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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.

Ulysses The name Ulysses is of Latin origin. The mea...
Origin:Latin variation of the Greek Odysseus
607
Byron

Meaning: barn for cows

Origin:English
570
Dunstan

Meaning: dark stone

Origin:English
4165
Quebec Quebec is a name that is most often used for...
Origin:Place-name
4752
Origin:Medieval English variation of Tristan, “noise or sorrowful"
4908
Albus

Meaning: white, bright.

Origin:Latin
923
Seneca

Meaning: people of the standing rock

Origin:Latin surname and Native American
1655
Fitzwilliam

Meaning: son of William

Origin:English
1863
Aramis The meaning of Aramis is ‘from Aramits’. It ...
Origin:French literary name
1281
Heathcliff

Meaning: cliff near a heath

Origin:English
1284
Crow The meaning of Crow is 'someone with dark or...
Origin:Bird name
1455
Brick Brick is a name of English origin, which mea...
Origin:Word name, various origins
2261
Cleon

Meaning: glorious, renowned

Origin:Greek
2625
Loch

Meaning: lake

Origin:Scottish Gaelic
2675
Barley

Meaning: grower or seller of barley

Origin:English
3274
Brom The name Brom is mostly used as a boy's name...
Origin:English, diminutive of Bromley
3381
Jolyon

Meaning: youthful

Origin:Medieval form of Julian
3879
Quillen Quillen is a unique name and is not enlisted...
Origin:Variation of Quillan or Quillon
4045
Auric Auric is a unique name for boys. It is a goo...
Origin:Literary name
4932
Taft

Meaning: building site

Origin:English
5124