name ‘Louisa’ means ‘renowned warrior’ and can also be spelled as ‘Louise’.

  1. Luna

Hermione and Ginny are great choices for naming your daughter, but Luna is the best option. Luna Lovegood showed readers the importance of embracing and loving your authentic self without fear.

  1. Lyra

Lyra, the girl from ‘His Dark Materials Trilogy’ who is said to bring about the end of destiny, is a great choice. The literary baby name Lyra comes from the lyre of Orpheus, a character in Greek mythology.

  1. Matilda

It is the name of the main character in Roald Dahl’s book called Matilda.

  1. Olivia

The literary baby name ‘Olivia’, which means ‘olive tree’, perfectly combines feminine and strong qualities.

  1. Pamela

The literary baby name Pamela is connected to two different literary works. First, she was the main character in a novel called ‘Pamela’ by Samuel Richardson. Second, the name Pamela was also used in 16th-century pastoral poetry.

  1. Ramona

We included Ramona from the book ‘Ramona the Pest’ on the list because she is curious, clever, creative, and funny, like many kids her age.

  1. Rosalind

Another choice from Shakespeare, this time from the play ‘As You Like It’. The literary baby name Rosalind embodies beauty, intelligence, and charm. This baby name means ‘beautiful rose’.

  1. Rue

Why not name your second daughter Rue if you already have a Katniss? Rue would be a cool and tough name like the character in the ‘Hunger Games’. It could also be a unique middle name option.

  1. Savannah

We have to admit that Nicholas Sparks picks great names. Savannah is a beautiful literary baby name with a Southern background. It was used in the movie ‘Dear John’.

  1. Stephanie

The name refers to the main character in Janet Evanovich’s book series who is a bounty hunter. This literary baby name means ‘garland or crown’.

  1. Sula

The main character in Toni Morrison’s novel Sula broke traditional gender boundaries and lived life on her own terms, which was considered ahead of her time. This makes Sula a unique and captivating name for a literary character.

  1. Sylvia

There is a great way to pay tribute to American literature by giving your daughter the name of the famous American poet Sylvia Plath. This literary baby name means ‘spirit of the wood’ and would be attractive to parents who love adventure.

  1. Tacy

It’s strange that this particular literary baby name has not become popular, even after the publication of the ‘Betsy-Tacy’ series by Maud Hart Lovelace. You may also consider choosing the name Betsy from this book.

  1. Waverly

The Joy Luck Club contains a list of lovely and special girl names from literature that you may want to think about. One of these names is Waverly, who is an independent and family-focused daughter of Lindo.

Famous Literary Baby Names For Boys With Meanings

  1. Albus

The literary baby name became popular through Albus Dumbledore, a beloved character in J.K. Rowling’s ‘Harry Potter’ series. It is simple, impactful, and has a strong meaning. This baby name means ‘white’.

  1. Alcott

This name ‘Al’ means ‘old cottage’ and has many great options, especially if you love the book ‘Little Women.’

  1. Ambrose

We really love the first name of Ambrose Bierce, the writer known for his satire, journalism, and short stories. The Latin name, which means ‘immortal one,’ gives off an educated and upper-class vibe.

  1. Amory

Amory is a special literary baby name for a baby boy, inspired by the book ‘This Side of Paradise’ by Fitzgerald. The name has a classic vibe and it means ‘hardworking.’

  1. Ashley

In ‘Gone with the Wind,’ Ashley Wilkes is depicted as a noble, attractive, and honorable man who is romantically involved with Scarlett O’Hara. His character and his name both represent the traditional Southern values of the past.

  1. Athos

This literary baby name, Athos, is not very common and comes from a book. Athos is the name of a strong and smart father figure in the book ‘The Three Musketeers’. If you want a unique and unique name for your son, Athos may be a good choice. He is known for being brave and intelligent, characteristics that you may want your son to possess.

  1. Atticus

This literary baby name became popular again after being unknown for a long time through the book ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ by Harper Lee. You can choose to use this name in honor of your Greek family members.

  1. Auden

Auden is a sophisticated and literary baby name that is popular among mothers who enjoy poetry. W.H. Auden was a highly respected poet from the 20th century.

  1. Augustus

The main male character in John Green’s book ‘The Fault in Our Stars’ is named Augustus. There is also a character named Augustus in Roald Dahl’s ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.’ The name Augustus signifies being grand or majestic.

  1. Aureliano

The character Colonel Aureliano in the book ‘One Hundred Years of Solitude’ might be ruthless, but his name is definitely intriguing.

