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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.

Hieronymous

Meaning: sacred name

Origin:Greek
5292
Japhy

Meaning: he expands

Origin:Diminutive of Japheth
5670
Darl Darl is a pretty common name all over the wo...
Origin:Literary name
6148
Praxis

Meaning: practical

Origin:Greek
6230
Macon The meaning of Macon is ‘mason, to make’ and...
Origin:French place-name
6758
Harun

Meaning: exalted

Origin:Arabic
7187
Twain

Meaning: divided in two

Origin:English
5017
Hemingway Hemingway is a name that originated in old E...
Origin:English place name
3875
Carver

Meaning: wood carver

Origin:English
2209
Titania

Meaning: giant, great one

Origin:Greek
2036
Bellow

Meaning: bellows maker

Origin:English occupational name
6862
Lardner

Meaning: servant in charge of a larder

Origin:Occupational name
11901
Velvet

Meaning: a fabric characterized by a short soft dense warp pile

Origin:English word name
1817
Sula Sula originates from the Hebrew roots. The m...
Origin:Literary name
2877
Fig The meaning of Fig is ‘a fruit name’. It has...
Origin:Fruit name
1792
Clelia

Meaning: famous

Origin:Latin
2564
Niobe The name Niobe originated from the famous Gr...
Origin:Greek mythology name
2792
Thisbe The meaning of Thisbe is ‘lover, where the d...
Origin:Greek mythological name, meaning unknown
1240
Fitzgerald

Meaning: son of Gerald

Origin:Irish and Scottish
1300
Behan

Meaning: bee

Origin:Irish
4477