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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.

Cooper

Meaning: barrel maker

Origin:English occupational name
225
Walker

Meaning: cloth-walker

Origin:English occupational name
414
Snow Snow is a word of English origin, and the me...
Origin:English word name
5122
Tennessee The name Tennessee has its roots in the Cher...
Origin:Native American, Cherokee, place-name
3977
Angelou The meaning of Angelou is 'an angel'. It is ...
Origin:Literary name
5059
Alabama

Meaning: vegetation gatherers

Origin:Place-name; Choctaw
3205
Poe

Meaning: peacock

Origin:English
1626
Lolita

Meaning: lady of sorrows

Origin:Spanish, diminutive of Lola and Dolores, Spanish
1100
Milan

Meaning: gracious, dear; union

Origin:Italian place name, Slavic, Sanskrit "gracious, dear; union"
1185
Undine

Meaning: little wave

Origin:Latin
2637
Amory

Meaning: industrious

Origin:German
2507
Alcott

Meaning: dweller at the old cottage

Origin:English
5479
Flannery

Meaning: descendant of Flannghal

Origin:Irish
3632
Yeats

Meaning: the gates

Origin:English
9100
Swan

Meaning: swan

Origin:English
2579
Plum Plum is the English name. It is said that th...
Origin:Fruit name
1913
Atalanta The meaning of Atalanta is 'balanced' or 'gr...
Origin:Greek mythology name
2095
Romola Romola is a very beautiful and unique name u...
Origin:Latin, Italian variation of Romulus, one of he founders of Rome
5280
Cato

Meaning: all-knowing

Origin:Latin
801
Hyacinth

Meaning: blue larkspur; precious stone

Origin:Flower name, from Greek
843