  1. Barrett

Barrett, like Elizabeth Barrett Browning, is a famous poet from the Victorian era. We believe Barrett would be a beautiful name for a young boy.

  1. Beckett

Samuel Beckett was famous for his various writings, but most of us remember him for ‘Waiting For Godot’, which is considered a classic book. His surname could be a unique option for naming a baby.

  1. Benvolio

Romeo may have been popular with the ladies, but his cousin Benvolio had a really cool name. The literary baby name Benvolio is Italian and it means someone who wishes well for others.

  1. Buck

Buck is a strong dog with mixed breeds in Jack London’s book ‘Call of the Wild’. This literary baby name was used in the 18th century to refer to a stylish and daring young man.

  1. Byron

A child named this would not be afraid to wear fancy scarves and write love poems. This literary baby name became popular in 1880 and made it to the top 1000 list.

  1. Caulfield

Caulfield is a bold character from the book ‘Catcher in the Rye’. The name Cully could be a possible nickname for Caulfield.

  1. Charlie

Wouldn’t it be amazing if your son could win his own candy factory like Charlie did in ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’? This literary baby name means ‘man’.

  1. Colin

Colin is one of the main characters in the book ‘The Secret Garden’ by Frances Hodgson Burnett.

  1. Darcy

Darcy is a popular literary baby name for heroes in Jane Austen’s books. It is mostly used for girls now, but we prefer it for boys.

  1. David

David has two well-known namesakes. One is David Copperfield, the main character in Charles Dickens’ novel from 1849. The other is David Beckham, a highly skilled soccer player.

  1. Don

Don is like calling someone ‘lord’, a title used for the upper class and aristocracy.

  1. Dorian

Dorian is a rich and good-looking young man who wastes his life seeking pleasure in Oscar Wilde’s ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray.’

  1. Edward

Edward is known for having many literary references, but he is most famous for being Edward Cullen, the 17-year-old vampire in the ‘Twilight Saga’.

  1. Elwyn

The author E.B. White used the name Elwyn when writing popular children’s books like ‘Stuart Little’ and ‘Charlotte’s Web’. We believe it would be a unique choice as a name.

  1. Ernest

This is about the main character, Ernest Worthing, from Oscar Wilde’s play ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’. Ernest is the English version of the German name Ernst and it signifies ‘energy’.

  1. Fielding

This fancy literary baby name, linked to the English author Henry Fielding, is not exactly a name based on someone’s job, but rather on someone who works or lives in a field.

  1. Fitzgerald

F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote ‘The Great Gatsby’ and other popular American books. If you find Fitzgerald too long, you can just call him Fitz.

  1. Frank

This literary baby name reminds people of the American writer and novelist Frank Miller. Frank is a name that means ‘Frenchman or free one’.

  1. Gatsby

The current fans of ‘The Great Gatsby’ are now using the last name of the main character as a first name. This trend grew after the movie came out in 2013.

  1. George

In the book ‘Of Mice and Men,’ there is a character named George who is small and clever, and he takes care of and looks after Lennie.

  1. Harry

This name immediately makes people think of the wizard wearing glasses from J.K. Rowling’s ‘Harry Potter’ books.

  1. Heathcliff

Heathcliff is a unique literary baby name which belongs to a special category. He is the strong and fierce main character in Emily Bronte’s novel ‘Wuthering Heights’.

  1. Henry

Henry is the main character in the story ‘The Red Badge of Courage’ who starts to doubt his life, bravery, and importance while fighting in the Civil War.

  1. Henrik

Henrik Ibsen, a famous Norwegian writer from the 19th century, has a name that carries a lot of influence. He is commonly known as the ‘father of realism’. This literary baby name means ‘ruler of home’.

  1. Homer

The name of a famous Greek poet is now associated with Homer Simpson, a character known for his love of donuts. Other famous people, such as Richard Gere and Anne Heche, have also chosen this name for their sons.

  1. Huckleberry

Twain supposedly chose the name Huckleberry for his character in ‘The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn’ because of the simple background of the fruit and its ability to grow without much effort.

  1. Huxley

The writer of ‘Brave New World’ has a surname that we believe would be a great first name for boys. The ‘x’ in the name adds a cool factor.

  1. Jude

This is for fans of Thomas Hardy, featuring the character Jude Fawley from Hardy’s novel.

  1. Keats

This quick and powerful name is owned by one of the top English poets from the Romantic era. This literary baby name means ‘kite’.

  1. Landon

Landon is the main character in what some people consider to be Nicholas Sparks’ best book, ‘A Walk To Remember’. It’s also one of our favorites literary baby name.

