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Literary Baby Names

Literary baby names, drawn from the characters in books for both adults and children as well as from the names of well-loved authors, are gaining in popularity. Literary names can confer meaning on a child as well as provide a worthy hero or heroine to look up to.

Names from the best-loved children's books may be gaining the most in popularity. While many of these -- Alice (in Wonderland) and Charlotte (of the Web), say -- carry references that go far beyond the literary, other names are closely identified with the characters who inspired their popularity. Along with Alice and Charlotte, literary baby names from children's and young adult books ranking in the US Top 500 include Sawyer, Matilda, Finn, Holden, Lyra, and Eloise. Unique literary names from children's books or of young characters gaining attention include Huck, Ramona, Scout, and Hermione.

Historical novels also provide a rich source of popular literary names. Drawn from the works of authors from Shakespeare to Jane Austen to F. Scott Fitzgerald, top historical literary names include Juliet, Archer, Scarlett, and Darcy, for both genders. Emma, a Top 10 name in the US, France, Germany, Italy, and Ireland, among other countries, also has a strong literary influence as the title character from the Jane Austen novel.

Names of historically-important authors are also notable. These might be first names, such as Willa (Cather), Edith (Wharton), Dashiell (Hammett), and Hart (Crane). The newest literary names are drawn from the surnames of famous authors. Along with Austen and Bronte, unique literary surname names we love include Auden, Poe, Angelou, and Baldwin.

Literary works adapted in recent years for popular television shows and movies have had a strong influence, especially from the name-rich works of J.K. Rowling and George R. R. Martin. Literary names that have been created or popularized by the Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, Hunger Games, and Twilight franchises include Arya, Khaleesi, Katniss, Albus, and Bella.

The best place to start your search for the perfect literary baby name is with your favorite books and authors, of course. But you might love the name first and read the book or research the author afterwards. For even more choices, check out our lists of Literary Girl Names and Literary Boy Names.

Leopold

Meaning: brave people

Origin:German
639
Cain

Meaning: spear; possessed

Origin:Hebrew
346
Zooey The meaning of Zooey is ‘life’. It is a name...
Origin:Literary name
8096
Homer

Meaning: security, pledge

Origin:Greek
1479
Dashiell Dashiell is a modification of the French sur...
Origin:Anglicization of French surname de Chiel, meaning unknown
326
Ishmael

Meaning: God will hear

Origin:Hebrew
1067
Vidal

Meaning: life, vital

Origin:Spanish and Catalan from Latin
3264
Chandler

Meaning: candle maker

Origin:English from French occupational name
1401
Peyton

Meaning: fighting-man's estate

Origin:English
769
Chance Chance is a given name of Middle English ori...
Origin:French variation of Chauncey
1558
Fenno The name Fenno finds its root in the Finnish...
Origin:A Finnish tribe and language
3739
Lemuel

Meaning: devoted to God

Origin:Hebrew
829
Truman

Meaning: loyal one

Origin:English
916
Hart

Meaning: stag

Origin:English
651
Cullen

Meaning: holly tree

Origin:Irish
681
Origin:English variation of Gervase, meaning unknown
1144
Melchior

Meaning: city of the king; king of light

Origin:Dutch from Hebrew
1243
Oskar The meaning of name Oskar is 'One with the s...
Origin:German variation of Oscar
1252
Falmouth The most significant concentration of people...
Origin:Place-name
8850
Origin:Literary name
10750