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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.

Vivaldo

Meaning: who dominates the will

Origin:Italian
6277
Lowell

Meaning: young wolf

Origin:French
1809
Crane

Meaning: crane

Origin:English surname
2233
Austen The name Austen is a beautiful gender-neutra...
Origin:Literary surname and shortened form of Augustus
2690
Frost

Meaning: freezing

Origin:English
3740
Tennyson

Meaning: son of Dennis

Origin:English
1366
Ellison

Meaning: son of Ellis

Origin:English
3645
Morrison

Meaning: son of Morris

Origin:English
2131
Langston

Meaning: tall man's town

Origin:English
1436
Corin

Meaning: spear

Origin:Latin
1705
Gore

Meaning: wedge-shaped object

Origin:English
4504
Author Author is a Christian name of English origin...
Origin:Word and occupational name
5492
Zenobia

Meaning: force of Zeus

Origin:Greek
1087
Rumer

Meaning: fame, braggart

Origin:English
1730
Zuleika

Meaning: fair

Origin:Arabic
2132
Djuna Djuna is a beautiful name of American origin...
Origin:Invented name
2667
Honora

Meaning: woman of honor

Origin:Latin
851
Catriona

Meaning: pure

Origin:Scottish form of Katherine, Greek
1588
Narcissa

Meaning: daffodil

Origin:Greek
902
Verena

Meaning: integrity

Origin:Latin
1054