  1. Max

This literary baby name became more popular on the Social Security List following the release of Maurice Sendak’s ‘Where the Wild Things Are.’

  1. Noah

This is one of the most popular literary baby name. Many mothers chose the name Noah for their sons after reading about it in the book ‘The Notebook’ by Nicholas Sparks.

  1. Ovid

If you want to impress your friends and family with how smart you are, consider naming your son Ovid, after the famous Roman poet. It would be a cool literary-inspired name for a boy.

  1. Rhett

There is a noticeable increase in popularity of the male protagonist’s name in Margaret Mitchell’s ‘Gone with the Wind’. The name is a Welsh variation of Rhys and it means ‘advice’.

  1. Sawyer

Sawyer is a popular boy’s name in literature, taken from one of Mark Twain’s well-known characters. Naming your son Sawyer may inspire a sense of adventure in him as he grows.

  1. Saul

Saul Bellow is the only author who has won the National Book Award for Fiction three times. His name, Saul, conveys a mix of modernity and tradition, meaning ‘asked for or inquired of God.’

  1. Stuart

The name Stuart is used in the book ‘Stuart Little’ by E.B. White. Stuart is portrayed as a very enthusiastic and energetic character that you may want to emulate in your own adventurous endeavors. This literary baby name means ‘steward’.

  1. Tom

Mark Twain did not anticipate how popular the name ‘Tom Sawyer’ would become for babies. Many parents around the world chose this name for their children after the novel was published.

  1. William

This list would not be finished without including the famous William Shakespeare. The name William has Germanic roots and means ‘determined protector’. What do you think of using Willy as a nickname for it?

  1. Wilbur

This literary baby name means ‘wild boar’ and is linked with Wilbur Addison Smith, a South African writer known for historical fiction.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What advantages come with picking a baby name from literature?
Literary names are important because they connect to history, never go out of style, and can motivate your child to explore literature more deeply.
2. How can you pick a unique and meaningful name from literature for your baby?
Before choosing a name, it’s important to think about where it comes from, what it means, how well-known it is, and how it fits with your family’s customs. You can also use your imagination to come up with a special and original name.
3. Do names from literature have any cultural or historical importance?
Literary baby names are strongly linked to culture and history. They often represent the beliefs and values of the era when they were used in books or by authors. For instance, the name Elizabeth may seem outdated now, but during the late 1800s when Pride and Prejudice was written, it was a very popular name that reflected the culture and norms of that period.
4. Can literary names for babies be used to continue family customs or beliefs?
Using names from books or authors can be a nice way to continue family customs for generations to come. If someone in the family enjoys reading or admires a particular writer, using literary names could make them happy. It can also create a strong bond between the baby and that person. Additionally, you can establish a tradition of naming firstborns or baby girls after characters from literature.
5. How has the trend of using names from literature for babies evolved over the years?
Using famous literary baby names has always been a popular choice when naming babies. In addition, as more new parents start to appreciate the importance of reading and want to instill a love for books in their children, the trend of naming babies after literary characters is on the rise. Parents want to share their passion for reading with their children by giving them names inspired by beloved authors and characters from literature.
6. Are there any drawbacks to naming a child after a literary character?
Choosing the right literary name for your baby is very important. It’s essential to pick a character or author that shares your values and beliefs. When selecting a literary name, consider the spelling too. Some fantasy names may be hard to pronounce or spell correctly, which could lead to teasing. Ultimately, as a parent, you know what’s best for your child, so it’s up to you to choose a name that fits them well.
7. Do you have any suggestions for modern literary baby names that are popular right now?
Luna, Katniss, Hermione, Esme, Lyra, and Arwen are trendy literary names for girls. Holden, Atticus, Augustus, Ronan, and Elio are popular literary names for boys.
8. Are there any old-fashioned literary names for babies that are not as popular as they used to be?
Names from literature like Hester, Heathcliff, Portia, Quixote, Bathsheba, and Tess have fallen out of fashion at times. Yet, trends in naming are always evolving, so these names might have a comeback.
9. How do cultural or regional factors affect the choice of literary baby names?
Literary names are typically selected from literature of a specific area or culture. These names represent the cultural background of the region and help promote the appreciation for language.

Well-written literature can have a big effect on how we feel and live. Sometimes people like a character in a book so much that they want to name their children after them. If you’re in that situation, check out this detailed list of sophisticated baby names inspired by literature for boys and girls. These literary baby names are timeless and will help your child stand out when they grow up.

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