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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.

Cheever

Meaning: female goat

Origin:English
8448
Harte

Meaning: stag

Origin:English
9270
Lalita

Meaning: playful, charming

Origin:Sanskrit
4813
Gide Gide is traditionally a boy's name of Welsh ...
Origin:French surname
10578
Jerzy

Meaning: farmer

Origin:Polish variation of George
7205
Origin:Diminutive of Joanna, Josephine, etc
2163
Mcewan

Meaning: son of Ewan

Origin:Scottish
10200
Millay Millay is a name mainly given to girls. The ...
Origin:English literary name
8418
Thackeray

Meaning: place with thatching

Origin:English
4906
Amis Amis is an attractive and sweet name that is...
Origin:Literary name
6476
Byatt

Meaning: by the enclosure

Origin:English
8810
Saroyan Saroyan is a name commonly given to boys. Th...
Origin:Armenian literary name
7767
Shakespeare

Meaning: brandish spear

Origin:English
9851
Luna

Meaning: moon

Origin:Latin
6
Scarlett

Meaning: scarlet, red

Origin:English
68
Aurora

Meaning: dawn

Origin:Latin
8
Beatrice

Meaning: she who brings happiness; blessed

Origin:Latin
36
Charlotte

Meaning: free man

Origin:French, feminine diminutive of Charles
21
Alice

Meaning: noble

Origin:German
7
Daisy

Meaning: day's eye

Origin:Diminutive of Margaret or flower name, English
31